Rumi: Found in Translation

Speaking with Rassouli, Part 1.

You have said that Rumi cannot be read with a rational or analytical mind. Do you have any advice on how best to read Rumi?

Rumi never sat down to write poetry. His verses in the Divan of Shams were pouring out of him as he was in an ecstatic state while dancing or playing music. Four of his followers, including his own son, wrote the poetry down. When the creative process is expressed through emotion and the subconscious, we need to experience it the same way.

When I began translating Rumi, initially I was very careful to make sure I understood every word and concept well before I transcribed it into English. I struggled for two years in this manner, and was never happy with my translations.

One night, in a dream, I saw Rumi and my Sufi uncle—who was my spiritual guide—speaking with each other. I was sitting across from them and was excited to ask Rumi questions. Every time I did, Rumi turned to my uncle and responded. Finally, I asked my uncle why Rumi was not talking directly to me. My uncle’s response was that Rumi believed I was not drunk enough.

Thanks to that dream, I threw away all my translations and began working on Rumi’s poetry only when I could get out of my analytical mind. That is how Rumi Revealed and Rumi — Jewels of Wisdom were written, and I believe they should be read the same way.