I gave up my music because I had received from it all that I had to receive. To serve God
one must sacrifice what is dearest to one; and so I sacrificed my music. I had composed
songs; I sang and played the vina; and practicing this music I arrived at a stage where I
touched the Music of the Spheres. Then every soul became for me a musical note, and all
life became music. Inspired by it I spoke to the people, and those who were attracted by
my words listened to the, instead of listening to my songs. Now, if I do anything, it is to
tune souls instead of instruments; to harmonize people instead of notes. If there is
anything in my philosophy, it is the law of harmony: that one must put oneself in
harmony with oneself and with others. I have found in every word a certain musical
value, a melody in every thought, harmony in every feeling; and I have tried to interpret
the same thing, with clear and simple words, to those who used to listen to my music. I
played the vina until my heart turned into this very instrument; then I offered this
instrument to the divine Musician, the only musician existing. Since then I have become
His flute; and when He chooses, He plays His music. The people give me credit for this
music, which in reality is not due to me but to the Musician who plays on his own
instrument.’
Hazrat Inayat Khan