ABSENT WHEN HE KNOCKS

 
One should approach me as if deaf, dumb and blind. He who has a tongue but does not "speak," having ears but does not "hear" and having eyes but does not "see," can see me and follow me and speak about me! Only he who turns a deaf ear to others, speaks of no one else and sees no one else can remain absorbed in God!

This does not mean that you have to remain inactive or lazy. On the contrary, it means that you have to be very much more alert toward the expressive beauty of the all-pervading Beloved.

In one of his couplets Hafiz has said:

"Oh Hafiz! If you want your Beloved to be present,
  do not absent yourself for one moment from his presence."

This means that if you have an intense longing for your Beloved, leave all else and remain near him. Let not your mind wander for even an instant; keep it focused on him alone.

So beware, let not the Divine Beloved find you absent when he knocks at the door of your heart.