Poetry Chaikhana Sacred Poetry from Around the World

Muslim / Sufi 13th Century	About Jelaluddin Rumi Timeline (1207 - 1273)
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English version by Coleman Barks Original Language Persian/Farsi	[1242] During the day I was singing with you.
Commentary by Ivan M. Granger Themes   Night   Sexual Union         Recommended Books Delicious Laughter: Rambunctious Teaching Stories from the Mathnawi of Jelaluddin Rumi, Translated by Coleman Barks East Window: Poems from Asia, Translated by W. S. Merwin The Essential Rumi, Translated by Coleman Barks The Hand of Poetry: Five Mystic Poets of Persia, with Lectures by Inayat Khan, Translated by Coleman Barks Holy Fire: Nine Visionary Poets and the Quest for Enlightenment, Edited by Daniel Halpern More >>	During the day I was singing with you. At night we slept in the same bed. I wasn't conscious day or night. I thought I knew who I was, but I was you.     -- from Open Secret: Versions of Rumi, Translated by Coleman Barks / Translated by John Moyne Amazon.com
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Commentary by Ivan M. Granger

This snippet of a poem by Rumi is rich with meaning.

When Rumi speaks of sleeping in the same bed (with God), he is drawing a parallel -- as have many mystics -- between the ecstatic state and sexual union. This can be shocking to more orthodox religious sensibilities, but the comparison can be appropriate.

Without wanting to sound crass, the sacred experience can be described as orgasmic. There is a sense of ecstasy that goes beyond words, a sense of profound release, and a rising heat often felt to originate from the seat. But, whereas sexual orgasm is focused outward and quickly dissipates, this sacred energy turns inward and upward, spreading a glowing awareness of bliss throughout the body and mind.

On an even deeper level, this union is the merging of the individual sense of self with with the Divine, the Eternal Self.

When Rumi says he "wasn't conscious day or night," he is talking of the mystical experience of being radically free from what most people call being conscious; all of the mental chatter and concepts no longer rule perception. What remains, instead, is a blissful, silent, awareness that drinks in everything unfiltered. There is perception, but there is no "I" to perceive or to be "conscious."

In such utter stillness, you discover that everthing you thought you were was a mere phantom. You are stunned to discover that there is no difference between you and that pure vastness that is the Beloved, that is God.

Ivan M. Granger's original poetry, stories and commentaries are Copyright © 2002 - 2008 by Ivan M. Granger.
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