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 W. S. Merwin and Talat Halman Original Language Persian/Farsi	I'm neither beautiful nor ugly
Commentary by Ivan M. Granger Themes   Freedom   Garden   Lover and Beloved   Rose     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 >>	I'm neither beautiful nor ugly      neither this nor that I'm neither the peddler in the market      nor the nightingale      in the rose garden Teacher give me a name so that I'll know      what to call myself I'm neither slave nor free neither candle      nor iron I've not fallen in love with anyone      nor is anyone in love with me Whether I'm sinful or good      sin and goodness come from another      not from me Wherever He drags me I go      with no say in the matter     -- from East Window: Poems from Asia, Translated by W. S. Merwin Amazon.com
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Commentary by Ivan M. Granger

Rumi sings of the mystic's experience of no-self. All traits, all qualities are limited notions that can never encompass or define the fluid spaciousness we finally recognize as our true nature. Even the notions of "good" and "evil" are concepts that divide and separate, when the vision of unity reveals that we are seamlessly one with the splendor of Reality.

What name can name you then, when everything not named is also you?

Ivan M. Granger's original poetry, stories and commentaries are Copyright © 2002 - 2008 by Ivan M. Granger.
All other material is copyrighted by the respective authors, translators and/or publishers.