The minute I heard my first love story,
I started looking for you, not knowing
how blind that was.Lovers don’t finally meet somewhere,
they’re in each other all along.
—Rumi, translated by Coleman Barks, The Essential Rumi
In 1244, at the age of 37, Rumi’s life was transformed from a traditional Muslim scholar by meeting the wild wandering mystic, Shams of Tabriz. When his spiritual teacher disappeared, the separation of grief was poured into poetry and song and transformed him into a Sufi mystic. He captures the eternal dance of the Lover and the Beloved. His writing of ecstatic love and passion become one and the same with spiritual longing for union with God — Lover and the Beloved.
Why should I seek? I am the same as
He. His essence speaks through me.
I have been looking for myself!
—Rumi, translated by Coleman Barks, The Essential Rumi
My most memorable experience with Rumi was at a poetry performance. Sacred poetry, when read out loud, has a way of changing the very air in the room. The place became holy as the words resonated through my mind-body-spirit and weaved a connection between everyone in the room.
Many of Rumi’s poems provide inspiration and spiritual guidance. In the poem, “The Guest House,” the timeless spiritual wisdom describes the path through emotional turmoil with mindfulness, self-compassion, and gratitude.
The Guest House
This being human is a guest house.
Every morning a new arrival.
A joy, a depression, a meanness,
some momentary awareness comes
as an unexpected visitor.
Welcome and entertain them all!
Even if they are a crowd of sorrows,
who violently sweep your house
empty of its furniture,
still, treat each guest honorably.
He may be clearing you out
for some new delight.
The dark thought, the shame, the malice.
meet them at the door laughing and invite them in.
Be grateful for whatever comes.
because each has been sent
as a guide from beyond.
—Rumi, translated by Coleman Barks, The Essential Rumi
Join the Upcoming Teleconference
Wed Apr 5, 2017, at 7pm (1 hour): Love in the Moment – The Poetry of Rumi. Learn more about Rumi and his poetry. Register at LivingthePresentMoment.com/studygroup to listen live or the the recording.
More Books by Rumi
Reading by Coleman Barks