Interpretation of the Eighteenth Rule of Love

Rule Number 18 — The whole universe is contained within a single human being — you. Everything that you see around, including the things you might not be fond of and even the people you despise or abhor, is present within you in varying degrees. Therefore, do not look for Sheitan outside yourself either. The devil is not an extraordinary force that attacks from without. It is an ordinary voice within. If you get to know yourself fully, facing with honesty and hardness both your dark and bright sides, you will arrive at a supreme form of consciousness. When a person knows himself or herself, he or she knows God.

– Shams, to the Brothel Owner

Context - This rule emerges when the Brothel Owner asks Shams whether he can read people. In response, Shams explains that every person is like an open book; it only requires awareness and the right perception to understand people and situations clearly.

Interpretation within the Story - This rule highlights how our inner world shapes our outer reality.

Consider a simple example. If a heap of garbage lies on a busy road, it does not need to invite flies and insects; they are naturally drawn to it. Similarly, people instinctively avoid such filth without needing any instruction. These responses happen on their own.

In the same way, a person filled with hatred, resentment, and prejudice will naturally attract conflict and enemies. There is no need for any external trigger. On the other hand, someone who embodies love, compassion, wisdom, and empathy will naturally attract people who resonate with those qualities.

Therefore, it is misleading to ask why a particular negative person entered our life or why someone betrayed us. At a deeper level, we must recognize that such experiences are drawn in by our own inner tendencies and patterns.

Deeper Interpretation Beyond the Story - Another way to understand this is through the analogy of a drop of water taken from an ocean, sea, or river. If that single drop is analyzed in a laboratory, its composition will reflect the same essential qualities as the vast body of water it came from.

Similarly, since we are a part of existence, all its qualities exist within us. If we encounter people with saintly qualities, it indicates that we are aligned with those qualities within ourselves. Conversely, if we repeatedly attract negativity or toxicity, it suggests that our focus is still tied to those aspects within us.

There is no separate Divine or Devil outside us. Both are expressions of the energies we nurture within. This is why it is often said that knowing your true self is the same as knowing God.

Gratitude!!!