SPIRITUAL VERSES: THE FIRST BOOK OF THE MASNAVI-YE MA'NAVI; TRANS. BY ALAN WILLIAMS

**The spiritual masterpiece of the Persian Sufi tradition-in a brilliant new translation** The longest single -authored "mystical" poem ever written, the __Masnavi-ye Ma'navi__, or "spiritual couplets," is the masterpiece of the Persian Sufi tradition. Its author, Jalaloddin Rumi, was a poet and mystic of the highest attainment, but he was first and foremost a spiritual teacher, and his __Masnavi__ is a ladder to the spiritual world, leading the reader to the ultimate goal of the Sufi path-union with God. Alan Williams's translation into blank verse beautifully conveys the poetry of the original Persian couplets, while his introduction discusses how the modern reader might approach Rumi's writing. Jalaloddin Rumi Was A Poet And Mystic Of The Highest Attainment, But He Was First And Foremost A Spiritual Teacher. His Verses Lead The Reader Along The Path Of Divine Love, Towards An Understanding Of The Deepest Truth That Underlies Reality. Rumi Draws On A Vast Range Of Sources, From Fables To Stories From Daily Life And Religious Tradition, To Compose A Remarkable Text, Which Is A Ladder To The Spiritual World. Alan Williams's Translation Into Blank Verse Conveys The Poetry Of The Original Persian Couplets, While His Introduction Discusses How The Modern Reader Might Approach Rumi's Writing. This Edition Also Includes Notes, A Chronology Of Rumi's Life And Further Reading.--book Jacket. Dedication -- The Song Of The Reed -- The King And The Slave-girl -- The Greengrocer And The Parrot -- The Jewish King Who Killed Christians -- Another Jewish King -- The Lion, The Hare And The Hunted Animals -- Omar And The Byzantine Ambassador -- The Merchant And The Parrot -- The Danger Of Being Honoured By People -- Explanation Of 'as God Wills So It Comes To Pass' -- The Old Harpist -- The Caliph And The Poor Bedouin -- The Wolf And The Fox Attend The Lion On A Hunt -- Joseph And His Guest -- The Greek And Chinese Painters -- The Prophet And Zayd -- Ali And The Infidel Warrior. Rumi ; Translated With An Introduction And Notes By Alan Williams. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [xxxvi]-xxxviii) And Index. Translated From The Persian With An Introduction In English, Some Of Which Is Translated From The Arabic. Begun in 1244 AD, Masnavi-ye Ma 'navi', or 'spiritual couplets', is thought to be the longest single-authored 'mystical' poem ever written. As the spiritual masterpiece of the Persian Sufi tradition, it teaches how to progress to the ultimate goal of the Sufi path - union with God Teaches how to progress to the ultimate goal of the Sufi path - union with God. These verses draw readers into the complexities of human love and separation and explain the path to divine love through the elimination of self-regard and worldly desires.