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Rumi Daylight: A Daybook of Spiritual Guidance
The spiritual influence of Jelaluddin Rumi (1207-1273) is increasing among people of diverse beliefs throughout the western world. Rumi is now recognized here in the West, as he has been for seven centuries in the Middle East and Western Asia, as one of the greatest literary and spiritual figures of all time. Rumi is a spokesman for the religion of love in the language of the heart.
Recent translations of Rumi's work have brought forth a variety of different qualities, exploring the subtlety, grace, and electricity of his verse. This book presents his spiritual teachings concisely and comprehensively, in a translation that touches heart and mind.
The Mathnawi, from which these selections have been taken, is one of the greatest spiritual masterpieces ever written. Its content includes the full spectrum of life on earth, as well as the vertical dimension to the highest levels of metaphysics and cosmic awareness.
Recent translations of Rumi's work have brought forth a variety of different qualities, exploring the subtlety, grace, and electricity of his verse. This book presents his spiritual teachings concisely and comprehensively, in a translation that touches heart and mind.
The Mathnawi, from which these selections have been taken, is one of the greatest spiritual masterpieces ever written. Its content includes the full spectrum of life on earth, as well as the vertical dimension to the highest levels of metaphysics and cosmic awareness.
208 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1990
24 people are currently reading
277 people want to read
About the author
Jalal ad-Din Muhammad ar-Rumi
1,170 books15.7k followersSufism inspired writings of Persian poet and mystic Jalal ad-Din Muhammad ar-Rumi; these writings express the longing of the soul for union with the divine.
Jalāl ad-Dīn Muhammad Rūmī - also known as Jalāl ad-Dīn Muhammad Balkhī, Mevlânâ/Mawlānā (مولانا, "our master"), Mevlevî/Mawlawī (مولوی, "my master") and more popularly simply as Rumi - was a 13th-century Persian poet, jurist, Islamic scholar, theologian and Sufi mystic who lived in Konya, a city of Ottoman Empire (Today's Turkey). His poems have been widely translated into many of the world's languages, and he has been described as the most popular poet and the best-selling poet in the United States.
His poetry has influenced Persian literature, but also Turkish, Ottoman Turkish, Azerbaijani, Punjabi, Hindi, and Urdu, as well as the literature of some other Turkic, Iranian, and Indo-Aryan languages including Chagatai, Pashto, and Bengali.
Due to quarrels between different dynasties in Khorāṣān, opposition to the Khwarizmid Shahs who were considered devious by his father, Bahā ud-Dīn Wālad or fear of the impending Mongol cataclysm, his father decided to migrate westwards, eventually settling in the Anatolian city Konya, where he lived most of his life, composed one of the crowning glories of Persian literature, and profoundly affected the culture of the area.
When his father died, Rumi, aged 25, inherited his position as the head of an Islamic school. One of Baha' ud-Din's students, Sayyed Burhan ud-Din Muhaqqiq Termazi, continued to train Rumi in the Shariah as well as the Tariqa, especially that of Rumi's father. For nine years, Rumi practised Sufism as a disciple of Burhan ud-Din until the latter died in 1240 or 1241. Rumi's public life then began: he became an Islamic Jurist, issuing fatwas and giving sermons in the mosques of Konya. He also served as a Molvi (Islamic teacher) and taught his adherents in the madrassa. During this period, Rumi also travelled to Damascus and is said to have spent four years there.
It was his meeting with the dervish Shams-e Tabrizi on 15 November 1244 that completely changed his life. From an accomplished teacher and jurist, Rumi was transformed into an ascetic.
On the night of 5 December 1248, as Rumi and Shams were talking, Shams was called to the back door. He went out, never to be seen again. Rumi's love for, and his bereavement at the death of, Shams found their expression in an outpouring of lyric poems, Divan-e Shams-e Tabrizi. He himself went out searching for Shams and journeyed again to Damascus.
Rumi found another companion in Salaḥ ud-Din-e Zarkub, a goldsmith. After Salah ud-Din's death, Rumi's scribe and favourite student, Hussam-e Chalabi, assumed the role of Rumi's companion. Hussam implored Rumi to write more. Rumi spent the next 12 years of his life in Anatolia dictating the six volumes of this masterwork, the Masnavi, to Hussam.
In December 1273, Rumi fell ill and died on the 17th of December in Konya.
Jalāl ad-Dīn Muhammad Rūmī - also known as Jalāl ad-Dīn Muhammad Balkhī, Mevlânâ/Mawlānā (مولانا, "our master"), Mevlevî/Mawlawī (مولوی, "my master") and more popularly simply as Rumi - was a 13th-century Persian poet, jurist, Islamic scholar, theologian and Sufi mystic who lived in Konya, a city of Ottoman Empire (Today's Turkey). His poems have been widely translated into many of the world's languages, and he has been described as the most popular poet and the best-selling poet in the United States.
His poetry has influenced Persian literature, but also Turkish, Ottoman Turkish, Azerbaijani, Punjabi, Hindi, and Urdu, as well as the literature of some other Turkic, Iranian, and Indo-Aryan languages including Chagatai, Pashto, and Bengali.
Due to quarrels between different dynasties in Khorāṣān, opposition to the Khwarizmid Shahs who were considered devious by his father, Bahā ud-Dīn Wālad or fear of the impending Mongol cataclysm, his father decided to migrate westwards, eventually settling in the Anatolian city Konya, where he lived most of his life, composed one of the crowning glories of Persian literature, and profoundly affected the culture of the area.
When his father died, Rumi, aged 25, inherited his position as the head of an Islamic school. One of Baha' ud-Din's students, Sayyed Burhan ud-Din Muhaqqiq Termazi, continued to train Rumi in the Shariah as well as the Tariqa, especially that of Rumi's father. For nine years, Rumi practised Sufism as a disciple of Burhan ud-Din until the latter died in 1240 or 1241. Rumi's public life then began: he became an Islamic Jurist, issuing fatwas and giving sermons in the mosques of Konya. He also served as a Molvi (Islamic teacher) and taught his adherents in the madrassa. During this period, Rumi also travelled to Damascus and is said to have spent four years there.
It was his meeting with the dervish Shams-e Tabrizi on 15 November 1244 that completely changed his life. From an accomplished teacher and jurist, Rumi was transformed into an ascetic.
On the night of 5 December 1248, as Rumi and Shams were talking, Shams was called to the back door. He went out, never to be seen again. Rumi's love for, and his bereavement at the death of, Shams found their expression in an outpouring of lyric poems, Divan-e Shams-e Tabrizi. He himself went out searching for Shams and journeyed again to Damascus.
Rumi found another companion in Salaḥ ud-Din-e Zarkub, a goldsmith. After Salah ud-Din's death, Rumi's scribe and favourite student, Hussam-e Chalabi, assumed the role of Rumi's companion. Hussam implored Rumi to write more. Rumi spent the next 12 years of his life in Anatolia dictating the six volumes of this masterwork, the Masnavi, to Hussam.
In December 1273, Rumi fell ill and died on the 17th of December in Konya.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
February 22, 2014
Another book of Kabir Helmimski that is a must if you are a Rumi lover, and how can you not be?
July 30, 2023
Quite a nice read. Highlights frequently the importance of love in Sūfī Metaphysics.
October 18, 2023
I have no doubt you’ll love the light and beautiful collection of Rumi’s poems in this edition.
“He is a letter to everyone. You open it. It says, ‘Live!’”
~ Rumi from Rumi: Daylight
Mevlana Rumi: The great Islamic Persian poet and mystic.
If you’ve ever heard of Sufism or the Whirling Dervishes, then you’ve probably been exposed, at least in part, to some of Rumi’s teachings. Born in modern day Afghanistan in the 13th century, he was one of the greatest Sufi philosophers and was the inspiration for Sema, the “universal movement” practiced by the Whirling Dervishes.
If you haven’t had the chance to enjoy some of Rumi’s incredibly beautiful poetry before, you’re in for a treat. :)
Rumi lived his life in Konya, Turkey, which was, at the time, the capital of the dominant Western Seljuk Empire. Rumi was a Professor of Religion at Konya University and was respected as an incredibly mystical and spiritual man; in fact, he was known as the “spokesman for the religion of love in the language of the heart.”
Rumi’s poetry has been captured in a number of different collections. In all, one is exposed to the manner in which Rumi demonstrates the unbridled joy that comes from living life fully, while urging us always to put aside our fears and take the risk required to do so.
Although Coleman Barks’ translation (The Essential Rumi) may be the most popular translation of Rumi’s poetry, I fell in love with Camille Adams Helminski’s translation (Rumi Daylight: A Daybook of Spiritual Guidance) on a trip through the Middle East that included a visit to Rumi’s tomb in Konya, Turkey. I have no doubt you’ll love the light and beautiful collection of Rumi’s poems she chose to translate in this edition.
Some of my favorite big ideas from this book include:
1. A Jihad Warrior - The inner battle.
2. Candy - Or self-control.
3. Growth - Rejoice in yours!
4. Patience - Is joy.
5. Boiling Scum - Boil it all away.
6. Making Mirrors - Polish yourself!!
7. Envy - The hardest pass.
8. Burn! - Set your rubbish on fire!
9. If - Don’t lodge there.
10. Sword of Reality - The saint’s protection.
11. Two Wings to Fly - Relax. Evolve. Flow. & Fly.
12. Spare No Effort - It’s late.
13. Step into the Fire - Cook yourself in truth.
14. Live! - What’s your letter say?
I’ve summarized those Big Ideas in a video review that you can watch here.
I’ve also added Rumi Daylight by Rumi to my collection of Philosopher’s Notes--distilling the Big Ideas into 6-page PDF and 20-minute MP3s on 600+ of the BEST self-development books ever. You can get access to all of those plus a TON more over at heroic.us.
“He is a letter to everyone. You open it. It says, ‘Live!’”
~ Rumi from Rumi: Daylight
Mevlana Rumi: The great Islamic Persian poet and mystic.
If you’ve ever heard of Sufism or the Whirling Dervishes, then you’ve probably been exposed, at least in part, to some of Rumi’s teachings. Born in modern day Afghanistan in the 13th century, he was one of the greatest Sufi philosophers and was the inspiration for Sema, the “universal movement” practiced by the Whirling Dervishes.
If you haven’t had the chance to enjoy some of Rumi’s incredibly beautiful poetry before, you’re in for a treat. :)
Rumi lived his life in Konya, Turkey, which was, at the time, the capital of the dominant Western Seljuk Empire. Rumi was a Professor of Religion at Konya University and was respected as an incredibly mystical and spiritual man; in fact, he was known as the “spokesman for the religion of love in the language of the heart.”
Rumi’s poetry has been captured in a number of different collections. In all, one is exposed to the manner in which Rumi demonstrates the unbridled joy that comes from living life fully, while urging us always to put aside our fears and take the risk required to do so.
Although Coleman Barks’ translation (The Essential Rumi) may be the most popular translation of Rumi’s poetry, I fell in love with Camille Adams Helminski’s translation (Rumi Daylight: A Daybook of Spiritual Guidance) on a trip through the Middle East that included a visit to Rumi’s tomb in Konya, Turkey. I have no doubt you’ll love the light and beautiful collection of Rumi’s poems she chose to translate in this edition.
Some of my favorite big ideas from this book include:
1. A Jihad Warrior - The inner battle.
2. Candy - Or self-control.
3. Growth - Rejoice in yours!
4. Patience - Is joy.
5. Boiling Scum - Boil it all away.
6. Making Mirrors - Polish yourself!!
7. Envy - The hardest pass.
8. Burn! - Set your rubbish on fire!
9. If - Don’t lodge there.
10. Sword of Reality - The saint’s protection.
11. Two Wings to Fly - Relax. Evolve. Flow. & Fly.
12. Spare No Effort - It’s late.
13. Step into the Fire - Cook yourself in truth.
14. Live! - What’s your letter say?
I’ve summarized those Big Ideas in a video review that you can watch here.
I’ve also added Rumi Daylight by Rumi to my collection of Philosopher’s Notes--distilling the Big Ideas into 6-page PDF and 20-minute MP3s on 600+ of the BEST self-development books ever. You can get access to all of those plus a TON more over at heroic.us.
July 30, 2017
Rumi was born in the 13th-century, and he is Persian and he was a poet, an Islamic scholar, theologian, and a Sufi mystic. His poetry is known worldwide. He's the most popular poet and the best selling poet in the US. He's recognized here in the West, as he historically has been for seven centuries in the Middle East and Western Asia, and known as one of the greatest literary and spiritual figures of all time. Rumi tells of love in the language of the heart.
"Recent translations of Rumi's work have brought forth a variety of different qualities, exploring the subtlety, grace, and electricity of his verse. This book presents his spiritual teachings concisely and comprehensively, in a translation that touches heart and mind. The Mathnawi, from which these selections have been taken, is one of the greatest spiritual masterpieces ever written." A peaceful getaway for those who seek it...
"Recent translations of Rumi's work have brought forth a variety of different qualities, exploring the subtlety, grace, and electricity of his verse. This book presents his spiritual teachings concisely and comprehensively, in a translation that touches heart and mind. The Mathnawi, from which these selections have been taken, is one of the greatest spiritual masterpieces ever written." A peaceful getaway for those who seek it...
January 18, 2015
I am not even going to try writing about Rumi.
Just read them!!!
Just read them!!!
July 27, 2014
Alhamdulillaah.. sajak-sajaknya beliau ini mengajak saya melakukan kontemplasi yang sangat dalam..
Ketika jiwa merasa hampa dan sangat hina, sajak-sajaknya berusaha membangkitkan jiwa..
Ketika jiwa merasa hampa dan sangat hina, sajak-sajaknya berusaha membangkitkan jiwa..
October 1, 2021
I admire Rumi greatly but will not repeat what I wrote in my review of the collection of his works entitled “Open Secret”. I do think that collection is slightly superior to “Daylight”, but the concept of 365 passages, one per day, along with Rumi’s sublime enlightenment, make this a very enjoyable and thought-provoking read. I also liked how these passages were taken in order from about a third of Rumi’s “Mathnawi”; the result is a more authentic taste of the man’s work, as well a variation from the passages from Rumi that are usually extracted from his writings in modern Western texts. Have a look below and see what you think.
Quotes:
On acceptance:
“It’s not necessary to burn a new blanket
on account of a flea;
nor would I turn my back
on you because of superficial faults.”
And:
“Water says to the dirty, ‘Come here.’
The dirty one says, ‘I’m so ashamed.’
Water says, ‘How will you shame be washed away
without me?’”
On beauty:
“Everything that is made beautiful and fair and lovely
is made for the eye of one who sees.”
On being challenged:
“The unbeliever supposes he has hurt me;
but no, he has wiped the dust from my mirror.”
On faults in others:
“Many of the faults you see in others, dear reader,
are your own nature reflected in them.
As the Prophet said,
‘The faithful are mirrors to one another.’”
On friendship:
“How will you know your real friends?
Pain is as dear to them as life.
A friend is like gold. Trouble is like fire.
Pure gold delights in the fire.”
On individuality, wow I love this one:
“Conventional opinion I the ruin of our souls,
something borrowed which we mistake as our own.
Ignorance is better than this; clutch at madness instead.
Always run from what seems to benefit your self:
sip the poison and spill the water of life.
Revile those who flatter you;
lend both interest and principal to the poor.
Let security go and be at home amid dangers.
Leave your good name behind and accept disgrace.
I have lived with cautious thinking;
now I’ll make myself mad.”
On the journey to self-knowledge:
“I’m the devoted slave
of anyone who doesn’t claim
to have attained dining with God
at every way station.
Many inns must be left behind
before you reach your home.”
On karma:
“The world is the mountain,
And each action, the shout that echoes back.”
On living in the now:
“My friend, the sufi is the son of the present moment:
To say ‘tomorrow’ is not our way.”
On language:
“To be one of heart is better than to have a common tongue.”
On perseverance:
“But gentle flames are not enough for iron;
it eagerly draws to itself the fiery dragon’s breath.
That iron is the dervish who bears hardship:
under the hammer and fire, he happily glows red.”
On riches:
“If an artful enemy takes your wealth,
a thief will have robbed a thief.”
On self-improvement:
“The lion who breaks the enemy’s ranks
is a minor hero
compared to the lion who overcomes himself.”
On thinking too much:
“Your thinking is like a camel driver,
and you are the camel:
it drives you in every direction under its bitter control.”
On transience:
“Though in the world you are the most learned scholar of the time,
behold the vanishing of this world and this time!”
And:
“Little by little God takes away human beauty:
little by little the sapling withers.
Go, recite ‘To whomever we give a length of days,
We also cause them to decline.’
Seek the spirit;
don’t set your heart on bones.”
Quotes:
On acceptance:
“It’s not necessary to burn a new blanket
on account of a flea;
nor would I turn my back
on you because of superficial faults.”
And:
“Water says to the dirty, ‘Come here.’
The dirty one says, ‘I’m so ashamed.’
Water says, ‘How will you shame be washed away
without me?’”
On beauty:
“Everything that is made beautiful and fair and lovely
is made for the eye of one who sees.”
On being challenged:
“The unbeliever supposes he has hurt me;
but no, he has wiped the dust from my mirror.”
On faults in others:
“Many of the faults you see in others, dear reader,
are your own nature reflected in them.
As the Prophet said,
‘The faithful are mirrors to one another.’”
On friendship:
“How will you know your real friends?
Pain is as dear to them as life.
A friend is like gold. Trouble is like fire.
Pure gold delights in the fire.”
On individuality, wow I love this one:
“Conventional opinion I the ruin of our souls,
something borrowed which we mistake as our own.
Ignorance is better than this; clutch at madness instead.
Always run from what seems to benefit your self:
sip the poison and spill the water of life.
Revile those who flatter you;
lend both interest and principal to the poor.
Let security go and be at home amid dangers.
Leave your good name behind and accept disgrace.
I have lived with cautious thinking;
now I’ll make myself mad.”
On the journey to self-knowledge:
“I’m the devoted slave
of anyone who doesn’t claim
to have attained dining with God
at every way station.
Many inns must be left behind
before you reach your home.”
On karma:
“The world is the mountain,
And each action, the shout that echoes back.”
On living in the now:
“My friend, the sufi is the son of the present moment:
To say ‘tomorrow’ is not our way.”
On language:
“To be one of heart is better than to have a common tongue.”
On perseverance:
“But gentle flames are not enough for iron;
it eagerly draws to itself the fiery dragon’s breath.
That iron is the dervish who bears hardship:
under the hammer and fire, he happily glows red.”
On riches:
“If an artful enemy takes your wealth,
a thief will have robbed a thief.”
On self-improvement:
“The lion who breaks the enemy’s ranks
is a minor hero
compared to the lion who overcomes himself.”
On thinking too much:
“Your thinking is like a camel driver,
and you are the camel:
it drives you in every direction under its bitter control.”
On transience:
“Though in the world you are the most learned scholar of the time,
behold the vanishing of this world and this time!”
And:
“Little by little God takes away human beauty:
little by little the sapling withers.
Go, recite ‘To whomever we give a length of days,
We also cause them to decline.’
Seek the spirit;
don’t set your heart on bones.”
April 13, 2020
I think this English translation of Rumi's phrasing did not do him justice at all and sadly stood as a negative barrier to fully convey his spiritual messages. 1 star for the lame attempt at translation and not the content.
March 23, 2008
Another favorite of mine that sits on my nightstand for those moments when I need great insight ...
November 30, 2009
365 kutipan Matsnawi
Hanya dibaca dengan mata lahiriah
Mungkin agar dapat dihayati
Jangan dibaca sambil luluran di salon sebelah
Hanya dibaca dengan mata lahiriah
Mungkin agar dapat dihayati
Jangan dibaca sambil luluran di salon sebelah
December 23, 2009
full hikmah... bagus buat catatan harian
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November 10, 2014Pernah baca versi lebih ringannya, dari editor Ali auliyah. Tiap lembanrnya membuat hati makin berat karena rindu dengan sang "kekasih"
July 6, 2015
A book that i'll definitely re read over and over again at the moment i feel so lost and uninspired.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews