Rumi
“Don’t be satisfied with stories, how things have gone with others. Unfold your own myth.”
Rumi Facts
- Jalal ad-Din Muhammad Rumi, commonly known as Rumi, was a 13th-century Persian poet, jurist, and Islamic scholar.
- Rumi was born on September 30, 1207, in Balkh, which is now in Afghanistan, but at the time was part of the Persian Empire.
- Rumi's family fled political unrest in their homeland and eventually settled in Konya, Turkey, where Rumi spent most of his life.
- Rumi is best known for his poetry, particularly his collection of mystical poems known as the Masnavi or Mathnawi, which is considered one of the greatest works of Persian literature.
- Rumi's poetry is deeply spiritual and explores themes of love, devotion, and the nature of reality. His poems are often recited at Sufi gatherings and have been translated into many languages.
- Rumi was a follower of Sufism, a mystical branch of Islam that emphasizes the inward search for God and the cultivation of the soul.
- Rumi was a prolific writer and is said to have composed over 70,000 verses of poetry, including odes, quatrains, and longer narrative poems.
- Rumi's spiritual teacher and mentor was Shams Tabrizi, a wandering dervish who had a profound influence on Rumi's life and poetry.
- Rumi founded the Mevlevi Order, also known as the Whirling Dervishes, a Sufi order known for their ecstatic rituals of music, chanting, and spinning.
- Rumi was a renowned scholar of Islamic law and theology and wrote several works on these subjects, although he is best remembered for his poetry.
- Rumi's poetry has had a lasting impact on literature and philosophy, influencing writers and thinkers around the world, including Western poets such as Rainer Maria Rilke and Friedrich Nietzsche.
- Rumi's works have been widely translated into English and other languages, making his poetry accessible to a global audience.
- Rumi's tomb, located in Konya, Turkey, is a popular pilgrimage site for his followers and admirers from around the world.
- Rumi's spiritual teachings emphasize the importance of love, compassion, and the pursuit of inner peace.
- Rumi's poetry often celebrates the beauty of nature and encourages readers to contemplate the mysteries of existence.
- Rumi's writings reflect a profound understanding of human psychology and the complexities of the human soul.
- Rumi's poetry is characterized by its use of symbolism, metaphor, and allegory to convey deeper spiritual truths.
- Rumi's work continues to be studied and appreciated by scholars, poets, and spiritual seekers who are drawn to his message of universal love and unity.
- Rumi's legacy lives on through the many schools, organizations, and publications dedicated to studying and promoting his poetry and teachings.
- Rumi's poetry transcends cultural and religious boundaries, speaking to the universal human experience of seeking meaning and connection in a complex world.