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4.21 AVERAGE
4.21 AVERAGE
I’m starting this one again, but for the first time from front to back. I tend to read poetry at random, picking a page at random to start then closing it and starting again at random. This one is in sections of themes; this time I plan to go in order and read each theme as if it’s a chapter.
“Every object, every being is a jar of delight.”
“Lo, I am with you always means when you look for God,
God is in the look of your eyes,
In the thought of looking, nearer to you than your self, or things that have happened to you
There’s no need to go outside.
Be melting snow.
Wash yourself of yourself.
A white flower grows in the quietness.
Let your tongue become that flower.”
I enjoy Coleman Barks notes as well: “Beneath everything we say, and within each note of the reed flute, lies a nostalgia for the reed bed… all language is a longing for home.”
“Every object, every being is a jar of delight.”
“Lo, I am with you always means when you look for God,
God is in the look of your eyes,
In the thought of looking, nearer to you than your self, or things that have happened to you
There’s no need to go outside.
Be melting snow.
Wash yourself of yourself.
A white flower grows in the quietness.
Let your tongue become that flower.”
I enjoy Coleman Barks notes as well: “Beneath everything we say, and within each note of the reed flute, lies a nostalgia for the reed bed… all language is a longing for home.”
Found out this isn’t actually an accurate translation, and more of a populariser. Have found another translation which I think will be more true to the origins of Rumi’s words.
I started this book two months ago and I just finished the last poem. It took me this long to read it not because it was bad in any way, or because it was a tough read, but rather because it was the kind of book that you read slowly, when you feel you're in the right mood for it.
Rumi's poems are always wise in one way or another. They can be quite crude sometimes, or they can be very spiritual. I loved the images used for most of them: natural elements like the moon, stars, water, and so on. I wrote down many lines from his poems, and often reread them.
I loved that Rumi often focuses on love, be it physical, spiritual, between lovers or for God - this book is very religious, but I'll talk about that in a minute. It felt true, authentic most of the times. It doesn't mean I agree with everything, but we can all benefit from Rumi's teaching.
Rumi talks about God and religion a lot; I think I remember the editor, in the preface, said we could replace God by something else, whatever we believe in, to read the poems and not feel excluded. He also explained that Rumi talked about all religions as one, and was admired by representatives of all religions. There's a great respect and understanding which shows through his writing.
So, it was an incredible read, and I think I'll miss my little reading sessions with Rumi. I think I'll buy a paper copy to annotate it!
Rumi's poems are always wise in one way or another. They can be quite crude sometimes, or they can be very spiritual. I loved the images used for most of them: natural elements like the moon, stars, water, and so on. I wrote down many lines from his poems, and often reread them.
I loved that Rumi often focuses on love, be it physical, spiritual, between lovers or for God - this book is very religious, but I'll talk about that in a minute. It felt true, authentic most of the times. It doesn't mean I agree with everything, but we can all benefit from Rumi's teaching.
Rumi talks about God and religion a lot; I think I remember the editor, in the preface, said we could replace God by something else, whatever we believe in, to read the poems and not feel excluded. He also explained that Rumi talked about all religions as one, and was admired by representatives of all religions. There's a great respect and understanding which shows through his writing.
So, it was an incredible read, and I think I'll miss my little reading sessions with Rumi. I think I'll buy a paper copy to annotate it!
Huh... I guess poetry just isn't for me. My rating's no reflection of the book.
This is not Rumi, more like an interpretation of Rumi from a historically poor pov and at times bad translation
A must-read for poetry lovers. The writing feels very current. While this was my first time reading Rumi, I can't imagine a better translation than this one by Coleman Barks.
challenging
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
an ecstatic reading experience. i have found such a beautiful friend in Rumi and his poems ✨
