Rumi - Past and Present, East and West
Written by Franklin D. Lewis
480 pages, about 10 hours of reading
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- about 15 hours
- advanced
- informative
- scholarly
- illuminating
Franklin D. Lewis's "Rumi - Past and Present, East and West" stands as the definitive and most comprehensive scholarly biography of Jalâl al-Din Rumi, one of the world's most beloved poets. This award-winning work meticulously traces Rumi's life from his origins in Balkh to his profound spiritual transformation in Konya, exploring the historical, cultural, and religious contexts that shaped his poetic genius. Drawing on an exhaustive range of sources, Lewis not only provides fresh translations of Rumi's poetry and previously unseen prose but also critically examines the complex legacy and astounding global appeal of the Sufi master across centuries and cultures, particularly his modern resurgence in the West.
“"Rumi's poetry is not merely an expression of personal feeling, but a conduit for a universal longing for the Divine, deeply rooted in the Sufi tradition."”
Key themes
- The Nature of Divine Love and Mysticism
- Lewis profoundly explores how Rumi's poetry is a direct expression of the Sufi concept of 'ishq (divine love) and the path of spiritual yearning for union with the Beloved (God). The book delves into the philosophical and experiential dimensions of Rumi's mysticism, showing how love transcends intellectual understanding and leads to spiritual annihilation (fana) and subsistence (baqa) in the Divine. This is the core theme of Rumi's work, meticulously analyzed by Lewis.
- Biography and Artistic Production
- Lewis meticulously demonstrates how Rumi's personal life, particularly the pivotal relationship with Shams-i Tabrizi, was not merely background but the very catalyst and crucible for his poetic and spiritual transformation. The book argues that understanding Rumi's biography is essential to grasping the intensity and depth of his artistic output, showing how deeply intertwined his experiences, emotions, and intellectual development were with his creative genius.
- Enduring Legacy and Universal Appeal
- Lewis investigates the remarkable and sustained appeal of Rumi's work, not only in the Islamic world but also, particularly in recent decades, as a bestselling poet in the West. He analyzes the factors contributing to this universal resonance, suggesting that Rumi's focus on themes of love, longing, the search for meaning, and spiritual liberation transcends specific religious doctrines and cultural boundaries, speaking to fundamental human experiences.
Worth discussing
How does Lewis's biography challenge or confirm your previous understanding of Rumi and his poetry?
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