Rumi's World: The Life and Works of the Greatest Sufi Poet
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Book Overview
This book (previously published as I Am Wind, You Are Fire ) celebrates the extraordinary career of Persia's great mystical poet, Rumi (1207-1273), through the story of his life, along with an enlightening examination of his ecstatic verse. Rumi lived the quiet life of a religious teacher in Anatolia until the age of thirty-seven, when he came under the influence of a whirling dervish, Shams Tabriz, and was moved to a state of mystical ecstasy. One of the results of this ecstasy was a prodigious output of poems about the search for the lost Divine Beloved, whom Rumi identified with Shams. To symbolize this search, Rumi also invented the famous whirling dance of the Melevi dervishes, which are performed accompanied by the chanting of Rumi's poems. Professor Schimmel illuminates the symbolism and significance of Rumi's vast output and offers her own translations of some of his most famous poems.
Format:Paperback
Language:English
ISBN:0877736111
ISBN13:9780877736110
Release Date:May 2001
Publisher:Shambhala
Length:224 Pages
Weight:0.79 lbs.
Dimensions:0.6" x 6.1" x 8.9"
Customer Reviews
5 ratings
One of the best introductions to the life and works of Rumi you can find
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 17 years ago
Origninaly called "I am wind, you are fire" This is perhaps one of the best introductions to the life and works of Rumi around by one of the greatest scholars of Rumi in our modern times (sadly professor Schimmel has now passed away) The book is well documented and easy to read covering the basics of Rumis life and teachings both placing them in their correct historical and religious context; none of this modernist revisionist Rumi poetry that is being passed around as the great mans works this is an authentic biography of his life. Exellent read, check out Iqbal, Arberry and Nicholson after this book.
Excellent
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 23 years ago
There are a number of writers on Islamic topics that are excellent from differing perspectives. There are only two Western authors, however, that I have any respect for when it comes to the subject of Islamic spirituality. One of them was Frithjof Schuon, and the other is Annemarie Schimmel.With all of the fuss about Rumi and the whole New Age Sufi thing, it is all too easy to forget that Rumi was a Muslim (sometimes I suspect that too many people would like to forget it). Rumi was the sort of person that he was because he was a Muslim, and not in spite of that fact. Professor Schimmel places Rumi squarely in the Islamic perspective, which is where he belongs. This book provides the best short introduction to his life and thought within that context that I have run across, and I recommend it highly to anyone interested in his life and work.
Very enlightening
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 23 years ago
An excellent piece of writing on the life and poetry of Rumi. Gives a biographical sketch as well as outlines the technicalities of Rumi's prose, his beliefs and ideas as rendered in poetry. One of the most moving book's I've ever read.
Wonderful, poetic, biography of the great Mawlana Rumi.
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 24 years ago
This book is the best biography of Mawlana Jalal uddin Rumi (may his secret be sanctified!) that I have read in the English language to date. The prose itself is absolutely wonderful and is almost poetry in itself! Added to this is Prof. Schimmel's intimate knowledge of the works and life of Mawlana Rumi which she does a wonderful job of presenting. Also, unlike other Orientalist interpreters of Sufism, she firmly places Rumi within the orthodox Islamic framework and ideology/world-view where he belongs. Her translations of his poems are also delightful. This book is highly recommended for all those Muslim and non-Muslim who are interested in the life and works of one of the greatest Saints to ever walk this earth.
Beautiful account of Mawlana's life, poetry and teachings.
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 25 years ago
This book is very beautifully written; though a work of prose it reads like poetry--such is the beauty of the language. Indeed, such writing is befitting of the subject: the great Islamic saint and Sufi mystic Mawlana Jalal ud Deen Rumi [may his secret be sanctified!]. IN this aspect it too succeeds dealing with all apsects of Mawlana's life in detail and with great love and enthusiasm which shines through in each line. If you are interested in Mawlana Rumi--get this book!
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