This is a delightful book by Coleman Barks and illustrated by Michael Green , which I noticed in the bookstore but then checked it out from the library. I would say it is a celebration of the connection betwen a thirteenth century poet~theology doctor~scholar~artist named Rumi and a rough and wild wandering dervish monk named Shams. Their union as teacher-student-teacher, (the lines gets blurred, the teacher becomes the taught), exalted both to greatest heights and deeper recesses in their quest and taste and love for God. So this book takes that flavour, and lets loose a flutter of inspiring comments, a bit of poetry and basic plain truths that pierce the heart in their simplicity. The accompanying art that flows along with this book is awesome. It is sprinkled with Islamic art and original and beautiful pictures that instill a sense of the majesty they speak of. Some books will make you feel emotional, even cause you to shed tears.
The effect of this book on me was to stop me in my tracks. Like a long ago rememberance, a hum above the sounds of life, and a sense of a divine thread holding these pages together. Something like stepping off of the world for a time, re-focusing your perspective and priorities. This is not a large book but I savoured every single page , every word, every drawing. They introduce the moon as polite, the deep longing of our being, a reminder of prophets gone before us, sudden awakening, the rejection of fear, the necessity of asking, the sweetness of love, the permission to soar in your spirit. They quote ’’ not Christian or Jew or Muslim. Not Hindu, Buddhist, Sufi or Zen. Not any religion.’’ They prod you, dare you, taunt you and shamelessly say they do, and purposely do it ’’by any means necessary’’ to pry you up off your programmed idea of what life is about. When they speak of the burning flame of fasting, the energy and clarity that comes with it, it makes you wish to fast on the spot! They say don’t rush, rather, unfold, and instead you are so cautious, take a chance and break out from the mold. This book seems to challenge one to love and to hack your ego to pieces. They represent to us a call to work on ourselves, to come to a prayerful attitude, stumbling on the way, doing it all wrong, but heading at least in the right direction. They assure you that being stripped down to nothing is a part of the process as you cannot fill with new until the old is emptied.
And finally, it gives the feeling of being unafraid to dissolve into Beloved God, that there is safe haven and no other road to take. Well, maybe you can see I got alot out of this book. It is expensive, about $30.00. I considered pocessing it but then decided I was just to pay attention to it now, and then let it go. It could sit pretty on my book shelf but then thats not following the advice of being fluid with your lessons, at least in my case. So, tomorrow I will return it, I know it sounds so crazy but its like seeing a friend off. I deeply appreciate the efforts these two took to put this book together, even they have also apologised for any error which they say is theirs, not the teachings. Certainly its not going to appeal to everyone but if you feel so inclined, I think you will enjoy.