X-posted to dailyrumi

Jelaluddin Rumi was born in 1207. He was a religious teacher and spiritual philosopher in Persia. In fall of 1244, he met his beloved friend Shams of Tabriz, who would open Rumi up to a whole new level of spirit and inspire much of the ecstatic poetry that has called to so many people throughout the centuries.

Shams was a Dervish and spiritual wanderer. Shams sought and prayed for someone who could “endure my company.” Legend says a voice responded, “What will you give in return?” to which Shams immediately responded, “My head!” The answer: "The one you seek is Jelaluddin of Konya."

Of Shams, Rumi said, “What I had thought of before as God, I met today in a human being.” Their spiritual friendship blossomed immediately, leading Rumi closer to the Divine. It’s said that Rumi’s sons became jealous of this bond, and his son Allaedin is thought to be responsible for Sham’s disappearance. On December 5, 1248, Rumi and Shams sat talking, and Shams was called to the back door. He was never seen again. Rumi spent many years seeking the Friend, until he came to the realization:

I started looking for you, not knowing
how blind that was.

Lovers don't finally meet somewhere,
they're in each other all along.


Rumi died on December 17, 1273. His students went on to found the Mevlevi Order, more commonly known as the Whirling Dervishes. His poetry continues to unite people with the Beloved to this day.

And now for your consideration, lots of rumilicious icons. As always, commenting and feedback is appreciated. Please credit, and feel free to pimp a lot. No hotlinking, please. If you’d like the color bar, just email me at Ahavah_Ehyeh@livejournal.com for the code, as it links back here to this icon post. I have this same color bar both with the dailyrumi pimpage and without, this small version and a larger one.

If you’re not a member of dailyrumi, where on earth have you been? Go now!

Teaser:

( Stop the words now. Open the window in the center of your chest, and let the spirits fly in and out. )

Resources:

Learn about Rumi on Wikipedia

Read The Essential Rumi – seriously, read it.

Rumi love & ecstacy poems

The brilliant mc_questionmark took this Love & Adore meme and added his own unique twist - he's composing a poem to everyone who signed up. In my honor (and I'm *so* honored), he tackled the mind-bloggling Sestina.

It is amazingly clever and quite possibly the sweetest thing ever. And I even think this is the first ode to my honor that I have received (shocking, I know). I would like to urge everyone to visit and check it out.

ahavah_ehyeh's sestina

Really, what more can I say about mc_questionmark? Could any further words really do him justice? Probably not, but I will try.

mc_questionmark is another one of my very favorite friends. Again, I feel we've come to know each other best through IMs (or perhaps past lives?), but his journal also keeps me amused. I have a weakness for intelligent, witty men with a sense of humor - and if it's a warped sense of humor, why, that's just icing on the cake! We have so many interests in common - I only wish I was a Canuck and he lived right down the street for a visit anytime!

I think one of my favorite things about MC? is his awesome commenting skills. Now, I have a hard time keeping up with my list as it is, so I usually read, comment, and move on. Not MC?. He gets involved and really works to make not just his blog, but mine as well, inclusive. Rather than just comment to an entry and carry on, he actually reads through all the comments and replies to my friends very regularly. If that weren't enough, he actually comes back and follows the threads, helping foster lively (and often hilarious) conversation. Many smiles ensue. MC? always, without fail, makes me laugh and feel good.

mc_questionmark is slamdacious!