Rumi was a 13th-century Persian poet, theologian, and Sufi mystic. Like other mystic and Sufi poets of Persian literature, Rumi’s poetry speaks of love which infuses the world. Rumi’s teachings also express the tenets summarized in the Quranic verse which Shams-e Tabrizi cited as the essence of prophetic guidance: “Know that ‘There is no god but He,’ and ask forgiveness for your sin”.
Rumi believed passionately in the use of music, poetry and dance as a path for reaching God. For Rumi, music helped devotees to focus their whole being on the divine and to do this so intensely that the soul was both destroyed and resurrected. His life personified a mystical journey of spiritual ascent through mind and love to the Perfect One. In this journey, the seeker symbolically turns towards the truth, grows through love, abandons the ego, finds the truth and arrives at the Perfect. The seeker then returns from this spiritual journey, with greater maturity, to love and to be of service to the whole of creation without discrimination with regard to beliefs, races, classes and nations.
The pearls of wisdom of Rumi can be perceived by His answers to questions asked by his disciple.
Disciple: What is Poison?
He replied with a beautiful answer: Anything which is more than our necessity is Poison. It may be Power, Wealth, Hunger, Ego, Greed, Laziness, Love, Ambition, Hate or Anything.
Disciple: What is Fear?
Rumi: Non acceptance of uncertainty. If we accept that uncertainty, it becomes adventure.
Disciple: What is Envy?
Rumi: Non acceptance of good in others. If we accept that good, it becomes an Inspiration.
Disciple: What is Anger?
Rumi: Non acceptance of things which are beyond our control. If we accept, it becomes Tolerance.
Disciple: What is Hatred?
Rumi: Non acceptance of a person as he is. If we accept a person unconditionally, it becomes Love.
The essence of the teachings of Rumi was that our radiance was shining in every atom of creation yet our petty desires kept it hidden. Although his teachings were simple, they had deeper meanings and are priceless gems of wisdom for the human race.
