The Complete Idiots Guide To Rumi Meditations

Rumi
Meditations
by Yahiya Emerick
A member of Penguin Group (USA) Inc.
Rumi
Meditations
Rumi
Meditations
by Yahiya Emerick
AmemberofPenguinGroup(USA)Inc.
ALPHA BOOKS
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Contents at a Glance
Part 1: Meet the Master 1
1 WhoWasRumi? 3
Getintroducedtothebest-sellingpoetin
Americatoday,Rumi,aPersianmystic
fromthethirteenthcentury.Explorewho
hewas,wherehecamefrom,andwhat
happenedinhislifetoshapehimandhis
workthatssospecialtoustoday.
2 WhatDidRumiBelieve? 21
LearnaboutRumisjourneyintothe
mysticalreachesoftheheartandwhathe
believedabouthumanbeings.Understand
whyhebelievedsopassionatelyinthepath
ofself-realizationandwhatthepitfallsto
progressthathewarnedagainstare.Also,
exploreRumisviewonhowlovedoessave
theday.
3 RumitheWriter 37
BegintoexplorewhatRumiwroteand
why,andhowhiswritingwasreceived.
Takeatourofeachofhismajorworks,
includingtheDivanandtheMathnawi,
andlearnhowtheWestdiscoveredRumi.
Part 2: Nothing for Something Is Everything 57
4 TheForgottenSelf 59
Onavoyageofself-discovery,Rumi
explorestherealrootsofstress,doubt,and
hopelessness,andhowapersoncansur-
viveinthisworldandgainasenseofself.
5 IgnitingtheDivineSpark 77
Thatlittlevoiceinsideyourheartisreal.
Whoisspeakingtoyou?Whatdoesthe
voicebidyoutodo?LearnhowRumi
guidesyoubacktothelightyouforgotyou
had.
vi
The Complete Idiots Guide to Rumi Meditations
6 FightingtheIllusionThatBindsYou 95
DiscoverRumisviewofthisworldand
ourplacewithinit.Explorehowthislife
isuseful,whatthemeaningisofwhatwe
see,whatsuccessandfailureareinlife,
andhowtoapplyRumistimelesslessons
toourdailylives.
Part 3: Love and the Single Mind 113
7 UnderstandingtheNatureofLove
andPain 115
ExploreRumisdefinitionofloveandits
Divineexpressioninourlives,andhow
weknowwhatloveisandwhatitneeds
togrow.Understandthereasonswesome-
timesexperiencepaininoursouls,what
itsfor,andhowlovethattranscendstime
setsusfree.
8 DancingwiththeBeloved 131
LearnaboutRumisquestforGodand
whatGodmeanttohim.Discoverwhat
itmeanstobeannihilatedintheDivine
andhowthespiritofDivinewisdomsets
usfreefromallthatpainsus.
9 CelebratingEarthlyPassion 145
Loveistheunionofsouls,sowheredoes
lovebegin?Howcanaliberatedsoullove
moredeeplythanashackledsoul?What
doesunrestrictedlovefeellike?Whatis
passionunleashedfromwithin?Discover
thebeautyofRumislovepoetry.
Part 4: In the Garden of Eternal Delight 161
10 WisdomtoLiveBy 163
Thepersonalhabitsandempowering
beliefsthatRumipraisedarereflectedin
muchofhiswritings.Explorethepitfalls
andnegativehabitsthatpreventpersonal
growthandunionwiththeDivinespark
withinusall.
Contents at a Glance
vii
11 AnimalFables 179
Rumiwasfondofemployinganimalsin
hisstoriesandpoems.Fromlions,horses,
andbirdstoevenrabbits,Rumibrought
outthewisdomineach.Discoversomeof
hismostmemorabletales,includingthose
drawnfromtheArabicliteraryclassic
KalilaandDimnah,andthevaluable
lessonseachcanteach.
12 StoriesoftheSeeker 195
Rumilivedatthetail-endofamagical
worldpopulatedbysinnersandsaints,
fabulouscitiesandlonelydervishes,and
wealthysultansandwanderingmaids.
Exploretheartistryandimagerythat
Rumiemployedinhisportrayalofthelast
daysofclassicIslamiccivilization.
Appendixes
A ATimelineofRumisLife 209
B RumiResources 215
C Glossary 223
Index 227
Contents
Part 1: Meet the Master 1
1 Who Was Rumi? 3
SettingtheStage...........................................................4
RumisScholarlyLineage..............................................5
BahauddinTakestotheRoad......................................7
OutrunningtheMongols.............................................8
RumiSeestheWorld....................................................9
GoingBacktoSchool.................................................10
AVoicefromthePast.................................................11
RumiMeetstheMystic...............................................12
RumisSoulTakesFlight...........................................14
CompositionoftheDivan...........................................16
RumiRealizestheGreaterTruth...............................16
TheWritingoftheMathnawi...................................17
2 Rumi and His Worldview 21
RumiandHisReligion...............................................22
PeopleAretheRichestTreasure................................24
HumansAreNotBornSinful....................................25
WhySoManySeekGod............................................26
TheThreeTypesofBeing..........................................27
LoveIstheUltimateGoal..........................................29
SeektheCompanyofLovers.......................................31
DrunkwithDivineLove.............................................33
YoureWorththeEffort..............................................35
3 Rumi the Writer 37
TheDivan....................................................................38
ItsThreeMajorParts................................................40
OdestoShamsuddin...................................................41
ASelectionofQuatrains...........................................44
APreludetotheMathnawi.......................................45
TheSevenSermons.......................................................46
TheLettersofRumi...................................................48

WhateverIsinThisIsinThat....................................49
HowDestinySteersOurWay....................................49
TheEternalQuestforLove........................................50
WhoseFaultIsItifYoureBored?..............................51
TheMathnawi..............................................................52
TheSecretIsOut!.....................................................53
BeyondaMereMortal ...............................................54
TheReachoftheMathnawi......................................55
Part 2: Nothing for Something Is Everything 57
4 The Forgotten Self 59
TheOverlookedTreasure...........................................60
ScatteredTime............................................................62
TimeIstheReminder.................................................64
ThereIsDeathinaLifeWithoutLife......................66
LetRumiBeYourGuide............................................68
EmbraceYourInnerYou.........................................70
TheStarkTruth........................................................70
SeektheOpenedHeart..............................................71
WhytheSeekerAchievestheGoal..............................73
ConsiderYourselfaTreasure......................................74
PuttingItAllTogether................................................75
5 Igniting the Divine Spark 77
AndWhatIsOurPurposeAgain?..............................78
WhatExcuseDoYouHave?......................................81
TheSpiritRespondstotheCall .................................83
RumisWordsofAdvice..............................................84
YouDontNeedAnySpecialSkills.............................84
LetYourselfBeOpen-Minded....................................85
HaveYouInspectedYourselfLately?...........................86
LookintotheSelf.......................................................88
IsaSeekerExpectedtoBePerfect?...........................90
TheUltimatePay-Off.................................................93
6 Fighting the Illusion That Binds You 95
PeeringThroughtheLookingGlass.........................96
LearningtoSeetheReality........................................97
TheTruthofOurAchievements...............................100
Contents
i
EternalLifeIsNotPossibleHere............................100
WeWereNotMadeforThisWorld.........................102
TheLureofImpossibleDreams................................102
DontFightLifeItsNotYourBattle.....................103
MaterialismIsaPlagueUponOurSouls.................104
DimmingtheLightoftheSoul................................104
TheRealRootofStress............................................105
TheCauseofHumanConflict..................................105
LearningtoFightMaterialism.................................106
ModerateYourWork...............................................107
YouDontHavetoRenouncetheWorld!...................108
BewareoftheSweetLure.........................................108
AvoidtheUltimateRegret.......................................109
TheRealTreasureThatLasts..................................110
ReaptheBestRewards.............................................110
LetYourHeartCarryYouForward.........................111
Part 3: Love and the Single Mind 113
7 Understanding the Nature of Love and Pain 115
RecognizingLoveforWhatItIs..............................116
LettheHeartOpentotheLight..............................117
IntentionsMeanMoreThanAppearances................117
TheImportanceofaThankfulNature.....................118
LearnLovefromtheExperts...................................118
ThisLoveCanBeBought........................................118
ToWhatEndYourLifesWork?..............................119
WhyDoesLoveSometimesInvolvePain?..............120
DontLetPainOvercomeYourHopeinGod............121
PainSpursUstoAction...........................................121
HelpIsAvailable.....................................................122
RemembranceIsanElixir........................................123
BeMercifultoThoseinPain...................................123
DoNotBeaCauseforInjustice...............................123
ReformtheSelfAboveAllOthers.............................124
DontMisrepresentYourself......................................125
SeektheSilverLining.............................................125
NoOneCanHelpYoubutYou.................................125
TheSoothingMercyofGod......................................126
ii
UnravelingDivineMysteries....................................126
TheMysteryofMisplacedExpectations.....................127
OppositesServeaPurpose........................................128
WhatLoveSometimesBrings..................................128
TheresNoStoppingLove.......................................128
YouAreMoreThanYouSee....................................129
DontGoEmpty-Handed.........................................129
BurnDowntheHouseoftheEgo.............................129
DesireforSalvationWillCarryYouThere..............130
8 Dancing with the Beloved 131
CelebratingDivineLove...........................................132
TheSoulKnowsHowtoWin...................................132
OnlyLoveCanSaveYou.........................................133
BeautifytheHeartThroughGod.............................135
DoSomethingExtraordinary...................................135
LoveIsWorththeGamble.......................................135
WeBelongtoYou.....................................................136
SwimmingwiththeCurrent.....................................136
LookAhead,OTraveler...........................................137
SafetyIsFoundwithGod.........................................137
AttheHeartoftheMatter......................................138
DontDenytheKeepersofFate................................139
MercyNeverGivesUp............................................139
RealizetheSelfIsNothing.......................................140
AllBeingsDependuponGod....................................140
NeverStopDrinkingtheWaterofLife....................140
SettingtheSoulFree.................................................141
WeWereMadetoSeek............................................142
ThisWorldIsaDream............................................142
WhyShouldIFear?................................................142
PartingWordsfromLife..........................................143
9 Celebrating Earthly Passion 145
YearningforLove......................................................146
ThePowerofPassion...............................................146
WhatMadnessIsLove.............................................146
LoveBewildersAll...................................................147
DontGo.................................................................147
Contents
iii
LoveatFirstSight..................................................147
LoseYourselfinLove................................................147
LoveIsMoreThanSkinDeep.................................148
WaitingforYourLove.............................................148
DontTurnMeAway..............................................148
ISufferforYourLove..............................................148
ThePowerofLove...................................................149
TheJoysofLoveUnfettered....................................150
HowDoesItFeeltoBeinLove?..............................150
WhatLoveSaidtoMe............................................151
WonderstruckinLove..............................................151
TheTreasureofaKiss..............................................151
LovingMoreThanJustHerGoodSide...................151
ChallengeMe..........................................................152
AllISeeIsYou........................................................152
TheExpressionofLove............................................152
LoversWereMadeforEachOther...........................152
LoveHasItsOwnLogic...........................................153
FinallyAlone...........................................................153
SoGenerousinLove................................................153
Surprise...................................................................154
OnSeparation............................................................154
YouAreMyWorld...................................................154
BringMeJoyStill...................................................155
Loss.........................................................................155
TheBurningofaBrokenHeart...............................155
ThinkNoMoreofMe.............................................156
LifeNoMore...........................................................156
LetNoOtherIn......................................................156
TearsIShedforYou.................................................156
Ruin........................................................................157
Solitude...................................................................157
PainHasaPurpose.................................................157
LoveCelebrated........................................................157
TheStoryofLove....................................................158
ContentinLove.......................................................158
EternalLove............................................................158
MutualDesire.........................................................158
iv
NoEscapefromLove...............................................159
Indescribable............................................................159
SchoolofLove..........................................................159
Unforgettable...........................................................159
Part 4: In the Garden of Eternal Delight 161
10 Wisdom to Live By 163
PrinciplesofDignifiedLiving..................................164
ShortcomingsCannotRemainHidden......................165
HowArroganceCanBeRecognized..........................165
DoNotOveremphasizetheSelf...............................166
HowConceitCanBeOurUndoing..........................166
DontPutOffRemorse............................................167
DontCovettheWorld.............................................168
AvoidtheCompanyofFools.....................................169
TwoPersonalHabitsforSuccess..............................170
BeNotTooProudtoAskforHelp............................170
UsetheBodysNeedstoYourAdvantage...................172
WisePrinciplestoLiveBy.......................................173
HowtoJudgeaPersonsCharacter..........................174
TrustYourFeelings ..................................................174
TruthIstheCatalystforTranquility........................174
LookforNoSolutionsinViolence.............................174
TheLawofKarma..................................................175
DontNumbtheMindwithDesires.........................175
BadHabitsandTheirCure.....................................176
AWiseReminder......................................................176
11 Animal Fables 179
ItAllDependsonYourVantagePoint.....................180
TheStoryoftheThreeFish.....................................181
TheFoalWhoRefusedtoDrink.............................184
TheStoryoftheFerociousLion..............................185
TheObjectionoftheRabbit .....................................188
TheLionMeetsHisFate.........................................189
TheLazyDog...........................................................192
Contents
v
12 Stories of the Seeker 195
TheLinguistandtheSailor......................................196
TheKingandtheBandofThieves..........................197
TheManWhoBefriendedaBear............................201
WhereIsYourCamel?..............................................203
TheHeroofQazwin.................................................204
TheManWhoFledfromDeath..............................206
DontDealinIf......................................................207
Appendies
A A Timeline of Rumis Life 209
B Rumi Resources 215
C Glossary 223
Inde 227
Introduction
Poetryhasbeenoneofthemostcommonvehiclesforexpressingwis-
domandculturalknowledgethroughouthumanhistory.Whenwords
arestrungtogetherlikepearlsonagoldenchainofrhymeandrhythm,
theyfloatmuchmoreeasilyintotheheartandmindthanmerelectur-
ing.Moreover,whenaweightymessageiscarriedonthegentlestream
ofapoem,itsunthreatening,easytoremember,andadelighttohear.
Weare,infact,creaturesattunedtopoetry!
Someofthegreatestreligiousworksofantiquity,suchasthePsalms,
theQuran,theTaoTeChing,andothers,usepoetrytogettheirmes-
sageacross.Whenreligionandpoetrygetmarried,thechildrencan
turnouttobetrulybeautiful!Nowthinkofsomeofthebest-loved
storiesthathavesurvivedthroughtheages,compositionsasdiverseas
HomersOdysseyortheCanterburyTales.Theywerepoeticinformand
heldawideaudienceenthralledtotheirtales.EmilyDickenson,Robert
Frost,andevensomemodernsongwritershavethesameeffectonus
today.Poetryasanartformseemstobringlightforitsownsakeinto
ourotherwiseordinaryexistence!
FromtheEast,too,therehascomealargenumberofpoeticworks
thathavestoodthetestoftime.TheworksofFariduddinAttar,Hafiz,
IbnArabi,Jami,andNizamistandoutasclassicsinboththeirown
languagesandinEnglish.Thereisanotherpoet,however,whosework
hastoweredaboveallothersinbothitsappealandwidespreaduse,
andthatistheworkofthethirteenth-centurypoet-master,Jalaluddin
Rumi.Farfrombeingmerelypleasantselectionstowhileawayan
afternoonwith,hiswritingshaveshapedthethinkingofgenerations
ofMuslims,bothSufiandorthodox,andhiscoupletsarestilltaughtin
mostschoolsthroughouttheMuslimworldtoday.
Rumiwasnoausteretheologianissuingedictsofdoominmerepoetic
form,however,forhehadadifferentmission.Hislifeandexamplewas
dedicatedtobecomingtheliving,breathingembodimentofwhatacon-
scientiousandthoughtfulMuslimshouldbe.Thathewasareligious
andfaithfulMuslimisneverquestioned,forhewasanImam,areli-
giouslawyerandateacher.Yethewaspartofatradition,handeddown
fromgenerationsbeforehim,whichsawintheQuranandthelifeof
ProphetMuhammadthedoorthatledthesincereseekertothevery
viii
thresholdofDivineLoveandlight.ForRumi,hisreligionwasthekey
toopeningthedoorstoself-realizationandultimatelyabsorptioninto
thelightofGod.
ThisbookyouhaveinyourhandsisacompilationofsomeofRumis
poemswithaccompanyingmeditations.AlthoughIamnotadisciple
ofRumi,Ihavealwaysenjoyedhisexpansiveinsightandwisdom,and
Ibelievehiswordsspeaktoallpeopleregardlessofwhotheyareor
wheretheycomefrom.Ihopethatyouenjoytheseselections,andits
mysinceredesirethatRumicanbecomeastepping-stoneforyouto
exploretheinnermysteriesthatmakeupthehumanheart.Ifonesoul
breatheseasierbecauseofwhatIhavedonehere,thenperhapsthefaint
breezeofsuchasighofreliefmayblowmywayandmakemesmilefor
noreason.ItmightevenreachRumi,aswell.
How This Book Is Organized
Thisbookhasbeendividedintofourseparatesectionsthatgroup
togetherRumispoemsbytheme.
Part 1, Meet the Master, introduceswhoRumiwasandwhatforces
shapedhislife.Welearnabouthisbackground,hisillustriousfather,
hismanytravels,thepeoplehemetwhoinfluencedhim,andthejour-
neytowardenlightenmentheundertookseeminglybyaccident.His
majorworksareintroduced,andtheysetthestagefordelvingintothe
self-awarenessjourney.
Part 2, Nothing for Something Is Everything, introducestheidea
thatpeoplesufferfromalackofself-awareness.Thedrudgeryandtoil
ofourdailylivesmakeusforgettotakecareofthemostimportant
personinourlives:ourselves.Rumiprovidesapathforremembering
whoweareandforidentifyingtheessentialsofawakeningthesleeping
mind.
Part 3, Love and the Single Mind, exploreswhattrueloveisandhow
toachieveit.WhenthelightofDivineLoveisawakenedwithinus,our
capacityforearthlyloveisignitedtothebenefitofallaroundus.
Part 4, In the Garden of Eternal Delight, presentssomeofRumis
morememorabletalesofwisdomandinsight.Throughanimalfables,
teachingstories,andpracticalapplicationsoflifeskills,welearnhowto
applythewisdomofRumitoourownlives.
Introduction
xix
Extras
To help your learning experience be even more enjoyable and insight-
ful, youll find many of the following sidebars, including interesting
tidbits of information, sprinkled liberally throughout the text.
t i
li ll
Throughou Rumsworks,
hedraws bera
Rumis References
Wisdom of the Ages
Hereyouwillfindthe
yonverses
wordsofpoetswho
fromtheQuran,sayingsof
Muhammad,prominentschol-
ars,andfellowpoetsthrough
thecenturies.Thesereferences
areidentifiedhere.
haveinfluencedRumiin
thedevelopmentofhisunder-
standing.Youwillalsofind
someofRumisownwords
here,aswell.
Footprints of the Master
Atreasuretroveofuseful
informationandbackground
notestohelpyouunderstand
Rumislifeandworksinabet-
terlight.
Thisresourcewillprovideyou
withtranslationsoffrequently
usedwordsandimportant
termsrelatedtothelifeof
Rumi.
Acknowledgments
I really want to thank the people who made this book possible. This is
my second Complete Idiots Guide and the support Ive received has been
overwhelming. To Jacky Sach, my literary agent, I extend my grati-
tude for encouragement and helpful feedback. A special thank-you for
Randy Ladenheim-Gil, my company guide, for all the kind assistance
she extended in the completion of this manuscript. The staff at Alpha
Books, a division of Penguin, has also been exceptional. My editors,
Susan Zingraf, Janette Lynn, and Janet K. Zoya, deserve kudos for the
hard task of making sense of my endless files, and finally, and most
importantly, I would like to thank my family for shouldering more than
their fair share of lifes responsibilities during my time working on this
book.

Trademarks
Alltermsmentionedinthisbookthatareknowntobeoraresuspected
ofbeingtrademarksorservicemarkshavebeenappropriatelycapital-
ized.AlphaBooksandPenguinGroup(USA)Inc.cannotattesttothe
accuracyofthisinformation.Useofaterminthisbookshouldnotbe
regardedasaffectingthevalidityofanytrademarkorservicemark.
;
1
Meet the Master
JalaluddinRumiwasoneofthemostcomplexmentoinhabitthe
MuslimMiddleAges.Hiscomplexitylayinhisbroadwisdom
andmanydecadesofdeepstudy.Infact,hereceivedthefinest
educationhistimecouldoffer.Yet,inanopportunemomentof
inspiration,hebrokefreefromtheconfinesofknowledgeand
tookflightonaspiritualawakeningthatledhimtothedoorsof
innertruth.Hiscomplexitythentookontherobeofsimplicity,
enablinghimtosharedeepinsightsandwisdomwithoneandall.
SuchwasRumi'sabilitytomakethedeepestmysteriesclearthat
heattractedstudentsfromallreligions.Hebecamesobeloveda
figurethatthosearoundhimfelthisabsencewhenhewasaway
fromthem andwhenhepassedaway,hisfuneralwasattended
byMuslims,Christians,andJews.Thiswastheeffectthat
Rumi'slifeofloveandteachinghad.Inthispartyouwilllearn
aboutwhoRumiwas,thesocietyandculturehelivedin,therole
ofhistoricaleventsandreligioninhislife,whathewrote,and
theprincipleshestoodfor.You'llbeamazedatthecolorfuland
interestinglifeheledandthemarvelsofgeniushepenned.
Part
I i
u
u
u
u
1
Who Was Rumi?
n Th s Chapter
ThebackgroundoftheIslamiccultureandsignificant
eventsthatshapedRumislife
Rumisfamilyofeducatorsandhislifeofstudy
ThepivotalinfluenceofmysticShamsuddin
ThemainfactorscausingRumitotakeupthestudyof
thesoul
ItcanbehonestlysaidthatJalaluddinRumiwasanexemplary
iconofwhatatrueinternationalistshouldbe.Hisemphasison
tolerance,personalintegrity,generosity,cooperation,andyes,
genuineloveforallthingsisanexampleforallpeopleevery-
wheretoemulate.Somuchso,UNESCO,adivisionofthe
UnitedNations,declaredtheyear2007astheYearofRumi.
Nowitmayseemoddthataninternationalorganizationrep-
resentingadiversearrayofcultures,races,andreligionswould
promotethelifeandthoughtofathirteenthcenturyMuslim
poet.Yetwhenwelookatwhathestoodfor,itsapparenthesa
perfectfit.
Chapter
4
Part 1: Meet theMaster
Throughhismanywritings,speeches,andpoems,Rumiembodiedthe
spiritoftheevolvedhumanbeing:someonewhomallcouldtrusttobe
fairandattentive,tobepatientandopen-minded,andtobeeverthe
beaconofenlightenedtolerationforall.Infact,Rumicountedamong
hisstudentspeopleofmanydifferentreligionsandbackgrounds,who
allsawwithinhisteachingsthebestofwhattheirowntraditionshadto
offer.
Inthisbook,wewillexplorethedepthofRumitheman,hiswork,
anditslegacyandthebeautyofhisteachingsonlove,peace,and
enlightenment.Yet,whowasRumi?Wheredidhecomefrom,andhow
didhegainsuchanexpansiveviewofthehumansoul?
Tobeginourjourney,letsheadbackintimeandsetthestageofthe
ancientIslamicworld,learnabouttheeventsleadinguptoandduring
Rumislife,andseewhatforcesshapedthemanofwhomtheUnited
Nationssaid,Thisishisyear.
Setting the Stage
OurjourneytoRumibegins800yearsago,inthelatetwelfthand
earlythirteenthcenturies,onthefrontiersoftheIslamicworld.It
stretchedfromwesternAfricaandSpainallthewayeastwardthrough
thewildsofcentralAsiaanddownintothespiceislandsoftheMalay
Archipelago,inpresent-dayMalaysia.Itwasafabledtimeandplace
straightoutoftheArabianNights,whosetalessocaptivatedtheWest
withimagesofflyingcarpets,fancifulbandits,mysteriousnomads,
andexoticlocations.Ofcourse,
FootprintsoftheMaster
therewerentactuallyflyingcarpets,
Inthethirteenthcentury,
butthisworldatthetimecertainly
medievalBaghdadwas exudedanexoticflaircomparedto
themostcivilizedcityinthe
thatoftheWest,whichonlyadded
world.Itboastedhundreds
toitsintrigue.
oflibraries,freehospitals
andcolleges,aswellasvast
Onthepoliticalfront,Baghdadwas
marketswherethegoodsof thejeweloftheIslamicworldatthis
bothEastandWestcould
time,andtheonceproudcaliphs
behad.InEurope,Baghdad
(orleaders)ofthewaningAbbasid
wascalledTheJewelofthe
dynasty,afamilyofrulerswho
World.
claimeddescentfromtheProphets
5
Chapter 1: WhoWasRumi?
uncle,wasnearingtheendofitspowerasamotleyhostofnewly
IslamizedTurksviedforrealpowerbehindthethrone.Farthereast
intoPersia,intheregionknowntodayasTurkey,localgovernorshad
alreadydeclaredtheirindependencefromthiscentralgovernmentand
setuptheirownsmallfiefdoms,payingmerelipservicetothesymbol
ofIslamicunityinBaghdad.
ThoughthepoliticalstructureoftheIslamicworldwasfragmenting
rapidlyatthistime,theculturalunityofthesocietyofbelieverswasstill
verymuchaliveandwell.Muslimsofalltypesmerchants,scholars,
pilgrims,adventurers,androguescouldpassfreelyfromoneendof
theIslamicworldtotheotherandscarcelyrecognizeanysignsthatthe
politicalboundarieshadchangedalongtheway.Indeed,thetraditionof
thewandererwaswellingrained
inthepsycheoftheMuslim
mind.Somuchso,theProphet
Muslims arethosewho
believeinandpracticethe
Muhammadonceremarked,How
unfortunateforthepersonwho
religionofIslam,whichisthe
diesclosetohome.Thiswasthe
second-largestreligioninthe
worldtodayandisbasedon
kindofworldthatRumisances-
theteachingsofMuhammad,
torslivedin,anditwouldbeindic-
wholivedduringtheseventh
ativeofthecoursethatRumis
century.
ownlifewouldtake.
Rumis Scholarly Lineage
OnthenortheastfringesofthisIslamicsocietylaythesmallcityof
Balkh,locatedinpresent-dayAfghanistan.Itwasahardscrabblesettle-
mentnestledamongtheruggedfoothillsoftheHinduKushmoun-
tains,trulyafrontiertownineverysenseoftheword.Itwasatthe
westernendofabroadswathofIslamicterritorythatextendeddeep
intocentralAsia.Islamhadcometothisregionintheninthandtenth
centuries;yet,liketypicalattemptsatcivilizingoutlyinglands,the
existingcultureherewastemperedbyitsessentialfreespiritandrest-
lessenergy.Inotherwords,theyprimarilymarchedtothebeatoftheir
owndrum,sotospeak.
Localrulershere,however,inattemptstolegitimizetheirownpower,
oftensupportedthingshavingtodowiththeIslamreligionevenifthey
6
didntalwaysfollowitsdictatesthemselves.Theyerectedmosques,built
comfortstationsformerchantsonthefabledSilkRoad(thetraderoute
thatranfromChinatoEurope),andsoughtoutwanderingscholarsto
sponsorintheirbackwatersettle-
mentsofstonehuts,bazaars,and
ricketypalaces.Religiousbookswere
alsohighlyprized,whichallowed
forasteadyflowofIslamicflavor
tocontinuallyraindownoverthis
exoticanduntamedregion.
Amosque isabuildingin
whichMuslimsworship.
InthedistrictofBalkh,therelivedawell-knownreligiousscholar
namedAhmadal-Khatibi.Hisinterestinscholarlystudiesledhimto
amassalargelibraryofbooksandgainareputationasalocaljudge.
Onthisaccount,learningandscholarshipbecameaningrainedoccupa-
tionamonghisdescendants.Al-Khatibipassedhisloveofknowledge
ontohisson,JalaluddinHussein.Inturn,Husseinhadtheresponsi-
bilityofinstillingthesameloveofbooksinhisownson,Bahauddin
MuhammadWalad,Rumisfather,whowasbornin1152.However,
Husseinneverhadthechancetoeducatehissonduetohisownprema-
turedeathjusttwoyearsafterBahauddinwasborn.Thereforeitwas
uptoHusseinswidow(Bahauddins
mother)namedMuminaKhatun,
whowasaprincessinthelocal
ThenameJalaluddin means
GloryoftheFaith.Rumi
emirateofBalkh,andhisownfather
wasnamedafterhisgrandfa-
(al-Khatibi,Bahauddinsgrandfa-
therJalaluddinHussein.
ther),wholivedtoaripeoldage,to
carryforththescholarlytraditionto
youngBahauddin.
Accordingtoananecdotehandeddownamongthedescendantsofthis
family,whenHusseinpassedaway,Bahauddinsmothertookthetwo-
year-oldboybythehandandledhimintohisfatherslibrary.There
shesaidtohim,Iwasmarriedtoyourfatherforthesakeofthesebooks.
Yourfatherstudiedthesewritingsandtherebygainedthespiritualmastery
thatmadehimfamousthroughouttheMuslimworld.Intime,underhis
grandfathersandmotherstutelage,Bahauddinhimselfgainedarepu-
tationforlearningandknowledgesecondtonone.
7
Lateintheyear1207,asonwasborntoBahauddin,andheknewwhat
familylegacyhewouldpassontohim.ThissonwasnamedJalaluddin
Muhammad,latertobeknownasRumi.
Bahauddin Takes to the Road
RumiwasborninthetownofWakhsh,whichliesjustnorthofBalkh
inpresent-dayTajikistan.Atthattime,RumisfatherBahauddinwas
acelebratedscholarintheregionandaminorprinceoftheruling
emirate(orcommand.)Bahauddin,however,removedhimselffrom
anypoliticalaffairstoinsteadleadthelifeofatheologianandjudge.
Hisreputationforfairnessandclarityofthoughtearnedhimahigh
reputationintheregion.Infact,hehadnopeerlocallyexceptforthe
equallyfamousanderuditescholarFakhruddinar-Razi,whoseworks
onreligiousdoctrineearnedhimwidespreadfame.Therearesome
indications,though,thatthetwomendidntparticularlylikeeachother
giventheirdifferentstylesofthoughtBahauddinwasmorespiritual
bynaturewhileRaziwasmoreofarationalist.Somewritershavesug-
gestedthatthiswasthecauseforBahauddinseventualself-imposed
exilefromthisregion,whichhebeganin1212.
AnotherprobablereasonforBahauddinsmigrationfromWakhsh
liesintherough-and-tumblenatureofthatvolatileregion,which
straddledtheworldsofbothEastandWest.Therehadrecentlybeen
uncertaintyandturmoilinthelocalgovernment,withthelastoverlord
sultanoftheGhoridDynastyhavingbeenkilledinbattle.Inaddition,
theexpandingambitionsofAlauddinMuhammadIIalsoknownas
KhwarizmShah,aTurkishwarlordfromthesouthledtoaninvasion
andthesiegeofBalkhitself.Thus,whenRumiwasaboutfiveyearsold,
hisfatherremovedhisfamilyandsettledtheminthenorthernfortress
townofSamarkand(inpresent-dayUzbekistan)toescapeallofthis
unrest.
AfterKhwarizmShahcompletedhisconquestsinBalkhandturned
theeyeofhisinterestselsewhereandthingsseemedmoresettled,
BahauddinreturnedhisfamilytothedistrictofgreaterBalkhfora
time.
8
Outrunning the Mongols
Asaboy,RumireceivedaclassicalIslamiceducationfromhisfather,
whichincludedtheology,law,andtheArabiclanguage.Hisfatherstop
student,SyedBurhanuddinMohhaqiq,alsotutoredhim.Ifnothingelse
hadintervenedinRumisworld,hemighthavemerelysucceededhis
fatherasalocalluminaryandhisnamemayhavebeenlosttohistory.
Yet,historyhasawayofmakingtheunexpectedhappen,andevents
beyondthecontrolofanymortalweresoontosendRumiandhisfam-
ilyonajourneytakingthemthousandsofmilesaway.
EnterKhwarizmShahoncemore.Intheyear1218,whenRumiwas
11yearsold,theup-and-comingMongolwarlordnamedGenghisKhan
sentemissariestothePersiancourtinBalkhseekingtradedealsand
mutualrecognition.Meanwhile,KhwarizmShahhadrecentlybeen
thwartedinhiseffortstotakeovertheAbbasidCaliphateofBaghdad.
ScholarsbelieveKhawrizmShahtookouthisfrustrationsonwhat
hemusthavedeemedtobetherepresentativesofapatheticnomadic
chieftainGenghisKahn.KhwarizmShahhadtheseMongolambas-
sadorsbeheadedandsenttheirremainsbacktotheGreatKhan,taking
caretoshowasmuchdisrespectaspossible.
Genghis Khan wasaMongolwarlordwhocreatedoneofthelarg-
estempiresinworldhistory.Hisforcesconqueredmuchoftheknown
worldfromnorthernChinatothebordersofEurope.Hisforcesdevas-
tatedmuchoftheMuslimworldintheearlythirteenthcentury,causing
himtoboastthathewastheverypunishmentofGodHimselfsentupon
theMuslimsandChristiansoftheworld.
ThevengeanceofGenghisKhan,producedfromthisonerashactof
anarrogantruler,wasswiftandterrible,withdestructionofhistoric
proportions.Itunleashedawarmachine,whicheventuallyreached
intoEuropeitselfaftercausingthedestructionofnearlyhalfthe
Muslimworldintheprocess.Hisarmyof200,000mensweptdown
uponcentralAsia,burningeverycitytotheground,andtorturingand
killingpracticallyeveryhumanbeingtheycameacrossintheirmad
fury.Anyvestigeofcivilizationwasliterallyrazedtothegroundfor
thousandsofsquaremileswithmillionsofpeoplekilled,makingthese
9
Mongolshistorysfirstgreatgenocidalhorde.TheMuslimworldstill
hasnotfullyrecoveredfromthisdestruction,whichdestroyedhalfof
itscentersoflearningandcultureamereeightcenturiesago.Bythe
year1219,thesituationinBalkhwaslookingevermoregrimasthe
cruelMongolsinchedcloser.Bahauddinhimselfmadeapredictionto
thelocalgovernorthatthecitywasdoomed.Hethentookhisfam-
ilyandheadedsouthwestwardtowardthesaferregionsoftheMuslim
heartland.
Ayearlater,theMongolsdestroyedBalkh.Infact,theimminentthreat
ofMongolinvasionwouldbeaconstantinRumislife,evenonupinto
hislateryears.ThelandhehadsettleddownincameunderMongol
swaythroughpoliticalusurpation.Interestinglyenough,Ruminever
expressedoutrighthatredofthisfoe,anditwaspartlyduetohisgentle
philosophythatthegreatgrandchildrenoftheMongolsacceptedIslam.
Rumi Sees the World
Rumiwasfastapproachinghisteenageyearswhenhisfathermoved
theirfamilysouthwestwardfromthedistrictofBalkh.Thefirststop
theymadewasinthefamousPersiancityofNishapur,locatedin
present-dayIran.ItwasherethattheyoungRumimetthecelebrated
writer,FariduddinAttar.Attarsphilosophicallyandspirituallyori-
entedworkswerewidelyknown,especiallyhismonumentalepic,The
ConferenceofBirds.Attar,itseems,wasimpressedwiththelucidityand
insightofRumi,despitehisyouth,andAttarpersonallygaveRumia
copyofhismysticaltract,TheBookofSecrets.Infact,scholarstoday
areoftheopinionthatAttarwasoneofthetwogreatinfluencesupon
Rumisthinking.(TheotheristhoughttobethemysticalAfghanipoet
andscholar,HakimSanaiofGhazni,whopassedawaysome60years
beforeRumiwasborn.)
BahauddinwasnotplanningtosettleinNishapur,however,forhis
aimseemedtolieelsewhere.Inaddition,theMongolswerenotfar
behindintheirrelentlessmarchintotheheartofPersia.Fortuitously,
BahauddinfelttheurgetovisittheholycityofMeccainArabia
(present-daySaudiArabia),andthus,Bahauddinpackeduphisfam-
ilyandleftNishapurheadingfarthersouthwestwardtoMecca.Itwas
justintime,itseems,forshortlyafterwardtheMongolscapturedand
destroyedNishapur,killingupto1,000,000peopleintheprocess.
10
Maarif That
Book.
BahauddinWaladwasmorethanjustafamousreligiousscholar.He
wasalsoamysticphilosopherwithalargethoughdiscreetfollowing.
Someyearsbeforehepassedaway,Bahauddingavehissonacopy
ofabookofhisthoughtsthathehadwritten,entitled, ,or
Which Is Thought About.AmodernEnglishtranslationofselectionsfrom
thisbookbyColemanBarksandJohnMoyneistitled,The Drowned
Giventhetimes,itwasexpectedthatapersononanylongjourney
throughtheheartlandofIslamwouldmakevisitstothegreatestcit-
ies.Accordingly,theitinerantfamilyofBahauddinenjoyedsojournsin
thefabledcitiesofBaghdadandeasternSyria.Fromtherethefamily
finallymadetheirpilgrimagetoMecca.Then,aftercompletingthe
holyrituals,theystartedonalong,meanderingjourneynorthward
backthroughSyriauntiltheyfinallyreachedAnatolia(theAsianside
ofpresent-dayTurkey),thedomainoftheSeljuktribeofTurkswhose
kingdomconsistedoflandrecentlyseizedfromtheByzantineRomans.
(TheByzantineEmpire,centeredonGreeceandTurkey,wasallthat
wasleftoftheoriginalRomanEmpire.)
SettlinginasmalltowninAnatolianamedLaranda,Rumi,whowas
bythenabout21yearsold,hadalreadyaccomplishedmorethanmost
youngmencouldatthattime.Notonlyhadheescapedthemaniacal
hordeofinvaderswhohaddestroyedhishomeland,Rumiwasfortu-
nateenoughtohavealsobeenfullytrainedintheclassicalartsand
sciences.HetraveledthroughthemostimportantcitiesofIslam,had
movedfromhishometoalandover1,000milesaway,andhadenjoyed
theopportunitytomeetwithsomeofthemostcelebratedmysticsand
scholarsofhistime.Hisownfatherwasonesuchmanhimself!
Going Back to School
Betweentheyears1222andabout1227,RumilivedquietlyinLaranda.
Hecontinuedhisstudieswithhisfather,andmostlikelyworkedas
ateacherofsomesort.Sometimeintheseyears,hemarriedayoung
womannamedGhevher(Jawhar)Khatun,whoherselfwasatransplanted
residentofBalkh.Shesoonborehimason,whomRumiaffectionately
11
namedSultanWalad(afterhisfather).Itwasalsoduringthistimethat
RumisbrotherAlauddinpassedaway,andwhenRumissecondchild
wasbornabouttwoyearslater,henamedhimAlauddininhonorofhis
deceasedsibling.
Unexpectedly,intheyear1228,RumisfatherBahauddinreceivedan
invitationfromtheenlightenedSeljukSultannamedAlauddinKayqubad
toheadareligiousacademyinthenearbycityofKonya(formerlyknown
asIconium).Bahauddinacceptedtheofferandmovedhisfamilythere,to
whatwouldbecometheirfinalhome.Bahauddin,however,passedaway
in1231afteronlytwoandahalfyearsattheheadofhisacademy.The
logicalchoiceforareplacementheadmasterwas,ofcourse,hislearned
sonRumi.ThusJalaluddinRumitookovertheschool,whichproduceda
steadysupplyofreligiousandlegalscholarsfortheSeljukdomain.
Mostculturesuseoccupationsorplacenamesasanextradevice
toidentifysomeonesorigins.ThesameholdstrueinMiddleEastern
culture,wheresuchdetailsoftenbecameaddendumstoapersons
fullname.WhenJalaluddinMuhammadlivedinBalkh,hisnamewas
JalaluddinMuhammadal-Balkhi.WhenhehadsettledinAnatolia,
hegainedthealternativename,JalaluddinMuhammadal-Rumi.The
ArabictermfortheRomansisRu
-
m,andAnatoliahadonlyrecentlybeen
wrestedfromtheByzantineRomans.
ThismighthavebeentheextentofRumisachievements,saveforthe
interventionoffate.Busyashewasinhisadministrativeandteaching
duties,whichweresupplementedbyregularstintsasapreacherinthe
mainmosqueofKonya,Rumilivedthelifeofanunassumingreligious
andscholasticfunctionary.Hetooknorealinterestincomposingwrit-
tenworkshimself,althoughheenjoyedreadingthepoetryofSanai,
Attar,andal-Mutanabbi,thelastofwhomwasacelebrated(andcolor-
ful,toputitmildly)writerofapreviousage.ButsoonRumisworld
wouldbegintochange.
A Voice from the Past
Oneday,heavenopenedadoorforRumi.Oneofhisfathersoldstu-
dentsnamedSyedBurhanuddinshowedupinKonyaunannounced,and
12
Rumieagerlytookhimasateacherandmentor.AlthoughRumihadlong
knownthathisfatherleanedtowardmysticismandesotericspirituality,it
wasntuntilBurhanuddinrevealedthe
fullextentofhisfathersspiritualori-
Mysticism isthebeliefthat
entationthatRumibecameintrigued
personalcommunication
withtheideaofexploringtheinner
orunionwiththedivineis secretsofthesoul.
achievedthroughintuition,
faith,introspectivereligious
Betweentheyears1232and1236,
practice,orsuddeninsightas
Burhanuddintookoverresponsibil-
opposedtomoretraditional
ityforsupervisionoftheacademy
formsofpublicworship. startedbyRumisfather.Healso
tutoredRumiinthespiritualaspects
ofIslamandinthesecretknowledge
ofself-actualization.HethensentRumitoSyriaforfurthertrainingin
thespiritualscienceswithrenownedteachersoftheday.Rumibegan
tocomposesomeelementarypoetryinArabic,andhisrangeofliterary
skillsincreasedexponentially.WhenRumifinallyreturnedtoKonyain
1237,hehadevenmoreimpressivecredentialsunderhisbelt.Itissaid
thattocompletehistraining,Rumispentthreeperiodsoffortydays
eachinintensedevotion,contemplation,andreflection.Whenthiswas
accomplished,BurhanuddindeclaredRumiafulladeptoftheSufiPath
andthenhetoldhim,Goanddecoratethesoulsofmenwithfresh
lifeandunendingmercy;reviveallthoselifelessbodiesinthisworld
withyourloveandthoughts.Thereafter,Rumiassumedtheroleof
headmasterintheacademyoncemore,andtheagedBurhanuddintook
hisleaveandmovedtoanearbycityintheyear1240,passingawaytwo
yearslater.
Rumi Meets the Mystic
Slowly,Rumigainedsomefameforhimselfamongthepeopleofsouth-
easternAnatolia.Hisacademyattractedmanystudents,andheseemed
poisedtofollowinhisfathersfootstepsasarenownedscholarand
mystic.Healsotooktowritinganever-greateramountofpoetryand
prose,thoughmostlyinPersian,whichwasconsideredthevoiceofthe
genteelclassthroughouttheMuslimworld.
13
Heonceremarkedonhisneedtocomposepoetryinordertokeep
peoplesattention.UnlikehisfatherbackinBalkh,Rumihadnolocally
establishedreputationthatwouldmakepeoplelistentohimforhisown
sake.Butastimepassed,Rumiscompositionsdidearnhimaloyal
followingandallseemedtogoonaslifemightbeexpectedforone
whoworkedsohard.ThenanunexpectedmeetingchangedRumislife
forever.
Thestoryistoldinslightlydifferingversions,butthebasicoutlineisas
follows.InOctoberof1244,Rumiwasreturningtohishomefromthe
academy,accompaniedbysomeofhisstudents.Alongtheway,hehap-
penedtopassthroughamarket.Suddenly,abedraggled-lookingstranger
approachedhimandurgentlyaskedhim,LeaderoftheMuslims,who
wasgreater,theProphet,orBayazidBustami?Nowthiswasanodd
question,forBustamiwasapoetandreligiousmysticoftheninthcen-
tury,whiletheProphetMuhammadwas,well,theProphet!
RumisReferences
BayazidBustami(d.874C.E.)wasaPersianmysticwhowasamong
theearliestSufimasters.HewasalsothefirsttospeakoftheSuficon-
ceptofannihilationinGod(fana fillah),anideasimilartotheEastern
conceptofnirvana.Heisquotedassaying,Istoodwiththepiousand
Ifoundnoprogresswiththem.Istoodwiththewarriorsinthecause(of
God)andIfoundnotasinglestepofprogresswiththem.ThenIsaid,
OGod,whatisthewaytoYou?andGodsaid,Abandonyourself
andcometoMealone.
Rumilaterdescribedhisinitialreactiontothisseeminglyblasphemous
inquirythisway:Becauseoftheenormityofthatquestion,itseemed
asifthesevenheavenswererippedtoshredsandcrasheddownupon
theearth.Greatturmoilchurnedwithinmysoulandsetmythoughts
onfire,fromwhichIimaginedapillarofsmokerisingallthewayupto
thethroneofGod.Rumithenansweredthestranger,whoseunkempt
appearancewasindicativeofa
wanderingdervish,bystating,
TheProphetisthegreatest
amongmen,sowhydoyouspeak
ofBayazid?
Adervish isawandering
mysticoftheMiddleEast.
14
Thestrangerthenexclaimed,SowhydidtheProphetsay,Wedont
knowYou,(OGod),asYoushouldbeknown,whileBayazidsaid,Iam
glorified!Iamgreat!Iamthepowerfulone?
Rumiunderstood.Themanwastryingtogetacrosstheideathat
BayazidhadhituponsomesecretknowledgeofGodthatmadehim
feelatonewiththeDivine.TheProphet,however,wascontinually
beseechingGodformorefavorinhisdesiretoknowGodonadeeper
level,possiblyrevealingadeficiencyinhisexposuretoGodsfullreal-
ity.Therefore,RumiofferedanexplanationforBayazidsstrangeutter-
ancebysaying,Bayazidsthirst(forGod)wasquenchedinjustone
gulp.Hespokeofbeingfull,butthejugofhis(limited)understanding
waswhatwasfilledup.Thelighthereceivedwasonlyasmuchasthe
lightthatcomesinthroughtheskylightofahouse.TheProphet,on
theotherhand,wantedtoreceivemoretodrink,andhis(relentless)
thirstremainedunquenched(duetotheexpansivenatureofhisheart)
Hespokeofbeingthirsty,forhealwaysaskedtobebroughtcloser(to
God).
Theforceofthislogicstunnedthedervish,whosenamewasShamsuddin
ofTabriz.Heletlooseayelpofsurpriseandthenfainted.Rumitookpity
onhimandaskedhisstudentstocarrytheunconsciousmanbacktothe
academy.WhenShamsuddinawoke,heapproachedRumiandplacedhis
headonhiskneesinrespect.Thereafter,Rumitookhimashisspecial
confidantandcompanion.
SoonafterShamsuddinenteredRumislife,Rumibegantoneglecthis
familyandstudents.Hepreferredtospendmostofhiswakinghours
indeepconversationwiththewandererwhohadliterallycomeintohis
lifeoutofnowhere.
Rumis Soul Takes Flight
Rumispentthenextthreemonthsintheexclusivecompanyofthemys-
teriousdervish,ShamsuddinofTabriz.Rumisfamilybecamealarmed
atthis,evenashisstudentsbegantogrowevermorejealous,having
theirstudiesinterruptedastheywere.Whatdidthetwofriendstalk
about?Whatsecretknowledgedidtheydiscover?Rumialludestothe
substanceoftheirspiritualdiscourseinhislatercollectionofthought-
fulpoemsknownastheDivanorDiscourses.TheyspokeofGod,of
15
Divinetruth,ofknowingtheself,andofrealizingtheliberationofthe
soulwhilestillphysicallyboundbyearthlyshackles.Afteralifetimeof
studyingwithsomanymastersofthesoul,Rumifinallyfeltthathehad
foundinShamsuddinaperfectmirrortohisownrestlessspirit.
Meanwhile,thestudentsoftheacademygrewincreasinglyirkedbythe
lossoftheirmastertothismystic.Apparently,Shamsuddinfeltthedag-
gersoftheirconstantanimosity,andassuddenlyashehadappeared
inRumislife,hedisappearedwithoutatrace.Rumiwasdevastated,
andbegantolamenthislossinverse.Hestartedtocomposeecstatic
odestohisfriendshipwithShamsuddinandwithdrewfromsocietyfor
atime.Healsodevelopedthehabitofslowlyturningincirclesashe
praisedGod,andthisistheoriginofthewhirlingthathislaterfol-
lowerstransformedintoahighlystylizedritualformofmeditation.
WhydidRumibegintorotateslowlyashemeditateduponGod?
PerhapsitwasduetotheinfluenceoftheQuran,whichcontainsthis
verse:ToGodbelongstheEastandtheWest;whereveryouturnisHis
Presence.HeistheAll-Pervading,theObservant.(2:115)Thisverse
isalsorecitedbydevoteesofRumiatthecloseofceremoniesmarking
hispassingfromtheworld.Thiscommemorationofhisdeathoccurson
December17eachyearallovertheworld.
RumisReferences
Eventually,abouttwoyearsafterdisappearing,Shamsuddinturnedup
inthesoutherncityofDamascus,Syria.WhenRumilearnedofhis
reappearance,hedispatchedhisfaithfulelderson,SultanWalad,to
retrievehim.Thistime,RumisoughttoensconceShamsuddinbymar-
ryinghimofftoawomanwholivedinhisextendedhousehold.Upon
doingsoandforthenexttwoyears,Rumireveledagaininthecom-
panyofhisspiritualsoulmate.Yet,jealousyfromthefamilyandstu-
dentsreareditsuglyheadoncemore,andintheyear1248,Shamsuddin
disappearedagain,forever.Suspicionoffoulplayquicklyfellupon
Rumisyoungerson,Alauddin,whoseemedtobeattheheadofacon-
spiracyamongRumisdisgruntledstudents.Thoughnodefinitiveevi-
denceevercametolighttoprovesuchalink,Rumimusthavehadhis
ownsuspicions,forwhenAlauddinpassedawayalittleoveradecade
later,Rumididntattendthefuneral.
16
Composition of the Divan
AfterthefinaldisappearanceofShamsuddin,Rumiwasconsumedby
anextendedperiodofsoul-searching.Hecontinuedtocomposepoems
andodestoassuagehiswoundedheart,andthisever-growingbody
ofworkformedthebasisofhisbook,Divan,whichhededicatedto
thememoryofShamsuddinofTabriz.Thesebeautifulandemotional
poemsspokeofaplatonicformoflovebetweenastudentandhislost
master.Hereissomeofwhathewroteinhismusings:
Ineverusedtobelikethis.Iwasneversenselessnorbewildered.
TherewasatimewhenIwaswiselikeyou,notcrazy,insane,or
brokenlikeIamnow.
Iwasntsomeonewholovedlifewithoutformorsubstance.
Iusedtoask,Whosthis?Whatsthat?Endlessly,Iusedtoseek
outtheanswers.
Youreendowedwithwisdom,sositawhileandponderhowI
couldhavebeenlikethatbefore.
Perhaps,Ihaventchangedallthatmuch.Iusedtoworkhardto
bebetterthaneveryoneelse,butIwasneverpursuedbyexpansive
lovebefore.
Itriedtoriseabovetheveryskyitselfwiththestrengthofmy
ambition;yet,Ididntknowthetruth.Inreality,Iwasjustwander-
ingaboutinthedesert.Intheend,Idugatreasurefromoutof
theground.
FromtheDivan
Rumi Realizes the Greater Truth
Intime,Rumirealizedthebruntofhisdilemma:hewaslament-
ingthelossofhisfriendandconfidant,wheninrealityheneededto
turninwardevenmoredeeplytosatisfythereallongingofhissoul.
HeneededtolookforGodslightwithinhisheart,andnotdepend
somuchonthepresenceofanother.Todothat,herealized,hehad
tolearnhowtofreehisheartfromallself-imposedlimitationsand
17
worldlyattachments.Thus,hisquestforinner-liberationacceleratedin
earnest.
Aroundtheyear1250,Rumimetanoldstudentofaformerteacher.
Thisman,whosenamewasSalahuddinZarkub,wasahumblegoldsmith,
unschooledinthetraditionalsense,yethehadanexpansiveframeof
mindandheprovidedRumiwithasoundingboardforhisideas.
ThestoryistoldthatonedayRumiwaswalkingintownwhenhewas
suddenlyattractedtothesoundsofhammeringcomingfromZarkubs
goldshop.ThisgaveRumiaflashofinspirationandhebegantopraise
Godwhilerotatingslowlyinthestreet.WhenZarkubsawthereligious
scholaroutsidehisshopturningincircles,heorderedhisworkersto
keepbeatingonthegoldforaslongasthescholarcontinuedhismov-
ingmeditation.ThenZarqubranoutsideandjoinedRumiandhis
studentsintheirritual,whichlastedhalftheday.Afterward,Zarqub
dedicatedhimselftoRumiandbecamehisclosefriend.Perhapsmind-
fulofwhathadbefallenhisotherfriend,Shamsuddin,whenhehad
clungtoocloselytohim,Rumicarriedonamoremutedfriendship
withZarkubyethedidmarryhissonSultantoZarqubsdaughter
Fatimah!
Afewyearslater,RumiswifeGhevherpassedaway.Aftermourning
herlossforatime,heeventuallyremarried.Hisnewwife,aformer
ChristiannamedKira,borehimthreechildren:twoboysandagirl.
Rumisreputationforinsightandhisfamealsogrewthroughoutthe
regionandbeyond,andhisacademyattractedanevermorediversified
studentbody.Infact,curiousChristiansandJewsbegantoattendhis
lecturesregularly,andhewelcomedallseekersofknowledgewithopen
arms.
The Writing of the Mathnawi
Sometimebetweentheyears1259and1260,Rumistopstudent,
HusamuddinChelebi,askedhismastertoleavearecordofhisteach-
ingsforposterity.Asthestorygoes,Rumipulledapageof18verses
outofhisturbantosignalhehadalreadybegunthinkinginthatdirec-
tion.Forthenextseveralyears,Rumidictatedhisepiccollectionof
poetry,Mathnawi,orRhymedCouplets,asHusamuddinrecordedthem.
Atthecompletionofeachvolume,outofacompositionthatwould
18
mathnawi means Theterm
rhymedversesorcouplets.
eventuallyspansixlargebooks,
RumiwouldlistentoHusamuddinas
hereadthepoemsbacktohim,and
wouldrevisethemasneeded.When
itwascompleted,theMathnawi
wouldconsistofover25,000verses.
Thiscomposition,whichdrewheavilyupontheteachingsofthe
Quran,thesayingsofMuhammad,andthestoriesoftheprophets
andsaintsofthepast,resembledsomethingofacommentaryonthe
natureofspiritualityintheIslamicreligion.(TheMathnawiwaseven
calledtheinterpretationoftheQuraninPersian,bythefamous
classicalpoetJami.)Itwasofsuchsublimequalityinitsinsightsand
literarytechniquesthatitachievednearlyinstantaneousfameamong
theeducatedcirclesoftheday.Rumisverseswouldcometoinfluence
Muslimthoughtandcultureeverafterward,andhisworksarestillread
throughouttheMuslimworldtoday,evenastheyvefoundahomein
theWest,aswell.Rumihimselfadvisedpeopleonhowtheyshould
approachhisMathnawiinthesewords:
Everyshopsellssomethingdifferent.TheMathnawiistheshop
for(spiritual)destitution,mychild.
Inthecobblersshop,theresfineleather;anywoodyouseethere
isonlyformoldingshoes.
Tailorshavesilkandyellow-coloredcloth(intheirshops);anyiron
thereisonlyforuseasameasure.
OurMathnawiistheshopforunity(withthedivine);anythingyou
seetherebesidestheOne(God)isjustanidol!
MathnawiVI,15251528
Inotherwords,theMathnawipoints
ThetermforanIslamicmystic peopletowardtheDivinepresence
isaSufi. Thewordmeans
ofalovingGod.Ifanyonetriesto
woolinArabic,andit
readintoitotherthanwhatitwas
describesthecoarsewoolen
designedtobe,thenitisnotwhat
clothesthatSufisoftenwore
theauthorintended.(Indeed,Rumi
toremindthemthatthisworld
wasnotaplaceinwhichto
representedanorthodoxpositionin
findmeaningfulcomfort.
themain,andhispracticeofSufi
mysticismwasbynomeansamajor
19
causeforderisionamongconservativesinclassicalIslamiccivilization,
especiallysincesuchpracticeswereoftenapartofthestandardreli-
giouscurriculumofstudyinthosedays!)WhenRumicompletedhis
dictationoftheMathnawi,hehadeveryreasontobelieveitwouldbe
acceptedfromoneendoftheMuslimworldtotheotheranditwas.
WhenRumihadfallenillduringthefinalyearofhislife,henever
prayedforhealing.HiswifeKiraonceremarkedtothosearoundhim,
Heneedsatleastthreeorfourhundredyearsoflifesohecanfillthe
worldwithinnertruthsandanswers.Rumiheardwhatshesaid,and
Rumiisburiedinamauso-
leuminKonya,Turkey,next
totheSelimyeMosque.
herepliedthusly,Whyisthat?Whyisthat?WereneitherPharaohnor
Nimrod.Whathavewegottodowiththisworldofdirt?Howcanwe
havepeaceandeternityhere?Wereimprisonedinthisdungeonso
thatafewprisonerscanbesetfree.WehopethatwellreturntoGods
beloved(prophet)verysoon.
Ashenearedthetwilightofhisgoldenyears,Rumispentmoretimein
meditation,prayer,andwriting.HeappointedHusamuddintoheadhis
academy,andthenherecededfromactiveinvolvementinthemundane
affairsoftheworld.Inthewinterof1273,Rumifellill.Doctorsof
everyreligionattendedtohim,unabletodiagnosehisailment.Among
hispartingwordstohisstudents,hesaid,IhavetwothingsIm
attachedtointhisworld;oneofthemisthebody,andtheotherisallof
you.When,byGodsmercy,Iamremovedfromtheworldofloneliness
anddistraction,myattachmenttoyouwillyetremain.Hepassedaway
inmid-Decemberofthesameyearandwaslaidtorestinhisadopted
homeofKonya.Today,abeautifulshrineadornsthesiteofhisgrave.
Itsasolemnplacevisitedbythousandsoftouristsandspiritualwander-
erseveryyear.
20
NowthatyouhaveanunderstandingofwhoRumiwas,wherehecame
from,andthecultureandtimeshelivedin,inthenextchapterwell
exploreRumismethodologyforachievingspiritualsatisfaction.This
isthelastinglegacyofamanwhoselifeandworkhaveearnedhimthe
admirationoftheworld.
The Least You Need to Know
u RumigrewupduringviolentwartimeintheMiddleEast,andhis
familywasmovedseveraltimesbyhisfathertoescapeharm.
u Rumicamefromascholarlyfamilywithhisownfatherbeinga
prominentspiritualist.
u RotatingslowlyincirclesisaspiritualmeditationstylethatRumi
beganandisknownfor.
u ShamsuddinwasamysticwhoRumimetbychanceandwhohada
profoundspiritualeffectonhim.
u Throughhisstudiesandlifeexperiences,Rumibecameanexpert
inunderstandingthehumanheartandsoul,andestablisheda
largefollowing.Hetaughtpeoplehowtofindmeaningintheir
lives.
l
I i
u
u
u
u
j
j j
j
j
2
Rumi and His
Wor dview
n Th s Chapter
LearningwhatthebasisofRumisphilosophywasregard-
ingthesoulandourultimatefate
DiscoveringRumisbeliefinourangelicandanimalsides
andwhichweshouldseektocultivateandwhy
Exploringhowtorecognizethehiddendepthofyourown
heartandhowtocoaxitoutofhiding
UnderstandingwhatRumimeanswhenheasksyouto
becomedrunkwithdivinelove
WhenpeoplethinkofRumi,especiallyafterthegreatprolifera-
tionofRumibooksthathaveappearedintheWesternworld
oflate,theyoftencon ureimagesofahappysortoffellowwho
lovedeveryoneandnever udged.Inthis,he oinstheranksof
BuddhaandJesusinthemulticulturalpantheonofnoble,non-
udgmentalsouls.WhileitistruethatRumiwasaremarkably
open-mindedmaninallrespects,itmustnotbeforgottenthat
hewasmorethan ustapoetofwitandinsight.Hiswords,his
Chapter
22
poems,servedapurposeandweremerelythevehiclebywhichhegot
hismessageacross.Sowhatwasthefoundationofhis message?What
didhebasehisphilosophyon?Theseareessentialquestionsthatmust
beansweredtobetterunderstandhowhisoverallworldviewpermeates
hiseverywrittenthought.
Inthischapter,weregoingtotakealookatRumisoutlookonthe
basicnatureandpurposeoflife,aswellastakeadeeperlookintosome
ofthedangersheidentifiedthatcanholdasoulbackfromitstrue
potential.
Rumi and His Religion
Rumi,aswelearnedinChapter1,wasadeeplyreligiousman.He
believedwithoutquestionintheexistenceofasupernaturalpresence
WhomheknewasGodorAllah.InRumisworldview,Godisthepri-
marysourcefortheincredibledepthandpotentialwithinthehuman
soul,andGodistheOnewithWhomallpeopleshouldseekcom-
munionfortheirultimatepeaceofmind.Alsoadevoutandobservant
Muslim,RumiconsideredtheQurantobethebeaconthatpointsthe
waytowardunionwithGod.
Inthesamespirit,allofRumismanywritingsare,byandlarge,exten-
sionsoftheessentialmessageofthebestintheIslamictradition.
Mysticismwasmerelythestepping-stoneheusedinhisexploration
oftheinnerself.Indeed,itwasthroughthelensofIslamwhichisa
remarkablytolerantandprogressivefaith,currenthysteriaandpoliti-
calconditionsasidethatRumiwasabletorealizethatspiritualitywas
universal.WhetherapersonwasMuslim,Christian,Jewish,Buddhist,
secular,orwhatever,Rumiunderstoodthatweallhaveasoulfrom
thesameSource.Hebelievedthateveryonecouldunlockthedoorto
attainingspiritualbliss,iftheywouldonlyexpandtheirvisionandbe
willingtoopenthemselves,withdeterminationandpatience,totheir
innerpotential.Rumiwrotethefollowing:
Sometimeswerehidden,othertimesrevealed;
WereallMuslims,Christians,andJews.Nomatterourraceor
creed,ourheartsareformedthesame;itsjustthateverydaywe
seethroughadifferentmentalframe.
FromtheDivan
Chapter 2: Rumi andHisWorldview
23
Contrarytowhatsomeadmirers
RumisReferences
(andcritics)ofRumihavesaid,
TheQuranformedthe
heneverdenigratedorbelittled
basisofRumisteachingson
theimportanceofIslamvis--vis
tolerance.Hehadmemorized
otherreligions,nordidheever
theentireQuraninhisyouth
renouncehisfaithintheteach-
(acommonIslamicpractice).
ingsofMuhammad.Theoften-
quotedlinefromsomeversionsof
theDivaninwhichhesupposedlysaid,IamnotaChristian,aJew,a
Zoroastrian,oraMuslim,doesnotappearinanyoftheoldestmanu-
scriptsofthatcollection.Anditwasmostprobably,asmodernscholars
suchasReynoldNicholsonsuggest,apoemwrittenbysomeoneelse
andinsertedinalatereditionofthetextforhisownpurposes.
Farfrombeingarenegadetohisreligion,Rumiwasanexampleofthe
bestitcouldproduce.Infact,hegainedtherareandpreciousinsight
thatonlythemostexpansivemindseverdiscover,thattheTruth,the
HighestTruth,cannotbecontainedinamerelabel.Whenthereis
Muslim,Christian,andJew,thereisonelevelofunderstanding.When
thereiscompletesubmissiontoGod,thesignificanceofthelabelfalls
awayandtheinnersincerityofeachindividualbecomesthearbiter
ofhisorhertrueworth.Thisisthelogicalresultofthislinefrom
theQuran:Thosewhobelieve(inIslam)andthosewhoareJewish,
Christian,orSabian,whoeverbelievesinGodandtheLastDayand
whodoeswhatsmorallyright,theirrewardwillbewiththeirLord,
andtheyllhavenocausetofearnorregret.(2:62)Thus,Rumisaw
beyondtheshellofdogmaandsurfaceunderstandings.Onthishe
wrotethefollowing:
Yourperceptionisdefinedbyhowwellyouunderstandtheworld.
Yourimpuresensesarethecurtainthatpreventsyoufrombecom-
ingpure.
Washyoursenseofperceptionforawhileinthewateroffar-
sightedness.KnowthatthisishowSufiswashtheircloaks!When
youvebecomepurified,theinsightofthepurewilltearawaythe
curtainandattachitselftoyou.
Iftheentireworldwasilluminatedandfilledwithshapes,onlythe
eyewouldevernoticethatloveliness.Imagineifyouclosedyour
eyeandturnedyoureartowardtheflaxenhairofalovelybeauty.
24
Theearwouldprotest(initsblindness),saying,Icannotsee
anyshapesatall.Itsonlywhenashapemakesasoundthatcan
Irespond.IcanonlypracticewhatImskilledat,andmyskillis
onlytohearsoundsandwords,nothingmore.
MathnawiIV,23842390
Withthatsaid,whilehisoveralldoctrinesremainedwithinthebasic
parametersofmedievalIslamicorthodoxy,attimesRumididstretch
thoseboundariestoprovidenewinsights.Thisisoneofthethings
thathasmadethestudyofRumisteachingssodeliciousforsomany
generationsofspiritualseekers:theyrefreshandattimesdelightfully
unexpected.WhenyouexploreRumisphilosophyregardingthenature
ofthehumanbeingmoreclosely,youcanbegintogainadeeperappre-
ciationforwhyhewassopassionateinhiscallforinnerreform.
People Are the Richest Treasure
InIslamicphilosophy,humanbeingsarethemostimportantofallof
Godscreations.Nodiamondorstarorgalaxycanmatchthehuman
mindandallitscapacity,andRumibelievedthiswholeheartedly.He
oftenechoedtheverseoftheQuranthatsays,Humanbeingsarethe
bestofcreation.(95:4)Thebasicideainthispositionisthatconscious
thoughttrumpsallothermiraculousinventions.Theapexofallcre-
ation,then,isthehumanspiritandmind.Howcanthisbeso?Well,no
matterhowspectacularasupernovamaybe,intheendithasnoappre-
ciationforhowbeautifulitis.Nomatterhowgorgeousthesunrise,no
snail,turtle,orcrowcomposespoemstoitssuggestivesplendororis
movedtoinspirationbyitsendlesspossibilitiesintheimagination.
Godcanmakemanyawondrousthing,butconsciousnessisworth
morethanalltherocksintheuniverse!Inthisregard,thereisasaying,
attributedtoMuhammadandcherishedbygenerationsofSufis,that
explainswhyGodcreatedhumanbeingsinthefirstplace.According
tothisreport,GodHimselfsaid,Iwasatreasurewhomnooneknew;
Iwishedtobeknown.Humanitysabilitytothink,toimagine,torea-
son,toappreciate,tobelieve,todeny,andyes,eventoloveforabstract
reasons,setsusapartfromalltherestofcreationandmakesusbeloved
ofGod.ThisishowRumiputsit:
25
Asingleexhalefromahumanbeingisworthasmuchasasoul.A
singlehairthatfallsfromhimisworthmorethanagoldmine.
FromtheDivan
WisdomoftheAges
Rumiwrote:TheProphetsaidthatGodsaid,WhenIcreated
(humanbeings)itwasforanoblepurpose.Icreatedthemwiththe
expectationthattheymightgainsomethinggoodfromMe,andthat
theymightgettheirhandswetwithMyblessedhoney.Ihadnointention
oftakinganythingfromthem,nordoIwanttotearthecoatoffanaked
(beggar).Duringthatshortspanoftimesince(God)drovemyspirit
fromHispresence,myeyehasremainedalwaysfixatedonHisbeautiful
face.
Mathnawi II,26352638
Humanbeingsarethegreatestshowintown,onEarth,oranywhere
elseintheuniverse.Thus,byextension,ourfocusmustnotbecentered
onlyuponthemereobjectsandformsthatsurroundus,fortheyrenot
thesourceorobjectoftruebeauty.ForRumi,therealtreasurelies
within.Whenahumanbeingbrushesoffthedustshroudinghisor
hersoul,asparklingdiamondofself-actualizationandempowerment
appears.Thisisthecruxofourpurpose,sotospeak,asRumiwould
concurwhenhewrote,Humanityistheobjectoftheuniverse.
Humans Are Not Born Sinful
Rumiapproachedthematterofhumannaturefromtheperspectiveof
hisreligion.InIslamictheology,peoplearenotbornsinful.Instead,
theyrebornbasicallyneutralwithaslightdispositiontowardgoodand
aninnerneedtofindmeaning(bydiscoveringtheirdependenceupon
andneedforGod).Peoplecancorruptthemselvesattheircore,how-
ever,iftheyletuncheckedmaterialdesiresgetthebetteroftheirintel-
lectandbasicmoralnature.AccordingtoRumi,thispathgradually
deadensthesoul,whilethepathtosalvationlieswithintheproperuse
oftheheartandmind.
26
Thepathwechoosedetermineshowopenorclosedoursoulsbecome
totheirtruenature.Then,byextrapolation,itdetermineshowtran-
quilormiserablewewillbeinourlives.Thatswhyitssoessential,
inRumisestimation,thatweembarkupontheprocessthatleadsus
towardinnerpeace.Wehavenothingtoloseexceptourshortcom-
ings,andeverythingtogainbygettingintouchwithwhowereallyare
inside.Hewrotethefollowing:
Yourenotonlywater(spirit),norareyouonlysoil(aphysical
being).Youresomethingelseentirely.Youtranscendtheworldof
mud,foryoureonajourney(towardself-realization).
Yourphysicalbodyismerelyaconduit,whileyoursoulistheeter-
nalwaterthatcoursesthroughit.Youwontbeawareofeither,as
longasyoustaybottledupwithinyourself.
FromtheDivan
Why So Many Seek God
ThehumanpredispositiontoseekmeaninginGoddeservesfurther
explanation.AccordingtoRumisMuslimbeliefs,everyhumanbeing
hassomepartofGodsownspiritimplantedwithinhimorherbefore
birth.ThisspiritmaterialisnotGod,butasubstancemadefrom
theDivineMatterthatisGod.Thinkoftakingabucketfulofwater
fromtheocean.Itsnolongertheocean,butitsstillwater.Godputa
soulorspirit,derivedfromHisownmatter,withineachofusasagift
tohelppointthewaybacktowardHim.
Theideaisthatourinnersenseofseparationwillgentlypromptus
allourlivestoseektoreunitewiththeuniversalexpanseofGod,so
wecanachievetranquilityofmindhereandreunionwithGodover
there.Inotherwords,weshouldrealizethatthebucketofwaterwere
holdingbelongsbackintheocean!ThisisthecruxoftheentireSufi
philosophyofunionorannihilation(fana)inGod.Tojoinourspir-
itualmatterwiththedivine,whilestillbeingalivehereinthisworld,
helpsustranscendthelimitsofthefleshandachieveastateofenlight-
enment.Rumiexhortsustotakeupthisquestinthesewords:
Listen,Odrop,giveyourselfupwithoutregret,andinexchange,
gaintheOcean.
27
Listen,Odrop,takethishonoruponyourself,andintheembrace
oftheSeabesafefromharm.Whocouldbesolucky?anOcean
callingtoadrop!
InGodsname,inGodsname,sellyourselfandpurchase(sal-
vation)atonce.Giveadrop,andinreturngainthisSeafullof
pearls.
MathnawiIV,26192622
Anyonewhofailstotakeupthis RumisReferences
quest,whoignoresthesubtle
Acherishedpropheticsay-
promptingsinhisinnermost
ingpassedonbySufisis:
being,andwholetshislifebe
Goddoesnotconsideryour
dictatedbytheficklewhimsofhis looksoryourbodies;rather
desires,merelybecomesaslave
Helooksintoyourheartsand
tothematerialworld,andlike
actions.
aworn-outcar,willmerelyrust
awaylongbeforehisbodyhas
ceasedtofunction.
The Three Types of Being
Itshumannaturetowonderaboutourowninnerselves.Whatkind
ofinnerpresencedowehave?Howarewedifferentfromtherestof
creation?Howcanthisknowledgehelpustounderstandwhatwemust
doandthepotentialpitfallswemayhavetoface?Theseareimportant
questionsthatlaythegroundworkforourownconceptionofwhatour
lifejourneywillentail.Rumiidentifiedthreebasicstatesofexistencein
therealmoflivingcreatures.Theyareasfollows:
u Thetranscendenceoftheangels.
u Theanimalorinstinctualstate.
u Thedichotomyofhumanity.
Startingwiththeangels,theyarecompletelyrational.Theyhaveno
materialconcernsandknowofnootherrealitythantobeincomplete
aweandworshipofthedivinebeautyofGod.Theyreinaperfectstate
ofunity.
28
Theanimalstate,however,coversthosecreaturesthataregovernedby
instinctmorethananythingelse.Suchbeingsareslavestotheirpas-
sionsandphysicalneeds.Theygivenothoughttotheultimateendof
theirlives.Theyactwithoutforethought,aredrivenbyprimitiveemo-
tionsandprompts,andhavenosenseoftheirowntranscendenceor
potential.Rightandwrongmeanlittletothemthereisonlysurvival,
protectionofoffspring,andindividualgratificationwheneverpossible.
Thehumanbeing,ontheotherhand,hasalittleoftheangelwithin
him,andalittleoftheanimal,aswell.Thesetwoforcesdobattleona
dailybasis.Thosewholeanmoretowardtheirangelicsidebecomepro-
gressivelymorenoble,self-aware,andmoral,whilethosewhoincline
towardtheanimalwithinthemselvesbecomemoredeludedbymateri-
alism,moreaslavetotheirdesires,andmorelikelytocommitinjustice
andimmoralitywithdeclininglevelsofremorse.Rumidescribesthe
dichotomyofhumanitylikethis:
Yourelikeaking,forastheversesays,Wehaveblessedthechil-
drenofAdam.Thus,youtravelbothuponthedryland(ofphysi-
callife)anduponthesea(ofspiritualexistence).
Yourepartspirit,forastheversesays,Wecarrythemonthe
sea,somovebeyondthelinethatsays,Wecarrythemonthe
land.
Theangelshavenowaytowalkupontheland(asphysicalbeings),
evenasanimalshavenoknowledgeofthesea(ofthespiritual
realm).
Inyourphysicalbody,youreanani-
WisdomoftheAges
mal,andinyourspirityoureoneof
theangels,thereforeyouwalkboth
Rumioncewrote:
upontheearthandwithintheheavens.
Theresastrangecom-
motionabovemyhead; Thus,afar-sightedperson,who
birdsarecirclingallaround,
hashadhisheartinspiredbyGod,
particlesaremovingontheir
stillappearsasanordinaryhuman.
own.IstheOneIloveevery-
Thoughhismaterialbodyislying
where?
aroundhereontheearth,yethis
FromtheDivan
spiritiscirclingaroundinthesky.
MathnawiII,37733778
29
Humanbeingsmustbreakfreeoftheiranimalisticsideandseekcom-
munionwiththeirmorenobleside.Thisprincipleisnotuniqueto
Islamictheology,formostotherreligionscontainsimilarexhortations,
butRumimadeitacentralfocusofhisphilosophy.Thisprocessof
awakeningthesoulistheonlythingthatcansaveusfrommiseryin
thislifeandperdition(everlastingpunishment)intheafterlife,ofwhich
Rumi,asapracticingMuslim,believed.InRumisestimation,our
physicalbodiesaremerelyrentedvesselsthatweholdforatimebefore
oursoulsescape,leavingemptyshellsbehind.Willitbeasoulthat
liveditslifewellandisworthyofeternalreward,orwillitbesullied
andwastedbyacaretakerwhodidntknowhowtouseit?Thechoiceis
entirelyuptous.Rumiwrotethis:
Thebody,likeamother,ispregnantwiththespiritualchild;death
isthepainandstressofbirth.Allthesoulsthathavepassedoverto
thenextlifealreadyareanxiouslywaitingtoseeinwhatstatethat
proudspiritwillbeborn.
MathnawiI,35143515
Love Is the Ultimate Goal
Soweknowwhywerealivetounlockourinnerlightandbecome
worthyofGodsgreaterlight.Weknowwhatobstaclescanholdus
backmaterialismanduncheckeddesires.Weknowthatwithout
embarkinguponthisquestforoursoul,weruntheriskofleadinga
bitter,unfulfilledlifewithlittlechanceformeaningfulhappinessand
spiritualrelevance.Sowhatisthegreatmotivatorinthisendeavor,
otherthanthesefearfulprospects?Isthepathtoself-actualization
andinnerpeacemerelydefinedbycoercionandthethreatofpersonal
doom?
Ofcoursenot!Whileitstruethatpeopleavoidrunningintoburning
buildingsasamatterofcourse,ifalovedoneisinthere,noamount
offeareverentersthemindasweblindlyrushintotheflamesfor
theobjectofourlove.Itsloveandtheultimatemeaningitprovides
thatpropelusforwardinthatcase,anditsthesamereasontobegin
ourspiritualjourney,aswell.Loveisthegoal,andnoamountoffear
foranypotentiallossorpainshouldeverenterourmindsafterweve
30
understoodwhatweresoclosetogaining.Whenweactuponour
desireforlove,wehavenochoicebuttoeventuallybecomeacquainted
withthegreatestloveintheuniverse.Rumisaidofthis:
Onewholovesseekstheobjectofhislovewithdrivingpassion,
somuchsothatwhenthebelovedappears,theonewholoveddis-
appears(withintheobjectofhisdesire).
YouarealoverofGod,andGodisofsuchanaturethatwhenHe
comes,notevenasinglehaironyourheadwillyetremain.Amere
glanceofHiscanmake100ofyouvanishintothinair.
Ithinkyoureinlovewiththeempty(concernsofthisworld),yet
yourejustashadowinlovewiththesun.Whenthe(real)sun
arrives,theshadowquicklydisappears.
MathnawiIII,46204623
Formysticsofallreligions,whetheritbepractitionersofJewish
Kabbalism,ChristianGnosticism,MuslimSufism,Taoism,Buddhism,
HinduVedanta,orevenNewAgespirituality,theessentialprincipleof
enlightenmentisalovesoabsolutethatitabsorbsonesownsoulina
mysticalunionwiththeUniversalWay.Thiscommonthreadofmeth-
odsandgoalsfurtherlendscredencetoRumisbelief,derivedfrom
Islamictheology,thatalltruereligionscamefromthesameSource:
God.AsRumiwrote,Lovesnationalityissetapartfromanyreligion.
ThereligionandnationalityoftheloveristheBeloved.Thelovers
questisseparatefromanyotherquest,forLoveistheastrolabethat
pointstothemysteriesofGod.
RegardlessofwhatyounametheSource,lovepermeatesallaspects
ofphysicallife,somuchsothatwheninjusticeorviolenceoccurs,the
totalabsenceofloveinthoseinstancesisjarring,immediate,andunset-
tling.Lovecannotstandtheeffectsofunjustifiedhateandoppression.
Thosewhostruggleforjusticetoberestoredarereallystrugglingto
bringlovebackintothelivesofallthoseconcerned.Canyouthinkofa
singlenoblefigurefromhistorywhowasntdrivenbylove?Thesaying
Loveconquersallmaybeaclich,yetwithoutlove,allarelost.
Islamicmystics,Rumiincluded,drawmanyexamplesoflovefromthe
sayingsofprophetMuhammad.Oneoftheirfavoritesisthefollow-
ing.TheProphetsaid,GoddividedHismercyinto100parts,out
ofwhichHeretains99partswithHim.Hesenttheoneremaining
31
portiontoearth.Fromthisoneportionofloveemanatesallthecom-
passionthatthewholeofcreationshowstowardeachother,somuchso
thatamotheranimalwillliftherhoofaboveheryounglestitshould
gethurt.TheloveoftheDivineisabsolutelove,andwearegivenonly
atinyglimpseofitinourbasicnature.Thepathofthemysticallyori-
entedpersonistounlocktherest.Rumicommenteduponthisoften.
Inonefamouspassage,hewrotethis:
Loveisanendlesssea,uponwhichtheheavensarebutaspeckof
foam.Therevolvingheavensarethusmovedbywavesoflove.Ifit
wasntfor(Gods)love,thentheearthwouldbefrozensolid.
Howcouldlifelesssoilturnintoaplant(withoutHislove)?How
couldplantssacrificethemselves(asfood)andbecome(sentient
beings)withaspirit?Howcouldthatspiritthinktosacrificeitself
(throughself-denial)forthesakeofthat(Divine)Breathwhose
lightesttouchmadeMarypregnant(withhermiracle-child)?
(WithoutGodslove)eachofthosethingswouldbeassolidand
denseasice;howcouldtheyeverflutteraroundlikelocustsin
theirendlesssearch(forsurvival,meaning,andtruth)?
EveryspeckisinlovewiththatPerfection,andeachofthemis
rushingeverhighertowarditlikeasapling(reachingforthesun).
Theirhastebetraystheirrealobject,whichistosay,Allglory
toGod!Theyrecleansingtheirbodiesforthesakeofthespirit
within.
MathnawiV,38533859
Seek the Company of Lovers
Likeattractslike,sotheysay,andloveattractsthosewhoareinclined
towardlove.Ifpeoplewanttoopentheirheartsandletthelightshine
intheirinnermostbeing,theyrereallyexpressingadesireforlove.At
firstitmayseemlikeanordinary,ill-definedlovewithalowercase
l,butintime,whentheinitialtasteofloveleavesthepersonwanting
more,shemayrealizethattheUltimateLovedoes,infact,exist,and
shemaygraspforitwithallherheartandsoul.Thesearethepeople
whoarecalledloversinmysticalpoetry.ThatUltimateLoveisthen
namedtheBeloved.
32
Rumibelievedthatpeoplewhoareonthesamepathshouldkeepcom-
panywitheachother.Hehadmanyacolytes,confidants,andstudents
ofhisown,bothmaleandfemale,evenashisfatherhad.Itsthrough
thecompanionshipoffellowseekersthatinsightisgainedandsuccess
isaccelerated.Thus,Rumirecordedmanyquatrainsandexhortations
tonotonlyseektheaidofaspiritualMasterinyourquest,butalsoto
seekthecompanyofthosewhoshareasimilargoalasyourself.
OneofthebooksthatinfluencedRumi,TheConferenceoftheBirds,
mentionedinChapterOne,isaclassicexampleofagroupdynamic
atwork,leadingtotheultimatesuccessofallwhohadthewilland
patiencetocompletethejourney.HereiswhatRumisaidontheimpor-
tanceofsharingthespiritualjourneywithothers:
TheProphetsaid,Godhasdeclared,Iamnotfoundinplaces
highorlow,norontheearthnorintheskywillyoufind(My
Home).IampresentintheheartsofMyfaithfulservants;Ifyou
seekMe,thenseekinthesehearts.
MathnawiI,26532655
Thequestforenlightenment,however,doesntrequireustogiveup
ourlives,ourjobs,ourfamilies,andourinterests.Itdoesntholdout
thethreatofsnatchingusawayfromwhatwecherish.Thereisno
requirementtoleadalifeofquietcontemplationinthecompanyof
hermits.Thisisdemonstratedamplyinthecosmopolitannatureof
Rumisfollowersandstudents.Theyweredrawnfromallwalksof
life,allreligions,andallclasses.Somespentmoretimelearningfrom
theMaster,whileothersattendedhislecturesandwentbacktotheir
normalliveswithafewusefullessonsandinsightstheycouldputinto
practice.Inyourownlife,youdecidehowmuchtimeyouwantto
devotetoawakeningyourinnerspirit.Weallmoveatadifferentpace
andachieveresultsinourowntime.Rumiwrotethis:
Yourjobisnottoseekforlove,butmerelytoidentifyallthebarri-
erswithinyourselfthatyouhavebuiltagainstit.
FromtheDivan
Ifthedesireisthere,andthespiritualMasterisfound,sitwithhimor
herasyouareableinpersonorintheprivacyofyourownhomeas
33
youreadhisorherwords.Thisbookyouholdinyourhandscontains
severalnuggetsofwisdomleftbehindbyoneparticularlyskilledMaster
ofthespirit.Youmaylearnmuchfromthem,andyoumayprogress
beyondtheseandseekevendeeperknowledge.Whateveryourgoal
andwhateverstageyouchoosetoprogressto,mayitbeeasyuponyou
andmayyousmileonedaywhensomelessonhitshome.Atthatsame
moment,theremaybeothersdiscoveringthesameasyou.Rumisug-
gests,Soseekthemoutandshareyourexperiencesyoumightben-
efiteachotherevenmorethanyoucanimagine!
Islamicmysticstracetheirmovementallthewaybacktothefirstgen-
erationofMuhammadsfollowers,someofwhomwereveryinclined
towardtheinnerqualitiesoffaithandspirituality.Bythetimeofclassic
Islamiccivilization,Sufibrotherhoods,ortariqas, werewellestablished
allovertheMuslimworldfromSpaintocentralAsiaanddeepintoIndia
andwestAfrica.
Drunk with Divine Love
AccordingtoRumi(andthemysticsofeveryfaith),whenaperson
completeshisquestforenlightenment,hesinsuchperfectalignment
withUniversalLovethatheliterallyshedsallearthlyfearsandlives
forthedaywhenhisbodyfinallyexpires,releasinghisspiritintowhat
healreadyhascometoknow(asmuchasishumanlypossible).Thereis
nolongeranyfearofdeath,noremorseforlostmaterialgains,andno
desiretocommitanyinjusticetoanylivingthing.Hisphysicalbody
hasbeentamedithastobesohecanriseaboveitandattainthe
mostperfectspiritualstate.Rumiwhimsicallycommentedonthiswhen
hesaidthefollowing:
Knowthatthisworthlessbodyislikeacoatofarmor;itsuitsyou
neitherforwinternorforsummer.
Yet,thiscumbersomecompanionisgoodforyoubecauseofthe
patience(thatyoumustexerciseinkeepingitincheck).Putting
patiencetoworkcausesthehearttogrow(inunderstanding).
34
Thepatienceshownbythemooninthedarknessofthenightsky
keepsitlitup;thepatienceshownbytheroseasitsitsnearthe
thornkeepsitsmellingnice.
MathnawiVI,14061408
Whenapersonhasexpandedhervision,purifiedherheart,tamed
herbody,andlearnedthelessonsthatsetherfreefromworry,sor-
row,andstress,thensheliterallylivesasifdrunkwithdivinelove.It
doesntmeanthatshebecomesfruityorflightyinherdemeanorlike
someposterchildfromthepsychedelic60s,butratheritmeansthat
ineveryendeavor,ineverypastimeandhobby,andineverypartofher
normallife,sheseestheextraordinarywithintheordinary.Workno
longerbecomesjustapaycheck,butameanstogivebacktotheworld;
familylifetakesonanewsweetnessthepreciousgiftsofearthlylove
andcompanionshiparefinallyrecognizedforthetreasuresthatthey
are.Angerismitigated;eventuallyitdisappearsaltogether.Stressand
uncertaintyaredefeatedbythestraight-arrowvisionofthelongview,
andthedesiretodoinjusticeorindulgeinhurtfulthingsmeltsaway
undertheradianteyeofunconditionallove.
LikemostmysticalpoetsofclassicalIslamiccivilization,Rumisometimes
usestheimageryofdrunkennessandwineasametaphorforbecom-
ingdizzyincontemplatingandfullyrealizingthedepthofGodsover-
whelminglove.Itdoesntnecessarilymeanthateachmysticalpoetdrank
wine,forveryfewdid,asitwasaforbiddenactintheIslamicreligion.
Itsacolorfulanalogyusedtoelicitthereadersattention.
Inshort,thegoalofallreligions,philosophies,andtherapiesfinally
becomesrealized.Thepersontransformsherselffromwithinintoa
dynamic,thoughtful,caring,giving,balanced,andgoal-orientedmem-
berofthehumanfamily.Sheshedsherownweaknessesandmergesthe
selfintothelightfromwhichalloursoulssprang.Wefinallyseethe
lifepreserverthatsbeenthrowntousinthemiddleofaturbulentsea,
andwenolongerwishforanyofthewreckageofourshipthatmaybe
floatingaroundus.Allwewanttodoisbecomeservantsoflove.On
this,Rumiwrote:
35
Serve(God)soyoucanbecomealover.Serving(God)isaway
togain(Godslove)forit(quickly)comesintoplay.Theonewho
serves(God)wishestobefreedfrom(theimpersonalnature)of
destiny.TheOnewholoves(God)neverwishesforanythingmore
(thanthat).
Theworkerisalwayslookingtobewrappedinhonorandto
receiveasalary;theloveriswrappedinthehonorofseeingthe
Objectofhislove.Loveisntfoundinmerewordsorhearsay;
Loveisanoceanwhosebottomyoucantsee.Thedropsofthesea
canneverbenumbered;allthewaterinthesevenseasisnothing
comparedwiththeOcean(ofGodsLove).
MathnawiV,27282732
Youre Worth the Effort
Rumiputforththebeliefthathumanbeingshaveavaluedeeperthan
theirmereformorsubstance.Heheldthatweallcontainagem,agift
fromasingleSourcethatwelabelthespirit,thesubconscious,orthe
soul.Evidenceaboundsthatthereismoretothehumanmindthan
justthebrainpowerandemotionsitappliestodaily,mundanetasks.
Rumicalleduponpeopletolatchontothosefleetingmomentswhen
deeperrealizationoccurs,andthentoembarkonaquesttoawakenthat
seedofexpansivethoughtsoitnolongershutsdownunderacrowdof
worldlyconcerns.Letthatinnerconsciousnessbecomeyouridentity,
letitleadyouforwardinlifesoyoucan,byitswisdom,leadalifemore
satisfyingthanyoucouldhaveeverhadotherwise.
Thetaskisnoteasy;itrequirespatienceanddetermination,aswellasa
willingnesstostandupwheneveryoureknockeddown.Andyoudont
havetogoitalone;takeaMasterasyourguide.Rumiputitthusly:
Unlessyoureallywanttokeepstumblingonthispathalone,then
sharpenyoursightonthedustofaspiritualmastersfoot.
MathnawiIV,3372
Inotherwords,thereisnovirtueinunnecessaryhardshiponthisjour-
neyofself-actualization;takeateachersomeonewhospecializesin
36
spiritualknowledgeandlearnfromthatteacherdiligently.Alongthe
way,youwilllearntopurifyyourheartandactions,andthoughitwill
requirealotofsoul-searchingandpractice,thepayoffistogainthe
greatesttreasureintheuniverse:reunionwiththelovethatgaveyoua
gemofasoulinthefirstplace.Rumiadvisedthis:
Thejourneyofthespiritwrecksthebodyshouse,yetafterwardit
makesitwholeagain.Itwrecksthehousetodigoutthetreasure,
andwiththattreasure,itbuildsabetterhousethanbefore.
MathnawiI,306307
u WhileRumiwasanorthodoxMuslimthroughouthislife,he
believedallpeople,nomatterwhattheirreligion,haveasoulfrom
thesameSource.
u Rumibelievedhumanbeingshavebothanangelicsideandan
animalisticside.Themorepeoplemovetowardtheirbetter
nature,theclosertoGodtheywillbe.
u Enlightenmentcanbesoughtwithoutrenouncingonesnormal
world.Enlightenmentcomesfromlivinglifemorefullyandwith
greateremphasisonthemeaningofwhatonedoes.
u Truepeacecomeswhenapersonfullyopenshisorhersoulfrom
withintotheUniversalLovethatisGod.
I i
u
u
u
u
j
(
)
j
( )
3
Rumi the Writer
n Th s Chapter
Rumismanyliteraryworksandhowtheycomplementeach
other
TherelationshipbetweentheDivanandtheMathnawi
TheteachingsoftheSevenSermons
ThepathofRumisevolutionofthoughtseenthroughthe
lensofhiswritingendeavors
Rumiwasaprolificauthor,poet,andpreacher.Inhisnearly70
yearsoflife,heproducedthousandsofpagesonawidevari-
etyoftopicsandsub ectmatters.Duetothepopularityofhis
work,hisbookshavesurvivedremarkablyintacttothisday.He
composedmostofhisworkinthePersianlanguage,whichwas
thelanguageoftheeducatedandcultured. Healsowrotein
Arabic,Greek,andTurkish. Inthischapterwewillreallybegin
toexplorethedepthsofRumiswrittenworks.Asyou ourney
throughsubsequentchaptersandtheybecomeincreasingly
dominatedbyRumiswords andlessofmine ,youwilldevelopa
workingfamiliaritywiththedifferentsourcesfromwhichthese
selectionsoriginate,whileincreasingyourunderstandingand
awarenessofthepathtoenlightenment.
Chapter
38
Rumiskindnessandexpan-
siveintellectarecaptured
inthismedievalPersian
renderingofthevenerable
mystic.
The Divan
ThefirstcompilationofRumisworkisthewell-knownbookcalled
theDivan.Theworddivan(ordiwaninArabic)wastheliteraryterm
inclassicalMuslimcivilizationforananthologyofanauthorsworks.
Therearemanydivansfromantiquityproducedbyawholehostof
authors.Butwheneverweusethetermdivaninthisbook,itrefersonly
toRumiswork.
Rumibegantocomposeelementarypoetryinhismid-tolate20s,
andhesavedmanyofhiscompositionsthroughtheinterveningyears,
thusgivingusarecordofthedevelopmentofhisthoughts.Hedidnt
becomeprolificinthefullsenseoftheword,however,untilafter
hisbrieftimespentwiththeenigmaticmystic,ShamsuddinofTabriz.
Rumihadformedsuchastrongbondwithhiminsuchashorttime
thatwhenhisfrienddisappeared,Rumihadnootheroutletthanto
composepoetrytoconsolethesuddenemptinesshefeltinhisheart.
Thesepoems,alongwithsomereworkedearlierpoetryandreflections,
formthebasisofRumisDivan.YetitisalsothoughtthatRumikept
addingtohisDivanevenintohismostsenioryears.
Chapter 3: Rumi theWriter
39
WhatmadeShamsuddinofTabrizsointenseapersonthathewould
havehadsuchaprofoundeffectontheotherwisesober-mindedRumi?
Asitturnsout,Shamsuddinsfatherwasaprominentleaderofthemili-
tantAssassins,ahereticalnon-Muslimgroupthatoperatedprincipallyin
Lebanonbetweentheeighthandfourteenthcenturies.(Theyweresortof
liketheninjasoftheMiddleEastdaggersforhire.)Shamsuddinsfather
whowascoincidentallyalsonamedJalaluddin,eventuallyrenouncedthe
teachingsofthisgroupanddedicatedhimselfzealouslytolearningand
promotingorthodoxIslam.Hesenthisson,Shamsuddin,tostudywith
orthodoxtheologiansandignitedadesirewithinhimtoknowthetruth
onasdeepalevelaspossible.Shamsuddinearnedthenicknamethe
flierduetohisconstantwanderings.Hewassocharismaticthatpeople
respondedtohispreachingwhereverhewent.
OnecanseethedevelopmentofRumisworldviewandspiritualinter-
estsastheyevolvedintheDivan,whichissomethingofaprequeltohis
lastwork,theMathnawi.EventhoughatfirstglanceShamsuddinseems
totakecenterstageintheDivan,hisinclusioneventuallytransforms
intosomethingofametaphor.AfterRumisinitialburstofsorrow,as
containedinhisearlyodesoflongingtowardhislonglostfriend,he
soonblossomsbeyondthatsenseofpersonallossandbeginstoaddress
thecollectivehumandesireforGodandforinnerpeace.Hereisan
exampleofoneoftheDivansquatrainsthatexpressesthisidea.
ClapyourhandsinjoyforHim,byWhosehandsfoamalights
uponthesea.JoyinHimleavesnoroomforafflictionormisery.
SolistentoHimwithoutyourearsandspeaktoHimfromwithin.
Leavethetonguebehindforitsvulgarnatureproducesonlypain.
FromtheDivan
InhonorofhisfriendshipwiththemysteriousShamsuddin,Rumientitled
hisanthology,Divan-i Shams-i Tabrizi,withShamsuddinsnamepromi-
nentlyplacedwhereRumisname,therealauthorofthework,should
havebeen.RumisDivan isalsoknownbythealternativetitle,Divan-i
Kabir,orThe Grand Collection of Discourses.
40
TheDivan,asyouwillsee,istrulyamultifacetedwork.Italternates
betweenallthemajorhumanemotionsoflonging,fear,hope,joy,
sadness,reunion,andecstasy.WhileRumisMathnawi(whichwewill
discusslater)isrecognizedasamasterpieceofthespiritualrealm,in
thesameway,hisDivanisthesongofthehumanheartmagnified
manytimesover.
Its Three Major Parts
TheDivanisacollectionofthreetypesofwritings:four-linequatrains,
poemsofhalf-linerhymes,and,finally,thelongerodesthatmakeup
thebulkofthebook.Hereisabriefsummaryofeachtype:
u TheQuatrains(rubaiyat)arebrieffour-linepoemsthatspeakona
wholehostoftopicsinveryconciseandsometimesfigurativelan-
guage.TheyappearinalongtrainattheendoftheDivan.There
areabout2,000ofthempresently,thoughonlyabout1,600are
thoughttohavebeenpennedbyRumi.(Theoldestmanuscripts
contain400fewerquatrains,solaterfollowerspresumablytacked
ontherest.)
u TheExtendedPoems(tarjiat)arespiritualruminationsexpressed
inarhymedstructuregenerallyof13syllables.Thereare44
ofthesepoems,whicharemadeupofmultiplesectionsstrung
looselytogetheronacommontheme.Theytotalabout1,700
verses.
u TheOdes(ghazals)areecstaticlongingsexpressedinrhymed
versesofvariousrhymeschemes.Theyareanywherefrom10to
40lineseach.Thereareabout3,230oftheseodes,totalingsome
35,000verses.Theseodesmakeuptheoverwhelmingmajorityof
theDivanscontents.
ThemostcommonthemeoftheDivan,asnotedbefore,involvesthe
lossofthatwhichmakesonewhole.ForRumiatthattime,Shamsuddin
wasthemissingkeyforhisspiritualeducation.ThisledtoRumis
earlyconceptoflosingonesselfintheendlessdepthsofonesspiritual
Master.Thus,thisisanearlyprincipleofRumisevolvingphilosophy.
41
Lateron,Rumiwouldrealizethatasmuchasanotherhumanbeing
couldbeamirrorofonesself,thetruestformoftranquilitycame
fromseekingtheDivinePresence,ratherthanunionwithameremor-
tal.Thus,bythetimeofhiswritingsinMathnawi,theemphasiswason
losingonesselfinGod.Withthatsaid,atthetimeofhisgrievingfor
Shamsuddin,Rumiusedhisliteraryabilities,asexpressedintheDivan,
toworkthroughhisdeeplyfeltsenseofloss.
Odes to Shamsuddin
NowletstakealookatsomeofRumisodesoflongingthathewrote
onbehalfofShamsuddin.Inthisfirstselection,Rumiwritesofthe
effectthatfindingShamsuddinhaduponhislifeandveryessence.In
metaphoricallanguageittakesusfromRumisfirstchancemeeting
withShamsuddinthroughtheirfirstinseparableweekstogether.
Intheearlymorning,amoonaroseinthesky.Thenitcamedown
fromonhighandlookedatme.Justasthefalconsnatchesupa
birdduringthehunt,thatmoonsnatchedmeupandtraversed
throughtheheavens.
WhenIlookedatmyself,Isawnoonethere,forinthatmoonmy
bodyhadbecomeetherealspirit,likeasoulisborn.WhenItrav-
eledonwiththissoulofmine,Isawnothingsavethemoon,until
allthesecretmysteriesoffaithwererevealed.
Theninespheresintheheavensallcametogetherinthatmoon;
myownbodybecamecompletelysubmergedinthesea.Thesea
wasfilledwithwavesthatcrashedallaround.Wisdomthenarose
andshoutedoutloud;thatswhathappenedtome.
Foamaroseonthesea,andwitheveryfleckoffoam,aform
appearedandashapeemerged.Everyfleckoffoamwasabody;
whoeveramongthemreceivedasignfromthatseamelted
instantlybackwithinitandturnedtospiritinthatocean.Without
theremarkablepowerofShams,thetruthfulonefromTabriz,no
onecouldhaveeverseenthismoonorbecomeonewiththesea.
42
Here,RumirecordswhatspendingtimewithShamsuddinmeantfor
himinhisdailylife.ThepairusedtosittogetherinRumisgardenand
talkforhours.Theirideaswereaperfectfittogether;whereonewould
beginathought,theotherwouldcompleteit.Theyhadthatrareand
preciousgiftaperfectfriendship.
Themostjoyfultimeswerewhenwesattogether,justyouand
I,ontheveranda;twoforms,twofaces,yetonesoul,youandI.
Thefruitsoftheorchardandthesingingofthebirdsoffered
ustheWaterofLifeassoonasweenteredthegarden,you
andI.Thestarsofthenightskycametowatchus,andwe,our-
selves,revealedthemoontothem,youandI.
Therewasyou,andthentherewasI,withouttherebeingany
senseofjustayouoranI,duetoourdelightfulunity.
Completelyunconcernedwithfoolishstoriesanddistractions
thatmayhavefloatedby,wewerelockedinourhappiness,just
youandI.
Allthebirdsoftheskypeckedatsweetsugarinaplacefrom
wherewelaughed,youandI.Evenmoreamazingthanthatyou
andIwereinonecornerofthe
RumisReferences
worldoverhere,whileinthesame
instant,wewerebothinIraqor
ThenameShamsuddin
Khorosan,youandI.
meansTheRisingSunof
theFaith.Ironically,Rumi
Oneformwesharedhereonearth,
oftenreferstoShamsuddinas andanotherformwewillshareover
themoonintheDivan.
there,ineverlastingParadisethe
Realmofallthatissweetthehome
ofyou,andthehomeofI.
Inthisnextode,RumiwritesofthetimewhenShamsuddinwasplan-
ningtorunawayfromKonyaduetotheinsultsandtauntshereceived
fromRumisjealousstudents:
Iveheardthatyoureplanningtoleave.Dontdoit.Iveheard
thatyouintendtograceanewfriendwithyourlove.Dontdoit.
43
Whileintheworld,youreastrangeone,andatthesametime,
youveneverknownwhatitsliketobeastranger.
Whatareyouplanningtodo,youheartlessfool?Dontdoit.
Dontstealyourselfawayfromme,dontgotostrangers.
Yourelookingsecretlyatothers.Dontdoit.Omoonforwhom
theheavensarebewildered,youremakingmedistraughtand
bewildered,too!Dontdoit.
Whereisthepromiseandwhereistheagreementyoumadewith
me?Youreabandoningyourwordandyourpledge.Dontdoit.
Whyareyoumakingpromisesandofferingdefenses?Whyareyou
usingyourvowslikeashieldandaweapon?Dontdoit.
Finally,Rumipennedthisodeonbehalfofhislamentandsorrowafter
Shamsuddindisappeared.Thesunmentionedhereisthetranslation
ofShamsuddinsname,andasyoucansee,Rumiisheartbrokenathis
separationfromhisclosestconfidant.
LastnightIaskedastarifithadanynewsofyou.Showme,
Isaid,allthewaysIgaveservicetothatmoonbeam.ThenI
bowedmyheadlowandsaid,Nowtakeallofthis,myservice,
andpresentittothesun,whichmakeshardstoneshinelikegold
fromitsheat.
ThenIbaredmychesttothatstarandshoweditallmywounds.
Tellhimaboutme,Icried,forhesthebelovedwhofeastson
blood.ThenIrockedmyselfbackandforthtostillthefrightened
childwithinmyheart.Doesntachildgotosleepwhenhiscradle
isgentlyswayed?
Givemyheartsweetmothersmilk;savemefromitsweeping,O
Youwhohelpahundredhelplesssoulslikemineeveryday.The
firstandlasthomeofeveryheartisinYourcityofunison.How
longwillYoukeepthislistlessheartinexile?Iwontsayanother
word,savetorelievetheacheinmymind.OCup-bearer,make
drunkmyforlorneyes.
44
AnimageofShamsuddin
ofTabrizonthecoverofan
illustratedPersiancopyof
theDivan,c.1503.
A Selection of Quatrains
SomeofRumisshorterquatrainsfromtheDivan,asfollows,speakof
loss,whileothersspeakofhope,reflectingthemanyfacetsofRumis
talent.
When I Became Free
Ispentyearscopyingothersinmyquesttoknowmyself.Within
myheart,Ineverknewwhattodo.WhenIcouldseenolonger,
Iheardmynamebeingcalledfromsomewhere.ThenItooka
walkoutside.
Leave Me
Myheart,leavemeifyoucannotstandthepain.
Leaveme,forthestreetsarefullofhomelesslovers.Mysoul,if
yourenotafraid,thencometome,butifyourescared,thenleave
mebe,foryourworkisnothere.
45
You Are My All
Ifmyheadknowsonethingforcertain,itsyou.AspoorasIam,
youreallthatIholddear.NomatterhowIseemyself,Imnoth-
ingatall.WhateverImaybeisentirelyduetoyou.
Speak Not with Fools
Leavetheignoranttothemselves.Holdontotherobesofthesen-
sible.Neverwasteyourbreathonanignorantfool.Evenamirror
willrustwhendroppedinwater.
Time Brings All High Ones Low
Timecutsshortallsoundsandquarrels.Thewolfofdeathcuts
topiecesallwhoflocktogether.Everyonehassomekindofpride
withinthemselves,yet,theblowofdeathstrikeseveryonedown.
A Prelude to the Mathnawi
YoumaygettheimpressionthattheDivanisonlyaboutRumissense
ofloss,butitalsocontainsmanyfinepassagesthatprobeintothesci-
enceofspirituality,ifyouwill.Thefollowingselectionrevealshowthe
Divanwas,inreality,somethingofapractice-runforthemonumental
Mathnawithatwastocomelateron.BythisImeanthatRumisempha-
sisonspiritualityforitsownsake,asexpressedintheMathnawi,gets
itsfirstarticulationintheseearlypoems,whichshowthefuturepoten-
tialoftheMastertowriteonloveandthespiritfromanevenhigher
perspective.
Enterherewithus;weretheloversofGod.Letusopenthegate
totheGardenofLoveforyou.Becomeamemberofourhome,
likeashadow,sowecanbeneighborsoftheSun.
Eventhoughwereinvisible,likethesoulintheworld,andeven
thoughwerediscreetliketheloveofloversyetstillournatureis
alwaysevidenttoyou,sincewerebothhiddenandclear,justlike
thesoul.
Whateveryouhappentosayofus,suchas,Yourethisorthat
lookevenhigher,sincewereevenhigherthanthat!
46
Yourelikeastream,butawhirlpoolhasimprisonedyouunder
theground.Enterherewithus,forwerelikeatorrentrushing
onwardtotheSea.
Eversincewevegambledeverythingawaybylosingourselves
completely,weknownothingmorethanbooksthatteachushow
toknownothingatall!
The SevenSermons
Throughouthislife,Rumigavemanysermonsinthemosquesof
Konyaandmanyaddressesandspeechestogatheringsofhisstudents,
followers,andothers.Onsevenofthesemoreauspiciousoccasions,
eitherRumisson,SultanWalad,orhistopstudent,Husamuddin
Chelebi,recordedwhattheMastersaid.Thesesevenrecordedsermons,
together,areknownastheMajalis-iSaba,whichtranslatesastheSeven
Sermons.
Eachofthesesevenspeechescentersuponanimportantsaying,or
hadith,oftheProphetMuhammadandisexpoundeduponwithawide
varietyofanecdotes,examples,andpersuasivearguments.Intone,
thesespeechesaremorebusinesslikeandlesslikethepoetrythatchar-
acterizesRumisotherworks.
HereisabriefsummaryofthecontentsofeachoftheSevenSermonsof
Rumi.Theyappearaswell-organizedspeechesinallrespects.
u Sermon 1: Believersshouldfollowtheexampleandwayof
ProphetMuhammad.Untoldrewardswillaccruetothebenefitof
thosewhoadheretotheProphetswayinuncertaintimes.
u Sermon 2: Whoeverpreserveshimselffromfallingintosinful
waysandwhoavoidsarrogance,oneoftheworstsins,willgain
spiritualrichnessfromGod.Realwealthisacontentedheart.
FollowersoftheTruthavoidgreed,arrogance,andrevenge,and
theyadvancetheirknowledgethrougheducation.
u Sermon 3: Pureandsincerefaithwillpropelapersontoward
honestworshipofGod.Prayersshouldbeperformedinahumble
frameofmind,andGodshelpshouldbesoughtinallaffairs.
47
u Sermon 4: Godlovesthosewhoarepureatheart.Godfavors
thosewhoarehumbleandwholoveHimratherthanthematerial
world.GodlovesthosewhorepenttoHimiftheyevercommit
asin.Godacceptstherepentanceofthesincereanderasestheir
sins.
u Sermon 5: Theonlywayapersoncanbesavedfromthepitfalls
oftheworldisthroughreligiousknowledge.Thosewhoknow
nothingofreligionarelikeanemptyscarecrow.Thosewho
acquirereligiousknowledgearelikedoctorswhohealothers.
Knowledgeistheweaponabelieverusesagainstsin.
u Sermon 6: Theworldislikeatrapthatcapturesanywhocling
toocloselytoit.Thosewhofocusthemselvesonlyupontheworld
ofthepresentpassthroughlifeunawareofthebiggerpicture.
TheyareheedlessanddonotperformthetasksthatGodwould
havethemdo.Theycanonlyexpectdestructioninthenextlife.
u Sermon 7: Theonlywayapersoncanunderstandhersouland
howhermotivationsworkisthroughknowledgeandreason.
Whenapersonuseshermindtodelvedeeplywithinherself,she
canfinallybeginthejourneytowardbecomingbelovedofGod.
Thefollowingisanexcerptfromthefirstofthesespeeches:
Theprosperityandwealthofafinemansionisachainuponthe
restlesssoul.Indeed,thesoulisdeceivedbysuchgoldenchains,
andthus,itcantpassoverthedesert(ofthisworldandinto
Heaven).Itremainsstuckinitsoasis.Eventhoughitsoasismay
seemlikeaparadise,infactitsahell.Althoughitmayseemlikea
roseinappearance,yetinfactitsapoisonoussnake.Allyouwho
areinnocent!Bewareofthatrose-coloredlife,forthatkindofrose
isinhellfire.Indeed,itsahellinandofitself,andthisbecomes
evidentwhenafulldiscussionrevealsitforwhatittrulyis.
FromtheSevenSermons
48
The Letters of Rumi
Islamic civilization was a society that placed a high value on preserving
written records. In Rumis time, it had already been a well-established
practice to collect the letters of scholars together and publish them in
book form. Thus, Rumis students saved many of his letters and collated
about 150 of them in a book. This collection of letters is called the
Maktubat, or Writings.
In keeping with Rumis religious and philosophical nature, all of these
letters are liberally sprinkled with references from the Quran, the say-
ings of Muhammad, anecdotes, quotes from famous writers, and poems.
Rumis letters, which were written to rulers, friends, students, and oth-
ers, fall into three basic categories that can be summarized as follows:
u Letters of Advice. These were most often addressed to govern-
ment officials to exhort them to remain righteous and to do good
deeds in the conduct of their duties. Sometimes he wrote letters of
this sort to friends and relatives.
u Letters of Recommendation.
Footprints of the Master
Like any well-respected professor,
The three most influential
Rumi wrote letters of recommen-
Persian poets of all time,
dation to help people get jobs or
Fariduddin Attar, Hakim
receive grants from the govern-
Sanai, and Jalaluddin Rumi,
were all Sunni Muslims, while
ment.
Persia (Iran) today is over 90
u Letters of Religious Rulings.
percent Shia Muslim.
Rumi received many requests for
religious guidance and rulings on a
wide variety of topics.
Lets look at an example of an occasion that prompted Rumi to write a
letter. Rumi had gotten his son, Sultan Walad, married off to Fatimah,
the daughter of his good friend, Salahuddin Zarqubi. The newlyweds
later had a fight, and there was a period of estrangement between them.
Rumi wrote a letter to Fatimah in which he told her that he supported
her side in the disagreement and that she was fully justified in her posi-
tion. He then told her that he felt sorry for her sadness, and that he
always had the utmost respect for her father, who had recently passed
49
away.Rumiwrotethathewassoindebtedtoherfatherthat,Onlythe
treasuryofGodMostHighcouldrepayhimforthegratitudeIfeel.
Rumithenwentontosaythathedidntwanthertohideanyofher
suffering,andthatitwouldhelphimtoconvincehissontobereason-
ableandreconcilewithher.Hebackeduphisconcernbysayingthatif
hissondidntrelentofhisanger,thenhewouldgiveuphisloveforhis
ownson,refrainfromreturninghisgreetings,andhewouldntallow
hissontoattendhisfuneral.Hethenwrote,Iwishthatyounever
wouldhavebeenmadetosufferorfeelsad.God,mayHebeglorified,
willhelpyou,andtheservantsofGodwillhelpyou,too.(Thepair
eventuallyreconciled.)Rumiincludedthispoeminhisletter:
MaythesplendorsofSalahuddinriseagain,andbepouredintothe
eyesofthelovers.Mayeverysoulthatsbeenpurifiedandbecome
evenpurerthanthat,bemingledwiththedustofSalahuddin.
Whatever Is in ThisIs in That
Variousdiscussions,teachingsessions,andordinarylecturesofRumis
wererecordedandgatheredtogetherinabookentitled,FihiMaFihi,
anArabicphrasethatmeans,WhatsinThisIsinThat.Manyschol-
arsbelievethatitssomethingofaplayonwords,afunnywayofsay-
ing,Whateveryoureadinthisbookisinthatbook(referringtothe
Mathnawi).
Therecordingsarenotofficialsermons,likeintheSevenSermons,but
theyareagoldmineofRumisthoughtsandadvicenonetheless.Inall,
thereare70separateessaysofvaryinglength.Thefollowingaresome
excerptstakenfromthiscollection.
How Destiny Steers Our Way
Thereoncewasamanleadingtheprayers,andwhiledoingso
hehappenedtorecitethelinefromtheQuranthatsaid,The
Bedouinsarestubbornintheirdisbeliefandhypocrisy.Asit
happened,aBedouinchiefwaspresent.(Hebecameangry)and
slappedtheprayerleaderonthesideofhishead.Then,inthesec-
ondhalfoftheprayer,theprayerleaderrecitedthenextlinethat
50
said,YetamongtheBedouinsaresomewhobelieveinGodand
theLastDay.TheBedouinchiefexclaimedproudly,Sothere!
Thatslaphastaughtyoubettermanners!Werealwaysgetting
slapsfromtheunseenworld.Whateverwemayplantodo,were
keptawayfromitbyaslap,andwedosomethingelse.
ExcerptedfromDiscourse49
The Eternal Quest for Love
Whereveryouareandinwhateverconditionyoumaybe,work
hardtoalwaysbealover(ofGod),andapassionateoneatthat.
Onceyouvetakenownershipoflove,youllalwaysbealover,even
ifyoubeinthegrave,attheresurrectionorinParadiseforever.
Whenyouveplantedwheat,wheatwillsurelygrow.Wheatwill
beinthestoreroomandwheatwillbebakedintheoven.Majnun
wantedtowritealettertoLayla.Hepickedupapenandwrote
theselines:
Yournameisonmytongue,
Yourimageisinmysight,
Thoughtsofyoulingerinmyheart:
SotowhomshallIwrite?
Yourimagedwellswithinmysight,yournameneverleavesmy
tongue,yourremembrancedwellsdeepwithmysoul,sotowhom
shallIwritealetter,giventhatyoualreadyoccupyallthoseplaces.
Thepenbrokeandthepagewastorninhalf.
for ThestoryofLaylaandMajnunisaspiritualRomeo and Juliet
Muslims.Itwascomposedintheseventhoreighthcentury,andit
RumisReferences
tellsthetaleofayoungmannamedQayswhofallsinlovewithagirl
namedLayla.HerfatherrefusestoallowQaystomarryhisdaughter
andthusthestrickenlovergraduallydescendsintoakindofmadness,
evenasLayladoes,too.SufishavegenerallylikenedthequestofQays
(nowcalledMajnun,orCrazy One)asametaphorfortheimperfect
humansearchforGod.
51
Therearemanypeoplewhohaveheartsfilledwithwordslikethis,
yettheycannotexpressthemaloud,eventhoughtheyreloversin
constantsearchforthis.Thatsnottobeunexpected,anditinno
wayisanimpedimenttolove.Asamatteroffact,themostimpor-
tantmatteristheheartandanunceasingpassionforlove.Even
asababyisinlovewithmilk,gainingnourishmentandstrength
thereby,stillthebabycannotdescribeorexplainwhatmilkis,
orofferthissimpleutterance,saying,Ifeelgreatfromdrinking
milk,andIfeelmiserableandmalnourishedwhenImawayfrom
it.Inspiteofallthis,thebabywantsthatmilkwithitsveryheart
andsoul.Ontheotherhand,agrownadult,whocandescribe
milkandallitsqualitiesathousandways,gainsnosimilarpleasure
whenhedrinksit.
Whose Fault Is It if Youre Bored?
IfIsaynothing,thenpeoplewhocometomewillgetbored.
However,whenItalktothem,Ihavetotalkontheirlevel,soI
getbored.Thentheygoandsayallkindsofbadthingsaboutme,
thatIgotboredofthemandranaway.Howcanthefirewoodrun
awayfromthecookingpot?Thepotmayfleewhenitcantstand
theheatofthefire,butwhenthefirerunsaway,itsnotbecause
itsreallyrunningaway;rather,itsturningitselfdownbecause
itknowsthepotisweak.Therefore,despiteallappearances,its
alwaysthepotthatrunsaway.SowhenIrunawayitsreallythem
runningaway.Imlikeamirror,andiftheywanttoleave,its
reflectedbackinme.Imrunningawayforthem!Amirroronly
showsotherstheirreflection.IftheythinkImbored,theboredom
isreallytheirs!Boredomisasignofweakness,andthisisnoplace
forboredomorfatigue.
AsyoucanseeinthiscollectionofRumistalks,thereisagenerous
amountofanalogy,stories,poems,historicalorliteraryallusion,and
advice.Inaway,readinghisspeeches,astheyrecollectedinFihiMa
Fihi,isawaytobeabletositinonthelecturesoftheMaster.Whereas
52
theDivanisanemotionalandecstaticexperience,FihiMaFihiismore
ofanintellectual,spiritual,andthoughtfulone.
The Mathnawi
TheMathnawi,orRhymedCouplets,isRumislastandmostfamous
work.Itconsistsofsixlengthybooksofpoetry(eachcontainingseveral
thousandlinesoftext),setupinateaching-styleformatdesignedto
conveysomeimportantlesson.ItstheonlyoneofRumisworksthathe
deliberatelycomposedinchronologicalorderforasinglepurpose.By
wayofcomparison,theDivanisacollectionofmanydifferenttypesof
poemsandodesorganizedlooselywithacertainkindofrandomnessto
it,whereastheMathnawiisaunifiedserieswithacentralpurpose.
Rumibeganthismonumentalprojectattheurgingofhistopstudent,
HusamuddinChelebi,whoispurportedtohaveaskedhisMasterto
leavebehindabookthathisstudentscouldlearnfrom,similartothe
monumentalworksofHakimSanaiandFariduddinAttar.Rumi,itis
said,instantlypulledapaperfromoutofhisturbanthathadthefirst
18linesofapoemwrittenonit.Thiswasthefirstpoemandofficial
openingoftheentireMathnawicollection.Thisselectionisknown
todayasTheLamentoftheReed(Flute).Hereisitstranslation:
Listentothereedandthestorythatittells,foritspeaksofsepa-
ration:EversinceIvebeentakenfromthereed-bed,itsighs,
menandwomenhavejoinedwithmeinmourningmyloss.
Bringmeabrokenheart,tornfromseparation,sothatIcan
explaintoitwhatsufferingfromunfulfilleddesiretrulyis.Anyone
whosevergonefarfromwherehebelongsseekstoreturntothe
placewhereheusedtobe.
Andso,Icryineverygathering,whileIcavortwithallinboth
goodtimesandbad.However,allwhobecomemyfrienddosofor
theirownselfishreasons.Theyneverseektoknowmysecretfrom
within.Mysecretisntfarfrommysorrow,buteyesandearshave
notthevisiontoseeit.
Thebodycannothidefromthesoul,norcanthesoulhidefrom
thebody,yetthesoulisntallowedtobeseen.Thereedslament
islikeafireitscertainlynotfromthewind(oftheplayer)!
Whoeverdoesnthavethisfireinside,lethimbeasnothing!
53
ItsthefireofLovethatsinthereed,anditsthefermentofLove
thatsinthewine.Thereedisthecompanyofallwhovebeensep-
aratedfromafriend;itsmelodiestearourveils(ofsadness)away.
Whohaseverseensuchapoisonandacurelikethereed?Who
haseverseenafriendassympatheticorasdesirousasthereed?
Thereedrecitestalesofahot-bloodedpath;itrecitestalesof
Majnunspassion.Onlythosebeyondtheirsensesgetthisfeeling;
thetonguehasnocustomersavefortheear.
Inoursorrow,thedays(ofourlives)becomelikenights;ourdays
travelalongwithourdistress.Ifourdayscometoanend,then
letthemgo!Foritdoesntmatterintheleast!Butyouyoucan
remain,fornoneareaspureasyou.
Anyonecanbesatisfiedwithwaterexceptforafish,andanyone
wholackshisdailybreadfeelsthelengthofhisdays.Noonewho
isgreenunderstandswhatitmeanstoberipened.Therefore,my
wordsmustbebrief.Good-bye!
MathnawiI,118
The Secret Is Out!
TheMathnawiissetupintheclassicstyleofaSufiteachingmanual.It
conveysitsmessagealmostentirelythroughstoriesofvaryinglength.
Likemanysuchcollectionsthatcamebeforeit,theMathnawicontains
withinitstalesreferencestotheQuran,thesayingsofMuhammad,
Muslimhistory,famoussaintsandsinners,poeticallusions,andtalesof
animalsandfantasticevents.WhatmostreadersandfansofRumidont
realizeshhhh,Imgoingtotellyouasecretisthatmostofthepoems
youreadinthoseRumibooksyouseeeverywherewereactuallynot
writtenasbrieflyastheyrepresented.Inotherwords,youmayread
anisolatedpoemofafewlinesfromtheMathnawiandfeelthatRumi
wrotethepoemjustlikethatasastand-alonepoem.Thisisntusu-
allythecase.NearlyalltheRumipoemsyoureadinthepopularbooks
wereliterallyliftedoutoflargerpassagesandstories.(Tobefair,Ialso
havefollowedthistechniquetoenablethereadertoseesnapshotsof
Rumiswisdom.)
54
HereisanexampleofwhatImean.AnypresenterofRumipoemscan
presentthefollowingtextbyitself,anditwouldbesufficientbyitself
formanyhoursofdeepreflection.
Acrookedhairveiledthesky.
Sohowwoulditbeifallyourpartswerecrooked?
Straightenyourselfwiththehelpoftherighteous,Oyouwho
wouldfollowthestraightpath.
Dontturnasidefromanydoorinwhichtherighteousdwell.
MathnawiII,119121
Thistext,however,isreallypartofalargerteachingstorythatis11
verseslong.Itbeginswithamanincorrectlyclaimingtohaveseenthe
newcrescentmoonthatstartsthefastingmonthofRamadan.Butthen
thecaliphprovesthemanwaswrong,becauseastrayhairhadbeen
drapedoverhiseyes.Thelesson,then,isnottoboastofwhatcomes
fromonesownsenses,buttoseekasecondopinionandbehumble.
Thus,wheneveryourereadinganyRumipoem,particularlyifitcomes
fromtheMathnawi,keepinmindthatitmayhavealargerbackground
storysurroundingit.Ifyoufeelthethirsttoknowmore,thenyoucan
acquireafulltranslationoftheMathnawi.ThatswhatIdidwhenIfell
inlovewithRumisworksomanyyearsago.
Mathnawi
t
APersianwriterofthelaterclassicalperiodnamedJamionce
wroteofRumi:Letthefiresofhellbeforbiddenfortheonewho
readsthe dayandnight.Whatcan
greatman?Hewasn aprophet,yethehadascripture.
WisdomoftheAges
Isayaboutthis
Beyond a Mere Mortal
Ifyouwillremember,whenRumiwasmourningthelossofhisspiritual
friendShamsuddin,hecomposedmuchoftheDivantoassuagehisfeel-
ingsofdespair.Thiswaswhenhethoughtapersononlyneededtolose
himorherselfinaspiritualMastertoachievepeace.Manyyearslater,
whenRumigrewbeyondthisdoctrine,realizingthatthesoulcould
onlybecontentwhenitopeneditselftothetruthofGod,hebegan
55
workontheMathnawi.Whentheworkwasjustbeginning,perhaps
outofhabit,hissecretaryHusamuddinaskedhisMasterifhewould
alsospeakofShamsuddininthisnewbookashedidinhispriorwork.
Rumicomposedtheselinesinanswer:
Itsbetterthatanoldfriendremainshidden.
Come,listentowhatthesestoriescontain.
Itsfarbetterforthesecretsofloverstobetold,inotherstories
andintalesofold.
MathnawiI,135136
Inotherwords,therewouldbenotalkofShamsuddin,oranyother
personwhomadeasimilarlyprofoundimpactonRumislife.The
Mathnawiwastobethepureexpositionofalifetimeofknowledge
thatpointstocommunionwithonesinnerselfandarealizationofthe
expansivenatureoftheSourceofallbeing.AsRumiputit:Oseeker
oftheSeaoftheSpirit,cometotheMathnawi.CometotheMathnawi,
soyoucanalwayssee,thattheresanoceanofspiritwithinit.
The Reach of the Mathnawi
TheMathnawihasinfluencedtheculturesofeveryMuslimlandfrom
TurkeytoIndiaandonintocentralAsiaandbeyond.Suchisitsinflu-
encethatwhenthefamousTurkishpoet,YahyaKemal(d.1958),was
askedhowitwaspossiblethattheOttomanTurksmadeitalltheway
tothegatesofViennaintheirdrivedeepintoEurope,hereplied,Its
becauseweatericeandreadtheMathnawi.
OntheothersideoftheMiddleEast,oneofthemostinfluentialfig-
uresinPakistanihistory,AllamahMuhammadIqbal(d.1938),repeat-
edlyreferredtoRumiashisspiritualleaderinhisownpoems.When
KemalAtaturk(d.1938)triedtosecularizeTurkeybyforceintheearly
twentiethcentury,thefirstsignthathewaswillingtorelentinhiswar
onreligioncamewhenhevisitedKonyaandthetombofRumi.He
describedthefeelinghegotfrombeingclosetoRumismosqueand
tombasatimeofinnerexcitement.Rumisworksalsowentalongway
towardconvertingtheuntamedMongolstoIslamacenturyaftertheir
firstinvasionsofthecivilizedworldinthethirteenthcentury.
56
Today,Rumisworkshavebeentranslatedintodozensoflanguages,and
recordingsofspokenRumipoemshaveevenmadeitontoBillboards
Top20list.IthasbeensaidthatRumiisthebest-sellingpoetinthe
English-speakingworldatthistime,thanksinlargeparttotheefforts
ofsuchRumitranslatorsasReynoldNicholson,A.J.Arberry,Coleman
Barks,Kabir,andCamilleHelminski.
SowhatdidRumithinktheimpactoftheMathnawiwouldbe?He
wrote,Afterus,theMathnawiwillbeaShaykh(respectedleader),and
itwillpointthewaytowardthetruepathforthosewhosearchforit,
andthosewhoruleandthosewholeadothers.Strangelyenough,more
peoplefindsolaceinhiswordsandinsightsnowthanheevercould
haveimagined.
u Rumispoetry,odes,letters,sermons,andspeechesarerecorded
inmanybooks.
u RumisDivanevolvesfromexpressionsoflongingandpersonal
lossintothehumandesireforGodandinnerpeace.
u ThespeechesofRumicontainedintheSevenSermonsaredrawn
fromsayingsoftheProphetMuhammad.
u TheMathnawiisRumismostvoluminousaswellasmoststruc-
turedwork,designedspecificallytoteachimportantlessons.
i i Is
i
j
2
Noth ng for Someth ng
Everyth ng
Popularsongsandwritersoftenspeakoftheneedforpeopleto
liberatethemselvesfromtheworriesandcaresoftheworld.The
dreamwithinusalloftenbeginswiththedesiretobreakaway,
tostrikeoutonourownpath,andtogetsomemeaninginour
questforsomethingreal.Asfatewouldhaveit,Rumiisourper-
fectguide!
Peopleoftenfailtorecognizewhat'sholdingthembackanddon't
recognizethesparkoflifethat's ustinside,waitingtoburst
forthinfullsplendor.Innerdemonsoffearanduncertaintycan
tiepeopletotheever-changingfortunesofthisworld.Inthis
part,throughamasterfuluseofanecdotes,similes,andmeta-
phors,Rumiteachesyouhowtotrulyfreeyourselfandbegin
yoursearchwithalightenedyetpurposefulmind.
Part
I i
u
u
u
u
regrets
j
(
)
j
4
The Forgotten Self
n Th s Chapter
DiscoveringhowRumiexposestheexistenceofthesoul
Uncoveringtherealyouandwhyitssoimportant
Exploringtheconceptandperceptionoftime
Acceptingyourselfforthetreasurethatyouare,without
Thebeginningofanysearch,regardlessoftheob ectofthe
quest,istoidentifyexactlywhatisbeingsoughtafter.Who
goesoutofhishouseandsays,ImlookingforX youfillin
theblank ,withnoideaofhowXisgoingtocontributeto
hislife?Whogoestoworkforreasonsotherthansatisfaction
and/orapaycheck?Whileitistruethata ourneyofathousand
milesbeginswithonestep,theassumptionisthatthetraveler
hassomeideaofwhereshewouldliketoendup.Thesameholds
trueforanyspirituallyorientedendeavor.Apersonmayseek
solaceinprayer,yethecanonlyachieveitifheuttershisprayers
withtheconvictionthattheymaybeanswered.Likewise,whena
personwantstohealawoundwithinhissoul,hemustknowthat
suchaprocessbringsthepromiseofaresolution.
Chapter
60
Part 2: Nothing forSomething Is Everything
Inthesameway,mysticsofeveryreligionpointoutthatthejourney
ofself-discoverymustbeginwithaninwardtrek.Apersoncangoall
thewaytoIndiaandsitatthefeetofawisesage,onlytofindoutthat
shesnobetteroffthanifshestayedhomeandwatchedTV.Shecan
performapilgrimagetosomeholyplaceandreturnfeelingcompletely
unchangedforhertrouble.Itsnotgoingsomewherethatbringsheal-
ingtoourinnerself;rather,itswhenweclimbthemountainpeakthat
isattherootofourpsycheandenterintotheobscuregrottoofour
trueessence.Onlythencanwebegintomakeprogressinoursearch
formeaning,contentment,andspiritualsolace.Sotheattainmentof
happinessandfullnessofspiritrequiresnophysicaljourneyofthou-
sandsofmiles,forthepathtoself-awarenessbeginsintheleastobvious
placeofallintheveryspaceourbodyoccupies,evenifthatspaceis
rightthereinourveryownlivingroom!
Rumiespeciallywouldagree,forhespentthelasthalfofhislifeinthe
sametown,livinginthesamehouse,andtravelingnowhereandthat
wasduringthemostspirituallyrewardingpartofhislife.Thejourney
towardinnerpeace,then,beginswiththemostoverlookedtreasureof
allitbeginswithyou.Inthischapterwewillexplorehowthereal
youiseasilyhiddenyetever-present,andhowRumiexpressesthis
presenceandyearningforourinnerself.
The Overlooked Treasure
Haveyoueverfeltthatyoudidntknowwhoyouwere?Notthemun-
danethingslikeyourname,yourhistory,yourjob,oryourdaily
routines,butknowingwhotherealyouis,deepdown,inthatspot
inside,whichnobodyknowsaboutbutyou.Hasthereeverbeena
timewhenyouliterallywokeupfromyourbusylife,evenjustfora
moment,andsuddenlyfeltlikeaswimmercomingupforairafterhav-
ingbeenunderforfartoolong?Haveyoueverfoundyourselfbecom-
ingunusuallyafraidthatyoumightbemissingoutonlivingyourreal
life,andknowingwhoyoureallyare?Didacasualglanceatsomething
awakenunusualthoughtssomewherefromdeepwithinyouthatleft
youyearningformoredepth?Whatyoumayhaveexperiencedinthose
instanceswastheinnersparkofyourtrueself,fightingtogetoutfrom
undertheheapofworldlydemandsthatmayhavebeenunwittingly
pileduponit.
Chapter 4: The ForgottenSelf
61
Whatwouldcauseaninnerfeelingofyearningtoeruptfromwithin
usoutofnowherelikethat?Coulditbethatdespiteallwemayhave
achievedordoneorlearned,wevesomehowneglectedsomethingthats
simplyunwillingtoremainonthesidelinesforever?Perhapswehave
overlookedtherealtreasureofthislifeinfavorofmaterialshapesthat
passinandoutofourhands.
Thisworldisfilledwithreligions,philosophies,ideologies,andpsycho-
logicalteachingsthatallspeakofaninneridentity,aninnerconscious-
ness,andtheimportanceofgettingintouchwithwhoweareinthe
innerrecessesofourminds.Coulditbethatweveachievedsomuch
materiallyinthisworldthatweveforgottento,orhowto,getintouch
withourowninnatespirituality?
Letslookatthesumtotalofourlivesandseewhatcouldmakeusfeel
inneedofaprivateliberationatthispoint.Wespentourfirstyearsasa
childintheconstanthazeofadream-likeexistence,everdependenton
thosewholookafterus.Asweenteredtheadolescentyears,agrowing
awarenessofourlackoffreedomgnawedattheedgesofourpsyche,
sometimesleadingustorebelorchallengethepowersthatheldsway
overourlives.Angst,dreams,hormones,andadrenalinewereonhigh,
andthereseemedtobenoreliefinsightonaconstantlyout-of-reach
horizon.Thenwehadthosefewexcitingyearsbetweenhighschool
andadultlife,inwhichwefeltasifwewerereally,trulyalive.Wemade
mistakes,learnedlessons,andmademoremistakes.Astimepassedon,
someofusfellintoarutandothersseemedtotakeoff,andthenthe
patternsometimesreverseditself.Later,aswegrowmoremature(or
immature),wesettleintoourincreasinglyrigidopinions,habits,and
values.Bythetimewegetaroundtostartingourgrown-uplives,
wevescarcelyhadtimetocatchourbreathandask,Whattheheck
justhappened?Rumiwroteofthisverysamephenomenoninthese
words:
Isitanywonderthatthespiritdoesntrememberitsown(ancient)
home,inwhichitlivedandemergedfromsolongbefore?
Thissleep-inducingworldiswrappedaround(thespirit)justasthe
cloudsblotoutthestars.(Thesoul)hastraveledthroughsomany
cities,andtheduststillhasntbeenclearedfromitssenses.
62
Likewise,ithasntmadeanyseriousefforttopurifyitselfandtake
agoodlookatthepast,sothatitsheartcancastaglancethrough
theopeningofmystery,allowingittoseethebeginningandthe
endwithanopeneye.
MathnawiIV,36323636
Indeed,lifehasawayofthrowingusforaloopbeyondthedrowsiness
itinducesinoursouls.Nosoonerdowesettleintoourroutinesthan
wesuddenlyfindthatthepaceoftimeseemstospeedup!Withthis
entersthedreadedfeelingofrunningoutoftime,andourinnerself
beginstopanic.Somecallitamid-lifecrisis,whileotherscallitwan-
derlust;othersevenbringoutsuchtermsasmentalbreakdown,life-
stress,oranxiety.Perhapsitsoursoultellingustolooktoitforrefuge
afterbeingneglectedforsolong!Wetakeandtakeoutofourinner
reservoir,aswestrugglealonginthislife,buthowdowereplenishour
authenticselfandfeedoursoul?Rumisaysthis:
Notamomentpasseswithoutyoursoulstrugglingwithitsown
death,sointhatstrugglelooktoyourfaith!
Yourlifeislikeapursefilledwithgold;everydayandnightsees
themoney-changercountingoutthecoins.
(God)counts(thecoins)andgivesgoldtousfreely,untilthepurse
isemptiedandtheeclipseofdeathappears.
Ifyoukeeptakingawayfromamountain,withoutputtingany-
thingback,thenthemountainwillonedaydisappearfromthat
kindofone-sidedtransfer.
Sothenputanequalamountofbreathbackforeveryoneyou
take,soyoucanobeytheverse(oftheQuranthatsays,)fall
downinworshipanddrawyourselfnear,forinthatwayyouwill
gainwhatyouseek.
MathnawiIII,123127
Scattered Time
Timeanditspassingisarelentlessremindertooursoulofitsultimate
passing,anditimpelsthesouleverhardertobreakfree.Considerthe
bittersweetrealitythatayearasa14-year-oldlastsforever,butthe
63
sameyearforanadultgoesbyinwhatseemsamatterofmonths!Why
isthisso?Well,ifitstruethattimeflieswhenyourehavingfun,then
adultlifemustbeinordinatelyjoyous!Butisit?Iseverydayfilledwith
bubblinglaughterandmeaningfulexperiences?Perhapstherearedays
likethat,butwhatoftheotherkindsofdaysthedaysofworry,hard-
ship,drudgery,stress,anxiety,andjustplainwork?Youdthinkthey
wouldputadragonoursenseofthepassageoftime,yetthedayswhiz
bynonetheless.
Therefore,itsnotthatweresohappyeverydaythatmakeslifesuch
ablur;rather,itssomethingelseentirelyanditsrobbingusofour
chancetofeeltrulyalive.Thatsomethingisourunduefocusonevery-
thingandeveryoneexceptourowninnerselves.Inrunningtopick
upthepiecesofotherpeopleslives,weoftenleaveourownpuzzle
unsolved!
WisdomoftheAges
AnotherEasternmysticalpoetnamedHafiz(d.1390)wroteof
theimportanceofunshacklingonesdesirefortruthinthesewords:
Whyabstainfromlove,whenlikeabeautifulgooseleavingfor
thewinter,somedayyoursoul,too,willleavethissummercamp?Why
abstainfromhappiness,whenlikealionontheprowl,yourheartisget-
tingcloser,andwillonedayseethatthedivinepreywasalwayseven
nearer?
TheresastoryofanoldDuchess,whohadeverybenefitintheworld
bothmateriallyandsocially,andwhouponherdeathbedsaid,Iwould
giveeverythingIown,forjustalittlemoretime.Acontentedsoul
wouldnothavespokensuchwords,therebydemonstratinghowthe
materialworldscattersourfocusandleavesusunsatisfied.Howmany
peoplehavereachedthepinnacleoftheirpowerandfailedtoremember
thattheirlifedoesnotlastforever?Whentheendisnear,suddenlyall
thelosttimeandwastedpursuitscomebacktoremembrance.
Alifelivedwithoutfocusisalsoalifelivedwithoutlove.Loveisnot
socheapastobemerelytheattractionofonefleshlybodytoanother.
Realloveisdeeperthanthat.Lovebindsthesoultoitsreality,toits
transcendence.Withoutthatinnerloveandjoyinthesoul,allwedois
merelybusyourselveswithtasksonediversionafteranotheruntil
64
werestoppedinourtracksbyourultimatedoom.Rumiputthisbest
whenhewrotethefollowing:
Yourthoughtsarespreadoutoverahundredimportantaffairs,
overthousandsofdesiresandinnumerablemattersgreatandsmall.
Youhavetouniteallthese(scattered)partsthroughtheagency
oflove,sothatintheendyoucanbecomeassweetas(thefabled
cities)ofSamarqandandDamascus.
Whenyouvebecomeone(inyourfocus),stepbystepcomingout
ofyourconfusion,thenandonlythenwillitbepossibletohave
theKingsetHissealuponyou.
MathnawiIV,32883290
Time Is the Reminder
Theoldadagetellsus,Heretoday,gonetomorrow.Indeed,truer
wordswereneverspoken!Ifyouthinkaboutit,whatdoyoureallyown
inthisworld?Moreso,whatpossessionsdoyouholdinyourhandsthat
compareinvaluewithyourinnerpeaceandwell-being?Ifmerethings
dontmakeyoueternallyhappy,whyspendyearsgettingagoodjob
justsoyoucanpurchaseexpensivebaubleslikegoldordiamonds?We
shouldquitourjobsandhuntforplainrockstosatisfyourneedtohold
materialthingsinourhands.Wecanthencarrytheminourhandsall
daylong,beingascheapandplentifulastheyare!Ah,butwerepicky
inwhatwechoosetohold,however,whatwehold,whetheragoldring
orabrokenseashell,willslipfromourgraspsoonerorlater.Howcan
anythinghereinthisworldmakeustrulyhappy?Intheend,asRumi
quotedtheProphetMuhammadsaying,Truewealthdoesntcome
fromanabundanceofthings,butfromacontentedmind.
Theauthenticselfdesirestocomeout,seethelightofday,andlift
itselfoutofthechasmsofmaterialdeception,temporarydistraction,
andinevitabledisappointmentwithinwhichourshallowdesireshave
buriedit.Theauthenticselfsays,Comeasyouare.Whereastheshal-
lowselfsays,Whatdidyoubringme?Areyousureitsgoodenough?
Embarkingupontheprocessthatultimatelyleadstothereleaseof
yourinnerspiritshouldntbedelayedamomentlonger,onceyouknow
65
itsimportanceandonceyoufinallyrealizethatyoumayhavebeen
neglectingit.Thereisntmuchtimeallottedtousinthisworldasitis.
Ifyousawapileofgoldjustwaitingtobegiventoyou,wouldyousay
youretooaccustomedtoholdingyouroldragstoacceptit?Wouldyou
sayyouretoobusytotakethegoldrightnow?Rather,youwoulddrop
whateveryoureholdinginaninstantforwhatyouwouldrecognize
asfar,farmorevaluable.Lookuponyourinnerpeaceandwell-being
likewise.Isitdearertoyouthantheworry,anxiety,andboredomyou
mayalreadyhold?Weoftensay,Lifeistooshorttowaste.Shouldnt
wethentakethatmessagetoheartandfocusontherealtreasureof
existence,ratherthanexclusivelyonmerematerialsuccessandgoods?
Rumiwritesthefollowing:
Justlookatyourself,howyouresoafraidofbecomingnothing.
Knowthatnothingnessisalsoafraid(thatyoumightbecome
something).
Ifyourereachingoutforworldlyhonorandsuccess,itsmerely
fromthelatentfears(ofdeath)yousufferfromwithinyourago-
nizedspirit.
OtherthanloveforGod,theMostBeautiful,allthingsarelacedin
theagonyofthespirit,eveniftheyseemassweetassugar.
Whatistheagonyofthespirit?Tomovetowarddeathandnever
tohavetakenaholdoftheWaterofLife.
MathnawiI,36843687
Yourinnerspiritiswhereyour
truewealthlies.Impedimentsto
RumisReferences
knowingandunleashingitareall
Rumioftenspeaksofthe
thosethingsyousacrificeyour
happinessfor.Butwhatisthe
costofembarkingontheroad
totranquilityofmind,heart,
andsoul?Doyouneedtoleave
spiritanditsessentialnour-
ishingqualitieswiththemeta-
phorofwater.Intheparched
MiddleEast,thisallegory
oftheWaterofLifewould
havebeenaverypowerful
yourlife,yourfamily,oryour
visualimageinthemindsof
interestsbehindtoachievehar-
Rumislisteners.
monywithinyourself?Ofcourse
not;theyarentwhatsstanding
66
inyourway,evenifyouthinktheyare.Theimpedimentisalwaysin
adeeperplaceaplacenoonecanseebutyou,becauseitsinsideof
you.Indeed,thefocusofthemindcangetlostinmaterialism,circum-
stances,andresponsibilitiesandisforgetfulofitsultimatedestiny.And
whileitseemsaneasystatementtomake,thatweneedtolookwithin
toregainourinnersenseofbalance,however,itsmuch,muchharder
toactuallypeerintoonesowninnerpsyche.ThisiswhatRumiwrote:
Athorninthefootishardenoughtofind,sohowmuchharder
woulditbetofindathornintheheart?Answermethat!
Ifeveryunluckypersoncouldfindthethorninhisheart,thenhow
couldsadnesseverprevailoverhim?
MathnawiI,152153
There Is Death in a Life Without Life
Anamelessonebeginseachdayasusual:upat6:30A.M.,outofthe
houseby7:15A.M.,andonthejobby8A.M.Therestofthedaypro-
gressesequallyasroutine:work,havelunch,morework,drivehome,
inthedoorby6:15P.M.,dohomestuff,watchTV,gotobed.Thenext
day,itstartsallover.Thisgoesonfive,sometimessixdaysaweek,
50weeksayear(minusacoupleofweeksvacationdayslikelyscat-
teredhereandthere).Thisgoesonfor20to30yearswithmaybea
fewcareerchangesalongtheway.Thenretirement,shuffleboard,and
bingoyouknowthestoryfromthere.
Thiskindoflifecycledescribeswhatmostofusexperience,albeitwith
differentvariablesanddetails:momentsoffleetingsuccessandsatisfac-
tion,punctuatedbytimesoftrialandtribulation.Thisisthecarousel
oflifeacyclerepeatedgenerationaftergeneration.Somepeopleseem
tofindgenuinehappinessinit,whilemostjustsurvive.Soundspretty
bleak,doesntit?Butthisrealizationopensawholehostofquestions
aboutlifeanditsmeaning(orlackthereof).Whatisahumanbeing
entitledtoinhisorherlife?Isthereanywaytomakeamundanelife
morefulfilling?Ifwehavesuchawonderfulbrain,howdowemake
itworkforusandfindsomerelief?Whatsthesecretthatwesooften
hearaboutthesecrettothisso-calledhappylife?
67
Peoplecangetlockedintheirfamiliarroutines.Whensomething
unusualhappens,however,itcansuddenlyawakennewfeelings
withinus.Andifwedontcatchthemintime,theymayslipaway
aswesettlebackintoournormalpaceoflife.ForRumi,thatmomentof
opportunitycamewhenafranticdervishnamedShamsuddinstopped
himbychanceinthemarketandaskedhimaseeminglyincomprehen-
sibletheologicalquestion.Rumidescribeditas,settingmythoughts
onfire.Thisiswhatsethimfirmlyonthepathofunlockingtheinner
secretsofthesoul.Canyouthinkofasimilarsituationinwhichyoufelt
suddenlyawareofsomethingnewforthefirsttime?
WisdomoftheAges
Thereisnoshortageofanswerstothesequestions.Everyreligion,
everyphilosopher,everyself-helpguru,andeventheguydownthe
streetallofferyouadvice.Thispreponderanceofself-affirmationmes-
sagesshouldbealltheproofyouneedthathumanbeingsneedmeaning
intheirlives.Wethriveonit;wecannotsurvivewithoutit.Therefore,
itwouldntbetoomuchofastretchtosaythatthereisacomponent
withineachofusthatisattunedtoawakeningsomesortofinnerwell-
springofhopeandsatisfaction.Wewereborntoshine,butweeach
mustlearnhowtopolishourselves.Rumiexhortsustolistentoour
innerneed,asopposedtooursurfacedesires,andtakethatpathatall
costs.
Goandseektruelove,ifyouwouldletyourspiritlive;otherwise,
youlljustbeaslavetothepassageoftime.
Dontlookatyourselfandthinkyoureuglyorbeautiful;only
thinkuponloveandwhatyouseek.
Dontlookatyourselfandthinkyourerottenortooill(tomake
thejourney);lookuponyourhope,Onobleone.
Itmattersnotwhatconditionyourein;keepsearching.Oyou
withtheparchedlip,keepsearchingforthewater,forthatparched
lipofyoursistheproofthatonedayyoullreachthegushing
spring.
Adrylipismerelyamessagesenttoyoubythewater,tellingyou
thatyourdiscomfortwilleventuallybringyoutoitsomeday.
68
Let Rumi Be Your Guide
TheMuslimreligionthatRumifollowedcarriesthestrongmessage
thatweallmustawakenourinnerspiritinordertoachievecontent-
ment,meaning,andapurposefullife.Allothermajorreligionsteach
theirfollowerstoadoptthisquest,aswell.Inthis,thereisasignthat
allreligionscamefromthesameessentialsource,andRumirecognized
asmuchwhenhewrotethefollowing:
Themanyprayersandblessingsthatareinvokedupontherigh-
teousbringtogetherinunisonthepraisesofalltheprophets.
Theseinvocationsmingletogether,likemanyjugsbeingemptied
intoasinglepool.
Giventhatthe(Divine)objectofallpraiseisnotmorethanone
beingHimself,fromthispointofview,then,allreligionsareonly
onereligion.
KnowthenthateverytypeofpraisegoesuptotheLightofGod,
andismerelyonloantomaterialobjectsandpeople.
HowcananyonepraiseanyotherbesidesHim,whenonlyHehas
theright(tobepraised)?Somegooffinerrorduetotheirwhims
(andforgetthistruth).
TheLightofGodcomparedwiththenaturalworldislikemoon-
lightshininguponawallatnightthewallismerelythefocusfor
allthosesplendors.
RumioftenalludestotheLightofGod.Thisisacommonmetaphor
throughouttheworksofmanyMuslimpoetsandmystics,anditgoes
RumisReferences
backtoapassageoftheQuranthatreadsasfollows:GodistheLight
oftheheavensandtheearth.TheexampleofHisLightislikeanook.
Withinthatnookisalamp,andthelampisencasedinglass.Theglass
resemblesastar,glittering(likeapearl)whoseflameislitfromablessed
treeanolivetreeneitherfromtheEastnortheWest,whoseoilis
glisteningandglowing,evenbeforeitsbeenlit!Light upon Light! God
guideswhomeverHewantstowardHisLight,andthisishowGodgives
examplestopeople,forGodknowsaboutallthings.
Quran(24:35)
69
Thesearchforlightinonesinnerbeingisopentoallpeopleofall
faiths,eventhoselackinginthatdepartment,forregardlessof
whatapersonholdsdear,allhumanbeingssharethesameessential
humanspirit.NowRumitookthisquestforinnermeaningtoitsdeep-
estlevels.Hisexpertiseprovidesawholehostofshortcutsforusinour
ownstruggletobefreeoftheearthlylimitationsthatassailus.Again,
thisisajourneythatallpeoplefromallbackgroundscanembarkupon,
andwhatsmore,Rumihasgenerouslyofferedtobeourguide.Inthese
words,hetellsuswhy:
Whoeverbeginsajourneywithoutaleader,theneverytwodays
worthoftravelingbecomeslikeahundredyears.
Whoeverrushestowardtheholyshrinewithoutaguidebecomes
asuncouthasthelotofconfusedmen.
Whoeverstartsaprofessionwithouthavingfirstlearnedfroma
teacherbecomestheobjectofridiculeinhisowntownandnation.
Exceptformaybeasingleinstancebetweentheeastandwest,has
anydescendantofAdameverstuckhisheadout(atbirth)without
parents?
Theonewhogainsistheonewhoearned;itsanunusualoccur-
rencethatsomeoneshouldstumbleuponburiedtreasure!
MathnawiIII,588592
ForRumi,realizationbeginswithanexaminationoftheself.Withouta
criticallookintoourowninnernature,wecannotknoworunderstand
howtobeginthejourneytowardself-actualization.Sonow,letustake
Rumiasourguideandlethiswisdomcascadeoveroursenses.Aswe
passthroughthegardensofhispoetry,trytoglimpsethelessonsthat
hiswordsoffertous.Contemplatedeeplymeditateonthemeanings
ofwhattheycontainanddrawoutthelessonsthatcantransformyour
lifeandbringyouanewreasontofeeljoyandhappiness.Takethese
gemsofwisdomanddonthesitateyouhavenothingtolosebutall
thosethingsthathaveheldyoubackfromawakeningthebeautywithin
yoursoul!
70
Embrace Your Inner You
Whenyoufallasleep,youleaveyourconsciousstateandenter
uponyourtrueself.Youhearyourinnervoicespeaking,andyou
thinksomeoneelsespoketoyousecretlyinyourdreams!
Inthesameway,thereisntjustonesmallyou,mygoodfriend.
Noway!Yourethecombinationofboththeskyandthedeepsea!
ThebiggerYouismagnified900times,likeanocean,within
which100littleyouscandrown.
Reallynow,whatuseisthereinsayingeitherwakefulnessorsleep?
Besilent,forGodknowsthetruth!
Thereisahiddenworldinyourmind.Whenyoulookinthemirror,
youseeareflectionofreality,yetyouwouldneversaythereflectionis
thereality.Inthesameway,yourconsciousthoughtsarebutareflec-
tionofadeeperoceanofbeingthatmakesupyourtotality.Butjustas
peopleseeourfacesandmakethefaultyassumptionthattheyknowall
aboutus,we,too,thinkoursurfacethoughtsandfleetingdesiresareall
weare.Themysterybehindtheface,thedepthunderneaththesurface
ofthewaterthisiswhatsbeenhiddenfortoolong.Rumiwouldhave
youstickyourfingerinthatpoolofyourself-image,ripplethewater,
upsetit,andthenrealizeitisthemaskhidingsomethingfarmoresig-
nificant.Youcanneverdiveintothewaterandsnatchapearluntilyou
acceptthatthereismoretoyouthanyouoriginallythought.
The Stark Truth
KnowthatHopeisadeafmanwhosheardaboutourimpending
death;yet,hesneverheardofhisowndeathorpaidattentionto
hisownillness.
Greedisablindman:heseesshortcomingsinothers,nomatter
howsmall,andhespreadsthenewsoneverystreetcorner.Even
still,hisblindeyesneverseeonespeckoffaultwithinhimself,
eventhoughhessoskilledatfindingfault!Anakedmanbecomes
afraidoflosinghisownpants;yet,howcananyonetakeanaked
manspants?
71
Thematerialisticpersonisstrickenwithpovertyandfear;even
thoughhehasnothing,helivesinfearofthieves.Hecameinto
thisworldwithnothing,andhellleaveitwithnothing;yet,hes
plaguedwithconstantfearofbeingrobbed!
Whenthemomentofdeatharrives,andachorusofwailingwells
upbyhisside,hissoulwilllaughatitsownfear.Forinthat
instant,therichpersonwillrealizehehasnogold;thecleverper-
sonwillknowhehasnomoreschemes.
Itsthesameaswhenachildhasalapfullofprettyshapeshe
tremblesforthemlikearichmanwithhisgold.Ifyoutakeapiece
away,thenhestartstocry;ifyougiveitback,hestartstolaugh.
Sincethechildisnotswaddledinknowledge,neitherhislaughing
norhistearsmeananything.
Whyishopedescribedasadeafman?Becauseeveninthefaceofthe
worsthardshiporloomingdisasters,thehumanbeingcanalwayscling
tohope.Itsourconstantcompanion,anditsnotscaredoffbyloud
noises.Whyisgreeddescribedasablindman?Becausegreedsees
nothinggoodbutitself,anditwantsnothingforanyonebutwhatwill
helpitself.Thesetwoforcesdocombatinourminds.Sometimes,greed
seemstooverpoweroursenseofjusticeandourlivesbecomethatmuch
moreempty.Nomatterhowmuchmaterialwealthweacquire,were
inconstantfearofruin.Other
times,ourinnersenseofgoodness
comesoutontop,andthelifting
Sufiteachingsarepassed
onfrommastertodisciple
ofgreedsoppressionletsarayof
lightshinewithinoursouls.This
intheformofinstructivesto-
addsstrengthtoourreservoirof
ries,coupledwithmeditative
endurancetestsinvolving
hope.Knowledgeisthekeyto
chanting,seclusion,prayer,
lockinggreedawayandfreeing
andothersimilarpractices.
hopefromitsdarkprison.
Seek the Opened Heart
Thereismanyaonewhoseeyeisawake,yetwhoseheartisasleep.
Intheend,whatcancreaturesmadeofwaterandclayeversee?
72
Theonewhokeepshisheartawake,thoughtheeyeofhisheadyet
sleepssuchaheartwillopen100eyes!
Ifyourenotinpossessionofanopenedheartyet,thenremain
awakeinstudythroughoutthenight.Lookforthatheartthatcan
open,andstruggleagainstyourearthlydesires.
Ifyourheartisalwaysawake,thenrestinpeace,foryourinnereye
isneverdimmedfromseeingtheworldaroundit.
Thedescriptionofanawakenedheart,Ospiritualbeing,couldnot
beaccomplishedeveninthousandsofverses!
MathnawiIII,12221225,1228
Peopleareoftenhastyintheirexpectations.Ourmodernworldcom-
poundsthisphenomenonwithfastfood,fastcars,andhigh-speedyou-
name-it.Coulditallbeanotherdeceptionoftheworld?Isitpossible
thatourlonelyheartswanteverythingtomovefasterandfastersowell
betoodistractedtothinkaboutourapproachingdeadlineofdeath,and
thuswecanavoidtakingahardlookatourinnerself?
Thejourneyisaworthwhileone.Ifwedontfeelenlightenedafter20
minutes,itdoesntmeanitsnotpossible;itdoesntmeanwecannever
achieveit.Itjustmeansthatthe
RumisReferences
illusionofquicknessneedstobe
laidtorestinourminds.Nothing
Sabr isthewordSufisuse
todescribepatientpersever-
worthwhilecomesquickly.Thepay-
ance.Withoutpatience,Sufis
off,however,isbeyondwhatwords
believepeoplestandlittle
candescribe.Dontbeafraidtolearn
chancetoknowthemselves. newthingsonthisjourneyanddont
bedauntedbypatience.Ifyourenot
thereyet,remainastudentofthe
waysthatwillgetyouthere.Learntoreadbooksthatchallengeyour
soul,attendlecturesandseminars,devotequiettimetoyourselfinyour
routines,andjointhecompanyoflike-mindedpeople.IfRomewasnt
builtinaday,surelyyourlifewontbechangedinanhour,butyoucan
atleastkeepmakingthebricks!
73
Why the Seeker Achieves the Goal
Onthebankofastream,therewasahighwall.Sittingontopof
thathighwallwasaverysad,thirstyman.
Thewallpreventedhimfromreachingthewater;hewasfilled
withlongingforthewater,likeafishmightbeifitwereinthe
samesituation.
Suddenly,hethrewaloosebrickdownfromthewallanditfell
intothewater.Thenoiseofthesplashingwaterechoedinhisears
likewordswordsspokenbyadearanddeliciousfriend.
Thenoiseofthewatermadehimfeelintoxicated,asifhehad
drunkwine.Thesplashingsoundsmadebythewatermadethat
hard-pressedmanfeelbetter;thenhebegantotearoffmorebricks
andthrowthemdownfromthatplace.
Thewater,however,madewhimperingnoisesandsaid,Heyyou!
Whatdoyouhopetogainbythrowingbricksatme?
Thethirstymanreplied,OWater!Imgettingtwothings,and
becauseofitIllneverstopwhatImdoing.ThefirstthingIm
gettingisthesplashingsoundsofthewater,whichtoathirstyman
soundslikeaviolin.Thesecondthingisthat,foreverybrickItear
offthiswall,Icomeclosertoyou.
MathnawiII,11921199,1206
Sometimespeoplerealizethattheyremissingsomethingintheirlives,
yettheyhesitatetotakethepathofacquiringit.Theyremainintheir
stateofemptiness,perhapsassailedbyself-doubts,fear,orafeelingof
unworthiness.Atothertimes,theymayfeelthatthejourneywillbe
toohard,toofraughtwithpossibledisappointment,ortoocomplex
toachieve.Thephrase,Youcandoanythingyouwantslipseasily
enoughfromthetongue,andthisisthemostcommonadvicewehear;
yet,whenitcomestimetostartinganyjourney,wequicklybecome
awareofhowlongtheroadwillbe.
Manygetdiscouragedearlyonandchoosenottotaketheroadthat
leadstotheirdesire,preferringtolingerwithinthedreamofhazypos-
sibility,safefromthefearofdisappointment.Butwhatifthejourney
74
couldbewhittleddown?Whatifwetookitinlittlesteps,andletevery
stepbeamini-fulfillment?Anydisappointmentthatariseswouldbe
measuredagainstdozensofsuccesses,sowhywouldanyonequitwhen
shesmakingsuchhugegainstooffsetanysmalllosses?Eventually,
theseekerwillreachhergoal,andshellhavehad1,000littlesuccesses
alongthewaytocelebrate!Sodontbeafraidtostartanendeavor.If
youknowwhatyouwant,justtakeitonestepatatime,likeababy
learningtowalk.Completeeachstepinincrements,asRumisuggests,
foreachwillgiveyoutheinspirationtotakethenext.Eventually,youll
reachwhateveritisthatwillslakeyourdrythirst.
Consider Yourself a Treasure
Evenifyouwereapowerfulkingwhopossessedeveryfortune,
rememberstillthatrealfortuneissomethingelse,besidesyou.
Onedayyourworldlyfortunewilldisappear,andyoullbeleft
withnothing,likeapauper.Letyoursoulbeyourfortune,Ocho-
senone.
Whenyouareyourownfortune,Opersonoftruth,thenhowcan
you,whoarefortunepersonified,everloseyourself?
Howcanyouloseyourself,Opersonofgoodness,whenyourvery
essencehasbecomeyourkingdomandyourtreasure?
MathnawiIV,11091112
Mostpeople,atsomepointintheirlives,realizethefutilityofposses-
sions.Foratime,mostpeopletaketheactofacquiringthingsastheir
reasontolive;theywakeupeverymorningwiththegoaltogather
morethingsforthemselves.Whenourexpensiveacquisitions,which
provideuswithonlypassingpleasuresandmomentarydistractions,
starttorevealhowstingywearewithourinnerselves,thenwebegin
tofeeldissatisfiedwithmaterialthingsasawhole.Thosewhoremain
stuckinthematerialtrapareamongthemostmiserableofall.Those
whobreakfreeofitarereadytofindthefulfillmentofalltheirdeep-
estdesires.Whenwedrapeourselvesinthings,wemerelygetburied
underapileoftrash.Whenweshedtheloveofthings,wecanfinally
understandthatthemostvaluabletreasureofallwaswithinourown
75
selvesallalong.Makeyourheartandsoulyourtreasure,andspareno
expenseoreffortinpolishingthatgemstone,foritslusterwillnever
fade,anditsvaluewillneverdecrease.
Putting It All Together
Awakeninginneressencerequiresacertainamountofcomparisonsto
bemadebetweenyou,yourmaterialgoals,andyourshortlifespan
whichismostimportantofthethree.Untilapersonfinallygetsa
senseofalarmthathisshortlifemightslipawaybeforeheeverhasthe
chancetomakesenseofitallinhisdeepestlevelofconsciousness,then
hellmakenoprogressingaininginnertranquilityandpeace.Aneasy
waytogiveyourselfajumpstart,andperspective,onthiswholeprocess
isfirsttolookattheaveragelifespanofamaleorfemaleitsaround
75to80years,giveortakeafewyears.Thensubtracttheamountof
yearsyouvealreadylived.Next,addthatnumbertowhatyearitis
today.Thatwillbeyourapproximateexitdatefromthisworld.Write
thatnumberonapieceofpaperandstickitsomeplacewhereyoull
noticeitoften.Thatsonedeadlineyoucannotavoid,andthatconstant
reminderwillsurelykeepyoufocusedonthequestformeaninginthis
world!Rumibegsyoutorealizethattheresmoretoyouthanmeetsthe
eye,andhecautionsyouthattheresnotimetoloseinyourquest.The
onlylifethatshouldbepitiedisthelifeofalivingrobot,whowasborn,
workedforatime,andthendied,withouteverknowingwhy.
u Lifehasawayofdrowningoursenseofawarenessunderaflood
ofdistractions.
u Rumibelievedthatbecauselifewasshort,apersonshoulddevote
moretimetoexploringherinnerself,ratherthanimmersingones
selftoomuchinmaterialism.
u Rumiheldthatanoviceshouldseekthebenefitofaspiritual
guidetohelphimavoidfrustrationandpitfalls.
u AccordingtoRumi,alifelivedwithoutgettingintouchwithones
trueselfisalivinghellresultinginbitternessandsorrow.
I i
u
u
u
u
j
5
Igniting the Divine
Spark
n Th s Chapter
DiscoveringinRumisFihiMaFihitherealimportanceof
yourlifesworkincomparisontotheawakeningofyour
soul
Exploringvarioustechniquesofmotivationtopropelyou
onthepathofself-discovery
Learninghowtodirectyouressentialnaturetowardgood-
nessandfaith
Gainingusefulinsightandunderstandingtohelpsustain
youinyoureverydaylife
Onceyouveacceptedthatuncoveringtherealyouisofthe
utmostpriority,thenextlogicalstepistobeginthat ourneyof
self-discovery.Onemayask,HowdoIgetstarted?WhatdoI
needtodo?Willitbealotofwork?Becarefulnottogettoo
caughtupinquestionslikethis,assometimesitsouroverem-
phasisoninitialpreparationthatactuallystallsourprogress.
Ourdesiretolayoutaplanandtogeteverythingrightbefore
Chapter
78
webeginthejourneyisakindofdistractioninitself.Aswithanything
else,actuallyembarkingonthejourneyisusuallythehardestpartof
thewholeendeavor.Sowhydontwegetrighttoitandbypasstheplan-
ningandinquiriesaltogether.
Youalreadyknowthattheresavibrantsparkdeepdownwithinthe
recessesofyoursoul.Youvefeltitsometimes,evenasatothertimes
youveforgottenit.Therefore,therealquestionisnothowtorecog-
nizeyoursoulspresence(becauseyouknowitsthere)but,rather,how
tostoketheembersofyouralreadywarmspirituntilitglowswithan
increasinglybrightambiance.Howdoyoufanthatlittleflameinside
sothatitbecomeshotenoughtoburnthroughthatshellthatsbeen
encasingyourspiritforsolong?Howdoyoumaintaintheglowagainst
anychillwindofuncertainty,self-doubt,orfatiguethatmaytrytodim
thelight?Aretherewaystokeepthemotivationaliveintoughtimes?
Arethereanytechniquesthatcanhelpyouthroughthelongdryspells
ofimpatience?Thesearesomeofthequestionsthatwellexplorein
thischapter,andasalways,Rumiwillberighttheretoanswerallof
ourconcerns.
And What Is Our Purpose Again?
Onthesubjectofhumanpurpose,inthefourthchapterofhiscollected
discourses,otherwiseknownasFihiMaFihi,Rumihasthistosay:
Theresonethinginthisworldthatmustneverbeneglected.Even
ifyouforgettodoeverythingelseinthislife,aslongasyoufulfill
thatonemaintask,youwonthaveanythingtoworryabout.On
theotherhand,evenifyoumanagetoaccomplisheverythingelse
thereistodoinyourlife,leavingnothingundone,ifyouneglect
thatonesingletask,thenitwillbeasifyouaccomplishednothing
atall.
Itsthesameasifakingsentyououtintothecountrysidetoper-
formaspecificjob.Nowletssayyougoandcompleteahundred
othertasksalongtheway,butyoufailtodothatoneparticular
thingthejobforwhichyouweresentoutinthefirstplace.In
theeyesoftheking,itwouldbeasifyouhadachievednothing.
Inthesameway,wehumanbeingshavecomeintothisworldfora
Chapter 5: Igniting theDivineSpark
79
particularpurpose,andthatonepurposeiswhatwewerespecifi-
callycreatedfor.Ifwedontaccomplishit,thendespitewhatever
elsewemaydo,wewill,inreality,havedonenothingatall.
Whatisthisonespecifictaskforwhichwehumanbeingswerecreated?
RuminextquotesaversefromtheQuranthatsaysthis:
Weofferedtheresponsibility(ofself-awareness)totheheavens,
theearth,andthemountains,buttheyallrefusedtoacceptitout
offear(oftheconsequences).Humanityagreedtoundertakeit,
thoughitoversteppedandwasfoolish.(33:73)
Mathnawi
theMathnawi
TheteachingsoftheQuranformthebasisofRumis .When
hesnotquotingfromtheQurandirectly,hesweavingstoriesand
parablesthatmimicsomeaspectoftheQuranoranother.Thisiswhy
iscalledtheQuraninPersian.
RumisReferences
Theimplicationofthisverseisthatoutofallcreation,onlywehuman
beingshaveanexpansivesoulandare,bydesign,naturallyconscious
oftheimpactofouractions.Thus,wehaveagraveresponsibilityupon
ourshoulderstousethatpowerwisely.Tomisusethesegiftsistobe
ungrateful,despitewhateverotherachievementswemaysuccessfully
complete.Therefore,oursingle-mostimportanttaskistoopenour
soulstoGod.Bydoingthiswebecomeawareofthefulldepthofour
specialgifts,welearntoshrugoffthecallofthematerialworld,andwe
becomemotivatedtodorightandgoodbyourfellowcreaturesand
ourselves.ThisiswhatGodintendedforusinHisgivingusasoulto
beginwith.Rumicontinueshisdiscoursehere:
Perhapsyoumightsay,EvenifIdontaccomplishthatonetask,
yetstillIvecompletedsomanyotherthings.Well,youwerent
createdforthoseotherthings.Itslikebeinggivenaswordof
pricelessIndiansteel,thelikeofwhichcanonlybefoundinthe
treasuriesofkings,andthenusingitasabutchersknifeforslic-
ingrottenmeat,saying,Imnotlettingthisswordgotowaste.
Imputtingittosomanygooduses.Howpitifulandridiculous
isthat!GodtheMostHighhasgivenyouahighervaluethanyou
80
realize,forHesaid,Godhasboughtfromthefaithfultheirlives
andtheirpossessions,andinexchangeHewillgrantthemthegift
ofParadise.
Thus,aneternalparadiseofreunionwiththeDivineisinstorefor
thosewhohearkentothecalloftheirthirstysouls.Rumicontinueshis
argumentwiththispoignantquote:
Apoetsaid,Youremorepreciousthanboththeheavensandthe
earth.WhatmorecanIsay?Youdontevenknowwhatyoure
worth.
Therefore,aswebeginourjourneywecansteelourresolvewiththe
realizationthatwehaveintrinsicvalueinourverybeingitsnotin
whatwedo,whatwemake,whoweknow,etc.Thismakesiteasierto
acceptthatwehavearesponsibilitytoourdeepestself,toawakenit,
polishit,andletitbethelensthroughwhichweseetheworldandlife
withinit.Worldlyaccomplishmentsarefine,butwemustntforgetto
fulfilltheonetaskforwhichwevebeencreated:toawakenoursoulsto
ourultimatepotential.Andso,withoutanypreparationwevealready
embarkedonthejourneybyrealizingthisonefact!HereiswhatRumi
comments:
Whatsinsideafruitisbetterthanwhatsontheoutside.Likewise,
thinkofyourbodyasamereshell,whileitsinneressenceisyour
realfriend.Thatsjustit:humanbeingshaveavaluableinner
nature.Lookforthatalone,ifyouretrulyamongthose(inspired
by)thebreath(ofGod).
Rumiisshownherewith
studentsinthisfifteenth-
centuryPersianpainting.
Hisarmsareraisedashe
chantsandrotatesinmedia-
tion.
81
What Ecuse Do You Have?
Rumilaysoutthefollowingpropositionclearly:youhavevalue,andthe
onlywayyoucanfullyrealizethatvalueisifyouacceptthatyouwere
givenasoulforapurpose.Todoanythinglessthanpolishitandset
itfreeisalostopportunityatexperiencingreallife.Whowouldbeso
foolishastoturndownatreasure,onceheorsheknowsitwasthere?
HereiswhatRumiwrote:
Thelovelymoonshoneuponmelastnight.
Leavemenow,Isaid,forIllnotseeyoutonight.Assheleft,
Iheardhersay,Welldone,Omoodyone.Youwontevenopen
yourdoorwhenatreasurecomes.
FromtheDivan
Rumihadmanyfemalestudentsanddisciples.Theyattendedhis
lectures,wereteacherstoothers,andwouldalsoparticipateinthe
whirlingmeditationsessionsheled.ThemostfamousofRumisfemale
acolyteswasFakhrun-Nisa,whowasknownastheRabiahinher
day.(Rabiahal-Adawiyya,whopassedawayin801,isperhapsthe
mostfamousfemaleMuslimmysticinhistory.)
Ofwhatvalueareallofouraccomplishments,ifweleavethislifewith-
outeverhavingadeeperunderstandingofwhoweareandourplacein
theuniverse?Howcouldweturndownsuchatreasurewhenitoffers
itselftous?ForRumi,thereisneitherexcusenorjustificationfornot
gettingintouchwiththegemthatliesburiedunderyourexterior.He
saysthisinhisfourthdiscourse:
Perhapsyoullofferanexcuse,saying,Imdevotingmyselfto
moreimportantthings.Imstudyinglaw,philosophy,logic,astron-
omy,medicine,andalltherest.Well,forwhosesakebutyour
ownareyoudoingallthesethings?Ifitsthestudyoflaw,youre
onlypursuingitsonoonecancheatyououtofaloafofbreador
stripyouofyourclothesorkillyou.Inotherwords,itsforyour
ownpeaceofmind,andsoonwithalltheotherareasofstudy.All
thesethingsareconnectedwithyourownsituationandserveonly
yourowngoals.
82
Knowthatforyoutheresanotherkindofsustenanceandsecurity
tosustainyouthatsfarbetterthanthisrationofphysicalsleeping
andeating.TheProphetoncesaid,Ispendthenightinthepres-
enceofmyLord.HestheOneWhogivesmemysustenance.
Butlook!Inthelifeofthisworld,youveforgottenallaboutyour
heavenlyfood,beingsopreoccupiedasyouarewithmaterialpro-
visions.Throughoutthenightandtheday,yourebusyfeedingthe
needsofyourphysicalbody.However,thisbodyislikeyourhorse,
andthelifeofthisworldisitsstable.
Whatthehorseeatsisnotwhattheridereats.Theriderhashis
ownkindofrest,food,andpleasure.Yet,becausetheanimalistic
bodyandtheinstinctualurgeswithinyouhavetheupperhand
overyou,youvetarriedwithyourhorseinthestable,andyouve
notletyourselfliveinthehomeofkingsandprincesintheeternal
realm.Yourheartwantstobethere,butbecausethebodyhasthe
upperhand,youresubjecttothebodyscontrolandyouremainits
prisoner.
Thus,asRumiexplainsit,withinourbusyliveswemustnotforget
whereourtruepurposelies.Thenever-endingracetogetmorestuff
inourshortlivesleavesourspiritstarvingattheendoftheday.All
otherpursuitspaleincomparisontoourrealneedthatofnourishing
ourheartandsoul.Wearespiritualbeingswitharelationshiptosome-
thinggreaterthanourselves.Regardlessofthefaith,orlackthereof,
allpeopleareendowedwithaninnerdepththatmustbeexperienced
andexpandeduponinordertorealizewhatbeingtrulyhumanis.To
leavethekeytothetreasurylyinginthedustbeforethedooristobe
ungratefulforthegiftswaitingtobeunleashedwithin.Wemusthurry,
however,forthereislittletimetolose.Ourlifespanisshortandwhen
wefinallyrealizewhatwemustdo,theconstanttickingoftheclock
mustbeourcompanionandreminder.ThisiswhatRumiintoned:
Yourejoinedtoalifethatlastsforbutaday,somuchsothatyou
cantstandanymentionofdeath.
Lifemaylooklikeahome,butitsreallyahomethatendsin
decay.Youwouldrealizethis;yet,yourdonkeyhasfallenasleepon
theway!
FromtheDivan
83
The Spirit Responds to the Call
Oneneednotworryorfretaboutanysecretmagictobegintounlock
herinnersoul.Itwillrespondtotheonewhoseeksit.Rumisaidas
muchwhenhewrotethis:
Whatevergrowsontheearthisgrownforthesakeofthosein
need.Thisissotheseekercanfindwhatheslookingfor.IfGod
createdtheheavensabove,Hedidsoforthesakeofmeeting
needs.
Wherethereispain,thatswherethecuregoes.Wherethereis
poverty,thatswheretherationsgo.Wheretherearedifficult
questions,thatswheretheanswersgo,andwherethereisaship,
thatswherethewatergoes.
Dontworryaboutlookingforthewater;getthirstysothatthe
waterwillrushtoyoufromaboveandbelow.Unlesstheprecious
childisborn,howcanmilkbegintoflowfromthebreast?
Goandrunthroughthesehillsandmeadowssoyoucangetreally
thirsty;letyourselfsuccumbtotheheat!Afterawhile,youllhear
thenoiseofapproachingthunder,andsoonyoullhearthesounds
ofwaterinthestream,Oyouwhowouldbeking!
Mathnawi with Rumioftenendedimportantsectionsofversesinthe
thesimplecommandofkhamush, orsilence.Thiswashiswayoftell-
ingthereaderstoopentheirinnervoice,andturnof
whilesotheycanreflectonwhattheyvelearned.
RumisReferences
ftheirtonguefora
Inotherwords,yourdesireisenoughtogettheprocessstarted.Sure,
youwillneeddeterminationandpatiencealongthewaytoachieve
greaterlevelsofinsight,butyourthirstwillhelpsustainyouinthat
quest.WhenRumimentionsrunningthroughthesehillsandmead-
owstobuildaragingthirst,hesgivingusametaphor:keeponthis
path;study,think,andpray,forexertingyourselfinthesekindsof
activitiesisreallyawayofbuildingupyourdesiretoknowyourselfon
anevendeeperlevel!Rumiencouragesuswiththefollowingwords.
84
Whetherhebesloworquick(onthechase),theseekeristhe
onewhoshallfind.Asyousearch,usebothyourhandsinyour
endeavor,forthequalityofasearcherisanexcellentguidealong
theway.
Whetheryourelameorlimping,bentoverordeformed,never
ceasetocrawltowardHim;nevergiveupyoursearchforHim!
Sometimeswithwords,sometimeswithsilence,ormaybebysmell,
noticeineveryplacethescentoftheKing.
MathnawiIII,978981
Rumis Words of Advice
NowletustakeajourneythroughsomeofRumiswordsofadvice
togainasenseofwhatkindsofpracticesandunderstandingswecan
acquiretohelpourprogressalongtheway.Hiscounselisessential,
time-tested,andsincereforthosewholearntomeditateonthedeeper
meaningoftheirlivesandignitethedivinespark.
You Dont Need Any Special Skills
Eventhoughyouhavenoequipment,keepsearchingnonetheless,
forequipmentisntnecessaryonthepathtotheLord.
Wheneveryouseesomeonealreadyinvolvedinthesearch,O
child,becomehisfriendanddevoteyourselftohimcompletely.
Whenyoubecometheneighborofaseeker,youyourselfwillbea
seeker,too!Intheshadowofaconqueror,youshallbecomeacon-
queror,aswell.
IfanantwantstobecomeasstrongasSolomon,dontlaughatit
foritsgoals.
Thinkofeverythingyouevergainedintreasureandskillwasnt
thereatimewhenitwasalljustadreamandaquest?
TherearetwomainpointsherethatRumioffers.Thefirstpointgoes
backtosomethingdiscussedinChapter2,thatpeopleshouldseekout
85
thecompanyoflike-mindedindividualswhohelpencouragetheirspiri-
tualstudies.Thinkofitlikearrangingaworkoutcompanion:ifyou
cantgetthatextramileinonthetreadmill,yourfriendwillcajoleyou
intoreachingthatnextmilestone.Thesecondmainpointisthatthere
shouldbenoshameinbeingabeginnerorinhavingaloftygoal.What
islifebutdreamsofthefuture?Thereisntasinglepowerfulperson
alivewhodidntstartoutasapennilessdreamer.Therefore,your
dreamsarejustasvalidasanyoneelses.
Let Yourself Be Open-Minded
Wouldanyonewritesomethingonapaperthatsalreadybeen
used?Wouldanyoneplantatreewhereonehasalreadybeen
planted?Ofcoursenot!Hewouldlookforblankpaperonwhich
towriteoravacantlotinwhichtoplant.
Sowhydontyou,Ocompanion,becomeavacantlotorablank
paper,soyoucanbemadesplendidbythepenofrevelation,andso
theMostMercifulcanplantaseedwithinyou?
MathnawiV,19611964
Rigidityisthemostseriousimpedimenttoprogressinnearlyevery
humanendeavor.Thinkofallthehumansufferingthathascomeabout
throughtheagesfromtheindividualtocollectivelevel,simplybecause
peoplerefusedtobeopen-minded.Thinkofhowmanycompromises
youvemadebecausetheywerebetteralternativesthanstandingyour
groundatthatmoment.
AnancientChineseproverbpointsoutthattreesthatbendinthewind
willsurvive,whilethosethatremainrigidwillsnap.Oursoulsarethe
sameway.Ifyouaretoknowyourselfonadeeperlevel,youhavetobe
willingtoputyourassumptionsintoawiderperspective.Youmustnot
clingtoanideawhosetimeyouknowhaspassed.Bewillingtoconsider
newideas,forthatstheonlywaypeoplegrow.Putsomeofyourold
beliefsandattitudesonnoticethatiftheydontstarttoworkwithyou,
thentheyllbeleftonthecurbside.Bydoingsoyouarepreparingthe
soilsosomethingbeautifulcantakeroot,andlayingablankpageon
thetablesoagreaterHandthanyourscanbegintowritethestoryof
yourlife.
86
Have You Inspected Yourself Lately?
Youknowhowmucheveryitemcosts;yet,ifyoudontknowhow
muchyoureworth,thenitsallfornothing.
Youknowallaboutyourluckyandunluckystars,yet,younever
considerifyoureluckyorunluckyyourself!
Thatsit!Thatstheheartofallknowledge;knowinghowyoure
goingtofareonthedaywhenanaccountwillbemadeofyou!
Youknowexactlywhatyourbeliefsrequireofyou,buthaveyou
lookedatwhatyourownfoundationis,toseewhetheritsgoodor
not?
(Gettingasense)ofyourownfoundationisbetterforyouthan
(following)thetwocoreprinciples(ofyourfaith),forinthatway
youcanfinallygetahandleonyourownbasicnature,Oyouwho
wouldbegreat.
OneofRumisoverridingthemesisthateachpersonmustbewilling
totakeagoodlookatherselfandmeasurewhosheisandwhatshe
reallystandsfor.Inotherwords,apersonmaysay,Imthisorthat,
butwhatisshereallyallabout,deepdown?Eventhoughtheage-old
adageknowthyselfmaysoundeasy,mostpeopleneverundertake
suchapersonalaccounting.Whetherfromfearoffindingshortcom-
ingswithin,beingdistractedfromourbusylives,orfromneverhaving
reallythoughtabouttheinnerselfanditswell-being,thepitfallsthat
holdusbackaremanyandnotalwayseasytorecognize,butitisajour-
neyworthtaking.
Sohowisitdone?Howdoesapersonbegintopeelawayhisfaade
andpeekintohishiddenfoundation?Initiallyitsbylearningtoask
yourselfquestionsaboutyouractionsandmotivations.Atleastafew
timesaday,askyourselfabouthowyouinteractedwithothers,includ-
ingthefollowing:
u Whatdidyousay?
u Howdidyourespondtothevarioussituationsyouencountered?
u Areyousatisfiedwithwhatyoudid?
87
u Whatcouldyouhavedonebetter?
u Haveyoulearnedanything?
u Doyouregretanything?
u Whatdidyoureallywanttodoandwhy?
u Howareyoufeelingrightnowandwhy?
u Isthereanythingyouwantorneedtorevisitandchangetoday
andwhy?
u Whaturgeshaveyoufeltandwhatdoyouthinktheymean?
Writethesequestionsdown,alongwithothersyouthinkwouldbe
helpful,andtackthemupsomewhere.Makeitadailyhabittocarry
onadialoguewiththeonepersonyou(should)knowbestandwhoyou
can(andshould)bemosthonestwith.Remember,too,thatthistypeof
self-examinationisnotaone-timething.Wouldyoulookinthemirror
onemorning,besatisfiedwithyourappearance,andthenneverlook
inthemirroragainfortherestofthedayormonth,assumingyoustill
lookedgoodeveryday?Ididnt
WisdomoftheAges
thinkso!Peopleconstantlycheck
andrechecktheirouterappear-
Rumiwrote,Expel
ance,especiallywhentheythink greed,jealousy,and
whereImgoingwiththis?That
youalsoneedtolookatyour
hatredfromyourheart.
Evilthoughtsandanger
learntoletthemgo.Denythis
nooneislooking.Doyouknow
innerappearanceyourbehavior,
andyoulllose,socutyour
lossesnow.Ownthisand
attitude,feelings,andconcerns
yourprofitswillquicklygrow.
atdifferentpointsthroughoutthe
FromtheDivan
day,too,justlikeyoucheckout
yourhairandteeth.
Wealreadyuseourbrainstodiscussourdailylives,albeitinasemi-
conscioussortofway.Nowwejustneedtoharnessourthoughtsona
moredeliberate,contemplative,andactivelevel.Wehavetobeginto
noticewhathappenswithourlifemoreconsciously.Dothisbyrehash-
ingeventsinyourmindthatoccurredearlierintheday.Smallthings,
largethings,oddthingstheyallhavealessontoteach.Reflectionis
thekeythatopensthedoortoself-awareness.
88
Perhapsyouhadaconversationwithsomeonepickitapart.Maybe
younoticedabutterflyandweretemporarilytakenwithitsbeauty
reflectonwhyyoufeltthisway.Maybeyoumadeamistakethink
abouthowyoucouldhaveavoidedit.Maybesomethingalarmedyou
ormadeyouangrywhy?AsRumiadvised,doingthiskindofself-
reflectionvis--visyourthoughts,actions,andinteractionsistheonly
wayyoullbeabletogetahandleonyourspirit.Tryit,buildup
tomorefrequentself-reflection,thenpracticesomemore.Soonyoull
feelmorepresenceofmindineverythingyoudo.Rumiwroteofthe
phenomenonofgrowingawarenessinthesewords:
Lookingup(fromthedarknessofyourmundaneexistence)will
giveyoualighttoseeby,thoughyoureyesmaybecomedazzled
bythebrightskyatfirstoh,indeedtheywill!
Letyoureyesbecomeaccustomedtothelight,andaslongas
yourenotabat,thenkeeplookingupinthatdirection.
Whenyoucanseetheultimateendofthings,itmeansyoure
lookingwiththelight.Focusingonthewhimofthemomentis
nothingmorethanadarkgrave.
MathnawiII,19751977
Look into the Self
Rumiwasastrongproponentofself-inspectionandreflection.Without
it,itwouldbeimpossibleforourailmenttobediagnosedandacure
prescribed.ListentothemannerinwhichRumiasksustoapproach
ourownself:
Thebodyislikealetter:lookintoitandseeisitworthyofbeing
readbytheKing?Takeit.Gointoacorner;opentheletter;read
it.Areitswordssuchasakingwouldapprove?Ifitsnotgood
enough,thentearittopieces;writeanotherletterandfixwhatwas
wrong.
Butdontthinkthatthebodycansoeasilybeopenedlikealetter.
Ifthatwereso,theneveryonewouldseethesecretsthattheheart
contains.Oh,howhardthatletteristoopen!Itsajobforgrown-
ups,notforchildrenplayingaround.
89
Werealltooreadilysatisfiedafterreadingthetableofcontents.
Thatsbecausewereallsunkinselfishnessandfoolishdesires.The
tableofcontentsisatrapfortherude,whothinktherestofthe
scrollisthesameasthat.
NowlookatthetitlepagedontlookawayfromitandGod
knowsthebestwayforyoutochange.Thetitleofyourlifeislike
astatementfromyourtongue.Nowlookintothetextofyour
scroll,especiallyintotheheart,toseeifitmatchesupwithwhat
yousay,soyouractionswontbelacedwithhypocrisy.
Reallynow,whenyourecarryingaheavybag,youhavetosee
whatsinsideit!Whatssourinit?Whatssweet?Whatsworth
carryingalongwithyou?
Emptyyourbagoftheworthlessstoneswithin,andsaveyourself
fromwastedeffortanddisgrace.Fillthesackonlywiththetrea-
suresyouwouldbringtonoblesandkings.
MathnawiIV,15641577
OneofthemostinfluentialbooksofmysticalpoetryinRumisyoung
adulthoodwascalledThe Conference of the Birds,writtenby
FariduddinAttar(d.1220).Thisbookconcernedthejourneyofahost
ofbirdswhowantedtofindtheirtrueking.Whentheysetoutontheir
travels,thebirdstookamajesticandwisebirdastheirguide.Along
theway,throughtheuseofexamples,parables,andstories,theguide
helpedthebirdstounderstandthattheirgoalsforself-fulfillmentrested
notonreachingaspecificdestination,butonpurifyingtheirinnerselves.
ThisisaconstantthemeinRumiswork,aswell.
RumisReferences
Sometimes,oroftentimes,weconsiderwhowereallyareintermsof
howwemeasureuptotheexpectationsofothers,andwonder,and
worry,ifwerereallyworthyintheeyesofourpeers.Thisisapathlit-
teredwithtrapsandsnaresfortheunwary.Whenwelooktoothersfor
approval,fearsandself-doubtsoftenplagueourmindandbringdown
ourspiritoh,thelittlevoicesconstantlytellinguswerenotgood
enough!
90
Butwhatarewemeasuringourselvesagainst?Toooften,wehavent
aclueandweunfairlyrelyuponvaguewhispersofhesaidandshe
said!Ofcourse,thiskeepstheviciouscircleofinadequacygoing,and
wemayneverfeelwemeasureup.Butwhatifweclearlydefinedwho
wewanttojudgeus?Whatifwestoppedforamomentandconsid-
eredwhoseopinionsreallymatter?
WisdomoftheAges
ForRumi,heonlycaredwhatGod
Oneofthemostfamous
thoughtabouthim.Thatwasthe
mysticsofthethirteenth
beginningandtheendofhisself-
centurywasFakhruddin
examination.Theopinionsofpeople
ibnArabi.Heoncesaidof
shouldnotbethefocuswestrivefor
Rumi,Nooneeverunder-
whenweexamineourselfandworth.
stoodhimasheshouldhave
beenunderstood.Hecame
Whoarewetogiveotherhuman
intotheworldastranger,and
beingssomuchpoweroverour
leftitasastranger.
ownpeaceofmind?Takebackfrom
othersthepowertopassjudgment
overyou.
Wecanapplythesameprincipleateverylevelinourownlives.Never
say,Idontknowhowhefeelsaboutme.Ratheryoushouldfirstask,
Isthatpersonworthyofmyconcern?Onlyafteryouvedetermined
thattobeso,thenshouldyousay,AmIthekindofpersonwhoiswor-
thyofhiscompany?Also,takealookatyourinnercomponentsyour
habits,yourlikes,yourinterests,andsuchanddetermineiftheyre
reallyworthluggingwithyouanylongerinthislife.Whenyour
thoughtsarefocused,thenyoucandecideifso-and-soisworthyour
attentionanddevotionandyouwillknowhowtomoldyourselfinto
whoyoureallywanttobe.
Is a Seeker Epected to Be Perfect?
Unlikeanyotherendeavor,therearenoexamstotaketojudgehow
muchyoursoulhasawakened.Youneednotworryabouttheamount
ofmistakesyouveaccumulated,orthesetbacksyouveexperienced.If
youvelapsedintosomeoldhabitsthatwereharmfultoyouorinadver-
tentlyforgottoexamineyourselfforawhile,therewillbenotaskmas-
tertheretochastiseyou(otherthanyourself).Allyourefforts,greator
small,andallyourtrialsandsetbacksinlifeareallapartofthequest.
91
Sufiliterature,alongwithalargepartoftheliteraturefoundinmost
otherreligions,isfullofstoriesofpeoplewholosttheirwayorstum-
bled,onlytofindtheirwaytocompletesatisfactionintheend.There
arenomomentswhereyouhavetofeellikeafailure,forthereisno
chancetofailyourselfaslongasyourethirstyforsomekindofprog-
ress.Evenalifefilledwithhardshipcanbeablessingthatwillopen
yourhearttowhatyouseek.Onthisjourney,failureinlifeisnothing
morethanachanceatself-improvement!HereswhatRumiwrote:
Whoisdrawingyounearer,Oquestioner?TheOneWhoforbids
youtosayanything!Youmake100vowstogosomewhere,yetHe
leadsyousomewhereelse.
Heturnsyourreinsineverydirectionsothattheuntrainedhorse
canrealizehehasarideronhisback.Thecleverhorsewillpace
himselfevenly,becauseheknowsariderisdirectinghisway.
Hessetyourhearton100cherishedgoals;thenHedisappoints
youandbreaksyourheart.EvenasHebrokethewingsofyour
firstdesire,howcouldyounothaveknownthatawing-breaker
wasthere?SinceitwasHisorderthatsnappedthecordofsomany
ofyourplans,howcouldyounothaverealizedthepowerofGods
command?
However,astimegoesby,someofyourresolutionsandgoalsare
achieved,sothatyoucangainasenseofhopethatyourplans
mightpossiblysucceed,evenasHemaydestroysomeofyour
intentionsoncemore.
IfHeneverletyoutastesuccess,thenyourheartwouldbeincon-
stantdespair.Howcouldyoueverhaveanyexpectationsofsuccess
then?Unlessthekernelofexpectationcanbeimplantedinthe
heart,howcanabarrensouleverrealizeitsdependenceonthe
divinecommand?
Throughfailure,thosewhowouldlovearemadeawareoftheir
Lord.Failureistheguidetoeternalbliss.Listen,Onobleone,to
thetradition,Paradiseissurroundedbyhardshipsandtests.
Ifeverythingyoudoendsinfailure,knowthatthereisSomeone
whosepleasureisfulfilled.Thesincerehavebecomebrokenbefore
Him,yethowdoesthiscomparetothosewholoveHim?
92
WisdomoftheAges
Theintelligentarebroughtdown
beforeHimbecausetheyhave
Rumioncedescribed
hisnewfoundwisdom
tobe,whilethosewholoveHim
inthesewords,Iwas
arebroughtdownwillingly100
oncedead;Icamealive.I
times.
startedtolaugh;thepowerof
TheintelligentareHisslaves,while
lovearrived,makingmefor-
everpowerfulinside.Myeye
thosewholoveHimarelikecandyto
ispeacefulnow;mysoulhas
Him.Comeagainstyourwillisthe
becomebrave;Inowhave
motivationoftheintelligent,while
theheartoflion,evenaslike Comeofyourownfreewillisthe
VenusIshine.
blossomingspringofthosewhohave
FromtheDivan losttheirhearts.
Indeed,wemustrealizethathopecannevertrulydie,nomatterhow
manysetbacksorharddayswehave,foroccasionally,thingsdowork
out.Therefore,difficulttimesarereallyopportunitiesforustoprac-
ticepatienceandperseverance.Likewise,everyamountofprogress,
nomatterhowsmall,islikeatreasure,foritkeepstheengineofour
hopealive,evenifitsometimesseemssodistant.Wehavetorealize
thatthecycleofhopeandfailureistheoverseerofpatience,andthat
Goddashesourplansonlytoteachustoopenourheartseverwider
todivinedestiny.Whatseemstobebadluckisreallyawayforyouto
exploreyoursoulevenmoredeeply.Rumiexplainsthematterthisway:
Lookatthechickpeafloatinginthepot,howitleapswhenits
putunderthefire.Asitsbeingboiled,itkeepsrisingtothetop;it
criesoutin100ways,saying,Whyareyouscaldingmewithfire?
SinceyouthoughtIwasgoodenoughtobuy,whyareyouturning
meupsidedownnow?
Thecookgoesonhittingitwithherladleandsays,Comeon
now!Boilnicely;donttrytoescapetheonewhomadethefire.
ImnotboilingyoubecauseIhateyou,butrathersoyoucan
becometastyandflavorful,andgaingoodqualitiesandmingle
withthespirit(ofthesoup).Thispainthatyoureenduringnow
isntbecauseyoureunloved.Whenyouwereyoungandfreshin
thegardenyoudrankinwater.Yourdrinkingofthatwaterthen
wasforthesakeofburninginthisfirenow!
93
GodsmercycomesbeforeHiswrath,andpartofHismercyisyou
beingmadetosufferfromhardships.ThroughHiswrath,(you
learntogiveupyourfoolishdesiresforthismaterialworld.)O
Chickpea,keeponboilinginturmoil,sothatneitheryourdesire
toexistnoryouregomayremainapartofyou.
MathnawiIII,41594165,4169,4178
The Ultimate Pay-Off
Searchingforgreaterawarenesswithinonesselfislikeanever-ending
payday.Throughtheyears,lifebecomessweeter,sorrowandhardship
becomebalancedwiththebalmofunderstandinganddeliberation,
thefearofdeathfadesaway,andoureveryinteractionbecomesmore
meaningfulandimmediate.Otherpeoplealsonoticewhenaperson
risesfromherinnerslumberandpiercestheveilofgoingthroughthe
motionsoflife.Thissometimesmakesthemawareoftheirowninner
deadnessandputstheseedofdesirewithinthem,aswell.Lightupon
lightandbeautyuponbeautyemanatefromthosewholearntoseewith
theeyeofthespirit,ratherthanwiththedulleyeofthematerialbody.
Rumiapprisedusofthisveryphenomenoninthesewords:
WhenGodspoketotherose,Hemadeitlaughinbeautifulsplen-
dor.WhenHespoketomyheart,Hemadeit100timesmore
beautiful.
MathnawiIII,4129
Thetimetonourishthesoulisalwaysnigh.Whenthesoulisignited
andthethirstforinnerpeaceandsatisfactiongrows,thenthereal
progressbegins.Haveyoueverwonderedatthebeautyofcertainpeo-
pleyouhaveknownorreadaboutwhoweresuchfarsightedandnoble
souls?Theirspirithadacoming-outparty.Yourswantsone,too!Rumi
describestheprocesslikethis:
Thebodyisaslenderhome,andthesoulinsideissquished!(God)
wreckeditsoHecouldmakeapalaceoutofit.
Imsquishedlikeababyinthewomb;Imninemonthsold
already;Ihavetocomeout!Unlessmymothersuffersfromlabor
pains,(thenhowcanIescape)?Imburningupinthisprison!
94
Mymother,myphysicalnature,isbeingbirthedthroughthepangs
ofdeath,sothatthelamb(ofmyspirit)canbereleasedfromthe
(materialbodyofthe)ewe.Letthelambgrazeinthegreenpas-
turesnow.Comethen,openyourwomb,forthislambhasgrown
toobig!
Ifthepainofchildbirthishardonthemother,well,forthebaby
itsaliberation.Apregnantwomancriesoutatchildbirth,saying,
WherecanIrun?Butthebabycomesoutlaughingandsays,
Finally,Imfree!
u Ourmainpurposeinthisworldisnottogainwealthorfameor
toaccomplishpersonalgoals;ratheritstoawakenourinnerself
andbecomeawareofwhoweareasspiritualbeings.
u Therearenospecialskillsrequiredtoignitethequestforself-
awareness.Itdoeshelptoassociatewithlike-mindedindividuals,
however,forexternalsupport.
u Failureinlifeisawaytoimproveonespatienceandtogain
insightintothedeeperlessonsoflife.
u Progressmaybeslowattimesonthejourney,butthethirstto
achieveanexpansivesoulisquiteenoughtosustainthesincere
seeker.
I i
u
u
u
u
j
j
( )
6
Fighting the Illusion
That Binds You
n Th s Chapter
Learninghowtorecognizethemanytrapsandsnaresof
lifethatcanblindyoursensestothemoreimportanttask
ofself-actualization
Discoveringwaysinwhichyoucancombatmaterialismand
leadamorespirituallysatisfyinglife
Exploringthenatureandgoodofferingsofthisworldand
deathwithoutregrets
UnderstandingRumisconceptionoflifeandhowitdiffers
frommaterialisticphilosophies
Therearemanykindsoftriumphsandfailuresinthisworld.If
youtracedthecauseofeachbacktoitssource,youmightbesur-
prisedtofindthatnearlyallofthemarerootedinourphysical
needs,wants,ordesires.Inotherwords,ifyoucloselyexamined
allthechallenges,aggravations, oys,andsorrowsfoundinthe
averagepersonslife,youmightfindthatthema orityofthose
resultshavetodowiththepersonssuccess orlackthereof in
Chapter
96
acquiringphysicalitemsorexperienceswhetherbecausetheperson
cantdowithoutthem,orbecauseheorshereallywantstohavethem.
Themoreesotericteachingsfoundineveryreligionareoriented
towardinstructingpeopleonhowtolivewithless,notmore.Of
course,thisfliesinthefaceofconventionalwisdomthatsaysthemore
youacquire,themoresuccessfulapersonyouhavebecome.Yet,when
apersonsdailyneedsaremet,whatwillmorepossessionsbringtothe
qualityofhisorherlife?Thisisawideissue,andRumiwroteexten-
sivelyonit.Inthischapter,wellexploresomeofwhatRumihadtosay
aboutmaterialismanditsdangers.Intheend,youmayfindthatyoull
lookuponyourownpossessionswithaslightlydifferenteye.
Peering Through the Looking Glass
Whileyouretravelingonthisjourneytowardawakeningtheinner
self,youwillsoonnoticethatyourawarenessoflifeanditsmeaning
arebecomingenriched.Thiswill,inturn,resultinslightmodifications
toyourdailylife,interactionswithothers,androutines.Itwillbea
voluntaryevolutionateverystepoftheway.Aswebegintounderstand
more,oursatisfactionwithourinnerselfwillcontinuetoincrease,no
matterwhattheactualcircumstancesareoftheworldweexperience
aroundus.Althoughyoumayhavetimesofforgetfulnessorboutsof
busydistraction,thearcofprogresswillneverseektodescendagain.
Rumiadvancedthisnotionofperpetualprogresswhenhesaid,When
thefireislitinside,theresnoputtingitout.Rumifurtheroffered
inspirationtousasfollows:
(Aseeker)willadvancefromleveltoleveluntilhebecomesdis-
cerning,wise,andcapable.Hewillhavenorecollectionofhisfor-
merstateofmind,forfromthislowerpositionofawarenessthere
wasamigrationtobemadesohecouldescapefromtheclutches
ofgreedandself-centeredness;ultimatelyhewillbeabletosee
100,000shadesofmarvelousknowledge.
Hehadfallenasleepandbecameforgetfulofthepast,yethow
couldhebeleftinthatstateofforgetfulness?Fromthatslumber
hewillfinallybebroughtbackagaintowakefulness.Thenhecan
pokefunathimselfinhisnewcondition,saying,Whatwasall
thatstressIwassufferingfromwhenIwasasleep?HowcouldI
Chapter 6: Fighting the IllusionThat BindsYou
97
haveforgottenthestateofrealunderstanding?HowcouldIhave
notknownthatsadnessandstressaretheeffectsofbeingasleep
(toreality),andthattheyre
anillusionofthemindanda
fantasy? Therearethreemainprac-
ticesthatSufisemployto
Bethatasitmay,inthis
gaindeeperinsightand
world,whichisthedreamof
spiritualdiscipline.These
thesleeper,thesleeperfeels
areknownasdhikr (which
thatwhathesexperiencingis isakindofgroupchanting),
real,untilthedawnofDeath
sama (whichismovingmedi-
arrivesandhesdelivered
tation),andseclusion(which
fromthedarknessofconjec-
isforcedisolationforcontem-
tureandlies.
plation).
MathnawiIV,36473655
Learning to See the Reality
Oneofthefirsttasksthatyoumustperformonthispathistocometo
gripswiththeillusorynatureofthisworldandthelifeitoffers.Raise
yourhandsbeforeyoureyesforamoment.Youseeskin,fingers,and
perhapssomeveinsbeneaththesurface.Butdoyourhandstellthe
wholestoryofyourlife?Dotheyconveythetotalityofwhoyouare
andwhatyoustandfor?Youcanperformtaskswithyourhands.You
canpickupobjectswiththemandcreateandbreakthingsatwill.You
canexpressbothloveandhatethroughyourhands,andthroughthem,
theworldistransformedonadailybasis.
Butdoyourhandsexpresstheirownreality?Yes,youmightsay,for
youcanphysicallyseethembeforeyourowneyes.Butdoyourhands
actuallycontainlove,creativity,power,orhate?No,thosequalitieslay
elsewhere.Sowheredothesethingsexist?Inwhatpartofyourbody
areyourlove,creativity,anger,andwholehostofotherqualitiesand
emotions?Aretheyphysicallyinyourheart?No,thatsjustapump
foryourblood.Aretheyphysicallyinyourbrain?Well,ifyourbrain
wasremovedandexamined,couldyoufindthosethingsintheresome-
where?Notreally.Ascientistcanquantifychemicalsandmeasureelec-
tricalimpulses,yetthequalityofconsciousnessorawarenessissomuch
98
morethanmereorganicprocesses.Yourtotality,thedepthofyour
consciousness,theinnerrecessesoftheuniquebeingthatmakeupthe
individualyouarebeyondthephysicalandareentirelyonanother
planeofexistencealtogether.
Rumiwrotethefollowingtodescribeourinabilitytonoticeourown
transientnature:Theworldisbeingrenewedateverymoment,
eventhoughwereunawareofit(duetotheslowpaceofchange.)
Inthesameway,justlikeastream,lifeisalsoconstantlybeingreborn,
eventhoughinthebodyitappearsasifitsallpartofthesamething.
WisdomoftheAges
Mathnawi I,11441145
Similarly,thisworldisitsownkindofillusion.Ifyouthinkaboutit,
successisnotsomethingthatgrowsintheforest.Happinesscannotbe
boughtatthestore.Fulfillmentdoesnthappenwhenitrains.Inother
words,theworldisaphysicalobject.Werideuponit,raiseitsdustfor
awhile,andthenweleaveit.Byitself,ithasnomeaningotherthan
themeaningweassigntoitinourownminds.Thus,wearecreatures
devotedtoassigningmeaningtothings.Ifwefocustoocloselyon
theformsandobjects,suchasourphysicalurgesmightsuggesttous,
thenwellbeindangeroflosingthebiggerpicture,wheretheultimate
meaningaboveourcollectiveunderstandingexists.Rumisaidthis:
Inthissweetoceanoflife,ourphysicalformsaremovingeverso
fast,likecupsonthesurfaceofthewater.Wefloatlikebowlson
theseaforaslongasweremainunfilled;however,whenthebowl
becomesfull,itsinksbeneaththewaves.
Realityishidden;weonlyseethematerialworld.(Themovement
of)ourformscausewavesandsplashingonthesurfaceofthesea,
andthoseshapesmadebyourformsarethevehiclesweattemptto
usetoapproachReality,yetRealitypushesthemfaraway.
AslongastheheartdoesntrecognizetheOneWhogaveitcon-
sciousness,aslongasthearrowdoesntrecognizethemaster
archerwhoshotit,thentheobliviouspersonwillkeeponthink-
inghishorseislost,eventhoughhessittingrightontopofitasit
runsalongwithhimontheroad.
99
Thatswellfellowthinksheslosthishorse,eventhoughthat
horsehasbeenflyingalongwithhimlikethewind!Indistressand
curiosity,thatunfocusedsoulrushesfromdoortodoorasking,
Wheresmyhorse?Whotookitfromme?Yet,thepeoplereply,
Whatsthatthingthereunderyou,Osir?
Yes.heintones.Thatsmyhorse,butwhereisthehorse(that
willcarrymetomydestination?)Onimbleriderinsearchofa
horse,cometoyoursenses!Thesoulislostsimplyonaccountof
itsbeingsoclose!
Withabellyfullofwater,howcanyoubesodrylikeanemptyjar?
Howcanyoueverhopetosee(thetruthofthe)reds,greens,and
yellowsunlessyoualsoseetheundividedlight(fromwhichthey
came)?Butsinceyourfocuswaslostwithinallthecolors(ofthe
materialworld),thosecolorsbecameascreenforyouandkeptyou
fromnoticingthe(greater)Light(ofReality).
Then,withtheonsetofdarkness,thosecolorsultimatelybecame
hiddenfromyou.(Becauseofthis,whenyoufinallynoticedthe
emptinessinyoursoul),yourealizedthatyourabilitytoseethose
(mundane)colorswasaresultof(thegreater)Light.Noindividual
colorscanbeseenwithoutanexternalsourceoflight;andsoitis
withtheinnercolorsofthefantasyworld.
Outerformsoflightcomefromthesunandthestars,whileinner
lightisareflectionoftheraysof(Gods)glory.Thelightthat
allowstheeyetoseeisintruththelightoftheheart.
Thelightoftheeyeispro-
ducedbythelightofthe
heart.Thelightthatillu-
Thetermforlight (asin
minatestheheartisfrom spiritualgrowth)usedamong
theLightofGod,whichis
Sufisisderivedfromthe
pristineandseparatefrom
Arabicwordnoor (nu
-
r),
thelightofthemindandthe
whichmeanstobeillumi-
nated.
senses.
MathnawiI,11101127
100
The Truth of Our Achievements
Astheebbandflowoftimepasses,wehumanbeingsstruggletosur-
vive.Wealsoplaceimportanceonourworkandphysicalachievements.
Yet,nothingwebuildorinventwilllastforever.Whateverfortunewe
amasswillbedispersedandsubsumed.Whateverchildrenwebearwill
eventuallypasson.Wehavetheillusionofmaterialprogressinour
ownlives,evenaswehavetheillusionofprogressthroughtheages.
Yet,nomatterhowfarwerise(orthinkwerise),theeartheventually
bringsusallbackdowntodust.Ourentirespeciesisessentiallyocean
wavescrashingontheshoreoflifeoneafteranother,onlytorecedeand
rejointheoceanfromwhencetheycame.Rumiwrotethisaboutit:
Bydayandbynightthereismovementoffoamonthesea.You
canseethefoam,butnottheseahowamazing!Webumpinto
eachotherlikeboatsinthenight;oursightisdimmed,even
thoughwereinclearwater.
Youwhovegonetosleepinthebodysboat!Youveseenthewater
(ofyourlifeallaroundyou),yetlooktothe(real)Waterthat
coursesover(mundaneearthly)water.
Thewater(ofyourlife)isdrivenby(agreater)Water,evenasthe
spirithas(agreater)Spiritcallingtoit.
Humanactivityseemstomoveatthespeedoflight,yetforallour
franticactivity,thedefiningmomentofourlivesisthemomentofour
death.Thatswhereallofourindividualachievementstops.Wecan
loseourselvesintheblurofthegroupandtakesolaceinthefalsebelief
thatourbusylivesandachievementswillmakedeathimpossible.This
isthesameasfallingasleepatthewheelandridinginadriverless,run-
awaycar.Thiscarwillcrashanddamageus,unlessuntilwecome
toourspiritualsensesandgainawarenessandreachforthebountiful
lifethatliesfarbeyondthematerial.
Eternal Life Is Not Possible Here
AconstantthemeinboththeDivanandMathnawiistolearntheles-
sonofourtransientnatureinthislife.Indeed,whatgreaterteacheris
101
therethanourinevitableend?Likeamanstandingatthegallows,we
allmusttakeourturn.Yet,oftentheoneattheendofthelinefoolishly
thinkshessafefromit,evenashemakesloftyplanswiththepeople
standingallaroundhim.Rumiadvisedustoleapaheadintothefuture
andseeourownendbeforeitcomes,andalsotoseetheendofall
whomwelovebeforeitactuallyoccurs.Whenwemakethatleap,then
whatcausewilltherebeforanyhate,anger,orenvytoremain?Thisis
whatRumiwrote:
Allmenandwomeninthisworldareinaconstantstateofdying.
Considerwhattheysayasafathersfinalinstructionstohisson
uponhisdeathbed.Understandingandpitywillgrowwithinyour
heartifyouadoptthisview,andtherootsofhatred,jealousy,and
envywillbecutoff.
Lookuponyourrelativeswiththesameframeofmind,soyour
heartcanburnnowinmourningfortheirdyingbreaths.That
whichmusthappenwillhappen.Soconsiderthatitsalreadyhap-
pened;actfromtheassumptionthatyourfriendisalreadybreath-
inghislastandisabouttodie.
Iftheresanythingholdingyoubackfromadoptingthisinsight,
thenejectthosefeelingsfromyourheart.Ifyoufindthatyoucan-
notexpelthemthroughyourownefforts,dontjuststandthere
doingnothing.Knowthatforeveryonewhocannotdosomething,
thereisagreatEnabler(andthatisGod).
Theinabilitytoactislikeachain.HestheOneWholaiditupon
you.Therefore,youhavetoopenyoureyestotheOneWho
laidthechainuponyou.HumblybeseechHim,saying,OGiver
ofGuidance!Ioncewasfree,andnowIvefallenintobondage.
Why?Iveplantedmyfootinthewrongplace,andbyYourPower,
Imslippingbackwardallthetime.IvebeendeaftoYourwarn-
ings,evenasIprofessedtobeholy.Intruth,Ivebeennothingbut
sacrilegious.AmItolookmoreonthethingsYouvecreatedor
uponDeath(whichistheharbingerofwhatisreal)?Deathislike
theautumn,andYouarelikethesourceoftheleaves.
Foryears,Deathhasbeenbeatingthedrum;onlywhentimeis
runningoutwillyoulisten?Inhisanguish,thecarelesspersonwill
cryoutfromdeepwithin,saying,Ohmy!Imdying!HasDeath
102
onlymadeyouawareofthatnow?Deathsthroatishoarsefromall
theshouting;hisdrumiscrackedfromthesevereblowsheslaid
uponit.Butyouwrappedyourselfupintrivialthings.Onlynow
willyourealizethemysteryofdying.
MathnawiVI,761776
We Were Not Made for This World
Thisworldislikeasaunathatsbecometoohot,somuchsothat
youfeeluncomfortableandyoursoulstartstomelt.Eventhough
thesaunaiswideandspacious,yoursoulisdistressedandpum-
meledbytheheat.Youfeelnosenseofreliefuntilyoucomeoutof
it,sowhatdoesitmatterhowwidetheroomisforyou?
Itsthesameasifyouputonatightpairofshoes,Omistaken
one,andwentforawalkinawidedesert.Thevastnessofthe
desertseemstonarrowinonyousomuchsothatitbecomeslike
aprisonforyou.
Anyonewhoseesyoufromfarawaymightthink,Hesblossoming
likeaflowerinthatdesert.Yet,hedoesntknowthatwhileyou
appeartobeinarosegarden,justlikethedamned,yoursoulis
inquietlamentation.Youronlywaytorejuvenateistotakethose
shoesoff,foronlythenwillyoursoulbefreeofthebodyfora
while.
The Lure of Impossible Dreams
Allthepeopleintheworldarerunningawayfromtheirfreedom
ofchoiceandself-awarenessintotheirblind(pleasure-driven)
drunkenness.
Inordertosavethemselvesfromhavingtoseethingsclearly,
theyfilltheirliveswithdisgracefulbehaviorlikedrunksand
carousewithoutend.
103
Everyoneshouldknowthatthiskindoflifeisatrapinwhichwill-
fulnessandthememory(ofwhattheyhavedone)isalivinghell.
Theyrerunningawayfromfacingthemselvesandtheybecome
selfishintheprocesswithdrunkennessorsomeothermaniacal
addiction.Takenotice,Oyoumoralsoul!
MathnawiVI,224227
Dont Fight LifeIts Not Your Battle
Thisworldislikeholdingbitsofstrawinthehand;(thestraw)is
subjecttothepowerofthewind,whichistheunseen(forcethat
movesitabout).
(Similarly,theworld)isahelplessobjectunderthewhimand
poweroftheunseen.(He)makes(theworld)sometimeshigh,
sometimeslow,sometimeswhole,andsometimesbroken.He
pushesittotheright,thentotheleft,andsometimesbringsout
roses,andothertimes,thorns.
Seehowthehandishidden,whilethepen(ofdestiny)writes.
Seethehorsegalloping,whiletheriderremainsoutofsight.See
thearrowasitsoars,whilethebowisnowheretobefound.See
individualsoulsbeforeyou,whiletheSoulaboveallsoulsremains
unseen.
Dontbreakthearrow,foritsthearrowofaKing.Itwasntshot
fromafarfornothing,foritwasloosedbythethumbofOneWho
knows(howtohitHismark).Godtold(Muhammad),Itwasnt
youwhothrew,forGodsactionstakeprecedenceoverourown.
Breakyouranger,dontbreakthearrow.Yourangryeyethinks
milkisblood!GivethearrowakissandbringittotheKing,wipe
thebloodstainedarrow,evenasitstilldripswithyourblood.What
youcanseeishelpless,trapped,andweak,whilewhatyoucannot
seeisstrongandwithoutlimits.
MathnawiII,13001309
104
Divan Rumiwrotetheselinesinhis :Omyheart,whyareyoua
captiveoftheearththatspassingaway?Flyoutofthiscage,since
youreabirdofthespiritualrealm.Youremyclosestfriend,hiding
behindthesecretveil.Whydoyoumakeyourhomeinthistemporary
place?Lookatwhatyoureallyare;gooutandtravelfromtheprisonof
thephysicalworldtotheboundlessmeadowofideas!
WisdomoftheAges
Materialism Is a Plague Upon Our Souls
Thepullofpossessionsisstrong.Weare,bynature,anacquisitivespe-
cies.Ourancestorshoardednutsandberriestostaveofffamine.Ifeach
ofustookalookateverythingweownrightnow,wemightcomeaway
thinkingthat,asaspecies,wehaventevolvedverymuchsincethen!
Rumiwarnedagainsthoardingmaterialgoodsinsomanyways.For
example,hewrotethis:
Whoeverisawaketothematerialworldisasleeptothespiritual
world.Hiswakefulnessisworsethanhissleeping!Whenoursouls
arenotawaketoGod,thenourwakefulnesstootherthingsislike
closingourdoors(toguidance).
MathnawiI,409410
Thatsthecruxoftheproblem.Ifsomeonegivesyouahikingmapto
reachadistantdestination,butthenyoudecidetobringaheavyload
withyouonyourhike,whenitstimetostartwalking,whatdoyou
thinkwillhappen?Youclearyourunderstandingwhenyouclearyour
handsofuselessjunk.Aslongasphysicalobjectsdistractyoufrom
examiningyoursoul,youllneverfeeltrulysatisfiedwithlife,nomatter
howmanymoredistractionsyoufillitwith.Nowletussurveysomeof
theinsightsRumihadonthistopic.
Dimming the Light of the Soul
Asimplemanheardthesoundoffootstepsinhishouseatnight.
Hetookupaflinttostartaflamesohecouldsee.
105
Justthen,thethiefcameandsatdownnexttohim,andwhenever
thetinderwasabouttocatchfire,thethiefputitoutbypressing
thetipofhisfingeronitsothesparkwoulddisappear.
Thegoodmanthoughtthefirewasdyingbyitself,forhenever
sawthethiefthereputtingitout.Themansaid,Thistindermust
bewet,foronaccountofitthesparkgoesoutatonce.
Becauseitwasdarkallaroundhim,heneversawthefireextin-
guishersittingnexttohim.Inthesameway,thepersonwhois
(materialistic)doesntseeasimilarfireextinguisherinhisheart.
MathnawiVI,357363
The Real Root of Stress
Allthepainthatoccupiesourheartscomesfromthefogand
dustofourexistence,blownalongbythewinds(ofourmaterial
desires).Theseunsettlingsourcesofangstarelikeareapersblade
tous;allourpreoccupationwiththisandthatisaconstantsource
oftemptationforus(toacquiremoreandmore).
KnowthateverypainyoufeelisapartofDeath,sodrivethat
portionofDeathfromyourself,ifatallpossible!Wheneveryou
cannotfleefromapartofDeath,knowthatthewholeofitwillbe
dumpeduponyourhead!Ontheotherhand,ifapartofDeathhas
beenmadesweettoyou,thenknowthatGodwillmakeallofit
sweettoyou.
PaincomesfromDeathlikeamessenger,(remindingyounotto
besomaterialistic).Dontturnyourfaceawayfromthemessenger,
youfoolishone!Whoeverlivesinmaterialsplendordiesinbitter-
ness.Whoeverservesonlythebodyloseshissoul.
MathnawiI,22962302
The Cause of Human Conflict
Godgavecolors,variety,andvaluetotheearth,andthiscausesthe
childishathearttofightoverit.Whenapieceofdoughisbaked
106
intotheshapeofacameloralion,childrenbitetheirfingersin
theirgreedforit.Thelionorcamelwillturntosoggybreadinthe
mouth,butitspointlesstotellthattochildren.
Childrenareinperpetualignorance,whimsy,anddoubtthank
Godthattheyrenotthatstrong!Childrenarepronetoargument
andmischiefthankGodtheyhavelittleskillandability!
Ah,butthinkofallthosechildishelderswholackdiscipline,who
intheirstrengthhavebecomeanafflictionuponeveryguardian!
Whenweaponsandignorancearebroughttogether,thewielderof
bothbecomesatyrantwhoconsumestheworldlikeapharaoh.
Opoorperson!Bethankfulforyourlackofmeans,foryouve
beensavedfrombecominganungratefulpharaoh.ThankGod
thatyouretheoppressedandnottheoppressor,foryouresafe
fromactinglikeapharaohandsafefromendlesstemptations.
Anemptystomachneverboastedofbeingagod,forithasno
woodtofeedthefire.AnemptystomachistheDevilsprison,
fortheconstantanxietyforbreadkeepshimfromplottingand
scheming.
MathnawiVI,47174727
Divan
Rumiwasastrongadvocateoflivingthesimplelife.Heoncewrote
inhis thefollowinglines:Thefewercomplicationswelay
uponourheartsandhands,themorewedisengagefromtheworld
aroundus,thehappierwellfindourselves.Apoormanspleasure,
thoughgoneinaninstant,isstillbetterthanallthepageantryofathou-
sandkings.
WisdomoftheAges
Learning to Fight Materialism
Onceyouveacceptedthatthematerialobjectsofthisworldarenoth-
ingmorethanadistractionfromyourrealpurposeinlife,youthen
mayaskhowyoucanberelievedofanover-emphasisonmaterialism.
Well,byrecognizingthedangersofit,youvealreadywonhalfthebat-
tle.Indeed,Rumisteachingshavealreadysettledinyourheart.Youve
alreadybeguntounderstandwhatheexpressedinthefollowingwords:
107
Thisworldislikeatree,Ograciousones,andwerelikehalf-
ripenedfruituponit.Unripefruitsholdtightlytothebranch,for
intheirimmaturitytheyrenotreadyforthepalace(table).After
theyvebecomesweetandfullyripened,thentheybitetheirlips
pensivelyandreleasetheirholdonthebranch.
Whenamouthhasbeensweetenedbythatkindofcontentment,
thekingdomoftheworldbecomeslessalluringtopeople.Tohold
ontootightlytotheworldisasignofnotbeingripeyet.Aslong
asyouremainanembryo,youronlyjobwillbetosuckblood.
Inacomicalsortofway,Rumialsoadvisedustokeepthesewordsin
mind:
Thebestplanforaprisoneristodigaholeinhiscelltoescape.
Ifhefillsinthehole,thenthatwouldbeawasteofhistime.This
worldisaprison,andweretheprisoners.Digaholeandescape!
MathnawiI,981982
Thatsjustit!Thebestthingapersoncandointhislifeistofindaway
forhisorhersoultoescapeitintactandilluminated.Thereisntmuch
timetounlockthespirit,soitstimetostopfillinginouronlymeans
ofescapeandinsteadgetbusyremovingthebaublesandtrinketsfrom
ourlives.NowwewilltakealookatRumisadviceonhowtocombat
thepullofmaterialism.Asyoureadthesepassages,thinkdeeplyonthe
meaningandimaginehowyoucanmakethiswisdomapartofyour
life.Thoughprogressmaybeslowandimperceptibleattimes,still
thesteadyriseofawarenesswillnotdiminishwithintheonewhohas
alreadyseenaglimmerofthelightwithinhisorhersoul.
Moderate Your Work
Dontworkoverlyhardtoaccomplishworldlyaffairs;dontwork
sohardinanybusinessthatsnotspiritualinnature.
Ifyou(concentratetoomuchonthematerialworld),thenyoull
leavethisworldincomplete,withyour(spiritual)affairslacking
andyourbreadleftunbakedbesides!
108
Thebeautifyingofyourgraveandtombstoneisntdonethrough
stoneorwoodorplaster.No,notatall!Rather,itswhenyoudig
yourgraveinpurityandburyyourself-centerednessinHiscenter.
WhenyoubecomeHisdust,whenyoureburiedinHislove,then
yourbreathcanbereplenishedinHis.Atombwithdomesand
towersthatsnogoodforpeoplewhoknowwhatthetruthis!
Lookatsomeonewhowearssoftsilk:doesthatsilkhelphim
understandanythingatall?Hissoulmaybeinabjecttorment,
whilethescorpionofgriefstingshisemptyheart.Ontheoutside,
hesallfancinessanddecoration;yetinsidehesinuttermisery
fromhistorturedthoughts.
Onthecontrary,youmightseesomeoneelsewhoiswearingold
clothes,allpatchedupandworn,yet,histhoughtsmaybeassweet
assugarcaneandhiswordslikesugar!
MathnawiIII,128137
You Dont Have to Renounce the World!
Tofindatreasureisararethingandbetraysthehandofluck.In
truth,apersonhastoearnhislivelihoodforaslongasthebodyis
able.
Howdoeshavingajobpreventanyonefromdiscoveringatrea-
sure?Dontretirefromwork,forthathiddentreasuremaybe
followingclosebehind.
MathnawiII,734735
Beware of the Sweet Lure
Oneveryside,theresaphantomcallingouttoyouListen,my
friend!Ifyouwantdirection,comeoverhere!Illshowyouthe
way.Illbeyourcompanion.Imyoursteadyguideonthiswinding
path.
109
Butthatphantomisnotyourguide,anditwontshowyouthe
way.YouwhoarelikeJoseph(inthefaceofyourjealousbrothers),
dontgotothewolves!
Goodsenseisinnotlettingyourselfbefooledbytheabundance,
sweetthings,andtrapsofthehotel,forshehasneitherbountynor
sweets.Shechantsherincantationsandwhispersinyourears,say-
ing,Comeonin;bemyguest.Yourethelightofmyheart.My
houseisyoursandyou,well,youaremine!
Goodsenseiswhenyousaytoher,Mystomachhurts,orIm
notfeelingwell.Thisstaleairismakingmesick,orMyhead
hurts;helpmegetridofmyheadache,orMycousiniscalling
metocomeover.
Tobesure,shellgiveyouatasteofhoneystuddedwithpoison
stings;butintheendherhoneywillleaveyoufullofsores.It
doesntmatterifshegivesyou50or60goldcoins,forintheend,
Ofish,shegivesyounothingmorethanfleshonahook.
MathnawiIII,216225
Avoid the Ultimate Regret
TheProphetsaidthatnoonewholeavesthisworldfeelssorrow
orregretbecauseoftheactofdying,butbecausehesfilledwith
regretfromhavingmissedtheopportunity(toperfecthissoul).
Suchaonewillsaytohimself,WhydidntIpayattentionto
death,therealdestinationforeveryblessingandmaterialgood?
EventhoughIwasgiftedwithbothinnerandoutersight,whydid
Idevoteallmylifesattentiontothosephantomsthatdisappeared
atthefatedhour?
Theregretofthedeadisnotbecauseoftheactofdying;its
becausetheyrealized:Wegaveallourattentiontomaterial
things.
MathnawiVI,14501454
110
Rumioftenusedthemetaphorthatthislifeislikeadreamincom-
parisontotherealitythatanawakenedmindwillsee.Thesourcefor
thisallusionisatraditionofMuhammadinwhichhesaid,Peopleare
asleepinthisworld;whentheydie,theywillwakeup.
RumisReferences
The Real Treasure That Lasts
Standardsofbeautyandsuccessinthisworldholdnopermanence
inthegreatschemeofthings.Haventweallheardthemessagethat
thosethingsarefleetingandcannotlast?Yet,somanyaredrawnto
thosethingsandfocusonthemasiftheywereforever.Thisisthepull
ofouranimalnaturethatfocusesonlyontheform.Rumipoignantly
describedwheretruebeautyandsuccesslieinthesewords:
Radianceandgloryisfoundwithinthebeautifulfacesofthesin-
cere;theirbodiesmaypassaway,yettheirbeautyremainsuntilthe
DayofJudgment.
Theonlyonewhoistrulyuglyistheonewhoremainsuglyfor-
ever.Theonlyonewhoistrulybeautifulistheonewhoremains
beautifulforever.Thebeautifuloneisalwayslaughing;theugly
oneisalwaysfrowning.
MathnawiVI,47154716
Reap the Best Rewards
Nowletusconcludethisdiscussionwithsomepartingnuggetsofwis-
domfromtheMaster.Paycloseattentiontohowheemphasizesthe
truerewardsthatalifewelllivedcanoffer.
Thisworldislikeaplayground,anddeathistheonsetofnight;
youcomehomeexhaustedattheendofthedaywithanempty
purse.Theearningsofspiritualityarelove,innerjoy,andthe
abilitytoaccepttheLightofGod,youstubbornone!
Yourlowlymaterialisticsoulwantsyoutoearnwhatwillpassaway.
Howlongwillyouearnwhatissolow?Letitgo!Enoughalready!
111
Beware,ifyourlowlymaterialisticsouleverpromptsyoutoearn
somethingnoble,thentheremustbesomekindoftrickorscheme
behindit.
MathnawiII,26002603
Let Your Heart Carry You Forward
Thereoncewasahermitwholivedinthemountains.Solitude
washisbedfellowandhisclosestfriend.Becausetranquilitywas
comingtohimfromtheCreator,hegrewtiredofthecompanyof
others.
Justasstayinghomeiseasyforsome,so,too,istravelingeasy
forothers.Inthesamewaythatyoureinlovewithpowerand
control,anotherpersonfindspleasureinsimpleoccupations.
Everyonesbeenmadeforaparticularkindofwork,andthedesire
forthatworkhasbeenimplantedwithinhisheart.Howcanthe
handandfootbesetinmotionwithoutthisdesire?Howcan
branchesorbitsofstrawbemovedwithoutwindorrain?
Ifyoufindthatyourdesireispropellingyoutowardheaven,then
unfoldthewingsofyourmajesty,likeagreatmythicalbird.If,
however,youfindthatyourdesireneverrisesabovetheearth,
thenwallowinsadness,andneverceasetocry.
Thewisearetheoneswhocryinthebeginning;thefoolishbeat
theirendsintheend.Fromtheoutsetofanyendeavor,seewhere
itwillallend,sothatontheDayofJudgmentyouwontfind
yourselfinsorrowfulregret.
u Materialismisablinderonourunderstandingoftheself.Aslong
asitremains,wewillbeblindtoourinnerpotentialasspiritual
beings.
u Materialismandgreedarethemainsourcesforconflictboth
withinapersonsownheartandonawiderscaleinhumansociety.
112
u Lifeisshort.Onlywhenapersonruminatesuponthisandfully
acceptsitcanshebegintofreeherselffromtheshacklesofmate-
rialism.
u Itsnotrequiredtorenouncetheworldtobemorespiritual.All
thatsrequiredisashiftinemphasis:lessfocusonthings,andmore
focusonpolishingtheself.
i l i
j
;
j
3
Love and the S ng e M nd
Humanbeingsarecreatureswithaneedtoloveandbeloved.
Yethowoftendoesloveeludeus,evenaswesometimesforget
howtolove?Sometimestheanswertothisdilemmaissimply
asking,Thenwhatislove?Weoftenmistakeotherthingsfor
it,andwedontalwaysrecognizeitwhenitcomesourway.Rumi
waskeenlyawareofthisproblem.
AccordingtoRumi,lovebeginsfromtheawakenedmind.When
themindisopen,itguidestheheartandteachesithowtolisten
tothefleetingDivineechothatlies ustattheedgesofsight.
Oncethehandthatwaslostindarknessbeginstotouchthe
subtletyofpurelove,atorrentofdesireforiterupts.Donttry
toregulateit donttrytounderstand.InthispartRumiteaches
youhowtomasteritandbring oytoyourlifefortherestof
yourdays.
Part
I i
u
u
u
u
7
Understanding the
Nature of Love and Pain
n Th s Chapter
WhatRumihadtosayaboutDivineloveanditsapplication
todailylife
Howtorecognizethesignsofloveinonesselfandothers,
andhowloveisexpressedinvariouscircumstances
ThemanydifferentwaysinwhichGodsloveispresent
inourlives,includingthehiddenblessingsandlessonsof
hardship
Howtheprinciplesofunconditionallovecanguideyouin
yourinteractionswithothers
Loveisthebasicfoundationofthenaturalworld.Thisisa
themepassionatelylaidoutinRumismanywritings,andit
underliesthebasisofhisphilosophy.Fromthesmallesttothe
largestcreatureintheweboflife,love,insomeformoranother,
istheessentialenergythatbindseachofthemtotheirfellows,
andenablesthemtosurvive.Also,wherethereispain,itcould
betheresultoflove,fortheliontakesthegazellenotinhate,
Chapter
116
Part 3: Loveand theSingleMind
butinloveofitsownoffspring.Onlyhumanbeings,ofallcreatures,
caninfusetheiractionswithloveordisparagethemwithhate.
InRumisworldview,becausewehumanbeingsweregivenasoulon
loanfromGodandaconsciouswilltounderstandtheconceptsofjus-
ticeandinjustice,wehaveaspecialresponsibilitytopolishandpurify
ourselvesfromtheworstinourprimaloranimalisticnature.Oneof
thewaystoelevateourspiritandembracetheconceptsofessential
goodnessandjusticeistoincreaseourunderstandingofwhatethereal
loveisandhowtomakeitgrow.Inthischapter,wewillexploreRumis
thoughtsonhowtoaccomplishtheseandothersimilargoals.Asyou
readthroughtheselections,considerhowthelessonscouldapplyto
yourownlife,forinbecomingmoreexpansivewithintheheartand
learningtorecognizepainfortheteacherthatitis,wenotonlyuplift
thosearoundus,weupliftourselves,aswell.
Recognizing Love for What It Is
Loveonthephilosophicallevelhasmanyfacets.Loveisbothastate
ofbeingandaninternaldisposition.Inourmodernworld,theconcept
oflovehasbeencheapenedtoadegreeastorenderitalmostmeaning-
less.Loveismorethanmereaffection,physicalattraction,orfocused
longing.Loveistheconsummatewillingnesstoforgoonesowndesires
andgoalsforthewelfareandbenefitofanother.Itsthebeliefinthe
ultimategoodthatcanbefoundinallpeople,nomatterhowfarthey
seemtohavefallen.Itstheattitudethatnomattertheconsequencesor
outcomes,thereisnothingmaterialinthisworldthatsworthsullying
onessoulorcharacterfor.Inshort,loveisthefoundationofintegrity
andthecornerstoneofourbasicsenseofjusticeandgoodnessinthis
world.
WisdomoftheAges
Rumiwroteofthephenomenonofpure,platonicfriendshipsinthese
words:Whenwordscomeeasilyfromtheheart,thatsasignof
truefriendship.Whenwordsarehardtofind,thatsthesignof
distance.Aheartthatsbeenexposedtoaffection,howcanitremainbit-
ter?Whenanightingalecomesuponarose,howcanitremainsilent?
Mathnawi VI,26382639
Chapter 7: Understanding theNatureof LoveandPain
117
Apurifiedsouliscapableofmakingconnectionswithothercreatures
thattranscendmerephysicalattractionorcasualfriendship.Inthe
classicalsense,itprovidesawayforpeopletoreadeachotherssouls
onadeeperlevel.Rumiwrotemuchonthisissue,andinvariousways
heshowedsomeofthecharacteristicsofthistypeofsoulandhowit
behaved.Letusnowtakeawalkthroughthevariouswaysandmeans
Rumiidentifiedthatcanhelpustoacquireatrulylovingnature.For
Rumi,thisinnertransformationisoneoftheprimerequirementsfor
becomingawiseandnoblesoul.
Let the Heart Open to the Light
WhenIprayIretreattoasolitaryplaceandasktheKnowerof
allmysteriesaboutmyaffairs.Itsmyfrequentroutinetoturn(to
God)likethisinprayer,andthusIexperiencethetruemeaningof
thephrase,Delightisfeltinprayer.
Thewindowofmysoulisopened,andfromthepristine(beautyof
truefaith),themeaningofGodsscripturepoursovermewithout
anyintermediary.Thescripture,thehealingrain,andtheLight(of
God)fallthroughmywindowintomyhousefromwithinmyself.
Thehousethathasnowindowsisahell.Makeawindow,Oyou
servant(oftruth),forthatsthefoundationofthe(spiritual)wayof
life.Dontswingyouraxeateverytangledbush;comenow,swing
youraxeandcarveoutawindow.
Intentions Mean More Than Appearances
Evenifyoufumbleinyourwordsofpraise,Godstillacceptsthe
effortsofthosewhohavelittletogive.Godwillacceptevena
crustofbreadandforgivetheonewhoofferedit.Isntittruethat
fromtheeyesoftheblind,twodropsoflightareenough?
118
The Importance of a Thankful Nature
Givingthanksforwhatyouhaveisbetterthanwhatyoureceived
inthefirstplace.Howcanathankfulpersonbefocusedsolelyon
thematerialgoodshereceives?
Thankfulnessisattheheartofmaterialblessings,formaterial
blessingsarejusttheshell.Thankfulnessiswhatbringsyoucloser
totherealmoftheBeloved.Toomuchsuccessproducesheedless-
ness,whilethankfulnessproducesalertness.Seekyourfortunewith
thenetofgratitudetotheKing.
Learn Love from the Eperts
Fixwithinyourspiritloveforrighteoussouls;dontgiveyour
hearttoanyonesaveforthosewhoseheartsarefilledwithjoy.
Dontgototheneighborhoodofdespair,forthereisalwayshope.
Dontgotowardthedarkness,fortherearealwaysmoresuns(to
shineuponyou).
Theheartwillleadyouintotheneighborhoodofspiritualpeople,
whilethebodywillleadyoutowardtheprisonofwateranddirt.
Truly,youshouldfeedyourheartwiththewordsofthosewhoare
inagreementwithitsneeds.Gonow;lookforthosewhoarespiri-
tuallyadvanced,sotheymayhelpyoubecomethesame.
MathnawiI,723726
This Love Can Be Bought
Themotivefordoinganykindofbusinessrestsuponhopeand
chance,eventhoughtheymayweartheirnecksthinfromthecon-
stantwork.
Whenabusinesspersongoestohisplaceofworkinthemorning,
herunstherequicklyinthehopeandchanceofearninghisliveli-
hood.
119
Iftherewasntatleastthechanceofearningyourlivelihood,why
wouldyouevengothere?Ofcourse,theresalwaysthedangerof
disappointment,sohowstrongyouhavetobe!
Inthisquestforyourdailybread,hasthefearofdisappointment
madeyoutooweaktoconductyoursearch?
Oh,no!yousay.ForeventhoughImafraidofdisappointment,
thefearisevenharderonmewhenImdoingnothing.WhenIm
atwork,atleastmyhopeforsuccessisgreater.WhenImdoing
nothing,theriskoffailureisthatmuchmore.
Sonow,Odeprivedone,whyisthefearofdisappointmentholding
youbackfromengaginginthesearchforthespirit?
Haventyouseenthetre-
mendousgainsmadebythe RumisReferences
peopleinourmarket,suchas
Rumioftencouchedhis
thegainsmadebytheproph-
etsandthesaints?
Whatoutstandingopportu-
teachingsinreferencesto
economicmatters,especially
trading.Hisboyhoodhome
waslocatedonthefabled
nitieshavecometothemby
SilkRoad,sohegrewup
goingtothiskindofstore,
withmerchants,caravans,
andhowgreataretheprofits
andtradegoodsallaround
theyvemadeinthisbusi- himfromanearlyage.
ness!
To What End Your Lifes Work?
Whatdoyouownandwhathaveyougained?Whatpearlshave
yousnatchedfromthebottomofthesea?
Onthedayofyourdeathallyoursenseswillvanish;willyouhave
anyspirituallightthatwillbeyourheartscompanion?
Whendirtfillsyoureyesinthegrave,willyouhavewhatyouneed
tomakeyourgraveilluminated?
Whenyourhandsandfeetrotawaytonothing,willyouhavethe
wingsandfeathersforyoursoultoflyonhigh?
120
Theloweranimalsoulwillpassaway;itsyourdutytohavepre-
paredaneverlastingspirittotakeitsplace.
Theversethatsays,Theonewhodoesgoodwillberewarded10
timesasmuch,isnotdependentonlyupondoinggood,butupon
bringingthatgoodintoGodspresence.
Youpossessbothahumanandananimalnature,sowhichonewill
younurture?Howcanyouonlybringyouraccidentalactionsthat
havemerelypassedaway?
MathnawiII,939945
Why Does Love Sometimes Involve Pain?
Despairandstresscomefromtheheart.Butwhatisthesourceof
thatinnerpainwhicharisessolelyfromwithin?Whenwefeelempty,
unfulfilled,orrealizethemeaningofsomethingandhowitmay
affectusorthosewelove,thenpainandstresscanarise.Painisour
reminder,however,thatwehavesomethingtochange,eitherwithin
ourselves,orintheworldaroundus.Toignorethemessageofpainis
toinvitenothingbutmoreofthesame.Rumiadvisedthis:
Paincomesfromexaminingourselvesfromwithin;painbringsus
outoftheveilofself-conceit.Unlessamotherisoverwhelmedin
pain,howcanthechildbeborn?Thistrustisintheheart,andthe
heartisfullofadvicejustlikeamidwife.Themidwifemaysaythat
thewomanhasnopain,butpainisaprerequisite,forpainmakesa
wayforthechildtobeborn.Theonewhohasnopainisavillain,
fortobewithoutpainistosay,IamGod.
MathnawiII,25172521
Thus,painisateacher.Ineveryaspectoflife,ifsomethingcauses
uspain,wemustaddresstherootofit.Untilwedo,ourheartwill
beunsettledandourpeaceofmindwillbedisturbed.Whenthe
handtouchesahotpanonthestove,wouldyouexpecttheperson
toignorethepain?Ofcoursenot!Youwouldthink,andhope,she
wouldtakeactionimmediatelytoremovewhatshurtingher.Sowhats
yourexcuse?Isntlifetooshorttospendonemomentofitinmental
121
anguish?Painisprovidingawake-upcalltotakeaction.Thus,even
painisanexpressionoflove,foritmakesyouseethingsmoreclearly
andmotivatesyoutoriseupandimproveyoursituation.
ThereareseveralimportantsayingsofMuhammadthatSufisuseasthe
basisforexplainingtheexistenceofpain,sorrow,andhardshipinthe
world.Amongtheseisthisone:WhenGodlovessomebody,Hetests
himwithtrialsandhardships.Therewardforperseveranceintheface
ofsetbacksisParadise.
RumisReferences
Dont Let Pain Overcome Your Hope in God
WhateverstrikescomedownuponyoufromHeaven,liveinthe
expectationthatyoullreceivesomekindofanoblegiftafterward.
HeisnotthekindofKingwhowillstrikeyouandthennotgive
youacrownorathroneuponwhichyoumayrecline.
Thisworldisntworthasmuchasagnatswing;yet,aneternal
rewardisgrantedforthesake(ofenduring)eachstrikesuffered
here.Wriggleyourneckoutofthisgoldencollaroflifeandtake
allyourlumpsthatcomefromGod.
Theprophetssufferedmanyastrikeonthebackoftheirnecks;
yet,onaccountoftheirhardships,theywereabletoholdtheir
headsuphigh.
Asyouweatherthechallengesoflife,thenbecognizantwithin
yourself(ofthepurposeofsetbacks),Oyoungone,sothatGod
canfindyouathome(whenHesreadytorewardyou).Ifyou
dont,thenHellleave,takingHisnoblegiftswithHim,saying,
Ididntfindanyoneinthehouse.
MathnawiVI,16381644
Pain Spurs Us to Action
TheservantcomplainstoGodofpainandaffliction;in100ways,
hegroans.
122
YetGodsaystohim,Whatsthis?Yoursorrowandpainhave
broughtyoutohumblysupplicatebeforeMe,andtheyvemade
yourighteous.Rather,youshouldcomplainofallthegoodfortune
thatcomesyourway,steeringyouasitdoes,farawayfromMy
dooruntilultimatelyyouvebeenmadeanoutcastfromMypres-
ence.
Thetruthisthateveryenemyofyoursisakindofremedyforyou;
hesacureandabenefitwhohasyourbestinterestsatheart.Yet,
youfleefromhimtosomesilentplaceandbeseechGodtoshow
youmercy.Itsyourfriendswhomayreallybeyourenemies,for
theytakeyouawayfromGodspresencebykeepingyouoccupied
withthem.
WisdomoftheAges
Thereisananimalcalledaporcu-
pine;itgrowsstrongerandexpands
Rumiwrote:God
createdpainandsad-
insizewhenitshitwithastick.The
nesssothatjoycould
moreyoustrikeatit,themoreit
beclearlyrecognizedon
seemstothrive.Itgrowslargerand
accountofwhatsopposite largerfromthehitsofastick.
toit.Hiddenthingsarethus
madeapparentthroughthe
Inthesameway,thesoulofafaith-
agencyoftheiropposites;but
fulbelieverislikeaporcupine,for
sinceGodhasnoopposite,
itsmadestrongerandmoreexpan-
onlyHeremainsobscure. siveafterexperiencingthestrikesof
Mathnawi I,11301131
(lifes)hardships.
MathnawiIV,9199
Help Is Available
Painhasacure,evenifwedontseetheremedyatthemoment.
Theworldisfullofremedies,butyoullfindnocureunlessGod
opensawindowforyou.
Eventhoughyoumaybeignorantofthemedicinerightnow,God
willrevealitinyourtimeofneed.DidnttheProphetsaythatfor
everyailment,Godhascreatedacure?
MathnawiII,682684
123
Remembrance Is an Eliir
Ifyoueverfeelfrozenwithin,rememberGod.RememberingGod
bringsthoughtstolife,somakeremembrancethesunlightthat
willmeltyourpetrifiedemotions.
EventhoughthetugofGodistheoriginalsourceforyourawak-
ening,yetstillpushyourselfonwardtoaction,myfellowservant.
Dontrelyonlyuponthattug,forifyougiveuptakinganactive
roleinyouraffairs,itwillbeasasnub(toGod).Howcansnub-
bingGodbeproperforoneofHisdevotedlovers?
Oyoungone,givenothoughttoacceptanceordenial;ratherkeep
focusedonGodswillandHisprohibitions.Carryoninthisfash-
ionuntilsuddenly,thebirdof(Divine)attractiondartsfromher
nestandcomesyourway.Putoutthecandlethemomentyousee
thesunrise.
Whentheeyesbecomebeamsoflight,itsthelight(ofGodswis-
domuponyou);fromwithinthehuskitseeseventhekernels.Ina
speck,itseesthewholesun;inadropitholdsthewholeocean.
MathnawiVI,14751482
Be Merciful to Those in Pain
Ifyoudesiretears,thenbemercifultotheonewhoisweeping.If
youdesiremercy,thenbemercifultotheweak.
MathnawiI,822
Do Not Be a Cause for Injustice
Wheneveryoufeelpain,askforGodsforgiveness.Bythecom-
mandoftheCreator,painisapowerfulmotivator.
WheneverGodwills,paincanbecomeasourceofjoy;slavery
becomesakindoffreedom.
Air,earth,water,andfireareslavesofGod.Toyouandmetheyre
dead,buttoGodtheyrealive.
124
InGodssight,fireisalwaysattheready;writhingceaselesslyby
dayandbynight,likesomeonedevotedtolove.
Ifyoustrikestoneandirontogether,sparksoffireleapout.Itsby
thecommandofGodthatfirejumpsoutlikethat.
Dontstrikethestoneandironofinjusticetogether,forthesetwo
producemenandwomenwhoarelikewiseunjust.
Stoneandironaresourcesoffire,butyoushouldlookeven
higher,Omygoodsoul.
MathnawiI,836842
Reform the Self Above All Others
Oyouwhotreatothersbadlysimplybecauseofyourhighstatus;
knowthatyourediggingaholeforyourselftofallinto.Dont
weaveacocoon(offalsepretenses)aroundyourselflikeasilk-
worm;yourediggingaholeforyourself!Dontdigsoeagerly!
Manyoftheevilsthatyouseeinothersarereallyjustareflection
ofyourownevilinthem.Intheirreflection,allyourhypocrisy,
evil,andarrogancearemadeapparent.Youretherealwickedone!
Youreaimingblowsatyourselfandlayingcursesuponyourown
headateveryturn.
Youdontrecognizetheevilwithinyourselfatall,forifyoudid
youwouldhateyourselftotheverycore.Youreassaultingyour-
self,youfool,likeadeceivedlionwhorushedathimselfuponsee-
inghisreflectioninapool.
Oyouwhoseebadreflectionsinthefaceofyouruncle,youruncle
isnotthebadone,itsyou,sodontrunawayfromfacingyour
ownself.
TheProphetsaidthatthefaithfularemirrorsofeachother.Ifyou
holdabluecoloredglassbeforeyoureyes,thentheworldappears
bluetoyou.Unlessyoureblind,youmustrecognizethatthis
bluenesscomesfromwithinyourownself.Speakoftheevilwithin
yourselfbeforeyoueverspeakoftheevilinothers.
MathnawiI,13111312,13191324,13271330
125
Rumiwasastrongproponentofprayer.Heoncewrote:Standand
prayatnight,foryouarelikeacandle,andatnightacandle
standsandburns.Healsoengagedinfrequentprayerhimself,
oftenspendinghoursinquietdevotion.
WisdomoftheAges
Dont Misrepresent Yourself
Therearehundredsofthousandsoftrials,Ochild,fortheone
whosays,Iminchargeofthegate.Eveniffoolsdonttesthim,
thenexpertswillalwaysaskhimforproof.
Whenanunskilledpersonpretendstobeatailor,thekingwill
throwdownapieceofsilkbeforehim,saying,Sewthisintoa
widevest.Becauseofthistest(whichhecannotpass),heisputto
shame.
MathnawiIII,682684
Seek the Silver Lining
Ifyourenotwellknowninthisworld,itdoesntmeanthatyoure
lost;GodknowsHisservantsbest.Agoldentreasureiskeptsafe
whenitshiddeninalonely,forgottenplace.Whowouldplacea
treasureoutintheopen?Likewise,itisoftensaid,Happinessis
hiddenundersorrow.
No One Can Help You but You
Thereisabasketofbreaduponyourhead,yetyourebegging
forcrustsfromeverydoor.Looktoyourownhead,andleaveoff
childishways.Goandknockonthedoorofyourownheart.Why
areyouknockingoneveryoneelsesdoor?
MathnawiV,10731074
126
The Soothing Mercy of God
Atfirst,thedevilwasmyteacher,andsoonhewasnomorethana
puffofaircomparedtome.
Godsawallofthissinfulnessofmine,butthenHetransformedit
asifHeneversawitsoHecouldavoidembarrassingme.
Mercyrepairedtheshreddedcloakofmypiety,anddrapedmein
repentancesweeterthanlifeitself.
WhateversinsIhadcommittedbefore,mercyconsideredthemas
neverhavingoccurred.WhateverdutiesIhadfailedtodo,mercy
consideredthemdone.
Mercymademeasfreeandpureasthecypressandthelily;it
filledmyheartwithasenseoffortuneandjoy.
ItwrotemynameintheBookoftheRighteous.Ihadbeendes-
tinedforHell;yetitgavemeParadise.
WhenIhadcried,Ivefallentotheverybottomofthepit,my
crybecamearope,andthatropewaslowereddownintomydark
hole.
Itookholdofthatropeandclimbedout.Ibecamehappyand
strong,committedandcheerful.
OnceIwaslyinginmiseryatthebottomofapit;nowIvetran-
scendedthewholeworld!PraisebetoYou,OGod,foryoucarried
mefarfrommydistress.
Evenifthetipofeveryhairofminecouldgainthepowertospeak,
thatstillwouldntexpresstheamountofthanksduetoYou.
AmongthegardensandfountainsofParadise,Imcryingouttoall
humanity,Oh,ifonlymypeopleknewaboutallofthis!
MathnawiV,23052316
Unraveling Divine Mysteries
PartofRumisjoyousecstasyoffaithwasinhisfascinationwiththe
manytwistsandturnsandoddquirksofDivineexpressiontobefound
127
inlife.Apoormanstumblesuponadiamondintheroad.Astrongman
becomesfrailinthemidstofcelebratinghispower.Loveopensupin
themostunexpectedplaces.ThesearethekindsofthingsthatRumi
commenteduponinmanypassagesofhisbooks.Hereisaselectionof
someofhismorememorableobservations.
The Mystery of Misplaced Epectations
Oyouwhohaveyourhopesfirmlysetononesourceofincome,
saying,Myfruitwillcometomefromthathightreeoverthere.
Yourhopewontberealizedfromthere;no,notatall,foryour
provisionmaycomefromanotherplaceentirely.
SowhydidGodplantthisseedofhopewithinyou,ifHedoesnt
provideforyoufromwhereyouhadplanned?Itsforacleverrea-
sonandpurpose,andalsosothatyourheartmaybeconstantly
perplexed.
Indeed,Oyouwhowouldlearn,itssoyourheartwillbeper-
plexedbyitsuncertaintyastothesourcefromwhereitsdesires
willnextbefulfilled,andalsosothatyoucanrealizetheextentof
yourweaknessandignorance.ThiscausesyourfaithintheHidden
Realmtoincrease.
Inaddition,itslikethissothatyourheartcanbeperplexedover
thesourceandtimingofitsexpectedbenefits,aswellassoitcan
becuriousaboutwhat(God)willproducefromthishope.
Youhopetoearnyourlivingthroughtailoring,andplantoearn
moneyfortherestofyourlifeinthisway;yet,Hemakesyour
dailybreadcometoyoufromthejewelrybusinesssomething
youneverwouldhaveimagined!
Sohowwasitthatyourhopeshadbeensetontailoring,whileHe
neverintendedthatyourdailybreadshouldcometoyoufromthat
source?
Itwasthroughsomeamazingplancontrivedintheknowledgeof
GodanorderthatHerecordedintherecessesoftime,sothat
yourthoughtsshouldbeeverperplexed,andsoyourconfusion
shouldeverbepresentinyourmind.
MathnawiVI,41904201
128
.
ThenightthatRumipassedaway(December17,1273)wasnick-
namedbyhisfollowers,Sebul Arus, whichmeanstheNight of Union
MevleviSufishavecommemoratedthisdaywithgreatfanfareever
since.
Opposites Serve a Purpose
Godkeepsturningyoufromoneemotiontoanother,revealingthe
existenceofeachthroughtheprocessofalternation.Thisissothat
fearoftheleftsidecanbringforththejoyoftheverse,Hecauses
themtohopeforsalvationfromtherightside.Hedoesthisso
youcanhavetwowings,forabirdwithonlyonewingcannotfly.
MathnawiII,15521554
What Love Sometimes Brings
Ioftenwonderattheseekerofpurity,whoshiesawayfromharsh
treatmentwhenitstimetobepolished.Loveislikealawsuit;
roughhandlingistheevidenceofitspassing.Wherethereisno
evidence,thecaseislost.
DontfeelwrongedwhenthisJudgedemandsyourevidence.In
ordertounlockthistreasure,yousometimeshavetokissasnake.
Theroughhandlingisnotdirectedtowardyoupersonally,O
child;no,notatall,butratheritsdirectedtowardthebadquali-
tiesyouharborwithin.Whenamanbeatsarug,hisstrikesarenot
directedattherug,butatallthedustitcontains.
Theres No Stopping Love
Thecaravanoflovemovesforwardwhentravelersjoininonthejour-
ney.Throughthetriumphsandtribulationsoflife,astrongerlove
emerges.Rumibelievedintheredemptivepowerofunconditionallove.
Whenlovebecomessodeepthatyoucannotevenbearthethoughtto
129
harmaninsectfornoreasonortearaleaffornopurpose,thenyou
haveapproachedthethresholdofthekindofloveRumiwastalking
about.Inthefollowingselections,letsjoinhiminhiscelebrationof
pureandunadulteratedlove.
You Are More Than You See
Ifyoulookonlyattheform,youseetheimageofaman.Lookat
allthebewilderedpeopleofGreeceorKhorasan.Turntoward
yourLord,Hesaid.Turningmeanspeeringwithin,andtosee
morethanjustamereman.
FromtheDivan
theMathnawi
InRumishousetherewasagreatcentralpillar.Whenhewasfeeling
asenseofspiritualecstasycomingoverhim,hewouldsometimestake
holdofthatpillarandslowlyspinarounditwhilecomposingversesfor
.Becauseofthis,MevleviSufissometimesplaceaceremo-
nialpostasapropfortheirrituals.
Dont Go Empty-Handed
Thecurrencythatthisworldrequiresinthemarketisgold.The
currencyofthenextlifeisloveandtwoeyeswetfromtears.
Whoeverarrivesinthemarketofthenextlifewithoutanycur-
rencywilllosehislifeandquicklycomeawaydisappointed.
MathnawiVI,839840
Burn Down the House of the Ego
HowcanthisheartbehappyuntilIburn(awayallofitsselfish-
nesstomakeroomforGod)?MyheartisHishomeandplaceof
residence.
Ifyouwouldburnyourownhousedown,thenburnit!Whocan
say,Thatsnotright!
130
Burnthehouseof(yourego)toashes,Oraginglion.Alovers
housewillbemadethebetterforit.
Fromnowon,Imgoingtomakethisburning(ofmyselfish
desires)mysoleaim,forImlikeacandlenow,andImmade
brighterfromburning.
MathnawiVI,617623
Desire for Salvation Will Carry You There
Keepyourhopedirectedtowardthenextlife,dancinglikeawillow
inyourdesireforHeaven.Bothwaterandfirewillraindownupon
youfromHeavensoyourshareofrewardwillgoonincreasing.
Ifyourdesirealonebringsyouthere,itsreallynotsoamazing.
Dontbepreoccupiedwithyourweaknessandlookonlytoyour
ardentdesire.
ThisquestisthetrustofGodthatsbeeninstilledwithinyou,for
everyonewhoseeksdeservestofindwhatheslookingfor.
Exertyourselfsothisdesiretosearchwillincreasewithinyou.
Throughthis,yoursoulmayescapefromtheprisonofthisbody.
MathnawiV,17311735
u LoveistheexpressionoftheDivinewillofGodthroughoutall
aspectsoftheuniverse.Onlyhumanbeingscanchoosetoopen
themselvestoloveorburyitwithintheirsoul.
u Partoflearningtobecomeamorelovingpersoninvolveslooking
inwardandturningthecriticaleyeofself-examinationuponones
ownshortcomings.
u Hardshipandpainarenotasbadastheyseeminthemselves,for
thosearethethingsthatgiveustheopportunitytogrow.
u Withnotimetoloseinthisshortlife,theonewhoopenshisor
herhearttofaithandawarenessshouldnothesitateinlettingthe
fruitsofthatinnerawakeninggotowaste.
I i
u j j
u
u j
u
j
8
Dancing with the
Beloved
n Th s Chapter
HowRumiexpressedhis oyand ubilationathisexuberant
faithinGodandinthegoodnessofthehumansoul
Rumisviewofunionwiththedivineindailylifeandits
meaninginsuccessandhardship
Thenatureofthe oyfulheartandtheinsightsintolifeand
loveitcanmake
Howtheenlightenedsouldoesnotfeardeath
Thelifeawakenedisalifethatisfulfilling,rewarding,and
imbuedwithmeaning.Suchisthebenefitofunlockingtheinner
mysteriesofthesoul.Ofcourse,ittakestimetofullyrealize
thefruitsofmorepassionateanddeliberateliving,butwhenthe
harvestbeginstobearfruit,the oyofitsgardenerismultiplied
manifold.ThiswasthecruxofRumisteachings.Indeed,toward
hislateryearsofspiritualmastery,Rumiwasfilledwithsuch
light,suchexuberanceandunderstandingthatthosearound
himcouldliterallyseeitinhisfaceandsenseitinhispresence.
Chapter
132
Rumisfollowers,forexample,couldscarcelystandtobepartedfrom
himwhenhewasengagedinotherbusiness.
WhiledictatingtheMathnawi,hiscrowningachievement,Rumiwould
sometimesspeakwhilespinningslowlyandrhythmicallyinacircle.
Othertimeshewouldnarratehispoemswhilewalkinginthecoun-
trysideorsittinginaquietplace.Inalllocations,Rumiwasequallyat
peace.Thisisthespecialgiftofthesoulwhenitsbeenfullybrought
tolife.ThisisthejoyofunionofwhichRumispoke.Thischapterwill
showcasesomeofthemostbeautifulpoemsandinsightsthatRumi
pennedduringhismostinsightfulyearsoflife.Asyoureadthrough
them,trytoimagineasoullikeRumis,rotatingslowly,witharms
raisedinecstasy,speakingwordsofinspiredlove.Thentrytoimagine
yourownsouldoingthesame.Perhapsyoumightcatchaglimpseof
theMasterinyourownrotations!
Celebrating Divine Love
Howdoesonedescribethebeautyofthesoulanditsrelationshipto
ourconsciousmindandcharacter?Rumiexaminedthisissuefrom
manydifferentperspectivesandproducedsomeverydelightfulpassages
inboththeDivanandMathnawiaboutit.Thesoulthatopensitselfto
GodsoonrealizesthereisnothingelsebesidesGod.Suchanenlight-
enedsoulthenseekstofinditssalvationinGod,forthatiswhereits
truedestinationlies.ReadonandrevelinthedelightthatRumiswords
havetooffer.
The Soul Knows How to Win
TherationalmindsaysIllwinhimwithmylogic.
LovesaysIllwinhimwithmysilence.
TheSoulsayshowcanIeverhopetowinhimwhenImalready
his?
Hewantsfornothing;heworriesnot.Hesnotinsearchofatran-
scendentfeelingofecstasy.HowcanIwinhisheartwithmere
sweetwineorriches?Hesnotboundbywhathefeels,sohowcan
IwinhimevenwithallthewealthofChina?
Chapter 8: Dancingwith theBeloved
133
Hesanangel,thoughhelookslikeamanevenangelscant
flywhenhesaround.HowcanIwinhimbyimitatingheavenly
shapes?
HesheldaloftonthewingsofGod;hisfoodisradiantlight.How
canIwinhimwithjustaloafofbread?
Neitheramerchantishe,noryetacraftsman,sohowcanIwin
himwithfancifuldesignsorpromisesofhighreturns?Hesnot
blind,norreadilyduped,sohowcanIwinhimbyfakingillnessin
abed?
PerhapsIllgocrazy,tearoutmyhairormashmyfaceinthe
dirtbuthowcouldeventheseactswinhimover?Heseesevery-
thingaroundhim,sohowcouldIeverfoolhimso?
Helooksnotforfame,norisheakingaddictedtotheapplause
ofpoets.HowcanIwinhimwithmereskillfulrhymesorpoetic
verse?
Theradianceofhisinvisibleformpermeatestheuniverse,sohow
canIwinhimwiththemeagerpromiseofparadise?
ThoughImayfilltheearthwithrosepetals,theoceanwithtears,
andassaulttheskieswiththunderouspraiseofhim,yet,noneof
thesethingswilleverwinhimover.
TheonlywayIcaneverhopetowintheheartofmybeloved
thenistogivemyselfuptohim.
FromtheDivan
hisDivan
WhilehewasmourningthelossofShamsuddin,Rumiwrotein
thesewords:Grantthat
friend.Grantmetheintelligencetostayawayfromlove.Grantme
thestrengthtochallengemyownfate.Grantmethefeettowalkaway
fromthisconfusedstate.
WisdomoftheAges
Imaybecomeonewithatrue
Only Love Can Save You
Ochild,breakyourchainsandbefree!Howlongwillyoubea
slavetosilverandgold?
134
Ifyoupourtheoceanintoapitcher,howmuchofitcanithold?
Onlyonedayssupplyatmost.Thepitcher,movedbytheeyeof
greed,isneverfullysatisfied.
Anoystershelldoesntfillwithpearlsuntilitslearnedtobecon-
tent.OnlytheonewhoshadhisshirttornbyLoveiscompletely
curedofgreedandallimperfections.
Wesaluteyou,OLove,foryoubringbenefittousall.Yourethe
physicianforallourillsthecureforarroganceandpride.Youre
ourPlatoandourGalenatthesametime!
ThroughLove,thephysicalbodysoarstowardstheheavensand
themountainsbecomenimbleandstarttodance.Loveinspired
MountSinai,Olover,somuchsothatitbecamedrunkandcaused
Mosestofaint.
IfIwereeverjoinedbytheliptosomeonewhofeltasIdo,Itoo,
likethereedflute,wouldtellallthatneedsbetold.
Whoeverisfarfrommespeaksinhisownlanguageandisstricken
dumbwithsilence,eventhoughhemayknowahundredsongs.
Whentheroseisgoneandthegardenwiltedaway,youllhearthe
taleofthenightingalenolonger.
TheBelovediseverything,andtheonewholovesHimisbuta
veil;theBelovedisalive,whiletheloverisdead.WhenLoveno
longercaresforhim,hesleftasabirdwithoutwings.Oh,how
unfortunateforhim!
HowcanIknowanythingwithoutthelightofmyBelovedinfront
ofmeandbehindme?Yet,itsLovesplanthatthismessage(of
hope)goesforth.
Ifamirrordoesntreflectthelightthatshinesuponit,whatcould
bethereasonforthat?Doyouknowwhythemirrorofyoursoul
isnotreflectingthelightofLove?Itsbecauseyouhaventcleared
therustawayfromitsface!
MathnawiI,1934
135
Beautify the Heart Through God
Listen,openawindowtoGod,andbringjoytoyourselfbygazing
uponHimthroughtheopening.
Itslovestasktomakethatwindow(intheheart),fortheheartis
illuminatedbythebeautyoftheBeloved.
MathnawiVI,30953096
Do Something Etraordinary
Youlearnedaskilltoearnalivingforthebody,nowlearnaskill
thatwillbenefitthespirit,aswell.
Inthisworldyouveclothedyourselfinsomanywaysandbecome
rich;whenyouleavethislife,howwillyoufarethen?
LearnaskillthatwillearnyouGodsforgivenessasyourcapital
gain.
MathnawiII,25922594
Love Is Worth the Gamble
Loveisunruly,thoughlogicisnot.
Logicalwaystriestomakeaprofit.
Loveiswildfromthestartandburnsitselfoutwithouthesitation.
Whenintrouble,lovemovesforwardlikeagreatmillstone,firm
andpurposeful.
Itsnuffsoutallsenseofself-interest.Itgambleseverythingaway,
neverseekinganyreward,evenasitgainspurityinexchangefrom
Him.
Godgivesloveitsexistencewithoutcause,evenasitgivesthe
samebackwithoutcause.
Therefore,thesignoftruedevotionistogivewithoutcause.This
kindofgambletranscendstheteachingsofeveryreligion.
MathnawiVI,19671974
136
WisdomoftheAges
Rabiahal-Adawiyya(d.801),anearlyfemaleMuslimmystic,once
said,OLord!IfIworshipYoubecauseImafraidofHell,castme
intoit.IfIworshipYoubecauseIdesireParadise,keepmefromit.
ButifIworshipyouforYourownsake,thendontwithholdfromMeYour
eternalBeauty.
We Belong to You
OureyesoverflowwithtearsatourseparationfromYou;oursouls
arefloodedwithendlesssighs.
Aninfantisntfightingagainstitsnursewhenitcries;rather,it
weepswithoutknowingeitherrightorwrong.
Werelikeaharpthatsplayed,strummedwithapick.Ourlament
originatesfromYou,itdoesntcomefromwithinus.
Werelikeaflute,andthemusicweemitisfromYou.Werelikea
mountain,andourechoemanatesfromYou.
Werelikepiecesonachessboardchargingtovictoryanddefeat,
yet,ourwinningandlosingisduetoYou,OYoumostbeautiful
One!
Whoarewe,OSoulaboveallsouls,thatweshouldexistalongside
ofYou?Whatareweourveryexistenceisreallynothingatall.
YouretheeternalOnewhomakesthetemporaryappearmanifest.
Werelikelions,thoughonlylionsonabanner,whoseripplingin
thewindgivestheillusionofrushingonwardeverymoment.
Theironwardmarchcanbeseen,yetthewindthatmovesthem
remainsunseen.Maythatunseenwindneverfail!
MathnawiI,596604
Swimming with the Current
AccordingtoRumisbeliefs,Godisomnipresentandawareofeachindi-
vidualcreatureinthisvastuniverse.Consequently,Godisconcerned
137
withthewelfareofallthosebeingsHecreated.ThoughHeallowsalter-
natingboutsofhardshipandsuccess,ultimately,Hispurposeistouse
suchdaysofalternatingfortunetoprovideopportunitiesforpersonal
growthandimprovement.Thesoulthatistestedisthesoulthatfindsa
reasontomoveaheadinitsunderstandingandability.
Lifeisnotrandom.InRumisworldviewthereisarhythmandareason
tothings.Thismeansthatanypainandlossthatcomestoushappens
forareason.Whyshouldntwebetestedinthisroughandtumble
world?Whoarewethatwefeelentitledtomorethannatureprovides?
Inaphysicalexistence,therewillbephysicalchallenges.Thedormant
soulonlyseesitsimmediatesurroundings.Itdespairswhenthefright-
eningspecterofimminentdisasterisallitnotices.Theawakenedsoul
looksaheadtothehorizon,consideringeachsuccessandsetbackaspart
ofalongjourneythatwilleventuallyreachsomewhere.Thekey,then,
istorealizethatthereisaforcewatchingfromanevenhigherperspec-
tivethanthat,andthatoneoftheobstaclestoafeelingofinnerbalance
isthefailuretorecognizethatpresence.
ForRumi,whenday-to-dayaffairsareplacedwithinthecontextofa
larger,universaltrendorplan,thenimmediateconcernstakeonaless
urgenttone.Weareactorsinourownright,butGodsetsthestage.
ListentoRumisadviceonhowtolearntoletgoofthefearthatcomes
fromfailingtoseetheendresultofallaccumulatedexperiences.
Look Ahead, O Traveler
Theblindmantakeseachstepinfearoftrippingonapothole;he
walksontheroadwithathousandfears.Theonewhocanseehas
alreadyseenhowwidetheroadis,sohealreadyknowsaboutevery
rutandpothole.Hislegsandkneesnevershake,sohowcanhebe
disappointedbyanyhardship?
Safety Is Found with God
Hethoughthewasenoughtohandleit,buteventhoughhewasas
strongasamountain,asmallfloodswepthimaway.
138
Whenthecommandofdestinypokesitsheadoutofheaven,even
themostlearnedbecomeblindanddeaf;fisharethrownoutofthe
sea;trapscruellycatchthebirdasheflies;geniesanddevilsareput
backintheirbottles;eventherulerofBabylonfalls.
RumisReferences
Everyoneisthenlost,saveforthe
onewhosfoundsafetywithinthe
Rumiwasveryfamiliarwith
commandofdestiny;noill-readingof
theArabian Nights tales.
theplanetsevertoucheshim.Unless
Hisallusiontogeniesinbot-
tlesisareferencetothestory
youfindyoursafetywithinthecom-
ofAladdin and the Magic
mandofdestiny,thennothingyou
Lamp.
everdocanreleaseyoufromit.
MathnawiIII,468473
At the Heart of the Matter
Whatisgoodsense?Tobesuspiciousoftheworld.Whoeverhas
goodsensealwaysexpectsdisastertostrike,justlikewhenalion
popsoutofnowhereandseizesaman,dragginghimbackinthe
bush.
Inthatveryinstance,whatwillthatmanbethinkingof?Consider
thisquestionwellandbeoflikemind,Oyouwhoclaimtoknow
yourreligion.Thislion,Destiny,isdraggingoursoulsintothe
jungle,evenaswerepreoccupiedwithbusinessandtrade.
Itseemsthatpeoplearealwaysafraidofgettingpoor,stuckasthey
areuptotheirthroatsinsaltwater!Iftheyonlypaidattention
totheOneWhocreatespoverty,thenthetreasuresoftheearth
wouldbeopenedforthem.
Beingafraidofhardshipisinfactakindofhardshipinitself.In
theirquestforsuccessinthismaterialworld,theyvemadethem-
selvesintonothing.
139
Dont Deny the Keepers of Fate
Inthisworldofsearchingandseeking,everytypeofpersonhas
beentiedinthestablethatsuitshim.Ifitstrikessomeonesfancy
toboltfromhisstableandinvadethestableofothers,rightaway
thekeenstablemanseizestheedgeofhisleashanddragshimback.
Osneakyone!Ifyouhaventnoticedyourkeepers,thenlookat
thechoicesyouhave,andrealizethattheyrenotyourown.You
makechoices,andyourhandsandfeetseemfreetoact;butthen
youreheldback,why?
Youvetakentodenyingthekeeper,andinsteadhavelabeledhis
(poweroveryou)as,Merelyalackofwillpower.
Mercy Never Gives Up
Whenthecleansingwaterhasfinisheditsbattle,anditsbecome
dirtysomuchsothatnoonewantstotouchit,thenGodbringsit
backintotheOceanofPurity,sothattheWater(ofHislove)can
makeitpureoncemore.
Ayearlateritcomesflowingback,(andwhenitsasked,)Hey,
wherehaveyoubeen?Itresponds,saying,IntheOceanof
Purity!Ileftheredirty,andIvecomebackclean.Ivebeen
wrappedinthecloakofhonor,andIreturntoearthoncemore.
Listen!(theWatersays.)Cometomeallyouwhoaretainted,
formysoulhasbeenexposedtothenatureofGod.Illacceptall
yourfoulnatureandtransformthedemonwithinyouintoapure
angel.
WheneverIbecomesullied,Ireturnback(toHim)oncemore
totheoriginalSourceofallpurities.Oncethere,Illtearthisfilthy
robeoffmyhead,andHellgivemeoneaspureassnowonce
more.
Thisisthework(ofGod),andmytaskisthesameHeisthe
LordofallCreation,andthebeautifieroftheworld!
MathnawiV,199207
140
Realize the Self Is Nothing
Yousweetenyourtastebudswiththeflavoroffalseimagination.
Youblowintothebagofegoandinflateit.Thensuddenly,with
theprickofaneedle,yourwindbagisdeflatedletnosmartper-
soneverhaveabodyasbigasthis!
MathnawiIII,719720
All Beings Depend upon God
O(God),theOneWhomakesdemandswithinmyheart,likean
embryo(makesdemandswithinthewomb)sinceYouremaking
demandsofme,makemytaskeasy!
Formetofulfillthistask,showmetheway,givemeguidance,
orelsecancelthesedemandsandlaynomoreburdensuponme!
SinceYouredemandinggoldfromapauper,atleastgivehim
somegoldinsecret,OKing!
WithoutYou,howcanpoetryandrhymeevercomeforthatnight
oratdawn?Poetry,harmony,andrhymes,OKnowerofAll,are
meretimidslavesatYourcommand,inthatYouvemadeallthings
toglorifyYou,whethertheyreconsciousornot.
EverythingglorifiesYouinadifferentway,andonethingdoesnt
knowwhattheotherisallabout.Humanbeingsdontthinkthat
inanimateobjectsglorify(God),yetthoseunmovingthingsarethe
mostskilledworshippersofall!
Never Stop Drinking the Water of Life
ByGod,neverletyourselfbesatisfiedwith(theinsight)youve
gained;instead,alwaysseekformorelikeonewhosethirstcan
neverbequenched.Thisnoblegatheringiseternal.Leavethe
placeofhonorbehindandletthepath(towardenlightenment)be
yourplaceofhonor.
141
Setting the Soul Free
Partoftherealizationthatbringstranquilitytotheheartistheaccep-
tanceoftheendofallthings,evenourownselves.Thesoulthatstares
intothefaceofitsowndeathandwalksawaysmilingistheonethat
trulyachievessuccess.Whyshouldasoulfearitsend,unlessitdoesnt
knowwhereitsgoing?Thatessentialknowledgeiswhatawakening
thesoulisallabout.Thereislifeforthesoulbeyonddeath.Werenot
abletosoarinspiritualecstasyinthislifefornothing.Aplantisbuilt
todrinkwater;thus,watermustexistforit.Thehumanbeinghasa
consciousnessthatisaboveandbeyondthemerematerialfleshofhisor
herbody;thus,aconduitforthatrestlessspiritexists,also.
InRumisunderstanding,thesoulexistsbecauseoftheloveofGod.
ThesoulisareflectionofGodsglory.Furtherstill,thesoulismade
fromthesamekindofspirit-materialasGodHimself.Godloanedour
animalbodiesthissoulfromHim.Wespendallofourliveshearing
theechoesofGodinourheart.Theyearningformeaning,thelovefor
justice,theshameofevilallofthesethingsareevidenceofaloftier
potential.Ourlifesactionsandbeliefsinfluence,shape,andmoldthat
soulwithinus,resultinginourownuniquepersonality.
Rumiwasastrongexponentofthetheorythatourabilitytoexperience
spiritualitywasevidenceoftheexistenceofGod,thesourceofspiritu-
RumisReferences
ality.Hewrote:TheLightishidden,andthesearchisevidenceinitself
ofitsexistence,fortheheartdoesntseeksafetyfornothing.Iftheprison
ofthisworldofferednoplaceofsanctuary,thentherewouldneverhave
beenanyfeelingsofaversionforit,norwouldtheheartseekarelease
fromit.
Mathnawi IV,20372038
Thegoalofallreligionsistopurifythesoulofourfleshlydesiresand
basemotivations.Whendeathreleasesourinnerenergyourvery
soulsbackintothegreatbeyond,wemerelyreturntotheOneWho
loanedusouressenceinthefirstplace.Likemetaltoamagnet,our
essencemustreturntoitsSource.Thus,Rumiwouldargue,theonly
onewhoneedfeardeathistheonewholefthissoultowhither,while
142
theonewhoisfreefromthefearofdeathistheonewhopolishedhis
soulsoclearlythatitreflectsthegloryofGod,andthusisreadyto
rejoinHimineternity.LetsreadRumisthoughtsonthissubject.
We Were Made to Seek
Youcannotsitstill,evenforamoment,withoutbringingsome-
thinggoodorbadfromyourself.Thiscravingtoalwaysbeactive
wasinstilledwithinyousothatyourinnerconsciousnesscouldbe
madeapparentbyyouroutwardbehavior.
Howcanthebodysitstill,whenlikeafishingreel,itsconstantly
beingtuggedbytheheart?Theevidenceofthatpullingisyour
despair.Beinginactiveisworsethandeathtoyou.
MathnawiII,996999
This World Is a Dream
Thisworldisapassingdreamthinknothingmoreofitthanthat.
Ifyouloseyourhandinadream,yourenotreallyhurt.Ifyoulose
yourheadinadream,notonlyisyourheadstillthere,butyoull
keeponlivinglongafterthat.
Ifyouseeyourselfinadreambeingcutinhalfyourbodyisnor-
malwhenyouwakeuphavingnoblemishatall!Itallcomesdown
tothis:thebodyisneverharmedinadreamwhetherfromwound-
ingorbeingpulverizedinto200pieces!
TheProphetsaidthatthisworld,whichseemssoreal,isnomore
thanasleepersdream.Youveacceptedthisideaatfacevalue,but
thosewho(trulyrealizethattheyremerely)passingthrough(this
world),havealreadyseenthis,evenwithouttheProphetsstatement.
Why Should I Fear?
Deathtookmefromaninorganicstateandendowedmewiththe
growthofaplant.ThenIdiedtoorganicplantgrowthandroseto
thestateofananimal.
143
DeaththentookmefromtheanimalstateandIbecameAdam!So
whyshouldIbeafraidofanotherdeath?WhendidIeverbecome
lessfromtheactofdying?
Inthenextstage,Imgoingtodieasahuman,soIcansoarhigh
aboveandraisemyheadamongtheangels.Illhavetoleapoutof
thatriverofangelicbeing,aswell,foreverythingwillpassaway
saveforHisFace.
TheidealoftheSufipathistoachieveunionwiththeDivineevenbefore
deathcallsthesoulbacktoGod.Thisisoftenexpressedintheterm
fana, whichmeansannihilation.Theideaistogiveupdesireforthis
worldinordertomakeonesselfdesireonlyHim.Thus,oneloseshis
soulinGod,whichwashisoriginalhometobeginwith.
Parting Words from Life
OnthedaywhenIvedied,andwhilemycoffinisyetpassingby,
thinknotthatIfeelanypainatleavingthisworld.
Crynotforme,anddontsay,Ohowawful!Ohowsad!forthen
youllfallintotheerrorofSatan,andthatwouldbetrulytragic
indeed!
Whenyouattendmyfuneral,dontsay,Partingandseparation,
forthatwillbemytimeofunionandmeeting(withGod).
Whenyoulowermeintothegrave,dontsay,Peacebeuntoyou!
Good-bye!forthegraveisonlyaveilforconcealingthegather-
ingofsoulsinParadise.
Whenyouseethecoffinbeinglowereddown,besuretonotice
thesoulrisingup.Whyshouldtherebeanylossonaccountofthe
settingofthesunandmoon?
Itmayseemlikeasettingtoyou,butformeitsanewdawn.The
gravemayseemlikeaprison,butformeitstheliberationofthe
soul.
144
Whatseedeversunkintotheearththatdidntsproutbacktolife
again?Therefore,whyistherethisdoubtforyouaboutthehuman
seed?
Whatbucketeverwentdownthatdidntcomebackupfull?
WhyshouldtherebeanymourningfortheJosephofthesoulon
accountofthewell?
Whenyouveclosedyourmouthonthisside,openitonthatside,
foryourcriesofjoywillbeintheheavensbeyondbothplaceand
time.
FromtheDivan
u RumibelievedthatGodisthesourceforalllove.Thepurposeof
lifeistounlockthatlove,makeitapartofyoursoul,andthento
liveeachdaytothefullestinexpectationofsomethingbetterin
thelifebeyond.
u Peoplecanachieveinnertranquilitywhentheyrelymoreupon
Godsplanandlessupontheirownhopes,fears,anduncertain
circumstances.
u ThehighestformofreligiousfaithistoloveGodforHissake
alone,andnotforhowmuchHewillrewardyouforit.
u Fearofdeathcanbeovercomethroughspiritualmasteryofthe
innersoul.Rumispenthislifeinthispursuitanddiedinexultant
expectationofunionwiththeDivine.
I i
u
u
u
u
9
Celebrating Earthly
Passion
n Th s Chapter
HowRumiexpressedhisloftyaffectionforalllivingthings
inhumanterms
SomeofRumismosttreasuredpoemsonlove
Howearthlypassionisareflectionofourlongingforthe
Divine
Rumisviewsonwhatconstitutestrueloveandloss
Rumiwasapassionateadvocateforsinceritytoonesinnerself.
ForRumi,tobeatpeacewithinonessoulwastogainalasting
treasureofuntoldvalue.Beyondthesecretsofspiritualmastery,
however,hewasalsoamanofgreataffectionandunderstanding
towardhisstudents,friends,andfamily.Hiscapacityforhuman
loveandemotionwasanotherfacetofhisexpansivepersonality,
soitmaycomeasnosurprisethatRumialsowroteextensively
onthephenomenonofearthlyloveandpassion.Indeed,his
poemsoflove,desire,andlossareamongthefinestexamplesof
thegenrethatanyauthorhaseverproduced.
Chapter
146
Inthischapter,wellembarkuponajourneythroughthispassionate
facetofRumiswritingtalent.Mostofthefollowingselectionsyoull
findaretakenfromtheRubaiyatportionoftheDivan,theworkthat
focusesthemostonmattersofemotionalintelligenceanddepth.Inthe
end,Ithinkyoullagreethatinadditiontobeingamasterofthesoul,
Rumialsoknewhowtospeakfromtheheart.
Yearning for Love
Sometimesthegreatestinspirationforawakeningaslumberingheart
comesfromadesiretofindlove.Whentheheartbecomesawareof
itsownemptiness,afireissetablazeinsidethatbangsoneverywall
andkicksopeneverydoorinitsfranticsearchtoletthelightoflove
in.Whentheeyetransmitstheimageofanidealmatetotheburning
heart,alltheresourcesofthemindandbodyaredirectedtowardthe
pursuitofthebeloved.Theloftyyearningofthehearttofinditssoul-
mateandearthlycompanionisapowernottobedenied.Howmany
arethestar-crossedloverswhosawtheobjectoftheirdesireandear-
nestlypursuedit?Rumiknewthiskindofloveandpainwell.Inthese
followingselections,youllseehowbeautifullyRumiexpressesthis
yearningforabeloved.
The Power of Passion
Passionmakesoldmedicinefresh.Passionlopsofftheflimsy
branch.Passionistheremedythatrefreshes;howcantherebe
exhaustionwhenpassionisthere?Moanlonginglynomorefrom
weariness:seekpassion,passion,passion!
MathnawiVI,43024304
What Madness Is Love
Theprettyonewhispersunderherbreath,andyougocrazy,
senselessyouhavenoreasonleft!OLord,whatkindofspellis
this,whatkindofmagicweavesitscharmonevenaheartofstone?
FromtheDivan
Chapter 9: Celebrating EarthlyPassion
147
Love Bewilders All
IswearthateversinceIveseenyourface,thisworldsbecomea
sham,adream-likeplace.Thisgardenhasbecomesoconfused.
Whatsaleaf?Whatsablossom?Itknowsnotthisorthat!Baffled
birdscannottellevenaseedfromatrap!
FromtheDivan
Sufipoetryisoftenfilledwithallusionstowine,belovedones,mad-
ness,andotherseeminglybawdythings.TherealityisthatSufisuse
suchallusionsasametaphorforthekindofgiddyfeelingonegetswhen
onebeginstogetintouchwithspiritualityonanever-deeperlevel.
Dont Go
Ifyoufeelanylongingforme,thensayso.
Ifyoulivewithoutlove,alone,Iwanttoknow.
Ifyourheartholdsaplaceforme,thenrevealit.
Tellmeifitsso,orjusttellmeno,butbehonest.
FromtheDivan
Love at First Sight
Iswearbytheheartthatlieshumbledbeforeher;Iswearbythe
soulthatsdrunkonherwine;IswearbythatmomentwhenIfirst
sawher,acupinonehand,andherhandinmine.
FromtheDivan
Lose Yourself in Love
Nowthatyourloverhasshownyouherface,loseyourselfather
feet,Omyheart.Snuffoutthiscandlethatburnsbeforethesun,
forthisheartachewilldieevenasyouwill,sogroannomorein
pain.
FromtheDivan
148
Love Is More Than Skin Deep
Whoeverislovedisbeautiful;thatdoesntmeanthatallthosewho
arebeautifulareloved.PeopleusedtosaytoMajnun,Thereare
plentyofgirlsmorebeautifulthanLayla.Letuspresentthemto
you.Majnunusedtoanswerthem,ImnotinlovewithLayla
merelyforherform.Laylaislikeacupinmyhand.Idrinksweet-
nessfromthatcup.Iminlovewiththatflavor.Youonlyseethe
cupandareheedlessofthedrinkitcontains.Agoldencupstudded
withgems,whatuseisthattomeifallitholdsisvinegar?Anold
brokengourdthatsfilledwithdelicioussweetnessisbetterforme
than100cupsofgold.
FromtheFihiMaFihi
Waiting for Your Love
HowlongwillIremainroastinginyourflame?
Howlongwillyoucontinuetoturnmeaway?
Howmanyfriendswillabandonmeinshame?
HowlongwillIfeelthispain?
Howlongwillyougoonlivingwithoutme?
FromtheDivan
Dont Turn Me Away
IfIwasntsopatheticallyinlovewithyou,Iwouldntbestanding
hereatyourdoor.Donttellme,Goaway.Getawayfrommy
door!Iwouldntexist,mydear,ifitwasntformestandinghere.
FromtheDivan
I Suffer for Your Love
Itookajourneythroughthedesertofyourlove,vainlysearching
forsomesignthatyoumightjoinme.
149
Ipeeredineveryhouse,asIpassedalongtheway,seeingonlythe
scatteredremnantsofthosewhotraveledherebefore,andwhom
youcastaway.
FromtheDivan
Apagefromacommentary
ontheMathnawiwrittenin
PersianbyMirAli,c.1514.
The Power of Love
Throughlove,thatwhichisbitterismadesweet.
Throughlove,copperisturnedintogold.
Throughlove,whatismuddledbecomesclear.
Throughlove,painbecomesasourceofhealing.
Throughlove,thedeadareraisedtolife.
Throughlove,kingsareturnedintoslaves.
150
Thiskindofloveislearned,forwhendidasimpletoneversit
uponsuchathrone?
MathnawiII,15291532
The Joys of Love Unfettered
Whenthequestforthebelovedhasreacheditsfulfillment,andthe
objectofdesirehasconsentedtoletthestar-struckloverintoitsdaz-
zlingnewhome,thenanewworldappearsonthehorizonagardenof
joyandperpetualbliss,enwrappedwithinthearmsofsafetyandunion!
Rumirevelsinthisfeelingofloveofferedandreciprocated.Asyouread
thenextselectionofhispoems,seeifyoucancatchaglimpseofhim
laughinginhisgardenwithhisbeloved.
How Does It Feel to Be in Love?
Thisiswhatloveislike:toflytowardasecretsky,tocause100
veilstofallinasinglemoment,togiveupyourverylife.Loveis
takingastepwithoutfeet,tolookuponeverythingintheworldas
invisible,andtoloseallrecollectionofwhoyouareinside.
FromtheDivan
WisdomoftheAges
Muslimcivilizationhasproducedanenormousnumberofpoets.
Oneofthese,whoseworkinfluencedRumi,wasawomannamed
Rabiahal-Adawiyya(d.801).Sheoncewrote,Eyesareatrest,
thestarsaresetting.Hushedarethestirringsofbirdsintheirnestsand
ofmonstersinthesea.YouaretheJustWhoknowsnochange,the
BalanceWhocanneverswerve,theEternalWhoneverpassesaway.
Thedoorsofkingsareboltednowandguardedbysoldiers.Yourdoor
isopentoallwhowouldcalluponYou.Eachlove,myLord,isnow
alonewithhisbeloved,andnowIamalonewithYou.
151
What Love Said to Me
Lovewhisperedinmyear,Tobechasedisbetterthantobea
hunter.Becomemyfoolletmeswindleyou.Giveuptheglorious
sunandbecomeaspeckofdust.Liveoutsidemydoorandbecome
homeless.Dontpretendtobeacandle;rather,bethemoththat
youaresoyoucantastethesweetflavoroflifeandloseyourselfin
thoughtsofthemajestyofslavery(tolove).
MathnawiV,411414
Wonderstruck in Love
Arareprizehascomemyway;oh,whatshouldIdo?
Shesleftmymindinsuchadaze;oh,whatshouldIdo?
SometimesIfeellikesuchahypocriteandafraud!Whenbeauty
givesyouakisssuchasthis,ohmy,whatsaholymantodo?
FromtheDivan
The Treasure of a Kiss
Lookatherwithherraven-coloredhair.Lookatthegracewith
whichsheholdsherselfthere.Thinkofthesweetnessofthose
ruby-redlips.Charityforakiss,Ibeggedher,forGodssake
grantmethis.Ohmy,shesmiledandlaughedmyway,Just
imaginethegainsyoudmakefromthatexchangetoday!
FromtheDivan
Loving More Than Just Her Good Side
Theresmoretoherbeautythanherlaughterandherface.Her
anger,hermoods,herharshwordsareallpretty,too.WhetherI
likeitornot,sheasksmeformysoul.WhatdoIcareformylife?
Whatshewantsfrommeislovely,too!
FromtheDivan
152
Challenge Me
Iwantaloverwhowillchallengemeafighter,abrawler,aheart
ablazesomeonewhowillarguewiththeskyandwrestlewith
destiny,whowillburnlikefireonaragingsea.
FromtheDivan
All I See Is You
Iknowwhenmyheartbeginstospeak,itwillenduphumiliated
inshame,fixatedasitisontheimageofyourbeauty;yourface
appearsineverybreathmyhearttakes.
FromtheDivan
Diwan
RumiwasinfluencedbythedramaticpoetryofawriternamedAhmad
al-Mutanabbi(d.965).Hereisalinefromthe ofal-Mutanabbi
thatRumimighthavehadmemorized:Graveharmhaveloversdone,
lovingbeforetheirlifesbegun.
RumisReferences
The Epression of Love
Loveunitedinlifeisexpressedthroughphysicaljoyandcompanion-
ship.Twoloversonthecuspofunionsingbeautifulsongstogether.In
hisownsubtleway,Rumicapturedtheessenceofsuchtimesinasnap-
shotofscatteredvignettes.Readonandentertaintheromanticnature
ofRumispoetryofloveasitunfolds.
Lovers Were Made for Each Other
Theresawindowbetweenoneheartandanother;theyrenotsep-
arateorfarfromeachother,liketwodifferentbodies.Twolamp
standsmaynotbejoinedtogether,yettheirlightminglesasoneas
itpassesbeyondthem.
Noloverpursueshisloverwithouthisloveralsopursuinghim.
Thiskindofpassionfromalovermakesthebodyasthinasa
153
bowstring,yettheonewhoislovedlikethisappearsbeautifuland
healthy.Whentheflashofloveforabelovedshootsintoaheart
likethis,thenknowthatlovedwellswithinthatheart.
Love Has Its Own Logic
Thescholarisalwaysshowingoff;theloverisalwaysgettinglost.
Ascholaralwaysrunsandhidesinfearofdrowning.Yet,thesole
purposeofloveistodrowninthesea!
Scholarsplanfortheirretirement;loversareashamedtorest.
Loversarealwaysalone,evenwhensurroundedbyacrowd.Justas
waterandoildontmix,theloverremainsapartfromeveryone.
Themanwhogoesoutofhiswaytogiveadvicetoalovergets
nothinginreturn.Heleavesinridicule,mockedbypassion.Love
islikemusk;italwaysattractsattention.Loveislikeatree,and
loversareitsshade.
FromtheDivan
Finally Alone
Myheartshappytonight;Imfinallyalonewithmylover.Atlast,
Imfreeofthepainofourseparationthisnight.AsIdancewith
mylover,Iprayinmyheart,OhLord,maythekeysofthemorn-
ingbeforeverlosttonight.
FromtheDivan
So Generous in Love
WhenIaskedforjustonekiss,yougavemesix.
Wherestheteacherwhotaughtyouthat?Whostheonewho
trainedyousowell?Youresofilledwithgoodness,sopureandso
fine;youmustvesettheworldfreeatleast1000times!
FromtheDivan
154
Surprise
Imadeasuggestionsoftlyintheearofyourplayfulheart.Ishut
mymouthandspoketoyouin100silentways.YouknowwhatIm
thinking;youveheardmyeverythought.NowImgoingtodo
tonightwhatIsaidIwouldbeforewewereapart.
FromtheDivan
On Separation
Partoftheriskofloveisthepotentialpainofloss.Iftherewardsof
lovewerentsogreat,fewwouldhazardsuchagamble.Indeed,heart-
breakisasmuchapartofthehumanexperienceaslove.Wherethereis
light,darknesslurks.Wherethereispassion,shattereddreamsringthe
edgeslikethornsonarosebush.Rumifeltlossseveraltimesinhislife;
heknewwhatmiseryandsorrowfeltlike.Hishomeland,thecityofhis
birth,wasrazedtothegroundbytheMongols.Hisfirstwife,whom
heloveddearly,passedawaybeforehim.Hisbestfriend,Shamsuddin
ofTabriz,lefthim,returned,andthenmysteriouslydisappeared.Rumi
feltthepainofseparationandlossineachoftheseinstances.Lets
explorepoemsthatRumipenneddealingwiththesubjectofgriefover
lostlove.
You Are My World
Outofeveryoneinalltheworld,Ichooseyou.Sowillyounow
leavemetositinsadnessallalone?Myheartislikeapeninyour
hand;yourethereasonformyjoyandsorrow.Exceptforwhat
youwant,whatelsecanIhave?Exceptforwhatyoureveal,what
morecanIsee?
Youbringoutboththethornandtherosefromwithinme.
SometimesIsmellofroses;othertimesImsnaggedbythorns.In
whateverwayyoukeepme,thatshowIwillremain.Whateveryou
wouldmakeofme,thatswhatIwillbe.
Inthisbodywhereyougivecolortothesoul,whoamIbymyself?
Whatisloveandhatetome?Youwerethefirsttome,andyoull
bethelast.Makemyendingbetterthanmystart!
155
Whenyourehiddenfromme,Iloseallfaith;whenyourebefore
me,Ibelieve.Ihavenothingunlessyougaveittome;whatdoyou
wantfrommyheartandsleeve?
FromtheDivan
Divan Rumiwrotetheselinesinpraiseofloveinhis :PraiseLove,
PraiseLove,forLoveisdivineandtender.Loveisabeautifulthing,
andohsoharmless.Whatpassion,whatpassion,wereburning
likethesun.Itshiddenandobscure.Thatsanobvioussign.
WisdomoftheAges
Bring Me Joy Still
Evenifalltherestleaveme,mylove,dontyougo.
Ofriend,whodrinksmysadnessaway,dontyougo.
Fillmycupwithmirth,andthesweetsoundofyourlaughter.
Please,goodcupbearer,wholightsuptheworld,dontyougo
away,too.
FromtheDivan
Loss
Mymoon,withoutyouIweeplikearaincloud.Withoutyou,Im
wounded,broken,andlonely.Banishedfromlife,Isithere,alone,
withoutyou.Imdyingofshame,formylifehasbecomeempty
sinceyouvegone.
FromtheDivan
The Burning of a Broken Heart
Youcouldstitchtogether100endlessdays,
Stillmysoulwouldfindnoreleasefromthispain.
156
Doyoulaughatthesemywords?Thoughyoumayknowmany
things,youveneverlearnedtolovetillyouvegoneinsane.
FromtheDivan
Think No More of Me
IfIdieinthisfight,inthisbattlewithyou,
Illutternotasigh,forfearoftroublingyou.
Illdiewithasmileonmyface,likeaflowerinyourhand,from
thewoundthatyoumadewhenyoucutmeaway.
FromtheDivan
Life No More
Livingisasinwithoutyou.WhatkindoflifecanIleadwithout
youthere?Lightofmylife,eachmomentoflifeIpasswithout
youisdeath.Thatsallthelivingthatsleftforme.
FromtheDivan
Let No Other In
Godforbidyourheartfromenteringanotherhome,orgrowing
distantfrommewhenyourefarfrommine.Onlyyourstreamhas
fedmyeyesastheyblossomed.Yourethesourceofmytearsand
myheartssolepassion.
FromtheDivan
Tears I Shed for You
Illtakeholdofyourfeet;Iwontletyouleave.
Yourlovehascausedapaininmyheartwhoelsebutyoucan
cureme?Youteaseme,tellingmemyhearthasrundry.Ifthats
true,thenwhydoesitflownowfrommyeyes?
FromtheDivan
157
Ruin
Themanytearsyourlosshasdrawnfrommecansatisfynone,save
myworstenemy.Oyouwhoarethecenterofmyworld,thepain
ofyourgoinghasbrokenmyheartwithoutyoursevenknowing
whatyouvetornapart.
FromtheDivan
Solitude
Shesleftme.Ineverhadsuchafriendlikeher.Sheleftbeforemy
heartwasfull,orreadyforanendlikethis.Shesleftme,andtaken
withhertheonlycureforthiskindofpain.Therosehasgone,
andlookonlythethornsremain.
FromtheDivan
Pain Has a Purpose
WhenGodwantstohelpus(outofourdistress),Heturnsour
thoughtstowardhumblesupplication.Oh,joytotheeyethat
weepsforHissake!Everysorroweventuallywillendinlaughter;
theonewhoseestheendisablessedservantindeed.Wherever
thereisflowingwater,thereisnewlifeinthemaking.Wherever
therearetears,themercyofGodwillsoonappear.
MathnawiI,817820
Love Celebrated
Rumiwasathisbestwhenhespoketotheheartsofhislisteners.
AlthoughtheDivancontainsmanypoemsdedicatedtothememory
ofhislostfriend,ShamsuddinofTabriz,thebulkofthisbookisan
amalgamationofhisearlyworksonallsubjects.Becausehislovepoetry
issoexpressiveandsincere,itsamongthemostpopularofhisentire
repertoire.Herewewillclosewithafewmoreselectionsonloveandits
beauty.Truly,Rumiwasamasterofboththesoulandtheheart.
158
The Story of Love
AfterIheardmyfirstlovestory,Iwentoutinsearchofyou.I
neverunderstoodhowdarktheroadwouldbe,forloversdont
findeachotherontheroadsomewhere;theyrewitheachotherall
along.
FromtheDivan
Content in Love
Whenthatbeautyfirststolemyheartfromme,myneighborssuf-
feredeverynightfrommyconstantweeping.Nowthatmylove
hasgrownandmatured,myweepinghasceased.Isntitthecase
thatthefirethatgetsmoreairgivesofflesssmoke?
FromtheDivan
Eternal Love
Evenifyoujabbedthornsintotheseweepingeyes,orshotcruel
arrowsatthisflimsyheart,orbeatonmelikeadrumandthen
beatonmesomemore,stillIwouldneverletyougo.No,not
eventhen.
FromtheDivan
sema
ManydevotedfollowersofRumiperformtheirmovingmeditationexer-
cises,or rituals,accompaniedbymusiciansplayinghanddrums,
flutes,andstringedinstruments.
Mutual Desire
Godinstilleddesireinbothmenandwomensothat,bytheir
union,theworldcouldbemaintained.
MathnawiIII,4415
159
No Escape from Love
OnceIsaidtomyself,Illleaveforawhile.Thatwillmakemy
lovemissmeallthemore.Shehadanendlessamountofpatience,
though,andIcouldnthideforlong.Inevercouldmakemyplan
work,nomatterhowmanytimesItried.
FromtheDivan
Indescribable
Iwroteapoem,andmylovegotangry,eitheratmeoratthepoor
qualityofmyrhymes.Isaidtoher,Sowhydontyoutellmewhat
towrite?Shereplied,Whydontyoutellmewhatpoemcould
evercontainonesuchasI!
FromtheDivan
School of Love
Myheartisyourstudent;itsastudentoflove.
Likethenight,itwaitsbythegatesofdawn.
WhereverIgo,Ifollowwherethefaceofloveleads,foroilflows
steadilytowardtheflamethatitfeeds.
FromtheDivan
Unforgettable
WhenIvesteepedinthefireofmymindforawhile,Ithinkof
forgettingyouforsometimesoIcancollectmysoulandthink
aboutsomethingelse.Thenyoupouryourselfbackintomycup
oncemoreandoncemore,Igoondrinking.
FromtheDivan
160
u Rumiwrotepassionatepoetryaboutloveandthejoyofbeingin
lovehereonearth.
u Rumisbook,theDivan,iswherethevastmajorityofhislove
poetrycanbefound.
u Rumiunderstoodwellthepainoflosingabeloved,andthiswas
preciselythemainideabehindhisDivancollection.
I l li
j
4
n the Garden of Eterna De ght
GenerationshavebeenfascinatedwithRumi'sinsightand
unmatchedstorytellingskills.Inthisfinalpart,takea ourney
throughsomeofRumi'smorefamousfables,withanimalsand
cleverimagination,andseeforyourselfwhatpleasantriescanbe
hadathistable,andthetimelesswisdomheimparts.
Part
I i
u
u
u
u
j
j
Wisdom to Live By
n Th s Chapter
DiscoveringsomeofRumispracticaladviceforlivingan
honestandworry-freelife
UnderstandingwhyRumiplacedsomuchemphasison
personalintegrity
ExploringwhatRumihadtosayaboutprayerandsupplica-
tionandhowtheyrelatetodailylife
EnjoyingRumiswrysenseofthemeaningoflifeandhow
tofindusefulwisdomwithinit
Rumiwasamanofgreatdepth.Onthat,thereisnodisagree-
ment,butRumiwasnt ustaphilosopherthinkingprofound
thoughtsonloftytopics.Whileitseasytogetthatimpression,
giventhatthebulkofhistranslatedworksconcernveryweighty
themes,inrealityhewroteaboutawholehostofdifferentsub-
ectmatters.FromhisDivanwelearnabouthispassionforlove
andabouthishumanedisposition.Ontheotherhand,hismany
collectedsermonsrevealapracticalscholareagertoconvincehis
audienceofthenecessitytobemoralandhigh-mindedthrough
logicalargumentsbasedonthetangiblebenefitsofpersonaland
socialharmony.Finally,hisMathnawipresentsawholehostof
10
Chapter
164
Part 4: In theGardenof Eternal Delight
differentthoughtsandideasonmorality,philosophy,andevengood
personalhabitsandmannersnotjustonmattersconnectedtoself-
awareness.
Rumiwaspartofalivingtraditionwhosevalueswererootedinlong-
standingmoresandcustoms.Helivedthosepreceptstothefullestand
cameupwithingeniouswaystoimpartthislifestyleadvicetoothers.
Whetherthesubjectisthepracticalityofhardworkorthevalueof
honesty,Rumihadmuchtosayontheseandothertopics.Inthischap-
ter,weregoingtotakeawidelookattheseaspectsofRumisteaching
andexplorehiswisdomfordailyliving.Youllbesurprisedathowhe
tacklesmanyoftheseissues,andperhapsyoullfindmuchtoapplyin
yourownlife.
Principles of Dignified Living
Therearemanywaysapersoncanleadherlifethatarewhollyuncon-
nectedwithhermaterialexistence.Ifyouputasidestatus,fashion,
education,appearance,relationships,interests,andalltherest,leaving
onlyyouandyourbasicattitudeanddemeanor,whatwouldyoube
like?Whatwouldyouthinkofyourself?Doyouthinkyoumight
findsomethingyouwouldliketoimprove?Adignifiedlifeinvolves
self-improvementandnobilityofcharacter.Ifwetakenointerestin
improvingourpersonalityandhabits,thenwhatotheradvancements
areweholdingbackaswell?Howcanwelearntobemoreawareofour
ownshortcomings,especiallywhenseeingourownfaultsisperhapsthe
hardestthingtodo?Thestartingplaceisgettingusedtoexamining
ourownhabitsandpersonalityclosely.Rumiwroteextensivelyonthis
issue,andwhatfollowsisabriefpassagethroughsomeofthoseareasin
whichRumiadvisedwetakeparticularcare.Rumiadvisedthis:
PerhapssomeoneelseseesfaultswithinmethatIdontseemyself.
Fortheonewhorecognizeshisownfaultsbeforeseeingthemin
others,howcanhebesounconcernedaboutcorrectinghimself?
Mostpeopledontpayattentiontothemselves,sotheygoon
blamingeachother!
MathnawiII,880882
Chapter 10: Wisdom to LiveBy
165
Shortcomings Cannot Remain Hidden
Theodorofpride,greed,andlustislikethesmellofonions(on
thebreath).Eventhoughyouswearthatyouhaventtakenonany
ofthosetraits,saying,Ivenevereatenanyonionsorgarlic,still,
thesmellfromyourmouthasyoumakethatoathbetraysyou,and
repulsesthenosesofthosewhositnearyou.
Manyaretheprayersthatarerejectedbecauseofthebadsmell
(comingfromapersonsnature),foracorruptheartshowsonthe
tongue.Theresponsetosuchataintedprayerisnolessthan,Get
outofhere!fortherewardofscoundrelsisthehammerofrepul-
sion.Ontheotherhand,ifthewordsofprayerareriddledwith
mistakes,buttheintentionisgood,thensuchclumsywordsare
acceptabletoGod.
MathnawiIII,166171
Shaykh
tenure
studies.
Inclassicaltimes,anapplicanttojointheMevleviSufiOrderwasfirst
requiredtomeetwitha whowouldtrytotalkhimoutofit.If
theapplicantpersistedandremainedquietlyforthreedayssittingoutside
thekitchendooroftheSufilodge,hewouldonceagainbeaskedto
reconsider.Ifhestillhadhishear
thenspendthenext1,001daysworkingasaservantinthekitchen.
Ifheevershowedanydisobedienceorrefusaltoadapttohismany
menialduties,hewouldbeaskedtoleaveforever.Ifhecompletedhis
periodofservice,hewouldbegivena ,oradervishcloak,and
wouldbeaconfirmedmemberoftheOrderreadytobeginhishigher
tsetonbecomingadervish,hewould
How Arrogance Can Be Recognized
Whatisarrogance?Itsbeingunconcernedaboutgainingwhatyou
reallyneed,justasiceisignorantofthesun.Whenicefinallyreal-
izesthesunisthere,ithaslittlechancetoremain,foritsoftens,
melts,andflowsaway.
MathnawiV,19411942
166
Do Not Overemphasize the Self
Imthesourceofsomuchrotandidiocy,thatnoone,becauseof
me,canlivehislifehappily.IshoutateveryoneIsee,andthey,in
turn,shoutbackatme.Icryforjusticeasyoucansee,yet,who
canhopeforitfromme?
FromtheDivan
How Conceit Can Be Our Undoing
Thereoncewasapoormanwho,becauseofhispoverty,hada
lowlyreputation.Intime,hebegantogreasehismoustachein
themorningwiththefatofasheepstail.Thereafterhewould
goamongtherichandsay,Iwasatapartyandhadasumptuous
feast.Thenhewouldhappilypointtohismoustacheindicating
thathewantedpeopletolookatit,asiftosay,Lookatthis,for
itstheproofthatmywordsaretrue;herestheevidencethatIve
eatengreasyandexpensivefood.
However,his(hungry)stomachusedtocursehimsilently,May
Godunraveltheschemesofliars!Yourboastingisgivingme
heartburn.Mayyourgreasymoustachebetornaway!Youworth-
lessboaster,ifitwasntforyourdeception,somewealthyperson
mighthavetakenpityonme.Ifonlyyouwouldhaveshownyour
sickness,andnotbeenafaker,thensomedoctorcouldhavefound
acure(foryourhunger).
Thus,hisstomachmadesupplicationsagainsthismoustache,for
ithadnootheravenuethanprayer,saying,OGod,exposethis
lazylow-bornscum,sothatthenoblemayshowpityonme.Soon
enough,thestomachsprayerwasanswered.Theurgencyofthe
needraisedaflagforaid.DidntGodpromise:Whetheryourea
scoundreloranidolater,IllanswerwhenyoucalluponMe?So
bedevotedtoprayerandalwayscryouttoGod,forintheendit
maysaveyoufromthehandsofaphantom.
WhenthestomachcommendeditselftoGodswill,thecatcame
andcarriedawaythesheepstail.Eventhoughtheychasedafter
her,thecatgotaway.Thechildoftheboastfulmanturnedpaleat
167
thethoughtofthepunishmenthewouldreceivefornotprevent-
ingthetheft,butnevertheless,thelittleboycameinthemidstofa
gatheringanddestroyedhisfathersreputation.
Father,hesaid,thesheepstailthatyouusetogreaseyour
moustacheeverymorningisgone.Thecatcameandsnatchedit
away.Iranafterit,butIcouldntcatchit.
Thosewhoweretherelaughedinamazementandtheirfeelingsof
pitywerearoused.Theyinvitedthemantoeatandthereafterthey
kepthimwellfed;theyplantedtheseedofcompassioninhissoil.
Nowasforthepoorman,afterhavingtastedthenobilityofthe
high-minded,hehumblydevotedhimselftohonestyeverafter.
MathnawiIII,condensedfrom732765
Divan
Rumiadvisedustoavoidfeelingoffendedbyeventsaroundusin
thesewordsfromthe :Afewflieswerefightingoversugar
asifitwereatreasure.Whyshouldthesugarcare?Abirdalighted
onamountain,rested,andthenflewof
madebetterorworsebythat?
WisdomoftheAges
fagain.Wasthemountain
Dont Put Off Remorse
Bewarned!Dontcommitacrimewhiletakingrefugeinthe
thought,Icanrepentofitlateronandbesafe.
Truerepentancerequiresaflash(ofrealization)intheheartthats
followedbyafloodoftears.Thatkindoflightningflashandrain
cloudisaprerequisiteforsincererepentance.
Fruitneedsaflashoflightningandtheresultantrainfalltogrow;
therefore,raincloudsandlighteningareanessentialcomponentto
growth.
Unlesstheresaflashoflightningintheheartandstreamingrain
cloudsintheeyes,howcanthefireofGodsangerbecooled?
HowcanthelushgrowthofjoyousunionwithGodflourish,and
howcanclearfountainsofspiriteverhopetogushforthagain?
MathnawiII,16521656
168
Itsoftenbeensaidthatapersonshouldlivewithnoregrets.Toomany
peopleallowregrettopileupinsidebyassumingtheycanreform
themselvesatalaterdate.Theyputoffthetaskofexaminingtheir
innerself,theirmorals,theirmotivations,andtheneedsoftheirsoul
untilmostoftheirlifeisgone.Rumiwarnsusofthisinthesewords:
SomepeoplerelyonthepromiseofTomorrow,andtheywander
foryearsaroundthatdoor,yetTomorrownevercomes.Along
timehastopassforapersonsinnerselftobecomepurified
indeed,somematterstakelongerthanothers.Onlythencanyou
knowiftheresatreasureburiedunderthesurfaceofyourbody,or
whetherasnakeoranantoradragondwellswithin.Bythetime
apersonfindsoutthathesinneedofrepair,thelifeoftheseeker
mayhavecomenearitsend,andwhatusewouldhisknowledgeof
hisinnerselfbethen?
MathnawiI,22792282
AsRumiadvises,dontputoffself-reformationforsomemythical
Tomorrow,ordowrongtodayintheexpectationthatyouwillhave
timelatertofixit.Ifawrongdoeshappen,bequicktomakeamends.
Howmanyarethosewhohaveleftthislifefilledwithunresolved
regretsandwrongscommitted
againstothers!Nomatterhowmuch
apersonsconsciousnessisfilledwith
Thewordforrepentance
remorse,hecannotalwaysfixevents
amongSufisistawbah. This
thatoccurredlongbeforeinhis
isanArabicwordthatmeans
toreturntoGodseeking
youth,andtheoverwhelmingsense
humbleforgiveness.
offutilitywemayexperienceinthe
futureisnotworththemomentary
gaintoday.
Dont Covet the World
Rumiwasveryhardongreed.Heunderstoodgreedtobethedesireto
obtainmaterialgoodsorworldlyhonorsinexcessofwhatoneneeds.
ForRumi,tryingtobuildyourfortunearoundthebaublesoftheworld
isliketryingtoholdontoafistfulofsand.Thoughyoumaythrust
yourhandsintothebeachandsay,Thisismine,yethowwillyou
169
holditwhenthetidesweepsitaway?Inreality,nothingyoucovetin
thisworldisworthasinglegrainofdustinthegreatschemeofthings.
Rumiexplaineditthisway:
Wealthhasnopermanence:itcomesinthemorning,andatnight,
itscattersaway.Attractivenesshasnorealimportance,forabeauti-
fulfacecangainayellowscarfromathornscratch.
Anoblelineageisalsonotworthverymuch,forthenoble-born
canbemadethefoolbymoneyandfancyhorses.Oh,howmanya
noblemanssonhasdisgracedhisfatherthroughwantonmischief
andshamefuldeeds!
MathnawiVI,255258
Avoid the Company of Fools
Rumistronglyadvisedpeopletoremovethemselvesfromthecompany
ofthosewhobehaveinaheedlessandfoolishmanner.Hewrotethis:
Runawayfromthefoolish,forevenJesusfledfromthem.Oh,
howmuchbloodhasbeenshedbykeepingfoolsasfriends!
Theairmakesthewaterevaporateslowly,andinthesameway,a
foolstealsyourfaithawayfromyou.Hedrawsawayyourheatand
givesyoufrostinexchange,asifsomeoneputhardstonesunder
yourseat.
Jesusdidntrunaway(fromfools)becausehewasafraidofthem;
hewantedtoteachusbyhisexample.
Withoutadoubt,wereinfluencedbythosewhomwechoosetokeep
inourcircle.Rumiunderstoodwellthatthiscouldbeablessingora
curse.Thinkaboutwhatyouwouldliketogetoutoflife.Whatare
yourhopes,yourplans,andyourdreams?Arethosearoundyouahelp
orahindrancetoachievingyourgoals?Dothosearoundyoubring
outthebestorworstinyou?Ifyoufindthatsomeoneisaslowdragon
yourverylifeessence,whatareyouwaitingfor?Whysuffertheslow
deathofathousandcuts?Wouldyouletathiefstealmoneyawayfrom
you,aslongasitwasonlyafewdollarsaday?Doyouonlynoticethe
170
bigtheftsthatrobyouofyourhappinessandignoretheslow,steady
drainingofsomeonewhoseesyouasnomorethananeasydupe?
RumisreferencetoJesusremindsusthatJesusdidnotsufferthefools
ofthetemple;hethrewthemoneychangersoutandkeptthemaway
fromtheholyplaceshewantedtofrequent.Learningfromthis,con-
siderwhatsortofhousecleaningyoushoulddoinyourownlife.
Two Personal Habits for Success
TherearemanySufiprinciplesandpracticesthatdervisheshaveused,
tested,andhonedforcountlesscenturiestohelpthemontheirspiri-
tualjourneys,andthesesamepracticescanbefoundinnearlyallother
religionsoftheworld.Thisisnosurprisewhenweremember,aswe
discussedinChapter2,thatthebasicpremiseofIslam(Rumisreligion)
isthatalltruereligionsbeganwithanauthenticprophetfromGod.
Therefore,tofindsimilartechniquesforspiritualgrowthamong
themallistobeexpected.Amongthepracticescommontoalland
mostpraisedbyRumiweresupplicationandwrestlingwithhunger.
Tohim,theyweretwokeyexercisesforgaininggreaterfocusandself-
mastery.
Be Not Too Proud to Ask for Help
Supplicationisanessentialpartofmaintainingahealthyinnerspirit.
WhetheronebelievesinaSupernaturalPowerornot,theveryactof
givingvoicetowhatoneneedsisboththerapeuticandaffirming.In
otherwords,apersonmayhaveavagueideathatshewantstosolve
someprobleminherlife,butitmayneverbecomeaclearlydefined
Supplication istheactof
makingahumbleappealto
theonewhohasthepower
tograntarequestofyours.
goalinhersubconsciousmind.This
maycauseadelayinplanningand
strivingtowarditsfulfillment.In
otherwords,unlessapersonsfocus
isanactuallyarticulatedgesture,
shemaysufferfromavaguesenseof
unfulfilledtasks.
171
Supplicationalsoservesanotherpurpose,andthatisintheareaofreas-
suranceandstressreduction.Evenmorethandefininggoalsinthetra-
ditionalsense,ifwefeeloverwhelmedorinastateofloss,themereact
ofaskingforassistancecanmotivatethemindtoseeksolutions.What
canbesaid,however,tothosewhofeelthattheirsupplicationsremain
unanswered?AsRumiexplains,thefaultisnotinthelackofananswer,
butratherourinabilitytoseethesolutionwhenitcomestous.Thisis
whathewrote:
Onenightamanwascrying,OGod!untilhislipswereprimed
withHissweetpraise.
ThenSatanwhisperedinhismind,Andso,Oyoutalkativeone,
whereisthereplythatsays,HereIam,toallyourcriesofGod?
YouhaventreceivedasingleanswerfromtheThrone.Howlong
willyoukeepcryingGodwithasourface?
Themanbecamefilledwithdespair,andhewenttobedgloomily.
SoonhesawasaintnamedKhidrinadream,sittingamongfields
ofgreen,andthesaintsaid,Youthere!Whyhaveyoustopped
utteringyourpraisesofGod?Whyareyouwishingthatyounever
calleduponHim?
ThemanrepliedtoKhidrinhisdream,saying,Ihaventheard
anysoundsofHereIam,inanswer,soImafraidthatIvebeen
turnedawayfromthedoor(ofGodsmercy).
Khidransweredtheman,
RumisReferences
saying,Notso!Godsays
thatyourverysayingof Khidristhenameofa
characterthatappearsin
Chapter18oftheQuran.
Godimpliestheanswerof
HereIam,andthatyour
supplication,sorrow,and
Hewasawisemanfrom
perseveranceisMyreplyto
whomtheprophetMoses
learnedpatience.Thisenig-
you.Yourfearandloveis
maticfigureisaprominent
thenettocatchMymercy.
Underneathevery,OLord
ofyoursisaHereIamof
Mine.
referenceinSufiliteratureas
thearchetypeoftheenlight-
enedandperfectShaykh.
MathnawiIII,189197
172
Use the Bodys Needs to Your Advantage
Hunger,whichcanmeanmanythings,ismorethanjustabyproduct
ofmissingyourroutinelyscheduledintakeoffood.Hungerisactually
averygoodteacher.Lookatthecycleweallstrugglewitheveryday:
weeatbecausewefeelhungry,andwefeelhungrybecauseweliveina
physicalbody.Becauseourbodyhasneeds,itoftenexaggeratesthose
needsbecauseitsafraidwemaydepriveitatsomepoint.Therefore,the
bodyworksovertimetoconvinceustooverindulgeinwhateverurgesit
feelsatthemoment.Ifthebodyhasmasteryoverthewillofaperson,
thenthatpersonisaslavetohisorherbody.Byextension,thatsoulor
spiritisthenasecond-classcitizeninitsownhome.
Rumiadvisedustogainmasteryoverourphysicalurges,andchief
amongthemisourdesiretoeat.Now,Rumineveradvocatedthat
peopleshouldstarvethemselves.Hemerelycalledforpeopletoallow
themselvestoexperiencehungersometimesandtodenyitscallfora
whileasawaytopracticephysicalself-control.Hewrotethis:
Hungeristhegreatestofallcures.Listen;learnthelessonsof
hunger;dontconsiderhungertobeabadthing.Everythingthats
flavorlessismadesweetwithhunger.Withouthunger,eventhe
tastiestmorselwillhavenoflavor.
MathnawiV,28322833
Wecanalllearnthelessonsthatfightingwithhungercanteach.Rumi
emphasizedthisbywriting,Fastingisthefirstprincipleofmedicine;
fastandseethestrengthofthespiritrevealitself.Allreligionsteach
someformoffastingforthisverypurpose.Evennonreligiousself-
improvementprogramsemphasizegainingmasteryoverthebodys
urgesasawaytodevelopself-control,self-esteem,andgoodpersonal
habits.Itsnotthatwehavetogoonadiet,butratherthatwhenwe
feelhungryweshouldsometimestrytoputoffeatingforaslongas
possiblesoourstomachknowswhothebossis.Afterawhileitgets
easierandeasiertodo.Thatsimpleactofwillpowerempowersusinall
otherareasofourlife,aswell,anditcostsnearlynothingtodojusta
simple,occasionaldelay.Rumiwrotethis:
Oyou,whosestomachisgreedy,turnaway(fromtheworld),for
theonlywaytochange(yourself)istochangeyourdiet.
173
Oyouwhoseheartissick,turntowardthecure,fortheonly
courseoftreatmentistochangeyouroutlook.
Oyouwhoareaprisonertofood,youllonlyescapeifyoulet
yourselfbeweanedfromit.
Theresfoodenoughforyou
WisdomoftheAges
inhunger!Lookforitinear-
Thetwelfth-century
nest,andbeeverhopeful(of
scholar,Muhammad
findingit),Oyouwhowould
diminish(yourdependence
onmaterialthings).
al-Ghazali(d.1111),
whoseworksinfluenced
Rumi,wroteaboutthebene-
fitsofwrestlingwithhungerin
Feastyourselfuponthelight.
thisway:Gainmasteryover
Belikeaneyethatsees!Be
thebodywiththeoverseerof
onewiththeangelssoyou
hunger.
canbedeliveredfromstress.
MathnawiV,293298
Thinkaboutit:thosewhoarehungryforfoodoranythingelsegoout
andpursuetheobjectoftheirdesire.Eveniftheydontattainit,their
sensesareheightened,theirawarenessoftheirsurroundingspeaks,and
theircunningandprecisiongetaworkout.Thatgreaterexposureto
therealityoflife,fromtheexperienceofhunger,helpsawakenthesoul
fromitsslumber.Thereafteritkeepsthesoulrefreshed,forbydenying
theresolutionofthebodysurgetoeat,youpeakallyoursenses.Itmay
beanunpopularideaatfirst,toactuallydenyyourcravingsonceina
while,butthebenefitswillbeinnumerable.ThisiswhatRumisaid:
Becarefulinhowmuchyoueat,fortoomuchfoodcanbea
poisonforyou.Watchingthedietiswhatbroughtstrengthand
enlightenmenttotheprophets.
MathnawiIII,214
Wise Principles to Live By
NowletusturntosomecommonsenseadvicefromRumitoguideyou
inyourdailyaffairs.Ponderoverhowyoucanmakeuseoftheseprin-
ciples,andknowthatRumipracticedandperfectedeachofthese.
174
How to Judge a Persons Character
Ifthroughincompleteinformationyouhavenoideahowaperson
isinside,looktowhomhehasmadehisleader,foreveryfoalgoes
toitsmother,andsobysuchassociationyoucanknowforcertain
(whatthatpersonstandsfor).
MathnawiIV,16401641
Trust Your Feelings
Wheneveragoodpersonstartstofeelsomesenseoflurkingsuspi-
cionintheheart,itdoesntcomewithoutjustcause.Considerthat
hintofwisdomtobeamongtheattributesofdivineprovidence,
andnotameremisgiving.Inthatcase,theinnerlightoftheheart
isseeingthroughthetabletofuniversaltruth.
MathnawiVI,27432744
Truth Is the Catalyst for Tranquility
Giventhattruth,inallitsbrightness,istheessenceoftranquility;
likewise,theheartcanneverbecalmedbyfalsewords.Falsehood
islikehavingapieceofstrawstuckinthemouth,whichitselfis
liketheheart.Strawneverstaysquietlyhiddeninthemouth.As
longasitsthere,theonewhosannoyedbyitkeepsmovinghis
tonguetogetitout.Evenworsethanthatiswhenaspeckofstraw
isblownintheeye;itshutsitselftightandwatersuntilitsgone.
MathnawiVI,25762579
Look for No Solutions in Violence
Violenceisneverthewaytowardoffhardship;rather,themethod
shouldbethroughgenerosity,forgiveness,andkindness.
MathnawiVI,25902591
175
Anineteenth-centurydraw-
ingofadervishwhirling
inthestylethatRumipio-
neered,chantingthepraises
ofGod.
The Law of Karma
Ifyouveevereatentoomuchhoney,doesthestomachacheaffect
someoneelse?Whenyouveworkedforanentireday,doessome-
oneelsegetpaidatthecomingofnight?Hasthereeverbeenany
kindofeffortonyourpartwithoutitsresultscomingbacktoyou?
Haveyoueverplantedanyseedwithouttheharvestsproutingfor
you?Youractions,whicharisefromyoursoulsinclinationsand
yourbodysmotivations,clingtoyourrobelikeyourownchild!
MathnawiVI,417420
Dont Numb the Mind with Desires
Peoplearedistractedbytheirdesires,andafterwardtheyrepentof
alltheforbiddenthingsinwhichtheyindulged.Inreality,sucha
persongratifieshislustswithnothingmorethanaphantom,and
heendsupfurtherawayfromthetruththanhewasbefore!
Yourdesireforfleetingpleasureislikehavingawingthatyou
couldhaveusedtoflyuptothetruth.Yet,wheneveryouindulge
inforbiddenthings,yourwingfallsoffandyoubecomelame
moreover,thephantomofpleasurefleesfromyou,aswell!
176
Protectthatwinganddontindulgeinforbiddenthings,sothat
thewingofdesirecancarryyouintoParadise.Peoplewhosin
thinktheyrehavingagoodtime,wheninreality,theyretearing
offtheirwingsforthesakeofanillusion.
Bad Habits and Their Cure
Knowthateveryoneofyourbadhabitsisathornbush;itsthorns
havebeenstuckinyourfootmanyatime.Howoftenhaveyou
beenwoundedbyyourownhabits!Dontyouhaveanysense?
Perhapsyourewithoutit!
Ifotherpeoplearewoundedbywhatcomesfromwithinyou,
andyoudontcare,atleastyoullnoticeitwhenyourewounded!
Inthatcase,youwouldbeasourceofpaintobothyourselfand
everyoneelsearoundyou!
Eithertakeupanaxeandchoplikeanadult(againstyourbad
habits),orweavethosethornsintoarosebush.Jointhelightofthe
Friendwiththefire(ofyourshortcomings)sothatbyHislight
youcanoverwhelmyourfireandthroughHimtransformallyour
thornsintoroses.
MathnawiII,12401246
A Wise Reminder
Rumicalleduponustoremainever-cognizantoftheone,overriding
factofourbriefexistencethatmaterialgoods,nomatterhowmany
weacquire,bringnohappinessinthemselves.Rather,happinesscomes
fromunlockingourrealtreasurewithin.Allthemanyprinciplesfor
goodlivingthatyouveperusedinthischapter,whetheritstoprac-
ticesupplicationortolearntotrustyourcommonsense,aremerely
anarrowpointingthewaytowardthisallimportantunderstanding.
Shouldapersongothroughlifelikeamagnetpassingthroughajunk-
yard?Ifshedid,howmuchoftherealpersonwouldbeleftattheend
oftheroad?Howdoesthiscomparetotheonewholearnstopeelaway
177
thosethingsthatblotouthertrueself?Ponderoverthisandseehow
yourownlifestacksupontheclimbtowardeternalbliss.Listento
whatRumiwassayingwhenhepennedthesewords:
Withineachandeveryhumanbeingtheressomuchlove,anguish,
restlessness,anddesirethatevenifheowned100,000planets,he
wouldstillfindnorestorpeacewithinthem.
Peoplededicatethemselvestoallkindsofoccupations,crafts,and
professions,becomingeverythingfromastrologerstodoctors;yet,
noneofthemareatpeace,fortheverythingtheyallsodesper-
atelyseekthroughtheirendeavorscannotbefoundthere.
TheBelovediscalledtheSatisfactionoftheSoulpreciselybecause
itsonlythroughHimthattheheartcanfindsatisfaction.Howcan
anythingelseprovidepeacethen?
Allthevariouspleasuresandpursuitsofthisworldarelikethe
partsofaladder.Thedifferentstepsontheladderarenotplaces
toremain,butratherstagesthatmustbepassedthrough.
Thequickersomeonewakesupandrealizesthis,theshorterthe
roadbecomesandthelesstimeiswastedkillingtimeonthese
intermediatesteps.
FromtheFihiMaFihi
u Rumiswritingsrecommendbothspiritualadvancementandlead-
ingagoodandhonestlife.Hewroteextensivelyabouttheprin-
ciplesforwholesomeliving.
u Supplicationisanexcellentwaytofocusthemindandbring
solacetothesoul.
u Whenapersonrefrainsfromgivingintohisfeelingsofhunger
foratleastalittlewhile,hebeginstomastertheartofself-
control.
u Badhabitscanbeidentifiedandeliminatedfromourdailylivesby
contemplatingtheeffectsofwhatwedoandthenreformingour-
selvesonehabitatatime.
I i
u
u
u
u
Animal Fables
n Th s Chapter
SomefamousfablesofEasternfolkloreusedbyRumi
HowRumialteredexistingfablestomakespiritualstate-
ments
ThelessonsoflifeRumihidwithinsomeofhismorefan-
tastictales
WhatRumihadtosayaboutthedebatebetweendestiny
andfreewill
Everyculturehasproducedarichmyriadoffablesandanimal
talestoimpartessentiallessonsandwisdom.IntheWest,tales
fromAesop,Chaucer,andtheBrothersGrimmstilldelightchil-
drenandadultstothisday.ThemysticsandpoetsoftheEast
havealsofoundsuchfablestobeusefulteachingmethodsand
haveliberallyproducedsuchstoriesinbooksrangingfromthe
ArabianNightstoTheConferenceoftheBirds.Infact,thelines
betweenfactandfiction,realizationandbefuddlement,andtruth
andimaginationareoftenriddledwiththetracksofpersonified
animals.Thoughpeopleofamorerationalframeofmindmight
bequicktodismisstheusageofanimalcharactersfortheteach-
ingofwisdom,Rumiwasquicktonoteotherwise.
11
Chapter
180
Childrentelltheirtales,butintheirstories,theremaybemanya
mysteryandlessontobelearned.Eventhoughintheirtalesthey
mayrelateawholehostofsillythings,alwayslookfortreasuresin
suchruinedplaces!
Inthischapter,then,welljourneythroughthemostwell-knownand
instructiveofRumisanimalfables.Asyoureadeachofthem,tryto
envisionthemanydifferentpathsofwisdomcontainedwithinthem.
PerhapsyoullsmileatthethoughtthatmanygenerationsofSufisand
laypeoplehavediscussedtheseandotherstoriesatlengtharoundthe
flickeringlightofamidnightfire.Thoughthestoriescrossthelineof
therationalintotheimaginative,thelessonstheyimpartaremorereal
andpoignantthanmeetstheeye.
It All Depends on Your Vantage Point
Inthistale,Rumipointsoutthefoolishnessofclaimingexclusivetruth.
Intheend,whatonepersonmaybelieveastruemaybenothingmore
thanhisorherpeculiarpointofview.ThisiswhatRumiwrote:
Everylampisdifferent,butalllightisthesameitcomesfrom
anotherplaneentirely.Ifyoufocusonlyuponthelamp,then
youllbelost,forthelampbringsoutdivisionandpeculiarities.If
youstayfocusedonthelight,however,thenyoullbesavedfrom
thedivisionsandpeculiaritiesofthephysicalobject.Oyouwho
aretheseedofallbeing,thedisagreementbetweentheMuslim,
Zoroastrian,andJewmerelydependsonthepointofview.
Anelephantwasinadarkenedhouse;someIndianshadbrought
ittherefordisplay.Soon,manypeoplecametogetaglimpseofit;
theyfiledinoneafteranotherintothedarkenedroom.
Now,becauseitwasimpossibletoseeanythingwiththeeyein
thatdarkplace,eachpersonusedthepalmofhishandtofeelthe
elephantinthedarkness(togainasenseofwhatitwaslike).
Onepersonshandtoucheditstrunk,causinghimtosay,This
animalislikeawater-pipe.Anotherpersonshandtouchedits
ear,andhethoughtitwaslikeafan.Anotherpersontookhold
Chapter 11: Animal Fables
181
ofitslegandsaid,Ithinkthiselephantisshapedlikeapillar.
Yetanotherpersontoucheditsbackandsaid,Undoubtedly,this
elephantislikeahighthrone.
Inthisway,wheneveranyoneheardadescriptionoftheelephant,
heunderstooditonlyinthecontextoftheparthehadtouched.
Duetotheirdifferingpointsofview,theirdescriptionsdiffered.
Onemansaiditwascrookedwhileanothermansaiditwas
straight!
Ifeachofthemhadcarriedacandleinhishand,thentheirstate-
mentswouldnothavebeensodiverse.Normaleyesightislikethe
palmofthehand.Thepalmcannottouchtheentire(picture)at
once.Theeyethatseesasbroadlyasawideoceanisonething,
while(theeyethatcanonlysee)thefoamisanother.Leavethe
foamandlookwiththeeyeofanocean.
Howoftendoweencountersituationsinwhichwedontseethefull
picture?Howmanystorieshaveweheardwithoutgettingallthefacts?
Howmanytimeshavewepointedthefingeratothers,withoutrealiz-
ingourownincompletegraspovertheaffair,andwhenthesamehap-
penstouswecryoutforunderstanding?Inthisworld,weoftenform
ouropinionsbywhatwesee,know,orexperience,yetweareoften
exposedtosolittleofthebigpicture.Thewisepersonistheonewho
isnotsohastytoactorformopinionsbasedonherownobservations.
Sheinstinctivelyrealizesthattheresmoretoeverystorythanmeets
theeye.Theonlywayapersoncaneverhopetogetahandleonthe
largertruthisifshestepsbackandtakesawiderlookatwhatothers
see.Onlythendoeswisdomopentheinnereyeofthemind,enabling
ustoseeeverythingmoreclearly.
The Story of the Three Fish
HereisanaquatictalethatRumiborrowedfromanexistingstorycol-
lectionhewasfamiliarwithcalledKalilaandDimnah.Rumiputhis
ownspinontheaccountanddrewoutseveralspirituallessons.
182
Thisisthestory,Ostubbornone,ofalakeinwhichtherewere
threehugefish.YouvealreadyseenitinKalila,thoughthatbook
onlyhadtheoutershellofthistale,whilehereyoullfindthehid-
denmeaning.
Threefishermenoncepassedbytheedgeofthislake;theysaw
thattherewasmuchpreycontainedwithin.Therefore,theyhur-
riedtobringtheirnetstobear.
Thefishsawwhatthemenweredoing,andtheyknewwhatthe
menintended.Thesmartestfishdecidedtomigrate,eventhough
itwouldbeadifficultandarduousjourney.
Forsure,hesaid,Imnotgoingtoaskforadvicefromthe
others,forImcertainthattheylltrytoweakenmyresolve.They
lovetheirhometoomuch,andtheirlethargyandignorancemight
affectme,too.
Thiscautiousfishthenswamawayonhisbelly,forhewasleav-
ingthehomeofdangerandheadingtowardtheseaoflight.Thus,
thatfishdepartedandfoundhiswayintothesea.Forhim,he
chosedistanceandabroaddestinationashisfinalgoal.
Nowwhenthesecondfishrealizedhewasnolongerunderthe
protectionofthesmartestfish,andwhenhesawhishouroftrial
drawingnear,hesaid,Hesgonetotheseaandisnowfreedfrom
hisworries;mygoodfriendhasleft
Inthestoryofthethree
fish,thefirstfishisamet-
aphorfortheSufiwho
abandonsloveofthislifeand
withdrawsfromitsconcerns.
WisdomoftheAges
me.ButIwontdwellonthat,for
nowIhavetolookaftermyself.I
knowIllpretendthatImdead.
Illfloatbelly-uponthesurfaceof
thewaterandactasifIhaddied.Ill
makemyselfonewiththiswater.To
feigndeathbeforebeingmadetodie
istobesafefromharm.
Therefore,thesecondfishfeigneddeathinthatway,andturned
belly-up.Thewaterthencarriedhimonitscurrent,sometimes
bobbingonthesurface,sometimesswirlingbelow.Whenthefish-
ermensawthis,theyweredistressedandcriedout,Ohno!The
bestfishisdead!
183
Thefishheardwhattheysaidandwaselated.Hethoughttohim-
self,Mytrickworked,sonowImsafefromtheknife.Then,
oneofthedeservingfishermentookholdofhim,spitonhimin
disgust,andthrewhimontheshore.(Whenthemanturnedhis
attentionaway,)thissomewhatintelligentfishrolledovercontinu-
ouslyuntilitfinallyslippedquietlybackinthewaterandgotaway.
Meanwhile,thethoughtlessthirdfishkeptdartingallaroundin
apprehensionandworry.Thatfoolfishwasjumpingoutofthe
water,leapingtotheleftandtotheright,tryingtosaveitselffrom
thenetbyitsownefforts.Whenthefishermencasttheirnets,he
wascaughtupinthem.Hisownfoolishnesshadsecuredaplace
forhiminthefireofdoom.
Soontherehewasaboveafire,lyingflatinafryingpan.Hehad
becometheverycompanionoffoolishness.Whilehewasroast-
ingintheflames,thevoiceofreasoncalledouttohim,saying,
Didntanywarningevercometoyou?Then,fromtherackof
tortureandtorment,heansweredback,asthesoulsofthefaithless
(inHell)willsay,Yes,indeed!Warningdidcome,andIremained
heedless.
MathnawiIV,condensedfromlines22022285
Pancha
Rumisometimesborrowedstoriesfromothersourcesandwovethem
inhisnarrativestomakeapoint.Someofhisanimaltalesweretaken
fromtheArabicliteraryclassicentitledKalila and Dimnah,whichwas
acollectionofanimalandpeoplefables,alsoknownasthe
Tantra.(Rumialwaysgaveproperattribution!)
RumisReferences
Therearemanywaysoflookingatlifeandmanywaystoliveit.That
initselfisnoguaranteeofsafety.Thisiswhyeveryoneandeverything
fromreligiousteachingsandourparentstolocallawsandevenourown
consciencewarnustobecautious.Yethowmanypeoplelisten?The
dangersofuncheckedmaterialdesiresandpleasuresarelikeanetthats
readytotrapusanddeliverustoruin.Thefarsightedpersonlearnsto
recognizetheworldforwhatitis,namely,asatrapfortheheedless.
Suchaonechoosestowithdrawfromit,likethefirstfishinthestory,
andseekguaranteedsafety.
184
Theweak-willed,asrepresentedbythesecondfish,compromisewith
theworldandletthecurrentcarrythemwhereitwills,hopingto
somehowmakeitthroughandavoidthemanypitfallsanddangersthat
lurkaroundeverycorner.
Theheedless,representedbythethirdfish,gothroughlifewithoutany
planorunderstanding.Theysimplyliveinahappy-go-luckyfashion,
untiltheypanicwheneverimminentdangersuddenlyrearsitsugly
head.Buttheyhavenowaytoescapefromthenetoftheirownmak-
ing;theyvedamagedthemselveswithself-inflictedwoundsandaretoo
weaktowriggleaway.Asaresult,theysufferfromhorribletrialsand
experiencepainfulregretwhenthefinalrealizationhitsthemthat
theywerewarnedwhatwouldhappeniftheydidntwiseup,andthat
nowitstoolateforthemtosavethemselves.Thinkaboutwhichofthe
threefishRumiwouldhavepraisedandwhy.
The Foal Who Refused to Drink
Hereisashortmoraltaleaboutahorseandherfoal.Initshandfulof
lines,itcontainsapowerfulmessagestressingtheimportanceoffocus
indailyliving.Rumiwrotethefollowing:
Afoalandhermotherwenttodrinkwaterinthebarn,butwhen
theyarrivedtheyfoundsomestableboysthereyellingatthem,
Comeonnow!Drinkit!
Thenoiseofallthatyellingbotheredthefoal,andsheheldup
herheadfromthetroughandrefusedtodrink.Hermotherasked,
Mychild,whyareyourefusingtodrinkthiswater?
Thefoalreplied,Thesehumansareyelling,andImafraidof
theirshouting.Myheartistremblingandshaking;Ifeartheir
shoutingisdirectedatme.
Themotherhorseanswered,saying,Eversincetheworldbegan,
therehavealwaysbeennoisyloud-mouthslikethatontheearth.
Getonwithyourownaffair,Oworthyone,forsoontheylltear
outtheirbeardsinanguish.Timeisrunningout,andtheample
waterisflowingaway.Drinkofitnow,forifyoureseparatedfrom
it,youllfallintopieces.
185
Thinkofallthepeopleyouveknowninyourlifewhobroughtyou
nothingbutnoiseshouting,distracting,dramaalltogetyouratten-
tionandfeedtheirownemptinessinside.Ifyouhearkentothem,you
winduplosingonepreciousthingafteranother,andtheycannever
repayyouforyourloss.Rumicounselsyoutoacceptthattherewill
alwaysbepeopletryingtodistractyouitsthewayofthingsfrom
timeimmemorial.Whenyourealizethenoisecannotbestopped,then
youcanworkontuningitoutsoyoucangetonwiththebusinessof
yourlife.Theinfluenceofbusybodiesandusersholdsusback,andits
onlywhenweunderstandthisthatwecanbegintolearnhowtowork
aroundthem.
The Story of the Ferocious Lion
Thefollowingstory,derivedfromKalilaandDimnah,isoneofthe
lengthiertalesfromtheMathnawi,weighinginat490verses.(Dont
worry;itspresentedhereinagreatlycondensedversionwithoutthe
manydigressions.)Whatmakesthistaleimportantisthatittackles
theissueoffateversusfreewill.Shouldpeoplerelyuponfate/destiny
alone,oruponfreewillalone,orshouldtheyrelyuponacombination
ofdestinyandfreewill?Thisisanissuetackledbyeveryreligionand
philosophy,andRumialsogivesushistakeontheissuethroughthis
colorfulandclevertale.
Thereoncewasavalleyfullofanimalswhowereusedtobeing
hunted.However,theywerebeingharassedbyaparticularly
aggressivelionoflate.
Thelionkeptjumpingouttoambushthemandcarrythemaway,
somuchsothatthepasturelandshadbecomeadangertothemall.
(Tosavethemselvesfromthisfiend),theanimalsdevisedaplan.
Onedaytheyapproachedthelionandsaid,Letsmakeadeal.
Wellmakesureyourefedwithafixedamountoffoodeveryday,
justsolongasyoudontventureoutanymoretohunt,forthe
grassherehasnowbecomebitterforus.
Iwouldliketoagree,thelionreplied,aslongasyouholdup
yourendofthebargainanddonttrytocheatme.Ivebeenswin-
dledmanytimesbythisoneandthat.NowImfinishedwiththe
186
tricksandliesofmen,forIvebeenbittenbythestingofdeceitful
snakesandscorpions.Ah,butevenworsethandeceitfulmenand
spite,however,ismygluttonoussoul;itliesinambushinsideof
me,(anditcausesmetoover-huntinmygreed.ShouldIratify
thisagreementwithyou?Idontknow,)forIonceheardfrom
theProphet,Abelieverisneverbittenfromthesamesnakehole
twice,andInowlivebythisprinciple.
Theanimalsansweredhim,saying,
Owiseone,dontbesocautious,
TheArabicwordfordestiny
foritwilldoyounogoodagainst
isqadr, whichliterallymeans fate.Relyinguponcautionisthevery
tomeasure,whilethePersian
essenceoftroubleandcalamity.Go
wordforthesamebasic
nowandputyourtrustinGod,for
conceptiskismet,which
trustinginGodisfarbetter.Dont
meansapersonsallotted
fate.(Kismetisderiveditself
fightagainstfate,Ostrongandfierce
fromtheArabicwordqisma,
one,orfatemightpickafightwith
whichmeansdivision,fate,
you.Itsbesttobecompliantinthe
orallotment.)
faceofGodscommand;thatway,no
punishingblowwillcomefromthe
LordoftheDawn.
Youhaveapoint,thelionreplied,butifmerelytrustinginGod
wastheonlyguide,surelytheProphetsexamplemustbeuseful,
too.TheProphetdeclaredforalltohear,TrustinGodandthen
tieyourcamel.Also,payattentiontotheimportanceofthesay-
ing,TheonewhoworksislovedbyGod.Dontuserelianceupon
Godasawaytobecomeneglectfulofthemeanstogainsuccess.
Theanimalsansweredhim,saying,Thenconsiderthework
offeredbytheweakestofGodscreaturesasamouthfuloffalse
hopemeasuredbythesizeoftheappetite.Therecanbenobet-
terworkthantotrustinGod.WhatcanbemorebelovedtoGod
thanresigningonesselftoHiswill?Aslongasachildistooweak
tocarryanythingorrun,hehasnothingtorideonbuttheneckof
hisfather.TheOneWhogivesusrainfromtheskycanalso,by
Hismercy,giveusbread,aswell.
Youhaveapoint,thelionreplied,buttheLordofHisser-
vantshassetaladderbeforeourfeet.Graduallywemustclimbup
towardtheroof.Towaitforwhatisneededistogetlostinfoolish
187
hopes.Youhavefeet,sowhydoyouactasifyouwerelame?You
havehands,sowhydoyouhideyourfingers?Whenamasterputs
ashovelintothehandsofhisservant,heknowsexactlywhathe
hastodowithoutawordbeingspoken.Thehandandtheshovel
arebothsignsofGod,andourpowertothinkisourcleardirec-
tive.WhenyoupayattentiontoHissignsthenyoulldevoteyour
lifetofollowingwhatyouvebeendirectedtodo.Theexerciseof
freewillisthemethodforthankingGodforallHisgifts.Youre
expectationofbeingtakencareofisthedenialofHisgifts.Ifyou
wanttotrustinGod,thentrustHimthroughyourwork.Planta
seedandthenrelyupontheGreatOne.
Thenalltheanimalsbegantoarguewithhim,saying,Yet,greedy
oneshaveusedworktoattaintheir(unworthy)desires!Somany
othermenandwomenwhoworkedwhydidnttheyachievesuc-
cess!Theyallfailedintheirplansandactions,whiletheplansand
actionsoftheCreatorremained.
Thisisanillustratedpagefromafifteenth-centuryPersian
manuscriptofKalilaandDimna.
188
Yes,thelionreplied,butatthesametimethinkaboutthe
effortsoftheprophetsandthefaithful.Godcausedtheirstriving
tobearfruit,eventhoughtheysufferedfromoppression,heat,and
cold.Everythingtheysetouttodowasgood,foreverythingdone
byagoodpersonisgood.TheirnetscaughtthebirdofHeaven,
andalltheirshortcomingsbecameameanstoimprove.
Thelionthencontinuedtogivemanyproofslikethis,somuchso
thatthosewhorelieduponfatebecametiredofrespondingtohim.
Thefox,deer,rabbit,andjackalabandonedarguingaboutfate
andrefrainedfromfurtherdiscussion.Thentheyconcludedtheir
dealwiththeindignantlion,fortheydidntwanttorisklosingthe
bargaintheyhadoffered.Thus,theyallagreedthateveryday,the
promiseddailyrationwouldcometothelionwithoutfail,andthat
thelionwouldnotaskforanymorethanthat.
The Objection of the Rabbit
Everyday,theanimalwhowaschosenbyarandomdrawingwould
runtothelionasfastasacheetah(inordertobeeatenbyhim).
Whenthiscupfinallyfellupontherabbit,hecriedout,How
longmustwesufferfromthisinjustice?
Therestoftheanimalssaid,Forsolongnowwevebeensacrific-
ingourlivesinfaithful(observanceofourbargain).Areyoutrying
todragdownourreputation,yourebel!Inorderforthelionnot
tobeangered,youshouldgotohimnow.Runfast!
Myfriends,therabbitanswered,givemesometime,soIcan
usemycunningtorescueusfromthisdisaster.Frommycunning
yourliveswillbesaved,andthiswillbealegacypassedontoyour
children,aswell.
Theanimalsobjected,saying,Youfoolishdonkey!Listentous.
Dontventurebeyondwhatamererabbitcanaccomplish.What
areyousayingthatyouhaveaplanthatthosebetterthanyou
haveneverthoughtof?Yourejustoverconfident.Fateiscallingto
us,sohowcanyouspeaklikethis?
Therabbitreplied,Myfriends.Godgavemeinspiration.Awise
planhascometothemindofaweakling.TheknowledgethatGod
189
taughttobeesisnotavailabletolionsordonkeys.Ifabeelearns
howtobuilditshouseoutofajuicytreat,thenGodopenedtoit
thedoorofthatknowledge.
InMuslimfolklore,thebeeisconsideredoneofthesymbolsofwis-
dom.ThisisbasedonthefollowingpassagefromtheQuran.Your
Lordinspiredthebeetobuilditsnestsinhillsides,ontrees,andinthe
structuresthatpeopleerect.Heinspiredittoeatofeveryfloweringfruit,
andtofollowhumblythewidepathsofitsLord.Theyproducefrom
withintheirbodiesadrinkofvaryingshadesthatisasourceofhealing
forhumanity.Inthisisasignforpeoplewhoreflect.
RumisReferences
Quran16:6769
Onimblerabbit,theanimalsexclaimed,tellusyourplan.
However,therabbitreplied,Oneshouldntrevealeverysecret,
forsometimestheevennumbercomesupodd,andsometimesthe
reversehappens.Ifyouspeaktoamirrorinyourinnocence,the
mirrormightsuddenlybecomeuncleartoyou.Neverspeakabout
threethingsinyourlife:whenyouplantoleaveyourhouseto
travel,howmuchgoldyouhave,andwhatreligiousdoctrinesyou
holddear,fortherearemanyenemieslyinginwaittoattackwhen
theyknowaboutthesethreethings.Evenifyoutoldonlyoneor
twootherpeoplethesecret,everysecretthatgoesbeyondthe
originaltwowhoshareitwillbespreadeverywhere.
The Lion Meets His Fate
Thentherabbitwaitedforsometimebeforegoingtothelion
theonewhoplannedtotearhispreywithhissharpclaws.Now,
becausetherabbithadwaitedsolong,thelionwasscratchingat
thegroundandroaring.Hecriedout,DidntIpredictthatthe
promiseofthosepatheticcreatureswouldbeinvainandremain
unfulfilled?Theiremptywordshavedeceivedme!Afterthis,Ill
neverlistentotheemptywordsofanyotheragain.Oheartof
mine!Tearthemtopieces,dontholdback;teartheirskins,for
theyreshieldedbynothingmorethanskin.
190
Meanwhile,therabbitdelayedasmuchashedared,runningover
hiscraftyplaninhismind.Afteralongwhile,hetooktotheroad
sohecouldutterafewsecrettruthsintotheearofthelion.The
lion,fraughtwithhungerandpanic,sawtherabbitinthedistance.
Herantowardhispreyconfidentlywithanairoffiercedetermi-
nationabouthim.Whenhecameclosetothethresholdborder-
inghislair,thelionshouted,Youvillain!Imonewhosripped
elephantsapart!Whoareyou,youweakrabbit,thatyoushould
throwmysummonsdowninthedust?
Havemercy!criedtherabbit.Ihaveanexcuse,ifyoullper-
mitmetoexplain.Considertheexcuseofonewhohassuffered
injustice.Afterbreakfast,Isetouttocomeheretowardyouwith
afriendofmine.Theassemblyofanimalshadchosen,foryour
sake,anotherrabbittoaccompanymeasmycompanion.Onthe
road,anotherlioncameandattackedusaswewereonourway
toyou.Isaidtohim,Wearetheslavesofthekingofkings.He
replied,Thekingofkings!Whoisthat?Heshouldbedisgraced!
Dontmentionanylow-bornidiotinmypresence.Illtearboth
youandyourkingtoshreds,ifyouandyourfriendtrytoescape.
ThenItoldhim,Letmeseemykingonelasttimeandtellhim
yourmessage.Hethentoldme,Leaveyourfriendherewithme
asmyguarantee,andifyoudontreturn,youllbesacrificinghis
lifetomylaw.Webeggedandpleadedwithhimtonoavail,for
myfriendwassomuchbiggerandfatterthanme.Nowitappears
thattheroadfromthepasturetohereisblockedbythatnewlion.
So,giveupallhopeofevergettinganymoreallowancefromus
animals.Imtellingyouthetruth,eventhoughthetruthisbitter.
Ifyouwantanymoreofustocometoyou,thenyoumustclear
thewayfirst.
Comeonthen!thelionexclaimed.InGodsname,leadtheway.
Letmeseewhereheis,andifyourereallytellingthetruth.
Therabbitthenledthelionlikeaguidetowardhistrap,toward
thedeepwellhehadpickedouttoendhislife.Thus,thepairtrav-
eledonuntiltheyreachedthewell,whichtherabbithaddeceit-
fullydisguisedunderapileofstraw.Whenthelioncamenearto
thewell,henoticedthattherabbitsloweddownandsteppedback.
Whyhaveyousteppedback?thelionasked,Letskeepmoving.
191
HowcanItakeastepfurther,therabbitasked,whenIhave
nofeelingleftineitherhandorfoot?Mysoulisshakingandmy
couragehasfled.
Outofallyourmisgivings,thelionsaid,tellmewhyyoureso
afraidnow.
ThelionItoldyouaboutlivesinthishole.Therabbit
explained.Whilehesintherehessafefromanyharm.Allwise
creatureschoosetoliveinthebottomofaholebecausesolitudeis
theonlywayanyonecanfindpeace.
Nowcomeon,thelionsaid,mystrikewillknockhimout.Go
andseeifthatlionisintherenow.
Icannotmovefromfearofhisferocity.Therabbitcried.Per-
hapsyouwillcomealongbesideme,sothatwithyourhelpIcan
openmyeyesandlookintothehole.
theMathnawi Divan,
Rumisuseofanimalcharactersinhiswritinggenerallyoccursonlyin
.Hisotherbooks,suchasthe alsousemanymet-
aphors,yetthoseallegoriesareusuallydrawnfromthematerialworld
(celestialbodies,plants,etc.)orfromphilosophy,emotion,andliterature.
Whentheliontookhisplaceattherabbitsside,theybothbegan
toruntowardthedisguisedwell.Assoonastheylookeddowninto
it,theimageofboththelionandtherabbitwasreflecteduponthe
water.Thelionsawhisowndistortedreflectionwithaplump
rabbitstandingtohisside.Whenhesawwhathethoughtwashis
enemy,thelionleaptstraightdownintothewellandlandedinthe
water.Hefellintothewell(ofdoom)thathehaddugwithhisown
sinfulness(andhedrowned);hissinscamebacktohaunthim.
Thentherabbitwasoverjoyedathissalvationandheranback
towardtheanimalsuntilhepassedoverthelongdesert.He
skippedelatedlyallalongthepathbacktothemeadow,forhehad
seentheliondieinthewell.Heclappedhishandsforjoy,because
hehadescapedfromthehandofdeath.
192
Rejoice!therabbitcriedashereturned.Theonewhosmashed
manyaheadwithhisclawswell,thebroomofdeathhasswept
himawaylikesomuchtrash!
MathnawiI,condensedfromlines8991389
Thestoryendswiththerabbitexplainingtothecelebratinganimals
thattheyshouldntgettoohappy,fortheworldhaddeceivedtheminto
believingthatthingsjusthappenedfromdivineprovidence.Yes,God
helpedtheanimalsinthisinstance,butonlybecauseoneofthemtook
theinitiativeandbecameworthyofthathelp,asGodwilled.Indeed,the
lessonofthisstorycomesfullcircle.Theanimalshaddebatedwith
thelionaboutfateversusfreewill.Theywereconvincedthattheymust
submittowhateverbefellthem,forifithappenedtothem,thenitmust
beGodswill.Althoughtheliontriedhisbesttoconvincethemthat
freewillwasacomplementtofateandthatfate,ordestiny,wasmoved
bytheactionsofpeople,stilltheanimalswerekeentomerelysubmitto
beingeatenatregularintervals.Thelion,whowarnedthathehadan
innernatureofhisownhehadtowrestlewith,thenhappilyagreed,for
whowouldturndownafreemealfromaninsistentandwillingdish!
Theironyisthat,whilethelioncametorelyonfateforhisfood,it
wasthewillfulactionofoneoftheanimalsthatundidhimintheend.
Thus,therabbit,wholearnedthelessonsoffateandfreewillona
deeperlevel,counseledhisfellowanimalstolifttheirheadsandnot
relyonlyuponwhatappearstohappentothem,buttotakeanactive
roleintheirlives.Then,afterthat,theycanholdouthopeforthebest
fromGod.Thisiswisecounselforourownlives,therealizationthat
fateandfree-willmusteachplaytheirroles,liketheyinandyangof
Chinesephilosophy.Toomuchrelianceononeputstheotheroutof
balance.Actasyouareableinyourlifeandneverbecomplacentwith
yourcircumstancesunlessyouvetriedwhatyoucouldtoimprove
them.Then,whenthingsarebeyondyourreasonablecapacity,accept
theresults,forthatistrulyyourfate.
The Lazy Dog
Inthislastselection,Rumiconveystheessentiallessonthatwemust
notbecomecomplacentinourlives.Hereiswhathewrote:
193
Inthewinter,thebonesofadogaredrawntogether;thebit-
ingfrostmakeshimappearsmall.Itwasthenthatonedogsaid,
Becausemybodyissopuny(fromtheeffectsofthecold),Imust
buildahouseofstonetostaywarm.Whensummernextarrives,
Illbuildsuchahousetoprotectmefromfreezing.
Whenthesummerfinallyarrived,hisbonesexpandedinrelief,
andhiscoatgrewsleek.Whenhesawhimselfsolimberand
sturdy,hesaid,Whathousecouldeverholdme!Thenhegrew
evenstronger(asthesummerprogressed),andeventuallyhe
retreatedtoashadyspottorest;hewasalazy,well-fed,cowardly,
andself-assureddog.Hismindspoketohim,saying,Buildthat
housenow,Ouncle!Buthisegoreplied,HowcanIstayina
merehouse?Answermethat.
Whenyourestrickenwithpainandyourgreedybonesshrink
downandlosetheirexpansivereach,youcryoutinrepentance,
Illbuildthathouseofshelterandbesafefromtheharshwinter.
Yet,whenthepainisgoneandyourgreedhasgrownstronger,
yourdesiretobuildasafeplaceofrefugeleavesyou,justasitdid
thatdog.
ThisisarecurringthemeinRumiswriting:whentimesaregood,we
forgetwhatsinourbestinterestsandbecomeoverconfident,butwhen
timesarehard,ourdilemmabecomescrystalclearandwevowthat
wellreformourselves,ifonlywehadasecondchance.However,when
wevegrownstrongandcapableoncemore,weforgetallaboutwhatwe
suffered.Wediscardthelessons,therealizations,andthenwegoon
justasheedlessaswewerebefore.
WisdomoftheAges
Thisisthebittercyclethatafar-
sightedpersonseeksreleasefrom, RumiwroteinhisDivan:
Youdowrongand
hopetogetbackgood,
whichenablesenlightenmentto
takeroot.Alternatingperiodsof
certaintyandfearplayhavocwith
thoughwrongdeservesonly
wronginreturn.Godismer-
ourinnerselves,makingusripe
cifulandkind,butevenso,if
foraveryhardlandingwhenall
youplantbarley,wheatwont
ouroptionshaveexpired,unless
grow.
wetakeanewapproach.
194
Balanceisthekey.Whenapersongainsasenseofbalanceandnolon-
gerexultstoomuchfromsuccessorlamentstoomuchfromfailure,
thenshecanlookattheworldmoredeliberatelyandprotectherself
fromtherollercoasterofhopeandfear.Forthebalancedperson,her
senseofsafetyorwell-beingisnolongertiedtotheupsanddownsof
life.Whentheyearsaregood,itsatimetobecautious,thankful,and
humble;whentimesaretough,lessonsmustbelearned,vowsmustbe
moremodestinscope,anddespairmustbemitigatedbymoremotiva-
tiontogetoutoftheslump.
Intheend,forbalancedpeople,lifenolongerhasthepowertoalter
ourself-perception,forwebecomethemastersofperception,evenas
werealizethatwearenolongertrappedinourdealingswiththeworld.
Rumibeckonsustoescapethecycleandabandonexultantoverconfi-
denceandabjectdespair.Lifehappensregardlessofwhatwewant,and
thewisdomisnottoletitcontrolhowwefeel,andrealizingwerejust
anunpaidactoronthisstagesetbysomeoneelse.
u ForRumi,destinyorfateisonepartfreewillwithonepartallow-
ancefortheunforeseenactsofGod.
u Lifeisaplacefilledwithdistractions;learntoignorethemand
getonwithyouraffairs.
u Itisbettertomaintainabalancedsenseofselfingoodtimesand
inbad,ratherthantobeboastfulinsuccessandhopelessinhard-
ship.
u Thefarsightedpersonescapesthetrapsoflifebyrecognizingthem
anddepartingfromtheenvironmentinwhichheorsheisset.
I i
u
u
u
u
(
)
Stories of the Seeker
n Th s Chapter
LearninghowRumiusedallegoricalstoriestoimparthis
mainbodyofthoughtandphilosophy
DiscoveringsomeofRumismostmemorabletalesof
insightandwisdom
ExploringhowRumiwovehistoricalfiguresintohisnarra-
tiveswithsurprisingresults
Understandingthedifferencesbetweenthevariousliterary
stylesthatRumiemployed
OneofthemaintechniquesRumiusedtoimpartwisdomwas
thatoftheteachingstory.Modernscientistshavealready
demonstratedthatthehumanbrainappearstobewiredto
respondtoandlearnfromnarratives,andthusitsnowonder
thateveryreligionandeveneverysecularbodyofknowledge
employsstoriesofsomekindtofocusthereadersattention.
Haveyoueverwonderedwhythereweresomanystoryprob-
lemsinmathclass? Forhispart,RumisentireMathnawiislike
onelargeextendedstory,punctuatedbynuggetsofwisdomand
commentary.Incontrast,hisDivanismoreecstaticandabstract
intone.IsitanywonderthenthattheMathnawihashadwider
12
Chapter
196
appealthroughthecenturiesoverthemoreenigmaticandpersonalized
Divan?
Rumiliterallyminedtheliteraryworldofhisdayforcharactersto
populatehistales.Healsodrewliberallyuponhistoricpersonalitiesand
events.And,ofcourse,heemployedcountlessallusionstoversesfrom
theQuranandeventsfromthelifeofProphetMuhammadandthe
notablesofhistime.Alloftheseelementsandmorearewoventogether
seamlesslyintheMathnawi.Inthischapter,wepresentsomeofRumis
morememorableandpoignantteachingstories.Giventhatmanyof
themintheiroriginalformspandozensofpages,oftenwithfrequent
digressions,thesearecondensedversionsofthechoicestofthemwith
themainstorylinesintact.
The Linguist and the Sailor
Alinguistwhothoughtveryhighlyofhimselftookpassageon
ashiponeday.Whileontheopenseaheturnedtoasailorand
asked,Haveyoueverstudiedlanguages?
Thesailorreplied,No.Thereuponthelinguistchidedhim,say-
ing,Thenyouvemissedoutonhalfyourlife!Thesailorfelt
humiliated,andhespokenomoreafterthat.
Soonafiercewindaroseontheseaandtheboatlurchedtoward
aragingwhirlpool.Thesailorshoutedtothelinguist,Doyou
knowhowtoswim?
No,mywell-spokenandgoodman,theterrifiedlinguistcalled
backtohim.
Then,mydearlinguist,thesailorreplied,youvelostyour
entirelife,forthisboatisabouttosinkinthatwhirlpool.
MathnawiI,28352840
Wehumanbeingsoftendelvedeepintospecializedfieldsinthecourse
ofourcareers.Theresnothingwrongwiththat,andexperiencemakes
thebestkindofresourcewhenthatparticularskilliscalledupon.
Thereisahiddendangerinacademicorcareersuccess,however,and
Chapter 12: Storiesof theSeeker
197
thatisinthepossibilityofspecializationprejudice.Inthesameway
thatpeoplecanjudgeothersbytheirrace,class,orappearance,there
canalsobeakindofsnobberyconnectedwithonesprofession.Aper-
sonwhoisorientedonlytowardmaterialsuccessandachievementmay
considerhisexpertisetobesomesortofmarkofnobilityoruniqueness.
Perhapshemaybegintofeelthathisownareaofknowledgeismore
importantthanotherareasofknowledge.
Oneofthegreatestlessonsoflivinginadiversesocietyistherealiza-
tionthatweallneedeachother,giventhatweallbringadifferent
typeofessentialskilltothetable.Thisisapartofbeingthoughtful
andbalanced.Whileitisassumedthatanautomechanicmightnot
makethebestsurgeon,howmanydoctorscannotfixtheirowncars?
Whileaseamstressmayhavetroublewithmanaginganinternational
conglomerate,howmanyexecutivescannotsewtheirownclothes?
Arroganceofprofessionhasnoplaceintheworldofhumaninterac-
tion.Weareallexpertsinourownfieldofknowledgeoronourway
tobecomingsoandonedaytheknowledgewemaylookdownupon
maybetheverythingthatwillsaveourlifelateron.
The King and the Band of Thieves
ThefollowingstorytakesplaceduringthereignofSultanMahmoud
ofGhazni(d.1030).Followingthepracticeestablishedfromtheearliest
daysofthecaliphsofIslam,SultanMahmoudwouldsometimeswalk
thestreetsofhiscapitalcity(inwhatisnowAfghanistan)indisguiseto
checkonthewelfareofhiscitizens.Rumibeginsthestorythusly:
KingMahmoudwaswanderinginthecityaloneonenightwhen
hecameuponabandofthieves.Whentheysawhimtheyasked,
Whoareyou,goodsir?
Iamoneofyou,answeredtheking.Thereupononeofthe
thievesproposedtohisfellows,Ogatheredbandofexpertsinthe
deviousarts,leteachofusdescribehisownuniquetalent.Lethim
describetotherestofuswhatspecialskillhemaypossessinthis
late-nightmeeting.
198
SultanMahmoudofGhazni(whoruledinpresent-dayAfghanistan,
Iran,andnorthernIndia)wasafavoritesubjectofmysticwriters(Rumi
RumisReferences
included)duetohisseeminglyetherealattachmenttohisattendant,
Ayaz,withalltheimplicationsofselflessfriendshipandunionitimplied.
Infact,therelationshipbetweenthetwomenbecamesomethingofa
stapleinSufiliteraturefordepictingthemodelofanidealbelovedand
hismirror-soul.
Oneofthethievessaid,Oyoumenwhowouldrevealyourtal-
ents,myspecialskillliesbetweenmytwoears,forIknowwhata
dogissayingwhenitbarks.Therestofthegroupsaid,Thats
notworthmuchatall!
Anotherthiefsaid,Oyoumenwhoworshipgold,myskillis
containedentirelyinmyeyesight.IfIseesomeoneatnight,Ican
instantlyrecognizehiminthedaywithoutanydoubt.
Anotheronesaid,Myskillisinmyarm,forIcandigtunnels
withthestrengthofmyownhands.
Anotheronesaid,Myskillisinmynose,forIcantellthediffer-
encebetweendifferentkindsofsoils.Ivecometoknowthesecret
ofthepropheticsaying,Menarelikegoldmines,forwhenIsmell
thesoiloftheearth,Iknowhowmuchgoldithidesandwhatkind
ofmineitis.Oneminemayhaveafortuneingold,whileanother
maynotbeworththeefforttodigintoit.
Thelastonesaid,Nowseehere,myskillliesinmygrip,forIcan
throwalassoashighasamountain.
Thenthegatheredthievesturnedtothe(disguised)kingandsaid,
Omanofability,whatisyourspecialskillortalent?
Thekingansweredthem,saying,Myspecialtalentliesinmy
beard,forIcanreleasecriminalsfrompunishment.Whencrimi-
nalsarebeinghandedovertotheexecutioners,assoonasImove
mybeard,theyresaved!WhenImovemybeardinmercy,the
executionersceasealltheirslayingandtorture.
199
Thebandofthievesexclaimed,Youreourleader,then,forone
dayyoumaybethecauseofoursalvationonasoreday.(Then
theyallsetouttogethertorobthepalaceoftheking.)
(Whentheycamenearthepalace,)suddenly,adogbarkedtothe
right,andthefirstofthemsaid,Thatdogissaying,TheSultan
iswithyou.Thenoneofthemleaneddowntosmelltheground
onahill(nearthepalacewall).Hesaid,Thisplotbelongstothe
houseofawidow.
SultanMahmoudofGhazniisshowninthisPersian
paintingshakinghandswithanoldShaykh.Tehran
MuseumofContemporaryArt.
Thentheskillfullasso-throwerthrewhisropeoverthewall(of
thepalace)andbythismeans,allofthemgotoverthehighwall.
Whenthethiefwhoseskillwasscentsmelledthegroundagain,he
said,Underthissoilliesthetreasuryofahighking.
200
Thediggerdugatunnelandbrokeintothetreasureroom;each
ofthethievescarriedoffsomethingfromthetreasury.Infact,the
bandmadeawaywithalargeamountofgold,gold-embroidered
cloth,andevenhugepearls.Theyquicklyhidtheirloot.
Unbeknownsttothem,however,thekingmadenoteoftheirhide-
out,theiridentities,theirphysicalappearances,andtheirhomes.
Thenheslippedawayfromthemandwentbacktothepalace.The
nextmorninghetoldhisofficialsallabouthisadventure,causing
determinedofficerstosetoutinhotpursuitofthethieves.
Soonthethieveswereshackledtogetherandbroughtintothe
audiencechamberoftheking.Theystoodthereinfearfortheir
lives.Thus,theywereassembledbeforethekingsthroneand
soitwasthatthismoonofakingwastheircompanionthenight
before!
Thethiefwhohadthepowertorecognizebydayanyonewhomhe
hadseenatnightsawthekingonhisthroneandexclaimed,This
manwasoutandaboutwithuslastnightasourcomrade!Thisis
theonewhohadaspecialskillinhis
beardwevebeenapprehendedon
accountofhisinquiries!
TheArabictermsultan means
arulerorking.Thisterm
cameintovogueamongthe
increasinglypowerfulTurkic
tribesthatgraduallytook
Thenthatthief,whoseeyerecog-
nizedtheking,openedhismouth
toaddresshisfellows,saying,This
kingwaswithyou,andhesawallour
commandofmuchofthecen-
tralMuslimworld,allbutsup-
actionsandheardallourwordsin
plantingtheprevioustermfor
secret.Iwillbegforgivenessforall
leader,whichwascaliph.
ofyoufromhim,forhecannotturn
awayfromtheonewhorecognizes
him.
Thenheaddressedtheking,saying,Oking,whoseplansarehid-
den,thetimehascomeforyoutograciouslymakeasignwithyour
beardtoforgive.Eachofushasrevealedhisspecialtalent,andthe
exerciseofeachhasdonenothingbutbroughtusbadluckall
saveforthetalentoftheonewhoseexcellentsightrecognizedthe
Sultanfromthedarknessofthenight.Thoseskillshavecaused
ourneckstobebound,andfromthosespecialtalentsweve
201
beenwaylaidandbroughtdown.Onthisday,thekingwastoo
ashamednottogranttherequestoftheonewhorecognizedthe
kingatnight.
Listen,youmustneverlookdownuponthosewhohavenocon-
cernfortheirreputation,foryoumustlooktowhattheyhave
inside(theirhearts).Howmanyfinepiecesofgoldhavebeen
tarnishedwithsoottomakethemappearasironinordertosave
themfrombeingtakeninplunder?
CondensedfromMathnawiVI,28162921
Inthisstory,thekingisactuallyametaphorforGod,andthethieves,
withalltheirskills,arewehumanbeings.Despiteourschemesand
plans,Godisinourmidstandknowsallthesecretsofourhearts.
Whenwearebroughtforjudgment,theoneamonguswhoclearlyrec-
ognizesthekingmaybethecauseforclemencyforsomanyoftherest
ofus,eventhoughwewouldotherwisedeservetobepunishedforall
thewrongthatwedid.EvenasGodwilllooktoourinnerworth,we,
too,mustlearntovalueothersamongusformorethanouroutward
accomplishmentsorperceivedtalents.Mostimportantofall,thosewho
seemunconcernedaboutmaterialsuccessandfametheymaybethe
oneswhoseintercessionmayprofitusthemost.
The Man Who Befriended a Bear
Adragonwaspullingabearintoitsjaws;abravemanarrivedand
rescuedit.Bravemenareasourceofaidinthisworldandreact
wheneverthecryoftheoppressedreachesthem.Theylistenfor
thecryoftheoppressedfromeverydirection,andinstantlyrun
theretohelp,justlikethemercyofGod!
Inthesameway,whenthebearhadcriedoutforhelpagainstthe
dragon,thatbravemanrescueditfromthefight.Cunningand
couragehelpedeachotherthatday,andthroughthisunionof
strength,themankilledthedragon.
Afterithadbeensavedfromthedragon,thebearrealizedithad
receivedanactofkindnessfromthatbraveman.Likethedogwho
dweltwiththeSleepersoftheCave,thatpoorbearbegantofol-
lowaftertheonewhosaveditfromitstravail.
202
t
Chapter18oftheQurancontainsasummarizedversionofthe
ChristianlegendoftheSleepersoftheCave.Accordingtothisstory,
someChristianyouthsescapedpersecutioninRomantimesbygoinginto
asor ofhibernationinacave.Theyemergedmanyyearslaterwhen
persecutionwasnomore.TheirfaithfuldogQitmirremainedattheir
side,guardingtheentrancetothecave.
RumisReferences
Thatmanoffaith,beingexhausted,laidhisheaddowntorest,
whereuponthebeardevotedlytookupwatchoverhim.Soona
certainmanpassedbyandsaidtothebraveman(inastonishment),
Whatsgoingonhere?Mybrother,whyisthisbearsoattachedto
you?
Thenthefirstmantoldthenewcomerallabouthisadventureand
ofhisstrugglewiththedragon.Afterhehadfinishedtellingthe
tale,however,thevisitorwarned,Youfool,dontgettooattached
toabear.Afoolsfriendshipisworsethanhishatred.Youshould
drivethisbearawaybyanymeansyoucan.
However,thefirstmanthoughttohimself,ByGod!Hesonly
sayingthatbecausehesjealous.Thenhetoldthevisitor,Why
doyouonlyseethedangerinthisbear?Lookathowmuchhe
lovesme!
Thevisitoransweredhim,saying,Theloveoffoolsisadelusion.
Myjealousyisbetterthanthisbearsaffection.Comeonnow;lets
drivethisbearawaytogether.Dontchooseabearforafriendover
oneofyourownkind.
Goaway,thefirstmansaid,andmindyourownbusiness,you
jealousman.Thenthevisitorimploredhimfurther,saying,This
ismybusiness,andthisbearisnotpartofthebountyyouwereto
receive.Imnotworthlessthanthisbear,noblesir.LeaveitsoI
canbeyourfriend.Imworriedsickforyou.Dontgointothefor-
estwithabearlikethis.
Eventhoughthevisitorsaidallofthesethings,thefirstmanseem-
inglyheardnoneofit.Suspicionisathickbarrierintheheart
ofaman.Imtired,thefirstmansaid,Goawayandleaveme
alone.
203
(Afterthevisitorleft,)themanfellasleep.Soonthebeardiligently
begantodriveawaytheinsectsthatwerebuzzingallaroundthe
sleepingman,buttonoavail.Severaltimes,itswishedthemaway
fromtheyoungmansface,buttheywouldrushbackandlandon
himoncemore.
Thebearbecameangryatthefliesandthenitstormedoff.It
pickedupabigrockfromthecliffside.Whenitreturned,itsaw
thefliessittingcomfortablyonthefaceofthesleeper.Thebear
thentookupthatbigrockandstruckatthefliestomakethem
leaveonceandforall.
Thestonewoundupcrushingthesleepingmansfacetodust,and
thusgaverisetothewell-knownproverb,Theloveofafoolis
liketheloveofabear:hisloveishateandhishateislove.
CondensedfromMathnawiII,19322140
Whenapersondrawssomeoneclosetoherselfoutoflove,shemust
bewareofthepotentialdangersuchaffectionmayunwittinglyunleash.
Howmanyarethepeoplewhohaveseenthelightofloveinothers,
withoutrecognizingthedangertheyarecapableof,eveniftheydont
intendanyharm?
Where Is Your Camel?
DuringthefableddaysofmedievalBaghdad,manystoriesweretold
ofwanderingholymenandwomenwhofearlesslytaughtwisdomto
thekingsoftherealm.Onesuchholymanwastheeruditescholar,
IbrahimibnAdham(d.777),ofwhomRumiwroteextensivelyinthe
Mathnawi.(IbnAdhamwasdeartoSufis,havinggivenupakingdomin
BalkhtobecomeawanderingSufimystic.)Inthisvignette,IbnAdham
wasstayingintheopulentpalaceofthecaliph,AbuJafaral-Mansur
(d.775),andhefoundaningeniouswaytobringhometothekingthe
pointthatmaterialwealthopensnodoorwaystoheaven.Hereswhat
Rumirecounts:
Asheresteduponhisthrone,theking,whowasamanofgood
reputation,noticedthesoundsoftrampingfeetandloudcries
comingfromtheroof.Whenheheardthatloudcommotionon
theroofofthepalace,hesaidtohimself,Whodarestodothis?
204
Heleanedoutofthepalacewindowandshoutedupward,saying,
Whosthere?Ifitsnotaman,perhapsitsagenie!Anastonish-
inggroupofpeople(ledbyaShaykh)loweredtheirheadsdown
fromtheroofandsaid,Wereoutheretonightlookingforsome-
thing!
Huh?(Thecaliphreplied).Whatareyoulookingforupthere?
Werelookingforcamels,theyanswered.Thereupon(thecaliph
scoldedthem),saying,Listenyou!Whoeverthoughttosearchfor
camelsonaroof?
Thentheycalledbackdowntohiminanswer,asking,Whoever
thoughttofindGodwhileseatedonathrone?
MathnawiIV,829834
The Hero of Qazwin
Inthisstory,setinthePersiantownofQazwin,welearnofhowone
manscouragewasputtothetestinawayhedidntexpect.Rumi
beginstheactioninthisway:
Listentothistalefromthestoryteller,andwhatitsaysofthe
waysofthepeopleofQazwin.Theytattoothemselveswithblue
inkdeliveredlightlyonthepointofaneedleontheirbodies,
hands,andshoulders,takingeverycarenottofeelanypain.
AcertainwarriorofQazwinwenttoatattooartistandsaidtohim,
Tattoomeinamoresplendidwaythanusual.
OBraveone,saidtheartist,whatfigurewouldyouhaveme
imprint?Themanansweredhim,saying,Prickinthefigureof
araginglion,forLeoismysign.Yes,tattooalion.Goalloutand
injectplentyofblueink.
Wherewouldyoulikemetoplacethetattoo?askedtheartist.
Prickthegorgeousidolonmyshoulder,themanrepliedboldly.
However,assoonastheartistbegantostickhisneedlein,thepain
eruptedinthemansshoulder.Theherobegangroaningandsaid,
Onobleone,yourekillingme.Whatshapeareyoutattooing?
205
Youaskedmetodoalion,theartistreplied.Thenwhatpartof
theliondidyoustartwith?themanasked.Istartedonthetail,
heanswered.
Myclosecomrade,hecried,leaveoffthetail.Inearlylostmy
breathfromthislionstailandrump;itwaslikehisrumpchoked
offmywindpipe!Letthelionhavenotail,Omakeroflions,for
myheartisfaintfromtheprickingoftheneedle.
Thentheartistbegantoprickonanotherpartofthemansshoul-
derfearlessly,withoutanyconcernorkindness.Thereuponthe
mancriedoutoncemoreinpain,Whichpartofthelionisthat?
Theartistreplied,Thatshisear,mygoodman.ODoctor,he
moaned,lethimhavenoearsthen.Forgettheearsandmakehis
maneshort.
Thentheartistbeganworkingonanotherpart,yetonceagainthe
manofQazwinletoutascream,saying,Whatpartareyouwork-
ingonnowinthisthirdspot?Theartistansweredwearily,say-
ing,Thatsthelionsbelly,goodsir.Thenletthelionhaveno
belly!hecried.Ithurtstoomuch;dontprickonmeanymore!
Divan
Rumiwroteofthenecessityofpainintheprocessofunlockingthe
soulinthesewordsfromhis :Ifyouhavethestrength,don
weartherobeoflove,butifyoudo,dontmoanaboutcatastrophe.
Therobewilldisappearinafire,butbearthepaininsilence.Whats
poisonnowismerelythejuiceoflifeinthehereafter.
WisdomoftheAges
t
Theartistbecameflusteredandfrozeinconfusion.Heremained
therestandingforsometimewithhisfingersinhisteeth.
Suddenly,themasterthrewhisneedletothegroundandsaid,
Hasthiseverhappenedtoanyoneelseinthewholeworld?
Whoeverheardofalionwithoutatailoraheadorabelly?Even
Godnevercreatedalionlikethis.Mybrother,endurethepain
ofthebladesoyoucanbeliberatedfromyour(fearful)lower
self.Theskyandthemoonbowdowninadorationtothosewho
haveescapedfromtheirownsenseofexistence.Whoeverhas
206
extinguishedhislowerselfwillfindthesunandthecloudsathis
command.Sincehishearthaslearnedhowtolightthecandle(of
truth),thesuncannolongerharmhim.
MathnawiI,29813005
TheheroofQazwinwasabletoendureeverypainofbattle,yetwhen
hehadtoendureapinprick,hewasfaintwithfear.Howmanyofusare
awareofourownweaknesses,eventhoughweappearinvulnerablein
allrespects?Perhapswhenwerewoundedfromanunexpecteddirec-
tion,itsanopportunityforustoexaminetherealdepthofourconvic-
tionsandstrengths.Rumicounselsustoacceptthepainandtopurify
thehiddendefectsthatwewouldnthaveotherwiseknownabout.
Then,ourvaluewillbecomplete,thepainofthematerialworldwill
nolongerbesovexing,andwellhaveaclearerpathtowardthewayof
truth.
The Man Who Fled from Death
OnedayanoblemanburstintoKingSolomonshallofjustice.He
waspalewithdespairandhislipswerebluewithfright.Onoble
sir,Solomonasked,whatswrongwithyou?Themananswered
him,saying,TheAngelofDeath
cameandlookedatmewitheyes
filledwithangerandhate.
ThenameoftheAngelof
DeathinIslamictheology
Thekingthensaid,Comenow,
isAzrail.Heisinchargeof
whatfavorwouldyouaskofme?
takingthesoulsofthosewho Thenoblemanreplied,saying,O
aredestinedtodieaccording
protectorofmylife,orderthewind
toaschedulesetbyGod.
tobearmeswiftly(onaship)to
India,formaybewhenyourservant
hasarrivedthereitwillsavehislife.
Therefore,Solomonorderedthewindtobearthenobleman
swiftlyovertheseatothefarthestpartofIndia.Onthenextday,
however,whenitwastimeforSolomontomeettheAngelof
Death,heaskedhim,Didyoulookonthatfaithfulmanofmine
withangertoforcehimintoexilefarfromhishome?
207
TheAngelofDeathreplied,WhendidIlookathiminanger?
WhenIsawhimpassingby,Ilookedathiminastonishment,for
Godhadcommandedme,saying,Listen!Takehissoulwhilehes
inIndia.Inbewilderment,Isaidtomyself,Evenifhehad100
wings,itwouldbeafarjourneyforhimtomakeallthewayto
India!
Thisishowyoumustconsiderallyouraffairsinthisworld.Open
youreyesandsee!Whomshouldwerunfrom?Fromourselves?
Oh,howfoolish!Whomshouldwetakefrom?FromGod?Oh,
thecrime!
CondensedfromMathnawiI,956970
Thisisavariationofaveryfamousandwell-knownstoryinclassi-
calMuslimcivilization.ItsrootsgobacktoasayingofMuhammad
inwhichhedeclared,Noonecanknowwhathewillearntomorrow,
evenasnoonecanknowinwhichlandhewilldie.Inthisversionof
theclassicSolomonstorythatillustratesthisprinciple,thefoolishman
thinkshecanoutrunDeath,onlytowindupintheplacewhereDeath
wassupposedtotakehislifeamiracleforwhichevenDeathwas
amazed.
Themoralofthistaleissimplythatpeoplemustrealizetheyhavelittle
controlovertheirultimateend.Whenthisistrulyacceptedinternally,
thenonelayeroffearanduncertaintycanberemoved.Nooneknows
whatwewillearntomorrow,andnoamountofplanningorprecaution
willpreserveourlivesifitsourtimetogo.Ontheotherhand,ifits
notourtime,noamountofdestructionordangerwillaffectusinthe
least.Thus,thebestwaytolivelifeisnottogettoocomfortablewith
it.Strivetolivealifeinpreparationforleavingit,andthenmaterial
concernswillhavethatmuchlessofaholduponus.Thisisonemore
pieceofthepuzzleinlearningtobemoreateasewithonesultimate
fate.
Dont Deal in If
Thereoncewasanewcomertotown;hedesperatelysearchedfor
ahousetodwellwithin.Afriendofhistookhimtoseeanold
dilapidatedbuilding.Thenhesaidtothenewcomer,Ifonlythis
208
househadaroof,thenitcouldbeahomeforyouclosetomyown.
Yourfamilycouldalsolivequitecomfortablyhere,aswellifonly
ithadanextraroom.
Thenewcomerlookedathiscompanionandsaid,Yes,itwouldbe
nicetolivenearfriends,nodoubtaboutthat,butmydearfriend,
youcannotliveinif.
MathnawiII,739742
Itsnicetohopeforwellandgood,yetatsomepointwhatifshaveto
givewaytoconcreterealities.Agoalisonlyadreamuntilhardwork
actuallymakesithappen.Nothingevercametoadreamerwithouthim
atleastholdingouthishandtoreceiveit.Thisistheleastamountof
effortonecando.Alifejacketmaybethrowntoyouinthechurning
oceanoflife,yethowmanyneverdomorethanlookatthepossibilities
thatthelifejacketrepresentsandthendrownintheirownfantasies?
Directyourattentionatwhatwillkeepyouafloat,yetalsomakean
efforttotakeaholdofit,andthenstarttoswimtowardtheshore!The
seekerfindsbecauseheswillingtogooutontheroad.Rumishowsus
thatnobodyeversucceededinthisworldbyrelyingonlyonif.
u Weallhavedifferenttalentsandoneisnotmorevaluablethan
theother,exceptwhenthatparticulartalentisneededthemost.
Whensuchatimeofneedhaspassed,itbecomesequalwiththe
restoncemore.
u Sufisgenerallyholdthatmaterialwealthandacquisitionare
actuallyimpedimentstogettingintouchwiththeinnerspirit.
Theinnersensesaredulledwhenphysicaldesiresgetmoreatten-
tionthanthem.
u Thetimeandplaceofourdeathisfixed,andthereforeweneed
notfretaboutitinuncertainty.Itisbettertolivealifeinprepara-
tionforonesexit.
u Weallhavearesponsibilitytoworkforwhatwedesire.Lifecan-
notthrivemerelyondreamsandhopes.
A
i
Life
j
( ).
( )
(
j )
( )
( )
Append
A Timeline of Rumis
Rumiledacolorfullifefilledwithfascinatingexperiences,char-
acters,andtravels.Hewasbornin1207inthecityofBalkh,in
whatwecallAfghanistantoday.Hepassedawayin1273inthe
cityofKonya,present-dayTurkey,afteralifeofbothspiritual
andphysicaladventure.Belowisabriefsketchofthema or
eventsofhislife.
1152
Rumisfather,BahauddinWalad,isborninthedistrictofBalkh,
aprovinceofPersia nowinmodern-dayAfghanistan
1207 (September 30)
JalaluddinMuhammad Rumi isborninthetownofWakhsh,
anoutlyingdistrictofgreaterBalkh about155milestothe
northinpresent-dayTa ikistan .Thisisthecitywherehisfather
wasemployedasateacher.
1212
Rumisfather,BahauddinWalad,takeshisfamilytolivein
Samarkand inpresent-dayUzbekistan toescapetheravagesof
aregionalruler andwarlord entitledAlauddinKhwarizmShah.
210
AppendixA
12191222
DuetotheimminentthreatofMongolinvasion,Rumisfatherthen
takeshisfamilyoutofCentralAsiaandtheymakeapilgrimageto
Mecca.Alongtheway,theystopinNishapurwhereRumihasthe
chancetomeetwithFariduddinAttar,oneofIslamsmostcelebrated
mystics.TheyalsoenterBaghdadforashorttime.Bahauddingives
RumiaclassicalIslamiceducationduringhisformativeyearsanda
bookofhismysticalthoughtscalledtheMaarif.
1222
Rumismother,MuminahKhatun,passesaway.
1224 or 1226
RumiismarriedtoGhevher( Jawhar)Khatun,thedaughterofLala
SharafuddinofSamarkand.
1226 or 1227
Rumisfirstchild,SultanWalad,isborn.Rumisbrother,Alauddin,
passesaway.
1228
BahauddinbringshisfamilytodwellinthesmalltownofIconiumin
Konya(present-dayTurkey),attheinvitationofalocalprinceofthe
SeljukTurks.Hetakesupthejobofareligiousteacheratanewacad-
emy.Rumissecondchildisborn,whomhenamesAlauddininhonor
ofhisdeceasedbrother.
1231
RumisfatherpassesawayinKonyainthespring.Rumiisappointedby
theSultantobetheheadofhisdepartedfathersacademy.
1232
BurhanuddinMuhaqqiq,adiscipleofRumisfather,arrivesinKonya
andrevealstoRumithathisfatherwasasecretspiritualmaster.Rumi,
whohadbeenanunassumingMuslimlawyerandpreacher,beginsto
ponderthisnewrevelation.
ATimelineof Rumis Life
211
12321236
BurhanuddinbecomesRumisteacherandhesendsRumitoSyriato
continuehisreligiousstudies.HemayhaveheardthespeechesofIbn
Arabithere,whowasthegreatestscholarofthedayandaprominent
mystic.RumicomposessomecoupletsinArabic.
1237
RumireturnstoKonyawithanimpressiveeducationathisdisposal.
HetakesovertheleadershipofthemanystudentsthatBurhanuddin
managedinhisfathersoldacademy.Rumiisalsoafrequentpreacher
duringFridayprayersinthemosque,atraditionhecontinuesoffand
onfortherestofhislife.
1240
BurhanuddinleavesKonyaandpassesawaysometimelaterinthe
nearbytownofKayseri.Bythistime,Rumiisbeginningtoexplorethe
spiritualdimensionsofIslamonadeeperlevel.Hispoeticcompositions
increaseinnumber.
12421243
Rumiswife,Ghevher( Jawhar)passesaway.
1244 (October)
RumimeetsShamsuddinofTabrizforthefirsttimebychanceina
market.Hebecomesinseparablefromthisenigmaticstrangerandfor-
sakesmostcontactwithhisfamilyandstudents.Shamsuddin,sensing
theillwillhispresenceiscausingamongRumisfamily,students,and
reputation,suddenlydisappearsaboutthreemonthslater.
1246 (circa)
ShamsuddinisdiscoveredinDamascus,Syria.Rumisendshissonto
escorthimbacktoKonya.ShamsuddinthenvisitswithRumi,whocan-
notbeartobepartedfromhimagain.RumiarrangesforShamsuddin
tomarryawomanfromhisextendedhouseholdandthenhespends
mostofhistimeindeepconversationwithhisdearfriend,whodis-
cussesarcanespiritualtopicswithhim.Rumisstudentsgrowjealous
oncemore.
212
AppendixA
1248
Shamsuddindisappearsundermysteriouscircumstances.(Alauddin,
thesonofRumi,issuspectedastheringleaderinShamsuddinsmurder,
thoughthisisneverproven.)Rumiisheartbrokenandbecomesmore
philosophicalandintrospective.Hebeginstocomposeanever-greater
numberofpoemsdedicatedtothememoryofShamsuddin,whichhe
callstheCollectionofShams,orDiwan-iShams,alsoknownastheDivan.
12491250
RumimeetsadiscipleofhisoldmasterBurhanuddin,agoldsmith
namedSalahuddinFaridunZarkub,whobecomesRumisnewmentor.
Rumispendsmuchtimeinhiscompany,leadinghisstudentstoagain
becomejealous.Thistime,Rumiismorecompromisingintheamount
oftimehespendswithhisnewmentor,asopposedtotheinordinate
amountoftimehespentwithShamsuddinbefore.
1251
ThelocalSeljukrulerisreplacedbyatrioofpuppetrulersunder
Mongolinfluence.Rumicommentsuponthisinsomeofhisletters.
12501255
RumimarriesaChristianconverttoIslam,KiraKhatun.Shebears
himthreechildren:twoboysandagirl.Rumiattractsanever-growing
numberofstudentstohisspiritualteachingsandpoetry.Evennon-
Muslimsbegintoattendhislectures.
1256
TheformervizierofSultanKayqubadbecomestheruleroftheSeljuk
state(underMongolblessing)withinwhichRumiresides.Hehonors
Rumiandsupportshisworkfortherestofhislife.
1258
SalahuddinFaridunZarkubpassesaway.RumiappointsHusamuddin
Chelebi,hischiefstudent,toleadhisfathersoldacademy.Ona
regionalnote,Baghdad,thecapitaloftheAbbasidCaliphate,fallsto
theMongols,sendingshockwavesthroughtheMuslimworld.
ATimelineof Rumis Life
213
12591260 (circa)
Rumibeginsworkonhismonumentalbookofpoetry,theMathnawi,at
thebehestofHusamuddin.Husamuddinrecordsinwritingthedicta-
tionofRumiforthenextseveralyears.Rumialsowritesmanyletters
tofriendsandlocalgovernmentofficials.Alargenumberoftheselet-
tershavesurvivedtotoday.
1260
TheMongolsaredefeatedinnearbySyriaattheBattleofAynJalut.
TheMongolthreatgraduallyrecedesandthecoreoftheIslamicworld
remainssafe.
1262
RumibeginsworkonthesecondvolumeoftheMathnawi.Rumisson,
Alauddin,passesaway,andRumidoesnotattendthefuneralduetothe
suspicionthatAlauddinwasinvolvedinShamsuddinsdisappearance.
ThewritingoftheMathnawiispausedforatimeduetothedeathof
Husamuddinswife.
1264
WorkresumesontheMathnawi.
1267
TheMathnawiisfinalizedandcomplete.Itcomprisessixfullvolumes,
consistingofabout25,600couplets.
1273 (December 17)
Rumifallsill.Physiciansofallfaithstrytoremedyhim,yetRumi
cheerfullyseemsresignedtodeath.RumifinallypassesawayinKonya.
HisfuneralisattendedbymultitudesofChristians,Jews,andMuslims.
RumisdiscipleHusamuddinbecomestheleaderofRumisfollowers.
1284
HusamuddindiesandRumiseldestson,SultanWalad,assumesthe
mantleofleadership.
214
AppendixA
12851312
SultanWaladorganizesthefirstrulesfortheritualmeditativedance
knownasthesama.HealsoorganizesRumisfollowersintoastruc-
turedSufiorderknownastheMevleviOrder.Heleadsituntilhis
deathin1312.ThemembersofthisgroupalsorecordabookofRumis
teachings,whichtheyreceivedfromhim,andentitlethework,What
IsinThisIsinThat,orFihiMaFihi.SevenofRumissermonsarealso
preserved,aswellastheDivanandabout150personalletters.
l i i i
B
i
Rumi Resources
PopularcollectionsinEnglishofRumisworkarearelatively
recentphenomenon.Obviously,somecollectionsaremorerepre-
sentativeofRumisgeniusthanothers,andsomearemorefaith-
fultothemeaningandintentoftheoriginalPersiantext.Below
isanabbreviatedlistofsomeofthemoreimportanttranslations
ofRumipoetryinEnglish.
Trans at ons and Render ngs of Rum s Poetry
TheMathnawiofJalaluddinRumi,trans.byReynoldA.
Nicholson
SignsoftheUnseen:TheDiscoursesofJalaluddinRumi,trans.byW.
M.Thackston,Jr.
DiscoursesofRumi,trans.byA.J.Arberry
JewelsofRemembrance,renderedbyCamilleandKabirHelminski
TheEssentialRumi,renderedbyColemanBarksetal.
TheSoulofRumi:ANewCollectionofEcstaticPoems,renderedby
ColemanBarks
Rumi:TheBookofLove:PoemsofEcstasyandLonging,renderedby
ColemanBarks
Append
216
AppendixB
ARumiAnthology,trans.byReynoldA.Nicholson
Rumi:GardensoftheBeloved,trans.byMaryamMafiandAzimaMelita
Kolin
SelectedPoemsoftheDivan-eShams-eTabrizi,trans.byReynoldA.
Nicholson
RumiandIslam:SelectionsfromHisStories,Poems,andDiscourses,
renderedbyIbrahimGamard
TheHundredTalesofWisdom,trans.byIdrisShah
AYearwithRumi,renderedbyColemanBarks
Hush,DontSayAnythingtoGod:PassionatePoemsofRumi,translatedby
ShahramShiva
Rumi:TheMasnavi:BookOne,trans.byJawidMojaddedi
TheRumiCollection,renderedbyKabirHelminskietal.
Biographies of Rumi
RumisWorld:TheLifeandWorkoftheGreatSufiPoet,byAnnemarie
Schimmel
AMothtoaFlame:TheStoryoftheGreatSufiPoetRumi,byConnie
Zweig
TheLifeandWorkofJalaluddinRumi,byAfzalIqbal
Major Books That Influenced Rumis Thought
TheMeaningoftheHolyQuraninTodaysEnglish,trans.byYahiya
Emerick
TheConferenceoftheBirds,byFariduddinAttar.Trans.byAfkham
DarbandiandDickDavis
TheDrownedBook:EcstaticandEarthlyReflectionsofBahauddintheFather
ofRumi,renderedbyColemanBarksandJohnMoyne
TheRemembranceofDeathandtheAfterlife,byAbuHamidMuhammad
al-Ghazali.Trans.byT.J.Winter.
Rumi Resources
217
AsrarNama(TheBookofSecrets),byFariduddinAttar
TheIslandofAnimals,bytheBrethrenofPurity.Trans.byDenys
Johnson-Davies
MuslimSaintsandMystics:EpisodesfromtheTadhkiratal-Auliya,by
FariduddinAttar.Trans.byA.J.Arberry.
TheStoryofLaylaandMajnun,byNizamiGanjavi.Trans.byOmega
Publications
TheWalledGardenofTruth:TheHadiqa,byHakimSanai.Trans.by
DavidPendlebury
Ibn-Al-Arabi:TheBezelsofWisdom,byMuhyuddinibnArabi.Trans.by
R.W.J.AustinandTitusBurkhardt
DivineSayings:TheMishkatAl-AnwarofIbnArabi,byMuhyuddinibn
Arabi.Trans.byStephenHertenstein
ThePoemsofAl-Mutanabbi,trans.byA.J.Arberry
Books Related to Rumi Studies
TeachingsofRumi,byAndrewHarvey
MeandRumi:TheAutobiographyofShamsITabrizi,trans.by
AnnemarieSchimmelandWilliamChittick
Jalal-Al-DinAl-Rumi:AMuslimSaint,Mystic,andPoet,byEmine
Yeniterzi
FundamentalsofRumisThought:AMevleviSufiPerspective,bySefikCan
andM.FethullahGulen.
RumiandtheWhirlingDervishes,byShemsFreidlanderandAnnemarie
Schimmel
TheGift:PoemsbyHafiz,trans.byDanielLadinsky
WomenCalledtothePathofRumi:TheWayoftheWhirlingDervish,by
ShakinaReinhertz
TheSufiPathofLove:TheSpiritualTeachingofRumi,byWilliam
Chittick
Muhammad,byYahiyaEmerick
218
AppendixB
TheMetaphysicsofRumi:ACriticalandHistoricalSketch,byKhalifa
AbdulHakim
AttarandthePersianSufiTradition:TheArtofSpiritualFlight,by
LeonardLewisohn
AMillenniumofClassicalPersianPoetry:AGuidetotheReadingand
UnderstandingofPersianPoetryfromtheTenthtotheTwentiethCentury,
byWheelerM.Thackston
Audio/Visual Resources
Rumi:PoetoftheHeart.MagnoliaFilms,DVD2004
ReadingRumiinanUncertainWorld.(ReadbyRobertBlyandNaomi
ShihabNye)TexasNafas,DVD2005
Rumi:TheWingsofLove.(ReadbyPeterBoyle)ParabolaBooks,VHS
2002
Rumi:VoiceofLonging.(ReadbyColemanBarks)SoundsTrue,Audio
CD2003
IWantBurning.(ReadbyColemanBarks)SoundsTrue,AudioCD
2001
Rumi.(ReadbyColemanBarks)CBCAudio,AudioCD2005
AGiftofLove:DeepakandFriendsPresentMusicInspiredbytheLove
PoemsofRumi.RasaMusic,AudioCD1998
VisionII:TheSpiritofRumi.(ByGraemeRevell)Angel,AudioCD1997
WhenDaysHaveNoNights.(RumipoemssettomusicbyMischa
Rutenberg)MorPrem,AudioCD2000.
RumiPoetry.(ReadbyChristopherLove)WorldSanghaPublishing,
AudioCD2005
ThroughEternity:HomagetoMolavi(Rumi).(LivemusicbytheDastan
Ensemble)SoundsTrueDirect,AudioCD1999
Mevlana:MusicoftheWhirlingDervishes.(MusicbyNezihUzel)Blue
NoteRecords,AudioCD1997
Rumi Resources
219
BreezeatDawn:ThePoemsofRumiinSong.(MusicandRumipoems
readbyDaleZola)Mahata,AudioCD1999
SayIAmYou.(RumipoemsreadbyW.A.Mathieu)ColdMountain
Music,AudioCD2003
LamentoftheReed.(Rumipoemsreadaloud)Musicrama/Koch,Audio
CD2001
Organizations
MevlanaCelaluddinRumi
www.mevlana.net
ThisistheofficialwebsiteoftheMevleviOrderunderthedirectionof
directdescendantsofRumi.
MevleviOrderofAmerica
www.hayatidede.org
E-mail:info@hayatidede.org
ThisisanAmericanbranchoftheinternationalorder.Ithasmultiple
branchesalloverNorthAmerica.
DervishRetreatCenter
www.whirlingdervish.org
E-mail:khadija@whirlingdervish.org
Phone:607-272-0694
Thisisthesiteforaretreatfortheteachingofwhirlingaspracticedby
theMevlevidervishorderlocatedinSpencer,NY.
TheThresholdSociety
www.sufism.org
E-mail:mevlana@cruzio.com
Phone:831-685-3995
ThisisanotherAmericanbranchoftheinternationalMevleviOrder.It
haslinkstoseveralotherchaptersacrossthecountry.
SarihanExhibitionandCulturalCenter
www.sarihan1249.com
E-mail:info@sarihan1249.com
AMevleviorganizationinTurkey.
220
AppendixB
TheFoundationofUniversalLoversofJalaluddinRumi
www.emav.org
E-mail:info@emav.org
AMevleviorganizationinTurkey.
Websites
ThereareliterallythousandsofwebsitesonthelifeandworkofRumi.
Iveselectedforyousomeofthebestandmostrepresentativeofthe
broadrangeofofferingsavailabletodiscover.
www.sufism.org
www.dar-al-masnavi.org
www.rumirecordsshop.com
www.mevlana.net
www.rumiforum.org
www.semazen.net
www.poetry-chaikhana.com/R/RumiJelaludd/index.htm
www.rumi.org.uk(or)www.khamush.com
www.rumionfire.com
groups.yahoo.com/group/Ruminations
groups.yahoo.com/group/Sunlight
www.sln.org.uk/re/whirling.htm
www.geocities.com/SoHo/Studios/9594/mevlana.htm
godlas.myweb.uga.edu/rumimevlev.html
peacefulrivers.homestead.com/Rumipoetry1.html
www.mikeshane.org/rumi
www.whirlingdervishes.org
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jalal_ad-Din_Muhammad_Rumi
www.rumisongs.com
Rumi Resources
221
www.rumi.net/rumi_poems_main.htm
www.farhangsara.com/jalal_al.htm
www.islamicamagazine.com/content/view/92/61/
www.drsoroush.com/lectures-english.htm
( )
( )
( )
C
i
Glossary
Allah ThenameforGodintheArabiclanguage.Fromthe
samelinguisticrootastheHebrewwordforGod,ElorEloh.
Thewhirlingdervisheschantthisholyname,amongmanyother
similarsayings,intheirmeditativerituals.
Chelebi alsoCelebi Anobleperson.Alsothetitlegivento
Rumistopstudent,Husamuddin.Rumisdescendantstakethis
titleastheirfamilyname.TheworldwideheadoftheRumifam-
ilyalsoisknownbythisepithetasatitleofrespect.
dervish alsodarwish FromthePersianwordfordoorwayor
threshold.ThisisanameusedtodescribeaMuslimreligious
ascetic,someonewhoisatthedoorwayonhisorhersearchfor
God.
diwan alsodivan APersiantermforacollectionofpoems,
ruminations,orthediscoursesofanauthor.
fana AstateofannihilationoftheegoinunionwithGod,in
Sufiterms.Throughmeditationandself-denial,theSufiseeksto
mergehisorherthoughtsandbeingintotheDivinewavelength.
ThisconceptissimilartotheBuddhiststateofnirvana.
hadith Thismeansasayingoractionspokenorperformedby
ProphetMuhammad.Rumioftenalludestotheseinhispoetry.
Append
224
AppendixC
khamush APersianwordthatmeanssilence.Around500ofRumis
odesendwiththisword.Heisemphasizing,inthoseinstances,that
silentcontemplationisneededtoabsorbthelessongiven.
mathnawi (alsoMasnawi,Masnavi) APersiantermthatreferstoa
typeofpoetryinwhichthetwohalfversesofacoupletrhyme,andthe
rhymekeepsonchangingfromoneversetothenext.
Maulana (alsomolavi,mevlana,molvi) AnArabictitlemeaningalord
ormaster,usuallyofreligiousknowledge.Itispronouncedmevlanain
Turkish,molviinUrdu,andmolaviinPersian.
Mevlevi ThetermbywhichthefollowersofRumiareknown.
muraqabah TheSufitermformeditation,especiallyatnight.Itis
derivedfromtheArabicwordforwatchingoversomething.
-
noor (nur) FromtheArabicwordforilluminatedorlight.Sufis
usethisterminconjunctionwithgrowingenlightenmentandunder-
standing.
Quran (alsoKoran) ThenameoftheMuslimholybook.Itsliteral
meaningis,thatwhichisrecited.
rubaiyat FromtheArabicwordforthenumberfour.Itmeansafour-
linequatrain,orgroupofrhymedverses.
-
Rum (alsoRum) AnArabicdesignationmeaningoftheRoman
lands.JalaluddinRumiwasknownbythistitlebecausehehadset-
tledinAnatolia,alandrecentlywonoverbytheMuslimsfromthe
ByzantineRomans.
sabr AnArabicwordthatmeanspatienceandperseverance.Thisisa
frequentlycitedqualitythatSufispraise.
sama (alsosema) FromtheArabicwordtohear.Itistheactof
openingoneselftolistentoGod,astatethatSufisseektoachieve
whentheymeditateandchant.SomeSufiordersmoveinarhythmic
fashionastheychantduringtheirsamarituals.Otherssitinlargecir-
culargatheringsandchantinunison.TheMevleviSufisturnslowlyin
circlesandachieveatrancelikestatewhilerecitingGodsnames.The
basicprinciplesofthegenericSufisamaritualoriginatedinBaghdad
severalcenturiesbeforeRumistime.
Glossary
225
shaykh (alsosheikh) FromtheArabicwordforrespectedelder.Thisis
thetitlegiventoateacherorspiritualmasteramongSufis.
Sufi FromtheArabicwordforwool.EarlyasceticsintheMuslim
worldworecoarseclothingtoremindthemselvesofhowtemporarythis
lifewas.Thus,theyachievedthisnickname.ASufiisaMuslimwhois
intenselyinterestedinspiritualmattersandwisdomandrenouncesall
orpartofhisorherworldlylifeinthepursuitofGodspleasure.
sultan AnArabicwordthatissynonymouswithkingorruler.
tariqa FromtheArabicwordtaaariq,meaningauniquewayormode
ofdoingthings.ThisisthewordusedforaSufiOrderorBrotherhood.
Atypicaltariqahasaleader,orshaykh,withvariouslevelsofdisciples
andacolytesunderhim(orher).Itmayhaveaninternationalnetwork.
tawbah AnArabicwordthatmeanstoseekrepentancefromGod.
ThisisanactivityofgreatimportancetoSufiswhoconsideritan
excellentwaytocombatanylurkingsenseofarroganceandalsoto
bringthemselvesclosertoGodandHismercy.
tekke ATurkishtermforabuildingwhereSufibrotherhoodshold
theirmeetings.(Thistypeofbuildingisalsoknownasakhanqahor
ribat.)Oftentimesimportantleadersfromthatorganizationspastare
buriedinoraroundthetekke.
tenure AcloakawardedtoaninitiateoftheMevleviSufiorderafter
completing1,001daysofcompulsoryservice.
zikr (alsodhikr) FromtheArabicwordtorememberortocom-
memorate.ThisisapracticeintroducedbyMuhammadofchanting
Godsnamesorattributes,especiallyafterprayer.Itissimilartothe
CatholicRosary.Sufisemphasizethispracticeanduseitasthebasisfor
elaboraterituals.
Inde
A
AbbasidCaliphate,8
Adham,Ibrahimibn,203
al-Adawiyya,Rabiah,81,136,150
AladdinandtheMagicLamp,138
Alauddin,11
al-Ghazali,Muhammad,173
al-Khatibi,Ahmad,6
al-Mansur,AbuJafar,203
al-Mutanabbi,Ahmad,152
Ali,Mir,149
AngelofDeath,206
Arabi,Fakhruddinibn,90
ArabianNights,4,138
ar-Razi,Fakhruddin,7
Attar,Fariduddin,9,89
Azrail,206
B
Baghdad,historicalimportance
of,4
Bahauddin,6-10
Barks,Coleman,10
BayazidBustami,13
Burhanuddin,Syed,8,11-12
C
caliphs,200
celebratinglove,157-159
character,judging,174
ConferenceoftheBirds,The,9,32,
89
CrazyOne,50
D
day-to-dayaffairs,handling,
136-140
dervishes,13
desire,avoiding,175
dhikr,97
dignifiedliving,principlesof,
164-170
Dimnah,181,187
Divan,14-16,22-28,32,38-41,
81-82,87,92,129,133,144-159,
166,193,205
ghazals,40
OdestoShamsuddin,41-44
rubaiyat,40-46
tarjiat,40
divinelove,celebrating,132-136
divinemysteries,unraveling,
126-128
Diwan,152
DrownedBook,The,10
E
eternallife,possibilityof,100-104
excuses,making,81-82
expressinglove,152-154
extendedpoems,Divan,40
228 The Complete Idiots Guide to Rumi Meditations
FGH
fanafillah,13
FihiMaFihi,49-52,78,148,177
ghazals,Divan,40
OdestoShamsuddin,41-44
GenghisKhan,8
GrandCollectionofDiscourses,
The,39
habits,success,170-173
hadiths,46
Hafiz,63
Hussein,Jalaluddin,6
IJ
if,dwellingin,208
immortality,possibilityof,
100-104
injustice,avoiding,123-124
innerself,embracing,70
Iqbal,AllamahMuhammad,55
Islam,5-6
Jalaluddin,6
Jami,54
judgingcharacter,174
K
Kalila,181,187
KalilaandDimnah,183
karma,lawsof,175
Kayqubad,Alauddin,11
Kemal,Yahya,55
khamush,83
Khatun,Ghevher,10
Khatun,Mumina,6
Khidr,171
Kira,17
kismet,186
L
letters,(Rumis),48-49
lifecycles,66-67
living
dignifiedliving,164-170
principlesof,173-176
love
celebrating,157-159
divinelove,celebrating,
132-136
expressing,152-154
pain,120-126
powerof,128-130
recognizing,116-120
unfetteredlove,joysof,
150-152
yearningfor,146-150
M
Maarif,10
MahmoudofGhazni,197-199
Majalis-iSaba,46-47.Seealso
SevenSermons
Majnun,50
Maktubat,48-49
materialism,avoiding,104-110
Mathnawi,17-27,32-36,41,45,
52-56,62-74,80-94,132,149,
169,196
I
1-18,53
19-34,134
135-136,55
152-153,66
306-307,36
409-410,104
II
Inde 229
596-604,136
723-726,118
817-820,157
822,123
836-842,124
899-1389,192
956-970,207
981-982,107
1110-1127,99
1130-1131,122
1144-1145,98
1311-1312,124
1319-1324,124
1327-1330,124
2279-2282,168
2296-2302,105
2653-2655,32
2835-2840,196
2981-3005,206
3514-3515,29
3684-3687,65
119-121,54
682-684,122
734-735,108
739-742,208
880-882,164
939-945,120
996-999,142
1192-1199,73
1240-1246,176
1300-1309,103
1529-1532,150
1552-1554,128
1652-1656,167
1932-2140,203
1975-1977,88
2517-2521,120
2592-2594,135
2600-2603,111
2635-2638,25
3773-3778,28
III
123-127,62
128-137,108
166-171,165
189-197,171
214,173
216-225,109
468-473,138
588-592,69
682-684,125
719-720,140
732-765,167
978-981,84
1132-1134,125
1222-1225,72
1256-1270,181
1272-1274,100
1293-1297,107
1300-1304,70
1436-1441,67
1445-1449,84
1490-1497,140
1615-1623,111
1729-1734,142
1739-1741,137
1960-1961,140
2077-2083,139
2115-2116,117
2122-2127,68
2133-2138,176
2201-2207,138
2401-2405,117
2602-2603,180
2628-2639,71
2652-2656,86
2885-2894,193
2895-2897,118
3093-3101,119
3208-3215,83
3417-3418,80
3545-3552,102
3555-3561,94
3901-3904,143 761-776,102
4008-4012,128 839-840,129
4129,93 1406-1408,34
4159-4165,93 1450-1454,109
4292-4300,184 1475-1482,123
4391-4395,153 1525-1528,18
4415,158 1638-1644,121
4455-4472,92 1967-1974,135
4620-4623,30 2576-2579,174
IV 2590-2591,174
91-99,122 2638-2639,116
829-834,204 2734-2744,174
1109-1112,74 3095-3096,135
1564-1577,89 4190-4201,127
1640-1641,174 4302-4304,146
2037-2038,141 4715-4716,110
2202-2285,183 4717-4727,106
2384-2390,24 MevleviSufiOrder,165
2619-2622,27 misrepresentingself,125
2816-2921,201 mosques,6
3288-3290,64 movingmeditationexercises,158
3372,35 Moyne,John,10
3632-3636,62 Muhammad,5,23,46,53,110,
3647-3655,97 121,196
V Muslims,5
199-207,139 mysticism,12
293-298,173
411-414,151
NO
1073-1074,125
1731-1735,130
Nicholson,Reynold,23
1941-1942,165
noor,99
1961-1964,85
2305-2316,126
OdestoShamsuddin,Divan,
2728-2732,35
41-44
2832-2833,172
openhearts,seeking,71-72
3853-3859,31
open-mindedness,importanceof,
VI
85
224-227,103
255-258,169
P
357-363,105
417-420,175
617-623,130
pain,love,120-126
PanchaTantra,183
155
Inde 231
perfection,expecting,90-93
pointsofview,differences,
180-181
purposes,discovering,78-82
Q
qadr,186
qisma,186
Qitmir,202
quatrains,Divan,40-46
Quran,23,68,189,202
R
reality,learningtosee,97-100
reformingself,124
remembrance,importanceof,123
reminders,time,64-66
RhymedCouplets,52.Seealso
Mathnawi
RomeoandJuliet,50
rubaiyat,Divan,40-46
Rumi,Jalaluddin,3-7,12-16,21,
37,59-60,80-83,96,131,145,
advicefrom,84-85
ascendancyof,16-20
birthof,7
Divan,38-41
ghazals,40-44
rubaiyat,40-46
tarjiat,40
earlytravelsof,9-10
economics,referencesto,119
educationof,8-12
embracing,68-75
FihiMaFihi,49-52
humanbeings,viewson,24-26
Majalis-iSaba,46-47
Maktubat,48-49
Mathnawi,52-56
writingof,17-20
religiousbeliefs,22-38
worldview,116
S
sabr,72
sama,97
Sanai,Hakim,9
seclusion,97
self
exploring,88-90
innerself,embracing,70
inspecting,86-88
misrepresenting,125
reforming,124
treasuring,60-62,74-75
semarituals,158
separation,dealingwith,154-157
SevenSermons,46-47
Shah,Khwarizm,7-8
ShamsuddinofTabriz,14-16,39
shaykhs,165
SilkRoad,6
SleepersoftheCave,202
souls,settingfree,141-144
storyoftheferociouslion,
185-192
storyofthefoalwhorefusedto
drink,184-185
storyoftheheroofQazwin,
204-206
storyofthekingandthebandof
thieves,197-201
storyofthelazydog,192-194
storyofthelinguistandthe
sailor,196-197
storyofthemanwhobefriendeda
bear,201-203
storyofthemanwhofledfrom
death,206-207
storyofthethreefish,181-184
success,habitsof,170-173
Sufis,18
sultans,200
supplication,170
T
tariqas,33
tarjiat,Divan,40
tawbah,168
ThatWhichIsThoughtAbout,10
time
lifecycles,66-67
passingof,62-64
reminders,64-66
traps,avoiding,96-97
treasuringself,74-75
UV
un-Nisa,Fakhr,81
unfetteredlove,joysof,150-152
violence,avoiding,174
WXYZ
WhatsinThisIsinThat,49-52.
SeealsoFihiMaFihi
Writings,48-49
Zarkub,Salahuddin,17

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