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The Mysterion: Rumi and the Secret of Becoming Fully Human
A contemporary exploration into the meaning and possibility of our human existence, through the universal insights of the 13th-century Persian poet and Sufi mystic Rumi—by pre-eminent Rumi translator, Kabir Helminski.
The 13th-century poet and mystic Rumi has become one of the most popular spiritual voices of our time—known and loved by people of many faiths and worldviews for his rich metaphors, images, poems, and stories. The Mysterion deepens our appreciation of his teachings by illuminating both the practical psychological dimension behind them, as well as the universal spiritual truths they offer about what it means to be human.
In this philosophical survey, Kabir Helminski, one of the foremost translators and writers of Sufi texts, gives us a contemporary lens through which to view and understand the “Mysterion,” the unifying concept that bridges the human and the divine—and that connects the individual soul with spiritual Reality. This book is centered on that core, unifying concept of the the essence and intrinsic meaning of being human.
Rumi, says Helminski, would suggest that in our human existence we might accomplish many marvels, but they will amount to little if we neglect cultivating the divine potential within us. Like a mirror, he says, we can reflect a spectrum of divine qualities depending on how polished and clean our mirror is. Likewise, our mirrors can become distorted and corroded by egoism and negativity. Our practical work, says Helminski (and Rumi), is to remove distortions from our souls and align ourselves with this higher order reality and divine agency, through humility, reverence, surrender, and love.
The 13th-century poet and mystic Rumi has become one of the most popular spiritual voices of our time—known and loved by people of many faiths and worldviews for his rich metaphors, images, poems, and stories. The Mysterion deepens our appreciation of his teachings by illuminating both the practical psychological dimension behind them, as well as the universal spiritual truths they offer about what it means to be human.
In this philosophical survey, Kabir Helminski, one of the foremost translators and writers of Sufi texts, gives us a contemporary lens through which to view and understand the “Mysterion,” the unifying concept that bridges the human and the divine—and that connects the individual soul with spiritual Reality. This book is centered on that core, unifying concept of the the essence and intrinsic meaning of being human.
Rumi, says Helminski, would suggest that in our human existence we might accomplish many marvels, but they will amount to little if we neglect cultivating the divine potential within us. Like a mirror, he says, we can reflect a spectrum of divine qualities depending on how polished and clean our mirror is. Likewise, our mirrors can become distorted and corroded by egoism and negativity. Our practical work, says Helminski (and Rumi), is to remove distortions from our souls and align ourselves with this higher order reality and divine agency, through humility, reverence, surrender, and love.
264 pages, Paperback
Published April 4, 2023
15 people are currently reading
1728 people want to read
About the author
Kabir Helminski
37 books70 followersKabir Helminski is codirector, with his wife, Camille Helminski, of the Threshold Society, a nonprofit organization dedicated to sharing the knowledge and practice of Sufism. He is the author of Living Presence and the translator of four volumes of Rumi's poetry.
Helminski has been named as one of the "500 Most Influential Muslims in the World" by the Royal Islamic Strategic Studies Center.
Helminski is a teacher and advisor with The Spiritual Paths Institute, a group of contemplative teachers from Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist, Native American, and Hindu traditions offering programs in applied inter-spirituality.
Helminski has been named as one of the "500 Most Influential Muslims in the World" by the Royal Islamic Strategic Studies Center.
Helminski is a teacher and advisor with The Spiritual Paths Institute, a group of contemplative teachers from Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist, Native American, and Hindu traditions offering programs in applied inter-spirituality.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
December 29, 2023
Helminski's The Mysterion is quite a treasure. It is a quiet, yet quite profound consideration and reflection on being fully human. While engaging Rumi and Sufism, Helminski draws from other sources and places this wisdom in the context of life, lived.
While I resonated with much of the book and gained from this first reading, the book calls for another reading.
The book contains a Preface, A note on Language and Translation, 21 Chapters with subsections with frequent quotes from Rumi and the Qur'an, a Glossary, a Notes section, and a Bibliography.
Especially recommended for those who seek, wish to know more about Rumi and Sufism, and those who struggle and seek guidance.
While I resonated with much of the book and gained from this first reading, the book calls for another reading.
The book contains a Preface, A note on Language and Translation, 21 Chapters with subsections with frequent quotes from Rumi and the Qur'an, a Glossary, a Notes section, and a Bibliography.
Especially recommended for those who seek, wish to know more about Rumi and Sufism, and those who struggle and seek guidance.
September 6, 2023
An incredible read, highly recommended. Made it a habit of reading a few pages in the morning and just before I went to bed. It was instrumental in grounding me. I have made extensive notes but whether or not the stuff sticks is going to be another matter. I can see my self revisiting this book regularly and is one of the few that I will keep on my iPad after reading.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews