It is no secret that I love Rumi. I read his quotes and poems in my yoga classes all the time because I find that he has such a knack for explaining something deep and profound in one short sentence that makes so much sense!
If you are sitting there wondering “who on earth is Rumi?”, let me explain. Rumi (or Jalal ad-Din Muhammad Rumi) was a 13th century Sufi poet and mystic who was oozing with wisdom, especially surrounding love and making a connection with something bigger than yourself. His poems have become famous all over the world, and for good reason.
To ease you into it, I have compiled my top ten Rumi quotes (and a few bonus poems) to inspire you and open your mind to new possibilities. Enjoy…
SHORT QUOTES:
1)
“The universe is not outside of you. Look inside yourself; everything that you want, you already are.”
2)
“These pains you feel are messengers. Listen to them.”
3)
“Yesterday I was clever, so I wanted to change the world. Today I am wise, so I am changing myself.”
4)
“Take someone who doesn’t keep score, who’s not looking to be richer, or afraid of losing, who has not the slightest interest even in his own personality: he’s free.”
5)
“Maybe you are searching among the branches, for what only appears in the roots.”
6)
“You are not a drop in the ocean. You are the entire ocean, in a drop.” or “Stop acting so small. You are the universe in ecstatic motion.”
7)
“You wander from room to room hunting for the diamond necklace that is already around your neck.”
8)
“Raise your words, not voice. It is rain that grows flowers, not thunder.”
9)
“You are not meant for crawling, so don’t. You have wings. Learn to use them and fly.”
10)
“If you are irritated by every rub, how will your mirror be polished?” or “The wound is the place where the light enters you.”
POEMS:
1) A Great Wagon
“Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing and rightdoing,
there is a field. I’ll meet you there.
When the soul lies down in that grass,
the world is too full to talk about.
Ideas, language, even the phrase “each other”
doesn’t make any sense.
The breeze at dawn has secrets to tell you.
Don’t go back to sleep.
You must ask for what you really want.
Don’t go back to sleep.
People are going back and forth across the doorsill
where the two worlds touch.
The door is round and open.
Don’t go back to sleep.”
2) The Guesthouse
“This being human is a guest house.
Every morning a new arrival.
A joy, a depression, a meanness,
some momentary awareness comes
as an unexpected visitor.
Welcome and entertain them all!
Even if they are a crowd of sorrows,
who violently sweep your house
empty of its furniture,
still, treat each guest honorably.
He may be clearing you out
for some new delight.
The dark thought, the shame, the malice.
meet them at the door laughing and invite them in.
Be grateful for whatever comes.
because each has been sent
as a guide from beyond.”
3) Of Being Woven
“The way is full of genuine sacrifice.
The thickets blocking your path are anything
that keeps you from that, any fear that you may be broken
into bits like a glass bottle.
This road demands courage and stamina, yet it’s full of
footprints!
Who are these companions?
They are rungs in your ladder. Use them!
With company you quicken your ascent.
You may be happy enough going along, but with others
you’ll get farther, and faster.
Someone who goes cheerfully by himself to the customs
house to pay his traveler’s tax will go even more
lightheartedly when friends are with him.
Every prophet sought out companions.
A wall standing alone is useless, but put three or four walls
together, and they’ll support a roof and keep grain dry
and safe.
When ink joins with a pen, then the blank paper can say
something.
Rushes and reeds must be woven to be useful as a mat. If
they weren’t interlaced; the wind would blow them away.
Like that, God paired up creatures, and gave them
friendship.”
Love Rumi already? Make sure you check out more of Rumi’s work. A simple Google search will provide hours of reading.