As regards feeling pain, like a hand cut in battle,

consider the body a robe 

you wear. When you meet someone you love, do you kiss their clothes? Search out

who's inside. Union with God is sweeter than body comforts.

We have hands and feet 

different from these. Sometimes in dream we see them.

That is not 

illusion. It's seeing truly. You do have a spirit body; 

don't dread leaving the 

physical one. Sometimes someone feels this truth so strongly

that he or she can live in 

mountain solitude totally refreshed. The worried, heroic 

doings of men and women seem weary 

and futile to dervishes enjoying the light breeze of spirit.

From Soul of Rumi

by Coleman Barks