The Book Report by Rebecca Traver - Our Online Bookshop Curator
"These pains you feel are messengers. Listen to them.”
~Rumi
The first time I crossed paths with a poem by the 13th Century Sufi mystic Jalal ad-Din Mohammad Rumi, more popularly known simply as Rumi, I felt a profound shift in how I felt about being a human in the world. Perhaps you know the poem I’m taking about…‘The Guest House’ (scroll down to read the poem in its entirety). Rumi and his fellow poets from those distant times and places have served as beloved spiritual guides to many of us in this contemporary age. His writings speak as powerfully now as they ever did - reaching deep into the heart of what it means to live an ensouled human life.
I have selected a few books for you to explore and behold these beautiful writings. May they inspire, elevate, and support you.
The Essential Rumi - Reissue: New Expanded Edition, Rumi’s Little Book of Love and Laughter: Teaching Stories and Fables, The Soul of Rumi: A New Collection of Ecstatic Poems are all translated by Coleman Barks, the premier modern interpreter and illuminator of Rumi’s writing.
Rumi Oracle: An Invitation Into the Heart of the Divine, a deck of oracle cards by visionary spiritual teacher Alana Fairchild, is a beautiful way to connect with Rumi’s poetry - offering insight into your personal inquiries.
The Spiritual Poems of Rumi translated by renowned Rumi expert Nader Khalili contains over 120 poems bringing expression to our spiritual quests on behalf of ourselves and our connections with others.
Keeping a copy of The Pocket Rumi handy can serve as a talisman of beauty and love, especially when we’re feeling lost, overwhelmed, or in need of some heart healing.
The Illuminated Rumi with poems translated by Coleman Barks makes a lovely gift no matter the occasion. Rumi’s passionate, playful poems chronicle the journey through life and are paired here with stunning illustrations by Michael Green.
In addition to Rumi’s work, may I suggest these:
The Gift: Poems by Hafiz, The Great Sufi Master translated by Daniel Landinsky was chosen by author Elizabeth Gilbert as one of her ten favorite books…and I would say it’s one of mine as well. Ladinsky has said that his work with Hafiz is an attempt to do the impossible: to render Light into words to make the Luminous Resonance of God tangible to our finite senses.
Kabir: Ecstatic Poems translated by Robert Bly is a luminous collection of work from Kabir Das, a 15th Century Indian mystic.
Mirabai: Ecstatic Poems gives us a treasure chest of writings by the 16th Century Hindu poet and mystic Mirabai. Robert Bly and Jane Hirshfield, two of America's best poets, have created lively English versions of Mirabai's poems, using fresh images and energetic rhythms to make them accessible to modern readers.
The Guest House
by Jalal ad-Din Mohammad Rumi
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’re 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 whoever comes,
because each has been sent
as a guide from beyond.
