Rumi's World: The Life and Works of the Greatest Sufi Poet (Shambhala dragon editions)

This book (previously published as I 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. [From Amazon] This Book ... 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. Pilgrimage To Rumi -- The Road To Konya -- Poetical Expression -- A Spring Day In Konya -- The Hidden Treasure -- A Donkey's Tail With Angel's Wings -- The Koran, The Prophets, And The Saints -- The Chickpeas On The Spiritual Ladder -- Prayer : The Divine Gift -- The Manifestations Of Love -- They Enter All The Dance, The Dance ... Annemarie Schimmel. Includes Bibliographical References (pages 205-206) And Index. This book (previously published as "I 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 This is an introduction to the life and letters of Rumi (1207-1273), the great poet of Islamic mysticism and probably the most prolific mystic of all times. His students later developed into the Order of Whirling Dervishes and deeply influenced art and music in the Ottoman Empire. The book is written for the general audience by the late Prof Annemarie Schimmel (Harvard), who was thoroughly acquainted with Rumi's more than 4000 poems and his equally thick collection of rhymed stories (the Mathnavi). Scholars may want to refer to a more scholarly work, but the book is an excellent introduction for whoever wants to obtain basic information about the great master. 1. Pilgrimage to Rumi i 2. The Road to Konya 11 3. Poetical Expression 34 4. A Spring Day in Konya 51 5. The Hidden Treasure 73 6. A Donkey’s Tail with Angel’s Wings 90 7. The Koran, the Prophets, and the Saints 114 8. The Chickpeas on the Spiritual Ladder 139 9. Prayer: The Divine Gift 162 10. The Manifestations of Love 173 11. They Enter All the Dance, the Dance ... 195 Bibliography 205 Index 207