Product Description
Rumi's Masnavi is widely recognized as the greatest Sufi poem ever written, and has been called "the Koran in Persian." The thirteenth-century Muslim mystic Rumi composed his work for the benefit of his disciples in the Sufi order named after him, better known as the whirling dervishes. In order to convey his message of divine love and unity he threaded together entertaining stories and penetrating homilies. Drawing from folk tales as well as sacred history, Rumi's poem is often funny as well as spiritually profound.

Jawid Mojaddedi's sparkling new verse translation of Book One is consistent with the aims of the original work in presenting Rumi's most mature mystical teachings in simple and attractive rhyming couplets. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (8)

The Masanvi Book One
Very good but you must be well versed in Rumi to be able to understand it.Fusun Dulger Charles

twisted
Twisted the syntax in this book will be
This book about god called the Masnavi.

This translation reads like some awful 19th Century Children's Bible: it's all dull & repetitive AABB rhymes, simple words, and tortured grammar.After two visits to Turkey I'm interested in learning more about Rumi, and am waiting for a translation that does justice to the poetry that - I assume - the Masnavi contains.

I'm still waiting. This version is close to unreadable.

Depends on what you want
If rhyme is what you want, then this first book
Like all its sequels, merits a good look.
If literality is what you seek,
You'll find this version far from weak.
If you are poised to pounce at deviation
From word-for-word, and sneer at innovation:
You're home free!For the genius of any bard
Can be reduced to doggerel for a greeting card. . .
And by sincere admirers,too, don't get me wrong!
Packing immortal insights into sing-song
Was the work of one who loved Mevlana's verse
And had no intention to torture it (or worse.)
How could it be his fault that Persian soars
And dazzles in its wordplay?He adores
What he read in its pristine state--but ignores
This: English sometimes burps where Farsi roars.
Remember Rumi's parrot who feigned death
To escape its cage?This rendering has no breath.
Imprisoned in an artificial home,
This is not poetry!It is just "a pome"
With beats hard-forced, rhymes twisted,
As if a cruel taskmaster had insisted
That spiritual gold be melted and then hidden
Beneath a gild of gold-plate.Barks has bidden
Truth change Her outer clothes.No disgrace--
She cannot change Her radiant soulful face.
In short, if--unlike Rumi--you shun the wine
And love the vessel, this work is divine!
The Sufi Path, though, shimmers all anew
For each eye that beholds it.Maybe you
Like breathless forms, think that movement warps
Static perfection."Kissing a corpse"
Is Rumi's phrase.Reader!Decide!
A spirited stallion?Or a broken nag to ride?

The Masnavi
That is the best translation of the Masnavi I have ever seen. It consists both the original idea and the rhyme.

Good but not Quite There
The translation is a little off on some parts, in my opinion, but other than that it is good.It is a mid-level book of Sufi Anecdotes written in symbolic couplets.It is not for beginners.One should, before reading this, study theology and jurisprudence (the Creed of Imam Tahawi and Maqasid are good for theology and jurisprudence).On top of that, The Book of Illumination and al-Hikm (Sufi Aphorisms) by Imam ibn 'Ata'illah should both be read before delving into the Masnavi.Otherwise the reader will not understand anything. ... Read more

Product Description
Born in the 13th century in what is modern day Afghanistan, Rumi is one of the greatest mystic poets of all time. His unique message of love speaks directly to the heart and transcends the boundaries of language and time. These poems, carefully selected from the "Divan of Shams" (Rumi's collection of 3,000 poems), speak powerfully to the seeker and lover in all of us. These translations from the original Persian are arranged thematically and lead us through the intricacies of love, longing and the quest for truth. Each section is accompanied by Persian calligraphy of several of the poems, as well as evocative paintings by Azima Melita Kolin, reproduced in full color. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Rumi in its full depth
As already pointed out very nicely by other reviewers, there is no word to describe Rumi's love poems. Still, it has to be clear that Rumi's Love is not an Earthly one, but a Spiritual one, pointing back to the Source, to the Creator.

The breaks in between the poems of this book help a lot the reader to meditate on the poetry. This is a very good idea to space the poems like that. Poems are food for your Soul, so to get the full benefit from it better eat slowly to help digestion...

WONDERFUL - SOUL'SPOETRY
A beautiful book with genuine spiritual depth: the art, the pages' texture, the power and lift in the poems - and their lay-out. (Pairs well with Paul Twitchell's Stranger by the River.)

Lyric and beautiful
Rumi, a 13th century Sufi poet, writes of love in the Sufi sense - that is to say, love to the divine, and a recognition of the divine in all things - in a rooftop, a cup, dust.On another level, Rumi also writes of the nature of love - uttery surrendering yourself, giving yourself over completely.The collection of poems here are wonderful, in a beautiful translation.The art included is also beautiful, although they are by one of the translators and not by Rumi himself, as another reviewer thought.

The book, in short is a thing of beauty - as love is.Highly recommended.

Unsettling intimacy
Rumi has the power to make love poetry unusually accessible.Though his words are ancient, his themes are timeless.This is a book that you will carry with you in travels, on the plane, the bus, etc. because you truly do not tire of his message.His poetry is the kind you want to memorize.It is comforting, but also can be disturbingly accurate and makes you consider your own inadequacy towards love that you may not have considered before.This is not love in the sense of eroticism, per-se.Rather it is an introspective approach to how one approaches and applies love to the world around them.You will read these works more than once.The addition of his paintings helps give the reader a more thorough appreciation for his light and magic.His art has the same ethereal quality as his words, and gives you a tranquil visual aid to calm the mind in its preparation towards the text. Rumi helps us approach the world with a kinder heart & a more forgiving spirit; a concept that we are vastly losing sight of in this quick-fix aggressive world we embrace all to readily. ... Read more

Product Description

Wander through the garden of divine love, tread the sacred path of the Sufi, and behold the spiritual reality of divine beauty with every step. A beloved saint, teacher, and poet of the Sufi tradition, Rumi celebrated love and its ability to set the soul to flight. Let yourself be transported by Rumi's sublime poetry and the enchantingly exotic imagery of this tarot kit—and seek your own spiritual bliss.

This mystical tarot deck beautifully combines Nigel Jackson's original artwork with the inspirational writings of Rumi, depicting the soul's journey toward ultimate truth. The Rumi Tarot Kit includes:

~ Mesmerizing artwork, based on the Rider-Waite tradition, that captures the mystery and opulence of the Orient

~ Suggested tarot card layouts, spreads, and an in-depth historical background of the Sufi tradition

~ Clear instructions for using this tarot deck for divination, meditation, visualization, and chanting

"An important addition to the tarot world, not only because of the vivid imagery but because of the thoroughness of the background information."--Bonnie Cehovet

Customer Reviews (4)

Poetry in Pictures
This is a masterful deck, beautifully rendered in the traditional tempura technique.Some of the hand painted images are exquisite.I'm particularly partial to the Death and the Hanged Man cards.

True to the tradition, Nigel Jackson has kept the symbolism of the lesser Arcana; the Staves, Cups, Coins and Swords.The Aces are excellent, top-notch craftsmanship, rhythmical in their arabesques and elegant forms.Each card of the minor Arcana has the suitable suit and number associated, as the early Tarot decks depicted.Nigel has added in a small picture that aids with memorizing their meanings, adapted from the more modern forms.Some are superb.I particularly like the 10 of coins, the 3 of coins, the 7 of staves, the 10 of cups, the 2 of cups, and the 10 of swords, but there are many more examples.

Each backdrop is lovingly drawn with rhythmic stylized lines, the waters curl and foam, running like flame.There is more symbolism contained in them than space here to relate.But know a lifetime of research and direct experience informs each card.

A quote from the Sufi Saint Rumi adorns each card and informs the image with resonant meaning.Rumi was a love poet, divinely intoxicated with the inspiration that unites all things.His voice sings with this enchantment, and echoes in Nigel Jackson's images.

This is a great deck for its mystical symbolism and the language of the Soul!

To the book.The accompanying book is worth the price of the whole set.It is chock full of Gnostic wisdom.Nigel Jackson is an initiate into some of the foremost Gnostic mysteries, a walker along that golden thread that leads out of the labyrinth. Detailed research into the Sufi tradition, and initiation into particular currents, has enabled him to subtly relay profound truths.Those secrets that can only be given to those who already possess them.There are many great quotes to be drawn from the book, reflected on, and marveled at.Nigel Jackson uses Rumi as the coat of his wisdom, much like Rumi used Islam as the clothing of his Sufi way.The result is a powerful synthesis and presentation of ideas that will, in deepest meditation, reveal powerful secrets about the nature of being, one's place in the cosmos, and the knowledge of the Holy things.

If you are an experienced Tarot user, this deck is an excellent addition to any collection.It you are a novice, this is a great place to start.But, while providing a strong tool for divination, this deck excels as a contemplative aid to meditation.Indeed, many of the images Nigel Jackson has drawn can be traced to esoteric sources.I own a number of decks - a traditionalist, I own Jean-Claude Flornoy's resotration of the Jean Noblet deck.For readings, I have used Nigel Jackson's Medieval Enchantment Deck for years (I find it strikingly accurate).But it is a rare delight I take in the Rumi Tarot.I strongly recommend this deck!

A work of art to be treasured
Bearing in mind the historical Mamluk cards and the tarot's possible Sufic connections, Nigel Jackson has aptly turned his talents to produce what really amounts to a lyrical Sufi deck that would undoubtedly have delighted the heart of Idries Shah.

Not one of your average fortune-telling decks, Jackson's exquisitely designed Rumi tarot cards strongly bring to mind Turkish and Persian painted miniatures of the sixteenth century.Even if some might be deterred by the challenging but highly satisfying text of the book that accompanies the deck, the cards themselves "speak" volumes to the contemplative, making customary written divinatory interpretations hardly necessary.This is a tarot that will be treasured by those that value fine art, and Llewellyn Publications is to be congratulated for venturing into such sophisticated territory.

Flimsy Cards, Dry Book, Small Minor Arcana Imagery
EDIT: I posted this review to The Tarot Channel where I'm an Editor, and Nigel Jackson--creator/artist of the Rumi Tarot deck and book--posted this in the comment section (and he did it at another Tarot Forum, as well):

'All of a sudden a great ass sticks its head out of the stable and braying like an old crone says "this work is poor"... Mevlana Djalal-Al-Din Rumi (Mathnavi III 4227)

So, dear Amazonians, you may want to keep Nigel Jackson'svitriol and attitude in mind when considering if you want *his* version of Rumi (which is not really the mystic poetry many of us revere and love). END EDIT

"The prophetic light blazes timelessly at the heart of Sufi way, for Sufism transcends all the outward forms of religion--it pervades them as their eternal essence and yet preexisted them all. Sufism is the subtlest and deepest core of universal truth, the purity of the all-pervading and traceless gnosis." - From the Rumi Tarot companion book

I pre-ordered the Rumi Tarot from Amazon.com with great anticipation, especially since I've used Rumi's poetry for contemplation for several years. As I began to read the well-researched and detailed 294-page companion book, my heart sank. The first 31 pages are a dry, meticulous discourse on Sufi theology--including the liberal use of dozens of unfamiliar Arabic names and terms. In fact, I think Sufi Tarot would be a better name for this box set. (Incidentally, Sufism is the mystical arm of Islam).

After slogging through, I concluded that those 31 pages were, in my opinion, unnecessary. I became encouraged when I got to the section on the seven chakras, but the information was unorganized, out of vertical order (either up or down, 1-7 or 7-1, would have been fine), and, in two cases, the chakra title/number wasn't even mentioned. Despite being quite familiar with chakra teachings and theory, I couldn't make heads or tails of two of the chakras, even after considerable re-reading and examination!

And to give you an idea of how the first 31 pages read, here's an example of a chakra description. (Incidentally, I can't figure out which chakra it's referring to since the Third Eye and Crown Chakras were discussed elsewhere):

"The Alam-i-Mithal or Alam-I-Khayal is the world of images, or imaginal world, the mystical `isthmus of similtudes' that exists between the sensorial and unseen realms is also known as Hurqalya, the `earth of the emerald cities' Jabalqa and Jabarsa, the `cities at the end of the earth', the `earth of visions' or `intermediate Orient'. This is the sphere of imagination wherein, according to the seventeenth-century Islamic mystic Muhsin Fayz Kashani, `spirits are embodied and bodies are spiritualized'..."

That said, the explanations and insights for the individual cards of the Rumi Tarot are more accessible, appealing, and spiritually illuminating--as are the upright and reversed meanings provided by Mr. Jackson.

Uncharacteristic of Llewellyn decks, the card stock is incredibly flimsy and low quality. After only taking out the Rumi Tarot cards a few times to scrutinize and scan, the corners began wrinkle, flake, and--in some cases--actually bend upward, exposing white card stock beneath.

Had I saw card samples online beforehand, I would have definitely reconsidered buying it, especially since the ornate borders, background, and quotes from Rumi's Mathnavi hog most of the card, especially the Minor Arcana. In fact, the central imagery of the Minor Arcana measures (approximately) a mere 1 ½ x 1 inch!

It's obvious that Mr. Jackson has taken great care with his intricate paintings, and the Majors and court cards are lovely. However, as I said, the double borders, moss green background, and quote banner overshadow the painstaking artwork, especially with the Minors.

Featuring a simple, delicate, reversible symbol on the backing, the cards of the Rumi Tarot measure 4 ½ x 2 ¾ inches with a matte finish. The box set comes with the companion book, white cardboard box for storage and a black organdy pouch.

Personally, I don't feel that the Rumi Tarot makes for a good divination deck (and certainly not as a beginner's deck!), but it would make a wonderful contemplation tool for those inspired and nurtured by Sufi mysticism. Mr. Jackson brings an innovative perspective on the cards, as well as an exhaustive treatise of Sufi theology.

(To see 16 images from this deck, visit the Reviews--Decks section at JanetBoyer.com)

-- Janet Boyer, author of The Back in Time Tarot Book

Dazzling Images & Erudite Esoteric Commentary
Nigel Jackson's new Rumi Tarot contains 78 beautiful cards and with an over 300 page accompanying book.As a significant contemporary esotericist and esoteric artist, Nigel is ideally suited to create a deck that combines the spiritual Sufi wisdom of Rumi with the spiritual system of the Tarot.

This is not, like many contemporary Tarot decks, full of photo-shopped images.Each card was individually painted in the exacting tempera technique.The images are incredible!Nigel has really captured the Persian/Moghul miniature style though staying within the overall scheme of the standard Rider-Waite deck.

Each card is paired with a specific quote from Rumi and its spiritual import as well as divinatory significance is fully elucidated in the voluminous accompanying book.

I really can't say too much about the stunning visual images of the Rumi Tarot.Clearly a must have for Tarot collectors, but also a true manifestation of the Tarot as spiritual wisdom visually encapsulated. ... Read more

Product Description
The cry of the soul in love with God has never been more eloquently expressed than by the great Persian Sufi master Jalaluddin Rumi (1207–1273). Readers have thrilled to his ecstatic songs of divine union for more than eight hundred years. Now, here is a collection of the best of Rumi’s poetry in an edition small enough to carry with you wherever you go. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

You were born with wings. Why prefer to crawl through life?---Jalal-ad-Din Rumi ( * * * * * for substance. * * 1/2 for format.)
Named for the mythical (?) and mystical kingdom in the East, Shambhala Publications is known for bringing some of the greatest and sometimes most obscure philosophical writings of Mankind to the attention of the general public. Heavily (though not exclusively) concerned with Buddhist and Taoist thought, Shambhala Pocket Classics are an attractive set of unabridged minibooks which fit comfortably in a shirt pocket, making them perfect for reading on planes, trains, and automobiles. Titles in the set include THE BOOK OF TEA, WAY OF THE JEWISH MYSTICS, ZEN FLESH, ZEN BONES, THE TIBETAN BOOK OF THE DEAD, TAO TE CHING, POEMS BY EMILY DICKINSON, THE ART OF PEACE, THE ART OF WAR, and this volume by Rumi.

Jalâl ad-Dîn Muammad Balkhî Rumi, of Persian extraction, was born in 1207. Poet, theologian, jurist, and Sufi mystic, Rumi's life was irrevocably changed when he had a brief (1244-1248) but immeasurably profound association with the mysterious mendicant Shams-i-Tabrizi, in whom Rumi saw the light of God's face reflected. Thereafter, Rumi penned some of the most numinous poetry ever composed by a human spirit. He died in 1273, and is still remembered throughout Islam.

In form, there are far better Rumi collections (and books about Rumi) than this inconveniently thick little pocket edition which samples many earlier compilations. However, if you are out walking and are inspired by nature or by human companionship, then this book is nice to have at hand for its substance. ... Read more

Product Description
Jelalludin Rumi (1207-1273) led the quiet life of an Islamic teacher in the central Anatolia (modern Turkey) until the age of thirty-seven, when he met a wandering dervish named Shams Tabriz—through whom he encountered the Divine Presence in a way that utterly transformed him. The result of this epiphany was the greatest body of mystical poetry the world has ever seen, and the establishment of a spiritual movement that would eventually stretch from Africa to China, enduring to our own day.

This collection of versions of Rumi by Andrew Harvey contains some of the master's most luminous verse, along with selections from his lesser-read prose works, with the aim of presenting a balanced view of his teaching that includes both the high-flying love of God and the rigorous path of discipline essential for those who seek it. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Returning Home

While knowing some beauty is lost through the translation from Rumi's native language, as a westerner who speaks only english I am so grateful to the author for a very accessable translation of the Master's Wisdom.

Maybe Divine Love speaks for itself, but as a spiritual journeyer I was deeply comforted by the obvious 'rites of passage' and inherent 'Truth' of Rumi's Teachings.

Subpar translation (interpretation).
This may not be that Bad of a translation; however, Harvey brings it down, that is, he takes something away from Rumi in order to present it to the reader. This is why it seems so much like an interpretation. True, a certain amount of interpretation seems to be required when translating such works, so maybe Harvey's just doesn't work or is missing something. Again, it's as if he "dummies" it down. It's as if Harvey thinks the beauty of the poetry is more in it's english poetic-ness (rhyme, etc.) than in what Rumi is pointing at. This can create a problem in translating works, especially when the Need to be poetic supercedes the content. I don't mean that the poetry is secondary; it's of equal importance to the actual translation, the medium is often the message; however, it seem in Harvey's effort to make it English-passing as poetry (almost like sonnets) he neglects to make a good, solid translation. For a much, much better reading, get the superior translation by A.J. Arberry. It's probably the best english translation out there. Of course, the best authority is to ask a REAL Sufi and see what he/she thinks.

finally - genuinly accessible Rumi!
I want to thank Andrew Harvey for offering a collection of Rumi that is grouped in such a way as to be really accessible to both the student of Rumi, as well as the new-comer.I found his clear presentation refreshing. This book has been a spiritual learning tool - a path to go down - without the usual barrage of "opinions" by the editor.It ispresented in such a way as to allow the reader to "just take thejourney" without being swayed to believe that the passages meananything else than the reader wants or needs them to mean.I am greatfulthat Harvey was able to show restraint and offer this clear- joyouscollection - while feeling confident enough to leave the rest up to thereader. ... Read more

Product Description
Discover moving meditation with one of today's top-selling poets.

Rumi was a 13th-century Sufi theologian and poet who spoke of love, unity with God, and spiritual growth. Rumi and his followers, known as the Whirling Dervishes, employed music, poetry, and dance to become closer to God. This guide brings the unique practice of moving meditation to American readers, offering more than 40 meditations based on Rumi's poems.
• Includes a timeline of Rumi's life, a glossary, and resources for further exploration ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Great way to get your feet wet.
If you're even slightly interested in learning more about Jalaluddin Rumi, his poetry or even a little bit about Sufism, then you can't go wrong with this book.

Easy to read - bring an open mind and you'll be well-rewarded.

A Spiritual Journey
This book takes the reader on a spiritual journey that is squarely centered on love.For those unfamiliar with the more spiritual side of Islam and with the Sufi tradition within Islam, this is a wonderful starting point.Rumi's meditations and poetry represent the best in the Sufi tradition, and the author has managed to preserve Rumi's poetry through a fluid and easily understood translation into English.Further, the author's introductions to different sections provides a valuable context for appreciating Rumi's original work.

Definitely worth a look!
What a pleasant read!I never knew Rumi was so deep and can apply so well to challenges we face today.The author covers how Rumi's works can help overcome stress, lonliness and a loss of focus in life.The book is also so well-written - a very good book for everyone. ... Read more

Product Description
An American housewife is transformed by an intriguing manuscript about the Sufi mystic poet Rumi

In this lyrical, exuberant follow-up to her 2007 novel, The Bastard of Istanbul, acclaimed Turkish author Elif Shafak unfolds two tantalizing parallel narratives- one contemporary and the other set in the thirteenth century, when Rumi encountered his spiritual mentor, the whirling dervish known as Shams of Tabriz-that together incarnate the poet's timeless message of love.

Ella Rubenstein is forty years old and unhappily married when she takes a job as a reader for a literary agent. Her first assignment is to read and report on Sweet Blasphemy, a novel written by a man named Aziz Zahara. Ella is mesmerized by his tale of Shams's search for Rumi and the dervish's role in transforming the successful but unhappy cleric into a committed mystic, passionate poet, and advocate of love. She is also taken with Shams's lessons, or rules, that offer insight into an ancient philosophy based on the unity of all people and religions, and the presence of love in each and every one of us. As she reads on, she realizes that Rumi's story mir­rors her own and that Zahara-like Shams-has come to set her free.

... Read more

Customer Reviews (20)

A must read
Elif Safak tells the story of Rumi and his transformation in a well crafted way. She nicely links past and present day.

HISTORIALLY INTERESTING, MODERN DAY DUD
For someone who didn't know anything about Rumi this was OK.I don't know how accurate it was, but it gave me a good perspective on the times.The modern day story was awful though which made the book difficult to get through.

Spiritual guidance, explaning Sufi-ism etc.
May not appeal to every reader. Needs to be read in "spurts" to absorb the meaning and "ponder " about it.

More like a bible parable
I started to read with an open mind I thought it was an interesting approach to Rumi teachings. I only made it half way through at which point I started to feel I was reading some Bible parables (very cliché characters the drunk, the prostitute, the leper). Ella story is not very interesting either. There are some nice quotes and reaffirmation phrases but overall not an entertaining or enlightening read

Should have been better
I was immediately drawn to this book and had high expectations.I was perplexed at the first blurring of philosophies.When speaking of Oneness in the context of Rumi, it was couched in very modern terms.But then it got worse; I ran into Buddhist quotes.I could not believe the author thought that no one would notice this.Rumi and Sufism are so rich in quotes and stories, why on earth would you choose ones from a different tradition?The worst example was the very Zen story of two monks and a woman at the river.The author should have known that the people who would be drawn to this book would probably have some knowledge of different philosophies.This discordance was a fatal flaw and the banality of the romance part of the book did nothing to redeem it. ... Read more

Product Description
This is the first complete translation of the nearly 2,000 quatrains attributed to Jalaluddin Rumi, the famous 13th century mystical poet. It is the result of over 22 years of collaboration by an American Rumi scholar and an Afghan scholar of Persian literature. It should appeal to a wide variety of lovers of Mawlana Rumi's poetry, not just specialists: general readers who seek a deeper understanding of his spiritual teachings than popularized books (often interpretive versions claimed as translations) can provide, as well as those interested in religious mysticism in general and Islamic mysticism (sufism) in particular.The quatrains are ordered according to stages and themes of the 'lover and beloved' (spiritual disciple and sufi master). Most of the translations are followed by explanatory notes: those intended for the general reader have asterisks and often refer to the Notes, an appended glossary. Readers who have access to previously published translations and versions of the quatrains can use the appended Concordance to make comparisons. Quatrains in the earliest manuscripts that have been found to be composed by earlier poets have been identified and placed in another appendix.Few of the quatrains have been previously translated by scholars; the quatrains in popularized books are often distorted versions, mostly rendered by authors who do not know Persian; those who do often tend to omit, change, or add. Here, the poems are presented in the context of the Islamic sufi poetry in the Persian language 800 years ago: 'wine' and 'drunkenness' do not involve alcoholic intoxication, but are metaphors for the 'mystical taste' of spiritual grace and ecstasy. The lover's longing and self-effacing love is not 'romantic', but spiritual love of the seeker for his sufi guide. This love is a means to the goal of pure worship of God Most High, the 'only Beloved', that necessitates self-effacement and mystical 'drowning' in the reality described in the Qur'an: 'Everything perishes except His Face.' ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Rumi
I love the book. I have several works on or about Hazrat Rumi. This is by far one of the best. There has been a 'Rumi craze' in the West for quite some time. I find that many of his admirerers do not associate him with his Islamic faith, but that is the essence of his work. This work has notes throughout the book with the quatrains so that the reader can get a clearer understanding of the work. Unfortunately, too many have translated his works without an understanding of Persian and without an understanding of his background and the purposes for which he wrote. This is clearly evidenced in the foreword, written by the 22nd generation direct descendent of Hazrat Rumi. who writes: "...And they interpret [his] thoughts and ideas by using their own points of view, which then creates a different Mevlana than the one who actually lived....This saddens me greatly....In spite of this...I thank them---while requesting that they exercise more care in the future."

A must have
Ibrâhîm Gamard has given us a rare gift in these times of rampant translators who claim to have done authentic translations of Rumi's work, he has produced along with A. G. Rawân Farhâdî a masterful and faithful rendering of the Quatrains of Mawlana. Accurate translations of a large body of Rumi's work to English are rare as we have been fed revisions mostly of Nicholson's work by those who have no knowledge of Persian or other language translations of this great poet. Gamard and Farhâdî have done justice to the field of Persian to English translation of this part of Rumi's cannon of work.

Some may find the Quatrains in this volume too literal, but isn't turning lines that are close to what Rumi said into our own heart's poetry part of Mawlana's original intent in offering them? This reader of "The friend of our Friend" has experienced the truth of this, as in No. 565 from this book:

"If a thorn bush appears on top of my grave,
The thorn bush will still be desirous of you."

As I read this I hear:

Even though I will be dead, and my soul sent Home,
my body will still try to reach You, my Love.

This book is both a scholarly effort as well as a labor of love on the part of the authors as they worked to bring Rumi alive for us. If the translations are to be placed in doubt, the Persian from early texts is given in a parallel format for those who know the language. Footnotes abound and an extensive appendix make this a necessary volume to sit next to the efforts of Annemarie Schimmel and William Chittick's endeavors. If you add Nicholson, Arberry and Gamard's translations from his website Dar Al Masnavi, very little else will be needed to feed your heart and soul with the words of the poet whom God took into God's very presence, and never let go.

I cannot recommend this book too highly.

"Take care, O thirsty heart! Be always seeking the running stream."

No. 1176, Gamard and Farhâdî
... Read more

Product Description
"[Rumi is] one of the world's greatest poets.In profundity of thought, inventiveness of image, and triumphant mastery of language, he stands out as the supreme genius of Islamic mysticism."--A.J. Arberry ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Perhaps The Best
A few years ago, I became acquainted with the mesmerizing, Islamic poet of love, Rumi, and since then he has become, hands down, one of my favorites. His mystical poems are spiritual, universal, and sensuous in nature. They have been translated into many languages; he has been described as one of the most popular poets in American libraries today. I found this volume to be one of the best.

Tried and True translation
Out of the dozen or so different versions, translations, and interpretations of Rumi I've gone through, Arberry is still my favorite. Some say it's a bit stale with the literal translation, but that is far better than someone else's limited interpretation (like Barks or Harvey), especially when today's popular interpreters are unable to dive deep enough into Rumi and simply call him a mystic or a writer of Love poetry.

Arberry also includes some notes (though a full addendum is really required to begin to grasp the layers of Rumi), which are helpful.

If you do like the modern interpretations, at least read Arberry first. Then you can make up your own interpretations before reading someone elses.

One of the best translations
It is unfortunate that most readers are introduced to Rumi through the "interpretations" of Coleman Barks (you'll notice I didn't say translations). A. J. Arberry's tranlslations are where readers should start; as a matter of fact Barks himself said that he uses Arberry's translations, which should speak volumes in itself. Arberry stays very close to the literal readings and the notes he provides are invaluable when reading these poems. There are a few places where the notes prove very helpful because Rumi plays on words a lot and the double meanings would have went over my head otherwise. And because Rumi's original works haven't survived there are several versions of what might be called his "original" poetry. The differences, when they arise,are included in the notes and there are a few instances where the alternate reading makes more sense than the one given. If you are an avid reader of Rumi or looking for an introduction, this book and its companion volume are a must have.

The Best
This 2 volume set oftranslations by Arberryand the translations by Nicholson arethe best readily available. Numerous "renderings" by popularwriters littering the bookstores fail to even touch the depth and layers of meaning to be found in Rumi. These are works ofspiritualpower brought to lifeforthe english reader bya scholar in thelanguage and history oftheSufi traditions.If you want the real thing,this is it. ... Read more

Product Description
The secret Rumi found in beholding the Divine in his sacred relationship with Shams-i-Tabriz

• Shows how, in 1244, Sufi poet and mystic Jallaludin Rumi was first brought to a state of ecstatic union with the cosmos and all its creatures

• Reveals the radical spiritual practice Rumi formulated in his private retreat with the mendicant seeker Shams-i-Tabriz

• Uses the poetry and prose of Rumi to explain how to come face-to-face with the Divine

One of the most extraordinary events in the history of Sufism occurred in 1244 when the Sufi poet and mystic Jallaludin Rumi met a wandering seeker named Shams-i-Tabriz. Upon meeting, the two men immediately went into private retreat together, emerging ninety days later in a transformed condition.

In The Spiritual Practices of Rumi, Will Johnson reveals the radical spiritual practice that transpired between Rumi and Shams. To put it simply, they sat and gazed into each other’s eyes. Because the eyes are portals to the soul, their sustained gazing formed the basis of a devotional practice that opened the doors to a profoundly ecstatic state of divine union. Johnson draws on the poetry and prose of Rumi to unfold his story. He also explains how one may embark on the practice of intentional gazing to experience the state of ecstatic divine union shared by Rumi and Shams so many centuries ago. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Wondrous adventures await the readers of this text
Oh, goodness gracious this book can open up so many doors for you that it is worth ten times what you will pay for it. I am however not speaking from experience but just what I got out of the book. I haven't found anyone to try the practice with, but just the premise gives me goosebumps and I damned well better find someone to do it with real soon or I'll jump out of my skin.

Yogi Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh gave a technique to do it alone simply by sitting in front of a mirror in the dark with a candle illuminating your face so you can see your eyes in the mirror clearly and being able to not blink for thirty to forty minutes or look away even for a second. Don't know if I'm afraid to do it by myself or if I just want to wait to have someone to share the experience that Jaladin Rumi paints such a marvelous picture of but it is always floating around in my head that this is something I just have to try. This and so many other wonderful mystic things as well, I need to get busy. Laters

Great book
This is a superb book if you're on a mystical path OR want to be. The author explains things in such a beautiful way. My soul is on overwhelm, in a beautiful way, after savoring Ch. 4 Gazing at the Beloved. This book is a real heart opener and it shows the way HOME.Read it, love it, love your self, love all that is!

The Light in Your Eyes
I have read a lot of book about Rumi.This book makes some valuable additions to the literature about him.While we cannot absolutely know what transpired between Rumi and Shams, it is reasonable to imagine what the practice might have been, extrapolating from Rumi's writings.While the book's title say it addresses spiritual practices, it is fair to say that at least 90% of the book addresses only one practice: looking long and deeply into the eyes of a spiritual friend.Even if one does not have a spiritual friend to engage in this practice with, the author suggests you can use your own image in the mirror, or look long and lovingly at something in nature, like a tree.

The section of the book on stages of spiritual practice is useful.Also very useful and kindly written are the sections that address our tendency toward self castigation on the path:we are not enlightened enough, far enough along the path, find ourselves unworthy- etc.The author's heartfelt words about this reach right into the heart and comfort the weary traveler.The following Rumi poem, which I had not read before, is quoted:

You suppose that you're the trouble,
But you're really the cure.
You suppose that you're the lock in the door
But you're really the key that opens it.

It's too bad you want to be someone else.
You don't see your own face, your own beauty.
Yet, no one's face is more beautiful than yours.

I would like to hand that poem to every counseling client I see.

The chapter on sexuality, advising sacred friends who have sex with each other- on how to have sex with each other- seemed a bit out of place to me.

Overall I recommend this book highly.You can feel the author' compassionate spirit through his writing.Reading this book is like spending hours with a compassionate spiritual friend.

Spiritual Practice of Rumi
Rumi the Card and Book Pack: Meditation, Inspiration, & Self-DiscoveryAs no opinions about Rumi's Writings is either wrong or right, Mr. Johnson's Book is a wonderful personal take on the "effects or methods" of how Rumi came in contact with his Spiritual Mentor Shams. ... Read more

Product Description
The lyric and wisdom poetry of Mawlana Jalaluddin Rumi has been an inspiration throughout the Middle East and Asia for over seven hundred years. Recently it has also become popular in Western countries through translations and interpretive poetic versions in English. But while popular renderings have created the appreciation of Rumi the mystic, there is little understanding today of the religious and spiritual traditions from which the great mystic came.

Rumi and Islam--Selections from His Stories, Poems, and Discourses examines not the popularized Rumi of universal love but the Sufi disciple whose works express deep reverence for the Prophet Muhammad. Ibrahim Gamard focuses on Rumi's place within the Sufi tradition of Islam, as one of the greatest Muslim followers of the Prophet Muhammed, and on the Islamic foundations of his lover-Beloved mystical poetry. By probing verse by verse Rumi's spiritual teachings, Gamard provides insight into the mystical side of the Qur'an and Islam, a religion that holds a deep love of God at its core.

Now you can experience the profound and uplifting wisdom of Rumi even if you have no previous knowledge of Sufism or Islam. This SkyLight Illuminations edition presents the most important of Rumi's writings, mainly from the Mathnawi, with insightful yet unobtrusive commentary that conveys how his teachings about the nature of love for God and God's love for us can increase our understanding of Islamic wisdom in the West. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

All Muslims Should Read This Book
Rumi has become popular in many circles but this great scholar, mystic & poet is largely unknown to most muslims themselves. His poems are an overwhelming treasure of insight and inspiration revealing depths of Islam that you would not otherwise guess were there. This book does a service in that it collects excepts from Rumi directing relating to the Prophet and other aspects of the faith, translating it in a way that is intellecually honest and true to the original. ... Read more

Product Description
This book (previously published asI Am Wind, You Are Fire ) celebrates the extraordinary career of Persia's great mystical poet, Rumi (1207–1273), through the story of his life, along with an enlightening examination of his ecstatic verse. Rumi lived the quiet life of a religious teacher in Anatolia until the age of thirty-seven, when he came under the influence of a whirling dervish, Shams Tabriz, and was moved to a state of mystical ecstasy. One of the results of this ecstasy was a prodigious output of poems about the search for the lost Divine Beloved, whom Rumi identified with Shams. To symbolize this search, Rumi also invented the famous whirling dance of the Melevi dervishes, which are performed accompanied by the chanting of Rumi's poems. Professor Schimmel illuminates the symbolism and significance of Rumi's vast output and offers her own translations of some of his most famous poems. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (8)

This is not the work of Rumi, it's only the author's interpretations and historical recollection
I expected to get a transcript of the actual works from Rumi to read and interpret myself. That is not the case with this book. While it does provide the historical context (that's why I gave him 2 stars instead of 1), the author feeds his views and opinions in front of the actual text by Rumi. My opinion of the author's style is poor, at best.

Reductionist Rumi
I am not sure I should write this review, since I have been unable to finish the book so far. The author's pedigree is also intimidating. Yet this book is a cold emotionless dissection, mostly uninteresting except for an academic who has long lost the sense of who or what he's studying. The book takes Rumi apart like a corpse on a slab. To get through it so far, I've escaped periodically to Coleman Bark's Essential Rumi. His brief introduction and forward alone provides more insight into what Rumi is about than the three-quarters of the book I've managed to struggle through so far.
Prodded on by the other reviews to the suspicion that I may have missed something here, I plan to finish the book and reread it again. Yet I should warn others that reading this book as an introduction to Rumi may be like viewing a bearskin rug as an introduction to wildlife. After a reread, I will revisit this review, perhaps reedit it at that time.
Sept.07

One of the best introductions to the life and works of Rumi you can find
Origninaly called "I am wind, you are fire" This is perhaps one of the best introductions to the life and works of Rumi around by one of the greatest scholars of Rumi in our modern times (sadly professor Schimmel has now passed away)

The book is well documented and easy to read covering the basics of Rumis life and teachings both placing them in their correct historical and religious context; none of this modernist revisionist Rumi poetry that is being passed around as the great mans works this is an authentic biography of his life.

Exellent read, check out Iqbal, Arberry and Nicholson after this book.

Excellent
There are a number of writers on Islamic topics that are excellent from differing perspectives.There are only two Western authors, however, that I have any respect for when it comes to the subject of Islamic spirituality.One of them was Frithjof Schuon, and the other is Annemarie Schimmel.

With all of the fuss about Rumi and the whole New Age Sufi thing, it is all too easy to forget that Rumi was a Muslim (sometimes I suspect that too many people would like to forget it).Rumi was the sort of person that he was because he was a Muslim, and not in spite of that fact.Professor Schimmel places Rumi squarely in the Islamic perspective, which is where he belongs.This book provides the best short introduction to his life and thought within that context that I have run across, and I recommend it highly to anyone interested in his life and work.

Very enlightening
An excellent piece of writing on the life and poetry of Rumi. Gives a biographical sketch as well as outlines the technicalities of Rumi's prose, his beliefs and ideas as rendered in poetry. One of the most moving book's I've ever read. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

Elegant simplicity
I have had my copy of Rumi for some time.I have just recently picked it up again.While I had several old favorites, my dog-eared pages marking them, I found some new ones that now captivate.

The elegant simplicity--spare verse, carefully crafted structure--of these poems is mesmerizing. Enigmatic and ecstatic they will lift your spirit.

Solid Sufi (ecstatic religious) poetry
Birdsong contains 53 short poems that are reworkings of the translation by A. J. Arberry, a major scholar of Sufism.

Not all of the poems have anydirect relationship to birds, rather the birdsong of the title refers to acommon metaphor in mystic traditions e.g. The Conference of the Birds, amajor Sufi work.

Barks, as usual, provides excellent translations; hetruly makes the poetry of Rumi accessible to the average reader (ascompared to some scholarly translations that are precise but no longerpoetry or that require technical vocabulary).

His selection of poems isalso excellent; they are poems that encourage meditative thought.Anexample: "Stars burn clear / all night till dawn. / Do that yourself,and a spring / will rise in the dark with water / your deepest thirst isfor. "

All I want now to do or hear is poetry!
Rumi is brilliant in his acuteness. Birdsong only makes me want to learn and read more about this impressionable thinker.His words truly hold the essence of life.Recommneded to all who adore poetry.

Where's Rumi?
Persian period of that time is complex and formal. Mowlana is a master of poetry as well as a master of Sufi.His depth, artistry, and complexity is missing.I also find it a little deceptive to call oneself a"translator" when one does not read or speak the language fromwhich he is supposedly translating.

An excellent introduction to a medieval master.
Although any work this short is going to have shortcomings, this is anexcellent introduction to the precision, wisdom and wit of Rumi.A greatgift and a great read. ... Read more

Product Description
The spiritual influence of Jelaluddin Rumi (1207-1273) is increasing among people of diverse beliefs throughout the western world. Rumi is now recognized here in the West, as he has been for seven centuries in the Middle East and Western Asia, as one of the greatest literary and spiritual figures of all time. Rumi is a spokesman for the religion of love in the language of the heart.

Recent translations of Rumi's work have brought forth a variety of different qualities, exploring the subtlety, grace, and electricity of his verse. This book presents his spiritual teachings concisely and comprehensively, in a translation that touches heart and mind.

The Mathnawi, from which these selections have been taken, is one of the greatest spiritual masterpieces ever written. Its content includes the full spectrum of life on earth, as well as the vertical dimension to the highest levels of metaphysics and cosmic awareness. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Beautiful
I love this collection of Rumi's poetry. It's a simple, beautiful introduction to one of my favorite teachers and poets.

Rumi was a first-rate lover of God!
This book very quickly introduced me to Rumi whom I now consider one of the great spiritual teachers in my life. He loved God so deeply and his words exude this love in a way which is infectious. Helminski has done agreat job of breaking out small fragments from the larger body of Rumi'swork and has presented them in a format for easy assimilation. Eachbite-sized piece though, is extremely profound and capable of capturing theattention for a lifetime of purposeful remembering. I never feel bored withRumi's writings and refer to his words often to find that spiritualrefreshment to make it through, what would otherwise be, trying days.Helminski's translation seems superior to other translations I have read ofRumi's words. Though I'm not capable of comparing it to the orignal,Helminski's translations sing for me like no others do. A most rewardingbook and now a valued frequent companion for me. ... Read more

Product Description
Although Rumi has become one of America’s favorite poets, very little is known about the underlying metaphysical foundation which illuminates his language.With beautiful illustrations from the world of Persian Sufism, this authoritative introduction opens the door to Rumi’s spiritual universe and it highlights Rumi as a beacon of light whose teaching dispels the shadows which prevent modern man from seeing even his own image in its true form and knowing who he really is.Containing chapters on Sufism and Islam, The Nature of Man, and Operative Sufism, for readers who are already sensitive to the magic of Rumi’s poetry, this succinct book provides the necessaryinsight required to more fully understand the world of one of the greatest spiritual figures in the history of the world. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Illustrated Rumi
This is an outstanding overview of the philosophy of Rumi and Sufism generally. It shows how Rumi's views are consistent with other thinkers such as Ibn Arabi. It is excellent on Sufi concepts of Shahadah, the relation between Shariah and Tariqah, theodicy or the question of evil, the universal man and the fallen man, the union with God and the Nafs or ego-carnal self which prevents man from seeing his true nature. The pictures are beautiful and include illustrations from Rumi's life. Chittick was a student of Seyyed Hossein Nasr who writes the introduction. ... Read more

Product Description
The poetry of the medieval Persian sage Rumi combines lyrical beauty with spiritual profundity, a sense of rapture, and acute awareness of human suffering in ways that speak directly to contemporary audiences.

Trained in Sufism—a mystic tradition within Islam—Rumi founded the Sufi order known to us as the Whirling Dervishes, who use dance and music as part of their spiritual devotion. Many of Rumi’s poems speak of a yearning for ecstatic union with the divine Beloved. But his images bring the sacred and the earthy together in startling ways, describing divine love in vividly human terms.

This volume draws on a wide variety of translations—from the early twentieth century to the present—of Rumi’s deeply moving, sensually vibrant poetry. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

A Beautiful Edition of Beautiful Poetry
A great collection of Rumi's poetry from 7 different translators, some with a very literal, scholarly style of translation and some with a more free-verse style.This is a great introduction to Rumi and will also be well-loved by those of us more familiar with his poetry.Has some great footnotes about Sufi mysticism and teachings.I love the beauty of this little book, from the calligraphry on the cover to its sewn-in ribbon bookmark.The compact size of the book makes it easy to carry into coffeehouses for inspirational reading.

Really Enjoyed it!
This was a wonderful read on poetry, and I especially enjoyed the creative imagery, the recognition of the meaning and value of work and the subtle weaving metaphors as the author worked to uncover the underlying truths of all of our lives.

Superb Imagery, Timely Topics, Insightful Poetry
This poetry book is among my top favorites. The poetry of Rumi gleams and sparkles with meaning for modern times... amazing as it was written in the 1240s A.D.The natural imagery usedis always surprising. He never fails to capture human emotions and the human condition, using original and sometimes highly provocative but very 'on-target' terms.

The subject matter of each poem is varied, although the theme of the book is 'work' ... it really is about much, much more than work. I can not praise the themes of the poems and contents of this book enough. One outstanding poem uses "grapes" as imagery. Rumi describes for the reader, "How It Is with Grapes". When they are immature they jostle competetively in the bunch ... after maturing, the grapes soften, the skin rips open and become one juice. Rumi reassures us, it is just the same with humans. We are also told some grapes grow stone-hard but the secret to that sour tightness remains hidden. What is more important is ... that we grow ... with each breath ... through the help of the heart master.

Another poetic masterpiece is "Die Before You Die". We are told about a riddle, that the opener and that which is opened are the same ... Rumi states, "The day and the daily bread that comes are not to be worshiped for themselves. ... That it is the ocean inside the fish that bears it along, not the riverwater. ... The time-river spreads and disappears into the ocean with the fish." "Be one of G-d's fish who receives what it needs directly from the ocean around it - food, shelter, sleep, medicine." In conclusion, "A seed breaks into the ground. Only then does a new fig tree come into being. *That's* *the* *meaning* *of* *die* *before* *you* *die*." This is truly phenomenal poetry that has been tested over time. It is 800 years strong and still filled with enlightenment and human insight into the phenomenon called "Life".
Erika Borsos (erikab93) ... Read more

Product Description
Reveals the sophisticated design of Rumi's Mathnawi, showing that this seemingly unstructured work both describes and functions as spiritual training. ... Read more

Product Description

This enchanting story, set in the late 1950s, takes us from the hills and piazzas of Florence to the green domed mosques of Konya, Turkey. Upon discovering a poem by the thirteenth-century Sufi dervish Rumi, Georgiou, a young Greek icon painter, is compelled to travel to the land that this poet called home. Inspired by Rumi's magical words, Georgiou leaves his father and their small business in hopes of recapturing the transcendent power of an early childhood vision.

Through encounters with Christian and Islamic mystics, and guided by forces he cannot name, Georgiou gradually learns to follow his own heart. The closer he gets to Konya and to Rumi's tomb, the more in awe he becomes at the workings of fate. But it is only when Georgiou returns to Florence that his life changes forever in an experience that reveals the mystery of life and love.

In the tradition of The Alchemist and Siddartha, Chasing Rumi is a spellbinding and enduring story for all.

Customer Reviews (3)

Read More and Be Inspired By these Great Books!!!
Can't get enough of visionary fiction? Neither can I! These are just a few titles that will inspire you: The Celestine Prophecy (James Redfield) ; The Butterfly (Jay Singh); The Monk who sold his Ferrari (Robin Sharma) ; The Alchemist (Paulo Coehlo); Chasing Rumi (Roger Housden). My favorite is by far and away THE ALCHEMIST! Go ahead...be inspired. Happy reading. Donald S. Buckland.

A modern odyssey
I really enjoyed this book after stumbling on it among the new editions. The author seems to have used the contrasting themes (different religions, geography, world views, political complications) well to get his point across. I remember finishing my reading on a single, long night. The suspense mentioned in the preview also kept me going. Having visited Istanbul and Konya one time, I can tell you that his descriptions of these specific cities are pretty accurate. I also found myself visualizing some of the concepts he describes (such as being deprived of all senses for an extended period or the restlessness the young man constantly feels).There were some short cuts to obvious problems (no language problems for once), but overall the book provides a wealth of information for the reader about the old world, its cultures, its religious and philosophical concepts. This is one of those books that makes you question the decisions you made in life.

A wonderful story
I enjoyed reading this book as it reminded me of lighter times in my life. If I would have to pick somethhing that I liked best, I would go for the allegory of the 2 birds... read the book and you will understand. ... Read more

Product Description
In 1244, the brilliant poet Rumi and the wandering dervish Shams of Tabriz met and immediately fell into a deep spiritual connection. The Glance taps a major, yet little explored theme in Rumi's poetry-the mystical experience that occurs in the meeting of the eyes of the lover and the beloved, parent and child, friend and soul mate.

Coleman Barks's new translations of these powerful and complex poems capture Rumi's range from the ethereal to the everyday. They reveal the unique place of human desire, love, and ecstasy, where there exists not just the union of two souls, but the crux of the universe.

Here is a new kind of love lyric for our time-one of longing, connection, and wholeness.

Translated by Coleman Barks ... Read more

Customer Reviews (8)

Spellbound
I am spellboubnd by this delicious and intense taste of love. So, glancing downor up, I am for lover's sake mirrored and revealed with such words, with such indelible mysteries as to be placed in this heavenly embrace and in the depths of a lover's cavern all at once.

Beautiful, mind-challenging imagery
Some years ago, a friend recommended that I read Rumi, and finally I have. So this is what all the fuss is about. This short book contains only a fraction of Rumi's literary work, but in every line, Rumi's poetry challenges the reader to stop and think, to see, taste, and smell -- and, most of all, feel. From tambourine feet to talking pomegranates and from human activity as the work of a silkworm to the soul as an invisible bee, Rumi's rapturous poetry engages our imagination. This translation by Coleman Barks captures a wealth of sensations in modern-day English. One must wonder how accurately the translations carry the original meaning, since Barks has retranslated an English translation by Nevit Ergin from a Turkish translation of the original Persian. Nevertheless, it is easy to forget such questions as one is drawn into a world where human sensations and brotherly love merge with the mystery of a divine universe.

Deep, contented breath....

The very title of this Coleman Barks translation of some of Rumi's most soulful love poems is what initially drew me in - because I felt as if I knew this "Glance" he spoke of with a deep soul-friend of mine. May everyone know just a taste of what Rumi felt with his beloved, Shams. Perhaps this book may spark exactly that intent for many readers.

I have been a long-time fan of Rumi's poetry, this title helped me become a bonafide Coleman Barks fan as well.

In the introduction, Barks does a tremendous job in his summation of Soul-Friendship, both universally and what was known between Rumi and his
soul-friend Shams.Hear what he says about the concept of Rumi's "love lyric" from page xv:

"expands the concept of love lyricinto a region where many languages blend: the jewel imagery of mysticism, clouds of bewilderment, the charge of erotic language, and the feel of drunkenness. It's a new and old mixture of human desirings, longings and other intensities.these poems come from a place where those experiences are both felt and transformed.the realm of the glance is beyond touch and somehow within touch, too. THe friendship of Rumi and Shams goes beyond wantings, past ideas of gender, beyond old love categories, beyond the synapse of the garden balcony scene and beyond mind."

These poems - and Coleman Barks introduction and closing notes - would be excellent reading for anyone who has a heart for the sensual (not only the sexual aspects of sensual, but the deep experience of all of the senses through soul breathed and connective descriptions that gather your being up into a taste of the ecstatic spin that is Rumi - that seedling of spiritual alchemy that comes from not only reading Rumi's words, but allowing those words to become a part of your blood, allowing those words to be an invitiation into experience.

I also admire Barks' closing notes, where he pays homage to other Rumi translaters, honoring the specific work of Nevit Ergin.

most excellent
I found this little jewel quite by suprise and have since shared it both as readings and as gifts.I really appreciate Coleman Barks' translations of Rumi.Enjoy and share!

A Metamorphosis ofBrilliance
A glance ... a gaze ... full recognition ... connection ... that is how I felt reading some of these poems. Anyone who hasexperienced strong emotions which transpose events into a new way of "seeing" ... turning an ordinairy experience into a spiritual, other-worldly, almost "divine" encounter will understand the impact of Rumi's poems. The trigger could be a heart-felt conversation, an over-powering view of nature, or a deeply buried emotion which surfaces, or meeting someone special. Rumi describes many life experiences. Each poem is like a crystal which reveals a flash of infinity that is captured in words. The world would be a better place if more people could relate to the brilliance revealed by Rumi's poems.

Coleman Barksprovides unparalleled free verse translations which breathe new life into these ancient verses. His highly appealing style makes the poems palatable to modern readers. Maybe, just maybe, Rumi loved life more and dared to live it more fully ... than many people livng today. Perhaps, more "love for life" can be awakened in the readers of these poems. We can only hope ... Erika Borsos (erikab93) ... Read more

Product Description
Poems and commentary that open the door for a new generation to experience the ecstatic and embodied spiritual truths contained in Rumi’s poetry

• Reveals how the four practices of eating lightly, breathing deeply, moving freely, and gazing intently can invoke the divinity within us all

• Explains how these practices dissolve the self’s need for identity so that we may experience a state of transcendent ecstasy and union with the divine

• Takes Rumi’s path to finding God from theoretical to embodied practices

The great thirteenth-century Sufi mystic and poet Jalaluddin Rumi began his life as an orthodox Islamic believer but felt that to fully experience complete union with the divine he must abandon institutionalized religion and its prescribed forms of worship. Surrendering his will to his overriding urge for a much more immediate, intuitive, and compelling union with the divine, he found that by manipulating certain behavioral aspects of his physiology--eating lightly, breathing deeply, moving freely, and gazing raptly--he was capable of loosening the rigid confines of the self, thereby overriding its limitations and achieving a transcendent merging with his own divinity.

His message is simple: if you wish to affect the spirit, you must first make changes in the way your body responds to the world. Through clearly written commentary interspersed with Rumi’s beautiful poems, this book details these four practices in a very precise way. As such, it is a sweet and open invitation to follow the examples set forth in order to embark upon one’s own path of inner illumination. The freshness of Rumi’s poetry dissolves the 700 years that separate his life from our own time, making his message as pertinent today as when he walked the streets of Konya, Anatolia (present-day Turkey), reciting his inspiring verse. This book allows us, through Rumi’s gentle guidance, to touch the face of God that resides deep within us all.
... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Contemplation
Reviewed by Irene Watson for Reader Views (08/10)

I've seen Sufi mystic and poet Rumi's wisdom on cards and scrolls but I had no idea he began as an Orthodox Islamic believer.He abandoned Islam to fully realize his potential and connection to the divine through esoteric living.

The four essential practices comprise of eating lightly, breathing deeply, moving freely, and gazing raptly.Johnson, in "Rumi's Four Essential Practices," gives us a glimpse on how we can also have an ecstatic body and an awakened soul through narrative and poetry.

We too can achieve enlightenment through these practices.I encourage readers to take time to contemplate on the works presented in "Rumi's Four Essential Practices" and go deep within for direction on our own spiritual path. Like Rumi, we can live a divinely-inspired life. ... Read more