Today's GLBT History Month Icon: Poet Jalal al-Din Rumi

[Omaha Steve]

Run time: 00:31 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mq_7ScuTrXw   Posted on YouTube: October 23, 2010 By YouTube Member: equalityforum Views on YouTube: 52   Posted on DU: October 24, 2010 By DU Member: Omaha Steve Views on DU: 621

 

http://www.care2.com/causes/civil-rights/blog/todays-glbt-history-month-icon-jalal-al-din-rumi/



Today's GLBT History Month icon is Jalal al-Din Rumi (September 30, 1207 – December 17, 1273). Rumi was a poet, theologian and Sufi mystic and founded the Order of the Whirling Dervishes, a Sufi tradition involving a whirling dance ritual representing the revolving stages of life.

Rumi was born in the Persian province of Balkh, now part of Afghanistan. Rumi’s father was an author, a religious scholar and a leader in the Sufi movement - the mystical dimension of Islam.

When Rumi was 12, his father moved the family to escape the impending invasion of Mongol armies, eventually setting in Konya, Anotolia, which is now Turkey.

In 1231, after his father died, Rumi began teaching, meditating, and helping the poor. Rumi amassed hundreds of disciples who attended his lectures and sermons.

Rumi was married and had one son. After his wife’s death, Rumi remarried and fathered two more children. In 1244, Rumi met a man who changed his life. Shams of Tabriz was an older Sufi master who became Rumi’s spiritual mentor and constant companion. After Shams died, Rumi grieved for years. He began expressing his love and bereavement in poetry, music and dance.

Rumi had two other male companions, but none would replace his beloved Shams. One of Rumi’s major poetic works is named in honor of his master, “The Works of Shams of Tabriz.” Rumi’s best-known work is “Spiritual Couplets,” a six-volume poem often referred to as the greatest work of mystical poetry.

In “Rumi: The Book of Love Poems of Ecstasy and Longing” (2003), Rumi expresses his perception of true love. “Lovers don’t finally meet somewhere. They’re in each other all along.”

Rumi died surrounded by his family and disciples. His tomb is one of the most revered pilgrimage sites in Islam and a spiritual center of Turkey.

Bibliography:

* "Iransaga - Jalal al-Din Rumi, Persian Sufi Sage and Poet." Art Arena. 4 June 2010.
* "Islam: Empire of Faith - Profiles - Rumi." PBS. 4 June 2010.
* “Rumi." glbtq.com. 4 June 2010.


Books by Rumi:

* The Mystical Poems of Rumi 1 (UNESCO Collection of Representative Works. Persian Heritage) (1974)
* The Mystical Poems of Rumi 2: Second Selection, Poems 201-400 (1991)
* Essential Rumi translated by Coleman Barks et al (1997)
* The Masnavi, Book One (Oxford World’s Classics) (2008)
* The Masnavi: Book Two (Oxford World’s Classics) (2008)
* Mystical Poems of Rumi (2009)


Websites:

* Whirling Dervishes in the U.S.
* The Whirling Dervishes

[Smarmie Doofus]

1. Now THAT's a friggin' treasure trove.

How did you find it?


K and R

[Omaha Steve]

5. A daily email from care 2

http://www.care2.com/

I recommend signing up for the daily mail.

I also click on sponsor sites to donate (no cost to me) to several good causes: http://www.care2.com/click-to-donate/global-warming/

[lunasun]

2. His poetry will expand your mind, heart and spiritual insight

[Political_Junkie]

4. and just might change your life.

I used to call myself an agnostic bordering on atheism, then my nephew introduced me to Rumi.

[felix_numinous]

3. Excellent post,

it would benefit everyone, especially those struggling, to be exposed to the many luminaries that have benefitted humankind who have been gay. Gay history should be taught right along with all the other stories that need to be told, from the viewpoints of those who have lived it. It is part of human history.