Muhammad Jalaluddin Mawlana Rumi (1207-1273)
Here is another superstar during his time.
More writer, composer of songs, stories, than just a poet, Rumi was celebrated as the equivalent of a blues icon. Like Miles Davis.
Today he is the most celebrated poet of all time ranked the best selling poet in the US.
Rumi was born in Balkh, present day Afghanistan back then it was part of the great Persian empire. He wrote mostly in Persian but his work has influenced many other cultures in the Middle East. Born into a family of Islamic clerics, his father was a religious leader of traditional Islam faith. He lived as a sober scholar, nobleman, theologian and seeker of truth.
However after a chance meeting with Shams of Tabriz, he became an impassioned seeker of universal truth and love, rising in popularity to become known as the greatest mystic poet. His work is deeply philosophical, from soulful expressions, to passionate love verses filled with desire and yearning. He also wrote anecdotes about life, moral stories, and stories from all three Abrahamic religions.
He was a rebel, calling for breaking tradition and a soul yearning for freedom from dogma and hypocrisy. He also writes about going against the poison of fear based religions, extolling the remedy in love-based doctrine - a life journey free of guilt, fear and shame. Yet his work is not exclusive, he includes everyone. Therefore to classify or label him a Sufi is an understatement for he is more universal in his approach and is not bound by any cultural limitations. I would say he is a fully evolved human being that touches every one of us.
Today Rumi's poems and writings are read in almost all houses of worship of all denominations.
Quotes
"Everything in the Universe is within You.
Ask All from Yourself" ~ Rumi
~~
"You Are Not A Drop in the Ocean,
You are The Entire Ocean in A Drop" ~ Rumi
~~
"Run from What's Comfortable. Forget Safety.
Live Where You Fear To Live.
Destroy Your Reputation. Be Notorious.
I have tried Prudent Planning long enough.
From Now On I'll Be Mad." ~ Rumi
~~
Don't Grieve. Anything you Lose Comes Around in Another Form." ~ Rumi
~~
"Do Not Feel Lonely, The Entire Universe is Inside You. ~ Rumi
~~
"Lovers don't finally meet somewhere.
they're in each other all along." ~ Rumi
~~
Poetry
I want to see you.
Know your voice.
Recognise you when you first come round the corner.
Sense your scent when I come into a room you've just left.
Know the lift of your heel,
the glide of your foot.
Become familiar with the way you purse your lips,
then let them part, just the slightest bit,
when I lean in to your space
and kiss you.
I want to know the joy
of how you whisper
"more"
~ Rumi
No comments:
Post a Comment