Rumi's Silence

[mono]

There is a way between voice and presence
where information flows.

In disciplined silence it opens.
With wandering talk it closes.

Rumi
Translated by: Coleman Barks and John Moyne

[subterranean]

Mono, Are u refering to Jalaluddin Rumi?

[mono]

Mono, Are u refering to Jalaluddin Rumi?

Yes, subterranean, Jalaluddin Rumi. I apologize I should have typed more specificially, but most people, those I have met, only refer to him as 'Rumi.' Thank you for pointing that out.

[Scheherazade]

There is a way between voice and presence
where information flows.

In disciplined silence it opens.
With wandering talk it closes.

Rumi
Translated by: Coleman Barks and John Moyne

It is interesting how philosophies and understanding changes... Today we are all encouraged to talk, 'get it out of our system' and 'see a counsellor about it'... Looking at these lines, I don't see Rumi advocating that :) Maybe more introspection is really what we all need!

[subterranean]

i noticed his works, but i only have a glance look of them everytime i visited the bookstore...i'll check them out and will try to give opinion about his works

[mono]

i noticed his works, but i only have a glance look of them everytime i visited the bookstore...i'll check them out and will try to give opinion about his works

Glad to hear it, subterranean; I would recommend Rumi to anyone who enjoys poetry. If you seek any good translations of his work, the translations by Coleman Barks and John Moyne I find the best. Good luck, and enjoy!

[subterranean]

Mono, I read this during my break time at the office. This is my first Rumi's sayings and I think it's awesome!

"There is no angel so sublime, He wispered,
Who can be granted for one moment
What is granted you forever.
And I hung my head, astounded.

My Heart, that dervish vagabond,
Poured me the wine of oblivion.
I stagger to the House of Wine
Dancing, dancing, dragging this old cloak.

How can you ever hope to know the Beloved
Without becoming in every cell the Lover?
And when you are the Lover at last, you don't care.
Whatever you know or don't - only Love is real.

If one drop of Divine Drunkenness fell
On the intellects of everyone in the world,
The world and its beings, free will, and obedience -
All, all, would vanish in a moment.

The sail of the ship of man's being is belief.
When there is a sail, the wind can carry him
To place after place of power and wonder.
No sail, all words are winds.

You say you have seen Him, but your eyes are two stones.
You say you have known Him, but nothing in you trembles.
You still say "I" when you speak of surviving His glory:
No one who has seen It has ever survived.

The real work of religion is permanent astonishment.
By that I don't mean in astonishment turning your back on Him -
I mean - blazing in blind ecstacy, drowned in God and drunk on Love.

Choose the company of those withdrawn in love.
Listen to those who open the path to you; listen, and don't say a word."

What kind of themes that Rumi's ussualy wrote? Is it mostly about humanities or religious values?

[mono]

What kind of themes that Rumi's ussualy wrote? Is it mostly about humanities or religious values?

Humanities, religion, philosophy, love, and drinking wine seemed his richest topics that Rumi focused on most. Nowadays, many refer to him as a 'metaphysical' poet, which seems the most fitting term besides proving as a 'mystic' poet also. He remains incomparable to any other poet I know, and often when I read his work over again, I discover something new.
Thank you, subterranean, for sharing your favorite; I think I may have read the same once upon a time, but in a different translation. I am so happy you enjoyed Rumi, and that I had the chance to recommend him to you.

[subterranean]

Well like i said, i often glanced at his works when i hang out at the book store..and your thread has become an "X" factor that drove me to find out about him ;)

[Bongitybongbong]

O you who've gone on pilgrimage -
where are you, where, oh where?
Here, here is the Beloved!
Oh come now, come, oh come!
Your friend, he is your neighbor,
he is next to your wall -
You, erring in the desert -
what air of love is this?
If you'd see the Beloved's
form without any form -
You are the house, the master,
You are the Kaaba, you! . . .
Where is a bunch of roses,
if you would be this garden?
Where, one soul's pearly essence
when you're the Sea of God?
That's true - and yet your troubles
may turn to treasures rich -
How sad that you yourself veil
the treasure that is yours!

My personal favorite of Rumi's work (excerpt from I am Wind, You are Fire).