The Mirror, The Dust, The Reflection
The dust forms dense clouds of illusion, creating a veil between us and our soul’s mirror, preventing us from seeing our reflection.
I often feel lost when the connection fades. It happens more than I’d like to admit. I try to reconnect with my inner self, but the weight of endless thoughts and constant distractions pulls me away. They create a barrier, keeping me from reaching the state where I feel one with my true essence.
The mirror within me is covered in dust — I can no longer see my reflection. This dust is the illusion, blinding me to reality. It settles both inside and out, veiling the truth and trapping me in distractions, ensuring I never break free.
The mirror is your soul, the place where you will see yourself. The reflection you witness is your true self. The dust is anything that obscures your path to that truth. It consists of two things: one within you — your ego — and one surrounding you — the world.
If the soul would see itself, it must gaze into a clear mirror. If the mirror is covered with dust, it cannot reflect.” — Rumi
How do dust clouds form?
Ego, an inseparable part of us, draws strength from emotions, thoughts, and endless desires — and the world provides the perfect stage for them to play out. Fulfill one demand of the ego, and it will present two more, its hunger ever-growing. Over time, it becomes strong enough to form thick dust clouds between you and the mirror, obscuring your reflection.
Envy takes root within, and the world provides endless people to envy. Greed festers inside, while wealth and material possessions fuel its fire. Hatred lingers within, and the world offers countless reasons, faces, and situations to despise. The list is endless — the materials that form these dust clouds are abundant and ever-expanding.
We all have desires — rich or poor, young or old, healthy or sick — and they swirl together to form dense clouds that can keep us in darkness for lifetimes. Then come thoughts, thousands each day, layering over one another like an impenetrable fog. Together, desires & thoughts, they make it even harder to clear the dust and see through.
Fail to pay attention, and you risk being cut off from truth and reality — spending an entire lifetime trapped in illusion.
“When the soul lies down in that grass, the world is too full to talk about. Ideas, language, even the phrase each other doesn’t make any sense.” — Rumi
A Veil of Dust: Made of Needs & Desires: Inner desires accumulate slowly, often without us realizing it. Engulfed in an endless stream of wants, emotions rise and gain control over us.
Needs and desires intertwine — what begins as a necessity (food, clothing, shelter, transport) gradually gives way to cravings (I need this, I want to be like that). As we move through the world, desires creep in unnoticed, often disguised as needs.
Different levels: At the highest level, we become unconscious of the dust, unaware that our mirror has accumulated so much that we no longer search for it. At the normal level, the dust comes and goes as we make efforts, much like what happens with me.
Sometimes, it grows stronger, and clearing it takes more time and effort. Other times, when I notice it in time, I can remove it before it starts pulling me into darkness.
The dust within us paves the way for the abundance flowing from the outside, and it can form dense dust clouds in a matter of seconds.
It seems scary, but: It isn’t really. Just like the dust clouds that seem real but are not, darkness itself is a sign that light exists. Light is the ultimate reality; darkness is temporary.
“When the soul is at peace, the dust settles, and the mirror reflects the truth of who you are.” — Rumi
Our task is not to close our eyes when light appears, but to embrace it fully, stepping into the light rather than remaining in darkness by choice. Walk in the light, along the path that is illuminated, towards the mirror that radiates all this light, guiding you to discover your way back to it.
The journey to your soul’s mirror requires continuous effort, so you can finally see your reflection and meet your true self. The dust may seem real, real enough for you to mistake it for your destination, but with the slightest breath of air, the clouds will dissipate, revealing the mirror waiting for you to find it.
If you see it, or have ever seen it, don’t hold back. Don’t stop — reach the meeting point, where you will meet yourself.
“Do not seek water, seek thirst. Then water will find you.” — Rumi
About the Creator
DR3AM3R
I write about history, current affairs, and social issues to inspire change. Through storytelling, I expose injustices and challenge norms. My goal is to spark critical thinking, soon share powerful stories to drive awareness and action.
Day 4 of Quitting
If this is how sobriety feels, maybe it’s better to go through life a little buzzed… this, along with other hits like, I want to kill myself, I wish I was dead, and I’m going to throw myself off a bridge have been the only thoughts on rotation these past few days. I promise myself that if, in a month, I still feel like this (‘this’ meaning despondent, full of rage, and simultaneously numb) I can go back to smoking. Until mid-February though? Nicotine is off the table.
By sleepy drafts10 days ago in Longevity
The Return of the Aircraft Carrier Truman Is Being Seen as a Snub to the Navy in the War of the Future
The return of the U.S. aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman to active deployment has sparked debate far beyond naval circles. While some see it as a show of enduring American naval power, others interpret the move as a symbolic snub—particularly in the context of how modern warfare is rapidly evolving. In an era dominated by drones, cyber warfare, hypersonic missiles, and artificial intelligence, the decision to once again lean heavily on a traditional aircraft carrier has raised uncomfortable questions about whether the Navy is preparing for the wars of tomorrow or clinging to the strategies of yesterday. A Floating Symbol of 20th-Century Power For decades, aircraft carriers have been the ultimate symbol of U.S. military dominance. These massive floating airbases project power thousands of miles from American shores and allow the U.S. to strike almost anywhere in the world. The Truman, like other Nimitz-class carriers, represents this legacy—housing nearly 5,000 sailors, dozens of fighter jets, and unmatched logistical capability. However, critics argue that what once made carriers indispensable now makes them vulnerable. Their sheer size, cost, and visibility turn them into high-value targets in a battlefield increasingly defined by precision strikes and long-range weapons. The “War of the Future” Looks Very Different Modern conflict is no longer limited to sea, land, and air. Cyber attacks can cripple infrastructure without a single shot fired. Drones can swarm targets at a fraction of the cost of traditional aircraft. Hypersonic missiles can reach targets faster than current defenses can respond. In this context, sending a massive carrier strike group into contested waters can appear less like a strategic necessity and more like a risky gamble. Critics argue that the return of the Truman reflects an outdated mindset—one that prioritizes visible force projection over adaptability and technological evolution. A Snub to Naval Innovation? Many analysts and serving officers believe the Navy’s future lies in distributed lethality—smaller, more agile platforms networked together, harder to detect and cheaper to replace. Unmanned surface vessels, autonomous submarines, and land-based missile systems are increasingly viewed as the backbone of next-generation naval warfare. Against this backdrop, recommitting to a traditional carrier is seen by some as sidelining innovation. It sends a message that, despite years of discussion about transformation, the Navy still defaults to familiar tools when tensions rise. This perception has led to frustration among those advocating for faster modernization. They argue that resources devoted to maintaining and protecting carriers like the Truman could instead accelerate investment in emerging technologies that are more relevant to future conflicts. The Strategic Signal to Allies and Rivals Supporters of the decision counter that the Truman’s return is not about nostalgia—it’s about deterrence. Aircraft carriers remain powerful political tools. Their presence reassures allies, signals commitment, and demonstrates readiness in a way few other assets can. Yet even here, the message is mixed. To technologically advanced rivals, the deployment may signal predictability rather than strength. Adversaries have spent years developing strategies specifically designed to neutralize carriers, including anti-ship ballistic missiles and advanced surveillance systems. Cost Versus Capability The financial reality cannot be ignored. A single carrier strike group costs billions of dollars to build, maintain, and operate. In contrast, drone fleets and missile systems can be produced and deployed at a much lower cost, often with greater strategic flexibility. Critics argue that continuing to rely on carriers drains resources from areas where the Navy needs to grow most urgently. In a future conflict defined by speed, dispersion, and digital dominance, the cost-benefit equation of aircraft carriers looks increasingly questionable. Why the Carrier Still Matters—For Now Despite the criticism, aircraft carriers are not obsolete—yet. They remain unmatched in their ability to sustain prolonged air operations without relying on foreign bases. In regions where access is limited or politically sensitive, carriers still provide options no other platform can. The real issue, many experts say, is not the existence of carriers like the Truman, but over-reliance on them. Using them as one component of a broader, more flexible strategy may still make sense. Treating them as the centerpiece of future war planning may not. A Turning Point for Naval Strategy The return of the USS Harry S. Truman highlights a deeper tension within modern military thinking. It represents a crossroads between tradition and transformation, between proven power and emerging threats. Whether history views this moment as a wise assertion of strength or a missed opportunity for innovation will depend on what comes next. If the Navy pairs legacy platforms with bold technological change, the carrier’s return may be justified. If not, it risks becoming a powerful symbol—not of dominance, but of reluctance to adapt in a rapidly changing world.
By Fiazahmedbrohi 5 days ago in Longevity
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