Hello Rumi lovers!

Welcome, welcome! May this be a day when you experience joy!

It seems appropriate that I’m writing this first blog post of my life at four o’clock in the morning. I’ve been a writer all my life, but once I started to read Rumi daily and write what the reading evoked in me, I was amazed to find my life revolving around Persian poets–Rumi, and Hafiz especially. The book I’ve just finished gives the results of how Rumi’s ecstatic, incomparable vision entered my life and turned it upside down.

I should start by crediting Coleman Barks; unless otherwise noted all of the Rumi poems you’ll find here are his translations. I can’t find the words to thank Coleman for what these poems mean to me and to people around the world who have been touched by them. He has more than half a million books out there, and inspires many thousands more by the readings and performances he does around the country.

If you’ve never read him, I’d recommend The Soul of Rumi to start, but that’s just me trying to choose between the precious jewels which each of his many books are to me. Others who’ve translated or written beautifully about Rumi include Robert Bly, Andrew Harvey, Kabir Helminsky, Anne Marie Schimmel, Muriel Maufroy, and many others.

I say in the Preface to my new book that I don’t why Donna Karin, Demi Moore, Madonna and my internist have all been drawn to Rumi, but I celebrate that. I have more understanding of why Huston Smith, Bill Moyers and teachers and professors around the world value Rumi so much, and I know for sure that whether you’re a neurosurgeon or a waitress, Rumi has many, many gifts for you. If any of you see these words, I hope you’ll post a comment on this blog; let us know what you’ve found in Rumi. I confess to putting these famous names in my preface in hope of attracting people who don’t know Rumi, but who may be interested in meeting him because of the company he keeps.

I approach Rumi as the psychologist I am, and as the spiritual seeker I’ve been all my life. I’ve explored many paths and have found value in them all. But Rumi can pierce your heart with one line, and remind you of what’s really important in this short life. Whatever our belief or unbelief, Rumi wants us to discover our divine nature, and put the Beloved at the center of our lives.

My Rumi writings are all about applications of Rumi’s wisdom to our daily lives. What I’m trying to offer here is twofold: first, I spend a lot of time mining for Rumi’s gold by reading him everyday. Second, my years as a psychologist have taught me what people struggle with–the barriers to our birthright of joy. Such things as our hunger for deep love, our need to forgive and find compassion for all beings, our anger toward those who’ve hurt us, our delight and struggles with our sexuality, parenting, addictions, divorce, aging, and our fear of illness and death–Rumi has wisdom for all of these and much more. Come to his table!

Now I want to introduce you to some of my favorite Rumi poems. I’m starting with a series some short favorite or first lines.

“I have been shown a beauty which is beyond imagining….”
“Lo, I am with you always. You promised that,
and when I realized it was true, my soul flared up….
Any unhappiness comes from forgetting that.”
“Inside you are sweet beyond telling.
There is a sun in every one. I become a mirror
that cannot close its eyes to your longing….”
“This being human is a guest house.
Every morning a new arrival. A joy, a depression,
a meanness…..
Welcome and entertain them all, for each has been sent as a guide from beyond….”
“Close the language door and open the love window….”
“Love is always lifting its head from under the covers: “Here I am!”

These lines, and a thousand others are emblazoned on my mind and heart. If any of this touches you, please let me know.

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