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

[Omaha Steve]

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.

From Equality Forum: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mq_7ScuTrXw&feature=player_embedded

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.

FULL story at link.

[nofurylike]

1. perfect. "risk everything for love," he wrote. thank you for posting

this, Omaha Steve!

and K&R


peace and solidarity!