Before seeds went into the ground, they harvested wheat.
Before there was an ocean, they strung pearls.
While the great meeting was going on about bringing human beings into existence, they stood up to their chins in wisdom water.
When some of the angels opposed creation, the Sufi sheiks laughed and clapped among themselves.
Before materiality, they knew what it was liked to be trapped inside matter.
Before there was a night sky, they saw Saturn.
Before wheat grains, they tasted bread.
With no mind, they thought.
This excerpt from the Granary Floor, as translated/interpreted by Coleman Barks, is perhaps my most treasured piece of literature.