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4.21 AVERAGE
4.21 AVERAGE
Wanted to read Rumi because I love the poem, "The Guesthouse," as well as many quotes of his. While I did discover other poems that I really enjoyed, there were a few that were quite disgusting. Rumi has some sort of fascination with the mechanics of sex and other bodily functions. However, the majority of the poetry was merely mediocre. Finishing this book was more of an obligation than a joy. I will say though that I did learn more about Islam specifically and a Middle Eastern mindset in general and I appreciated his respectful treatment and solid knowledge of Christianity.
I have been slowly making my way through this work for months. While I cannot speak to the authenticity or accuracy of the translations, I can say with certainty that there was much to be taken from Barks's presentation of Rumi's work. While not an exhaustive selection, The Essential Rumi gave a solid and well-rounded overview accompanied by notes and reflections for each section. Organized by theme rather than by their original source, I appreciated this broad introduction, but found myself disappointed when I was deeply drawn into a particular poem or style only to have an abrupt shift immediately follow it.
But ultimately, I was not here for Barks. I was here for Rumi. And Rumi delivered. The passion and Spirituality in his words cuts through clunky translation and organization to speak to the soul. I am not the same person closing this book as I was when I first opened it months ago. While I didn't love the presentation of the book, it was enough to make me deeply invested in Rumi's work. I know this is far from the last time I'll read his words - regardless of who has translated them - and I am grateful to Barks for providing a solid beginning to what may be a lifelong appreciation for this incredible teacher, Rumi.
4.5 stars
But ultimately, I was not here for Barks. I was here for Rumi. And Rumi delivered. The passion and Spirituality in his words cuts through clunky translation and organization to speak to the soul. I am not the same person closing this book as I was when I first opened it months ago. While I didn't love the presentation of the book, it was enough to make me deeply invested in Rumi's work. I know this is far from the last time I'll read his words - regardless of who has translated them - and I am grateful to Barks for providing a solid beginning to what may be a lifelong appreciation for this incredible teacher, Rumi.
4.5 stars
Gorgeous poetry, some of it was a little abstract for me but there are so many that I bookmarked to study later. Id recommend it!
If Rumi had met Nietzsche, where would Shams have fit in?
My soul is from elsewhere, I’m sure of that, and I intend to end up there.
Whoever brought me here will have to take me home.
Drink all your passion, and be a disgrace.
Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing and rightdoing, there is a field. I’ll meet you there.
Don’t just be proud of your mustache as you drive three donkeys down the road.
My soul is from elsewhere, I’m sure of that, and I intend to end up there.
Whoever brought me here will have to take me home.
Drink all your passion, and be a disgrace.
Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing and rightdoing, there is a field. I’ll meet you there.
Don’t just be proud of your mustache as you drive three donkeys down the road.
I definitely lack the cultural background to understand all of this. It has made a big emotional impact on me, but I doubt I've gotten even half of the meaning there was to get. Note to self: reread in the future.
While I connected with a lot of the poems at the beginning of the book, I found as it progressed I was caring less and less and more so just reading words than intaking anything Rumi was trying to convey.
This was my bed book. I just couldn’t get into the poetry it was to much before bed honestly.
Easily the book that has stayed the longest on my "currently reading list" as I pick it up and read a few poems before bed sporadically. I have come to deeply love Rumi's poetry, something I never would have imagined myself saying a few years ago. Several of his phrases regularly float around my head. I wish I had taken a class from Coleman Barks while I was at UGA (assuming he was there then).
I am significantly less enamored of Coleman Barks' "translations" of Rumi's poems than I used to be, now that I understand his methodology better. These works are quite lovely, but I feel they are misrepresented as being translations of Rumi, rather than Barks' variations on Rumi.
slow-paced