Table Of ContentRumi
Meditations
by Yahiya Emerick
A member of Penguin Group (USA) Inc.
Rumi
Meditations
Rumi
Meditations
by Yahiya Emerick
A member of Penguin Group (USA) Inc.
ALPHA BOOKS
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Copyright © 2008 by Yahiya (J. A.) Emerick
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Contents at a Glance
Part 1: Meet the Master 1
1 Who Was Rumi? 3
Get introduced to the best-selling poet in
America today, Rumi, a Persian mystic
from the thirteenth century. Explore who
he was, where he came from, and what
happened in his life to shape him and his
work that’s so special to us today.
2 What Did Rumi Believe? 21
Learn about Rumi’s journey into the
mystical reaches of the heart and what he
believed about human beings. Understand
why he believed so passionately in the path
of self-realization and what the pitfalls to
progress that he warned against are. Also,
explore Rumi’s view on how love does save
the day.
3 Rumi the Writer 37
Begin to explore what Rumi wrote and
why, and how his writing was received.
Take a tour of each of his major works,
including the Divan and the Mathnawi,
and learn how the West discovered Rumi.
Part 2: Nothing for Something Is Everything 57
4 The Forgotten Self 59
On a voyage of self-discovery, Rumi
explores the real roots of stress, doubt, and
hopelessness, and how a person can sur
vive in this world and gain a sense of self.
5 Igniting the Divine Spark 77
That little voice inside your heart is real.
Who is speaking to you? What does the
voice bid you to do? Learn how Rumi
guides you back to the light you forgot you
had.
vi The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Rumi Meditations
6 Fighting the Illusion That Binds You 95
Discover Rumi’s view of this world and
our place within it. Explore how this life
is useful, what the meaning is of what we
see, what success and failure are in life,
and how to apply Rumi’s timeless lessons
to our daily lives.
Part 3: Love and the Single Mind 113
7 Understanding the Nature of Love
and Pain 115
Explore Rumi’s definition of love and its
Divine expression in our lives, and how
we know what love is and what it needs
to grow. Understand the reasons we some
times experience pain in our souls, what
it’s for, and how love that transcends time
sets us free.
8 Dancing with the Beloved 131
Learn about Rumi’s quest for God and
what God meant to him. Discover what
it means to be annihilated in the Divine
and how the spirit of Divine wisdom sets
us free from all that pains us.
9 Celebrating Earthly Passion 145
Love is the union of souls, so where does
love begin? How can a liberated soul love
more deeply than a shackled soul? What
does unrestricted love feel like? What is
passion unleashed from within? Discover
the beauty of Rumi’s love poetry.
Part 4: In the Garden of Eternal Delight 161
10 Wisdom to Live By 163
The personal habits and empowering
beliefs that Rumi praised are reflected in
much of his writings. Explore the pitfalls
and negative habits that prevent personal
growth and union with the Divine spark
within us all.
Contents at a Glance vii
11 Animal Fables 179
Rumi was fond of employing animals in
his stories and poems. From lions, horses,
and birds to even rabbits, Rumi brought
out the wisdom in each. Discover some of
his most memorable tales, including those
drawn from the Arabic literary classic
Kalila and Dimnah, and the valuable
lessons each can teach.
12 Stories of the Seeker 195
Rumi lived at the tail-end of a magical
world populated by sinners and saints,
fabulous cities and lonely dervishes, and
wealthy sultans and wandering maids.
Explore the artistry and imagery that
Rumi employed in his portrayal of the last
days of classic Islamic civilization.
Appendixes
A A Timeline of Rumi’s Life 209
B Rumi Resources 215
C Glossary 223
Index 227
