Rumi is More Than A Dispenser of Clever Words -- Find Your Own Shams
By James Bean
People are drawn to the poetic utterances of Jalaluddin Rumi (1207-1273). In the lives of many, Rumi has become the rare example of encountering a genuine spiritual master of the past, what the Sufis call a "murshid", an advanced spiritual teacher or guide. More than a poet, they sense there is a radiance behind Rumi's words, that really, Rumi offers a radically different and far more enchanting approach to God or the spiritual world than the conventional religion they know.
Rumi was a 13th-century Persian Sufi mystic. For some reason, this particular Sufi poet has become extremely popular and well-known to many, yet Rumi is one of thousands of such celebrated Gnostic poet-mystics, Sants and Sufis of the East.
Sufism is a form of Islamic Gnosticism, a school of mysticism. Rumi's spiritual teacher (living master, murshid) was Shams of Tabriz, a disciple of Baba Kamal al-Din Jumdi in a Sufi Order, a living school of spirituality. In Arabic, "Shams" means "Sun". For Rumi, Shams was his light-giver (guru), the spiritual guide, someone who communicated the mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven, the methods of spiritual practice, meditation, how to ascend through the heavens and commune with the Beloved Supreme Being.
Rumi is a great read, composed great poems, contributed much to the world of literature? Sure. However, to truly "get" Rumi and come to appreciate his message, we need to find our own living Shams of Tabriz.
The Master-Student Relationship
"Rumi trusted his heart and soul to Shams, and Shams said, 'That is a good beginning. What more can you offer?'
"'There is nothing more!' cried Rumi.
"Shams replied, 'Still you sleep, Rumi. It is a new day. Wake up! You resist my words because of your own insecurities and the fear that right now you could be the God that you truly are. Could I, as your friend, allow you to continue living a life of limitation when you know better?'"
Rumi says: "If you seek to know God, sit at the feet of the Masters." "Feed your heart in conversation with someone harmonious with it; seek spiritual advancement from one who is advanced." Rumi says, may you find your own Shams and learn from them the Secret of Secrets.
"Rumi found in poetry the only form of expression befitting his reverence for his teacher Shams of Tabriz."
Rumi's Ode to the Satguru
You come to us
from another world
From beyond the stars
and void of space.
Transcendent, Pure,
Of unimaginable beauty,
Bringing with you
the essence of love.
You transform all
who are touched by you.
Mundane concerns,
troubles, and sorrows
dissolve in your presence,
Bringing joy
to ruler and ruled
To peasant and King.
You bewilder us
with your grace.
All evils
transform into
goodness.
You are the master alchemist.
You light the fire of love
in earth and sky
in heart and soul
of every being.
Through your loving
existence and nonexistence merge.
All opposites unite.
All that is profane
becomes sacred again.
