There are certain books everybody should own and keep in their personal library and this is one of them. This book speaks to you in different times of your life. Sometimes you get one poem and not another and then later the other poem will come alive for you. I love Rumi's work and have loved it before it became fashionable.

My first book of Rumi, made me love him and now I have lots of his poetry so I highly recommend this book.

Almost all the great religions have a mystical side, including Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism, and Zoroastrianism. Gnosticism, Khabalah, the Nagas within Hinduism, Vajrayana Buddhism, Sufism, the Eleusine Mysteries within ancient Greek religion, Hermetism (a fusion of western and eastern mysticism by the third century, A.D., philosopher, Iamblichus), Avesta, Taoism, Confucianism, and even Rosicrucianism and Freemasonry all had mystical sides.

Sufism is one of the mystical traditions within Islam, of which there are a number not well known in the west. Rumi is one of the greats in that tradition, and one of the few eastern poets I've read (such as Omar Khayam) and there is no doubt he is one of the greatest poets of all time, whether western or eastern. I enjoy Rumi's poems but have to agree with a reviewer that the translations may not be the best since the author admits he knew no Persian, and Sufis are quite definite on the point that their poems are very precise and even technical in their wording and phraseology. As I'm not an expert I'll leave the final opinion on this book to the experts and those more knowledgable than I. Fortunately, as there are other translations you should also try one of those and compare those renderings with this book. But whichever way you decide to go, Rumi should be essential reading for anyone wishing to expand their literary and intellectual horizons beyond the "usual suspects."

"Come to the orchard in Spring.
There is light and wine, and sweethearts

in the pomegranate flowers.


If you do not come, these do not matter.
If you do come, these do not matter."

With amazing economy of words and with a deep understanding of his art, the luminary Persian poet, jurist, and theologian Jalal Rumi takes us on a profound and deeply moving journey into the mind of the spirit.

Coleman Barks crafts scintillating translations of Rumi's ecstatic, poetic prayers. Speaking directly to the modern heart across centuries, Rumi captures the most poignant and mystical ways we seek to commune with a vast and unknowable creator who is at the same time an intimate companion, a friend. Wonderful prayers, poetry and parables bring Rumi's world to life, and enliven this life, injecting joyful surprise into the eternal mysteries.

As a lover of Rumi with many friends similarly smitten with him, I hear many opinions about which Rumi book is "the best". One criticism of this Barks translation is that it is a translation of a translation, not direct from the original Persian; but a Persian friend maintains that the feeling Barks gives is the truest to the original that my Persian friend has found. For me, this is the best because of that feeling, and also because of the breadth and depth - including the sheer number - of poems translated. For me Rumi is more teacher than entertainer; and for a practical, day to day study of his work, I know no better book than this.

This book is an excellent translation of Rumi. However, it is NOT, nor can it ever be a perfect reflection of the original text. It is quite impossible to capture all the internal rhyming, layers of esoteric meaning and connotations of the original language no matter who the translator is. I believe EVERY scholar agrees on that point.

With the above said, Coleman Barks is faithful to the spirt of Rumi and of Sufism. It is obvious this is a lifelong passion and he is a Sufi himself having been directed to do this work by a recognized teacher in a Sufi order. While some argue that you can only be a Sufi within the context of Islam, equal numbers of scholars many from the Middle East argue that you can be a Sufi outside of this context and some argue that Sufism pre-dates Islam.

Whatever school of thought you espouse, it is clear that the important communication that speaks across the ages through Rumi's words is love for God in the moment and a longing to realize it fully. While Coleman Barks may have studied English translations of Rumi's work to compile his own, it is clear to me that he was guided by his heart, learned advisors and good scholarship. If this were not so, I doubt that Robert Bly, Huston Smith (world authority on comparative religion) and others would appear on the video Rumi: Poet Of The Heart which is about Rumi and the Coleman Barks translations of his poetry.

If you only speak English, I agree that you miss a lot by not having access to the original language. However, a concept accepted by all of Sufism is that everyone has a piece of the truth and a unique perspective. In the case of Coleman Barks, this is certainly an educated perspective that is complimented by many other translators. If you are serious about Rumi, then I recommend getting other translations and finding the ones that most move your heart which I'm sure would make Rumi very happy indeed.

Some may find Coleman Barks accent a bit irritating. However, it is also a good reminder that the most important thing is the message and the intention behind it. While analysis of literal poetry is very useful, this volume tries to strike a balance between literal translation and relevance to a modern context. I've read some other translations and used Coleman Barks translations in a class on Sufism given by a 30+ year Sufi with a Ph.D. in Religious Studies from Harvard. If he finds these translations useful to present to a class, I can't imagine that Coleman Barks can be too far off the mark.

As a huge poetry and literature fan, I couldn't pass up the chance to upgrade my penguin classics edition to this more comprehensive version of Rumi. Fraught with themes of life, love, lust, companionship, outlook, really any strata of emotional or human thought, this collection is a gem of Rumi's work. I am not one to dabble in qualifications or translating accuracy- I simply go with what feels right and this book felt beautifully right from beginning to end.

Rumi is an intruiging writer, and this compilation gives the reader an in depth look and variety of Rumi's work. Highly recommended for the cultured reader.

Rumi is an intruiging writer, and this compilation gives the reader an in depth look and variety of Rumi's work. Highly recommended for the cultured reader.

Lots of wonderful poems.

Longing
Love
Sexuality
Desire

Wow...

Lots of wonderful poems.

Longing
Love
Sexuality
Desire

Wow...

This is by far my favorite Rumi book, and Barks is my favorite translator.

Rumi is pointing at, living, something beyond words, something that resides deep in our hearts. For me, many of the poems in the book take me there. It is a huge blessing.

This is by far my favorite Rumi book, and Barks is my favorite translator.

Rumi is pointing at, living, something beyond words, something that resides deep in our hearts. For me, many of the poems in the book take me there. It is a huge blessing.

I have to say I agree with some of the other reviews here, that this collection of poetry by "Rumi" is in reality modern American poetry by someone drawing only very loosely on Rumi's work. It is rather a stretch to call it a translation! If one were cynical, one might think the large number of books from this "translator" indicates merely a money-making exercise.

Much better collections/translations can be found, like Maryam Mafi's and Azima Melita Kolin's, but I would personally recommend Juliet Mabey's Rumi: A Spiritual Treasury. This is not only a gorgeous book to look at, but more importantly, both its selection and English rendition demonstrate a deftness of touch that make you think you are reading something very close to the original sentiment. A rare achievement.

I have never read anyone who captures the exuberant ecstasy of Rumi's spiritual outpourings better than Coleman Barks. There are no other versions of Rumi's expanded collection of poems that even come close. The Barks' translations fly off the page like rockets and into one's heart page after page and stay in the mind like the most glorious of diamonds. One can pick up this volume and turn to any page for a shot of verbal adrenaline, for Rumi talks about everything under the sun and is completely free of puritanical shame - so very refreshing.

Rumi's great ability as a teacher and storyteller is that he never seems to talk down to the listener. In fact, he writes as if the listener is on the same level and can ignite the identical inner spark that Rumi has through some kind of spontaneous combustion. Perhaps this is one of the essential messages he has to offer. But his words are not for the academic philistines who are more in love with the letter of the law of translation than its spirit and who lack the understanding and poetic sensibility to make Rumi's words leap off the page in the same way that Barks does.

I gave a copy of this book to a dear friend as a Christmas present at our favorite Italian restaurant and my friend was thrilled. We shared Rumi's poems at the dinner table and everyone within listening distance became enthralled, included the restaurant manager who treated our little dinner party to free coffee and desserts.

If you are new to Rumi I would suggest that you start here and fill out his academic background later. Most libraries also have the Barks' translations.

I'd also like to see a few hundred copies of Rumi circulated at our nation's capitol, since it's hard to imagine anyone there having read something even as basic and moral as "A Thousand and One Nights," either as a child or by their parents, to expand their perspective on the world as an adult - and unfortunately this contracted and limited view of life really really shows, and the rest of us have to suffer for it... Free copies for everyone paid out of the military budget.

"Let the beauty you love, be what you do." - Rumi

I bought this book thinking it to be an 'new translation' only to find it was nothing of the kind. What it is (or seems to be) is nothing more than a rendering of R.A. Nicholson's translation of the Mathnawi into modern English.

While I don't have a problem with that (and this realy is a beautiful book) I do have a problem with it being marketed as a 'new translation' as there are many on the market these days calling themselves 'translations' but not including where there original source is from. (Nicholson's is based upon manuscripsts in the Konya Mevlevi-Hane and the commentary of Ismail Ankaravi)

The book itself seems to be selections from Nicholson's translation along with those from Nicholson's student Afzal Iqbal (The life and works of Jalaluddin Rumi) who included in his book some lines of the Mathnawi that Nicholson left out because he thought them to be too 'risque'

For anyone seeking an introduction to Rumi, Sufism or just beautiful poetry this is a fine book as Nicholson's translation (and it is in 3 volumes) may be a little too much and Iqbals work is very academic this book is an exellent start (you might want to read A. J. Arberreys translation of the Mathnawi which is in 1 volume after this to lead you up to Nicholson's)

Barks does an excellent job with the translation, bring the beauty of Rumi's original poems into English for us. Many times I've been too stunned with the glory of it all to continue reading.

Although much of the translation is wonderful, a lot of it is not as great. I don't know who was having the off days - Barks or Rumi, but someone messed up what could have been a masterpiece. That's the only reason this work doesn't deserve 5 stars. Other than that, it is great.

"The Essential Rumi" translation by Coleman Barks was my first introduction to the poetry of Rumi (and *not* my last). I was hooked, captured, captivated ... by his imagery ... by the spiritual message conveyed via carefully selected words. I have five books of Rumi's poetry and would definitely buy more.

Coleman Bark's translations provide the clearest message and are the easiest to read and understand. Despite living in the early 1200s and in Turkey, these poems stand the test of time. They are now almost 8 centuries (800 years) in age and continue to penetrate the minds of readers and mesmerize many cultures throughtout the entire world. This says more about the poetry than whatever inadequate words I could write ...

Here is a one sentence summary of this book: through his words and images ... Rumi connects the reader closer to the divine essence present in all that exists. Erika Borsos (erikab93)

I have tried to read this book few times but each time i put it down because i don't understand most of his poems. I am sure Rumi's work is awesome and as said by the other readers, it is one of the best translations available of his poetry but if someone can recommend me something that is easier than this one, i will appreciate that.

This is a book of poetry by one of the more important and influential people of Sufism. In it you will find most of the difficult but most interesting aspects of life expounded.

Rumi has a fun way of simplifying life with entertaining stories and constantly shows an extreme love for his closest historical companions.

Rumi is most kind and respectful to the figures of the Bible (particularly kings David and Solomon of the OT and Jesus of the NT). I say this with the full admission of being a Christian. It is quite obvious that this individual values humanity at the core and sees all people as God's children. We should all benefit from such an example.

The only thing I found difficult was that some of the allegorical content is hard to decipher being 800 years removed from the true context. However, the translator's comments at the beginning of each section and the notes in the back of the book clarify much and help the reading immensely.

Rumi (as he is known in the West), was known as Jelaluddin Balkhi by the Persians and Afghanis, from where he was born in 1207. Rumi means 'from Roman Anatolia', which is where his family fled to avoid the threat of Mongol armies. Being raised in a theological family, Rumi studied extensively in religion and poetry, until encountering Shams of Tabriz, a wandering mystic, with whom he formed the first of his intense, mystical friendships, so intense that it inspired jealously among Rumi's students and family. Shams eventually disappeared (most likely murdered because of the jealousy); Rumi formed later more mystical friendships, each with a different quality, which seemed essential for Rumi's creative output. Rumi was involved with the mystical tradition that continues to this day of the dervish (whirling dervishes are best known), and used it as a personal practice and as a teaching tool.

This book has a deliberate task: 'The design of this book is meant to confuse scholars who would divide Rumi's poetry into the accepted categories.' Barks and Moyne have endeavoured to put together a unified picture that playfully spans the breadth of Rumi's imagination, without resorting to scholarly pigeon-holes and categorisations.

'All of which makes the point that these poems are not monumental in the Western sense of memorialising moments; they are not discrete entities but a fluid, continuously self-revising, self-interrupting medium.'

Rumi created these poems as part of a constant, growing conversation with a dervish learning community. It flows from esoteric to mundane, from ecstatic to banal, incorporating music and movement at some points, and not at others, with the occasional batch of prose.

'Some go first, and others come long afterward. God blesses both and all in the line, and replaces what has been consumed, and provides for those who work the soil of helpfulness, and blesses Muhammad and Jesus and every other messenger and prophet. Amen, and may the Lord of all created beings bless you.'

From the lofty sentiments...

'There's a strange frenzy in my head,
of birds flying,
each particle circulating on its own.
Is the one I love everywhere?'

...to the simple observations...

'Drunks fear the police,
but the police are drunks too.
People in this town love them both
like different chess pieces.'

Some poems take very mystic frameworks, such as the Sohbet. There is no easy English translation of Sohbet, save that it comes close to meaning 'mystical conversation on mystical subjects'. These poems become mystically Socratic, by a series of questions and answers, very simple on the surface, yet leading down to the depths of meaning.

In the middle of the night
I cried out,
"Who lives in this love
I have?"
You said, "I do, but I'm not here
alone. Why are these other images
with me?"

Rumi also has an elegant series called the Solomon Poems, in which King Solomon is the embodiment of luminous divine wisdom, and the Queen of Sheba is the bodily soul. This sets up a dynamic tension that gets played out in the poetry (in extrapolation from the Biblical stories from which they were first derived)

Rumi reminds us that, in the face of love and truth, even the wisdom of Plato and Solomon can go blind, but there is vision in this blindness.

In the conclusion of this volume, Rumi's poetry of The Turn (the dervishes) is presented, as a place of emptiness, where the ego dissolves, and opens a doorway to the divine to enter. The night of Rumi's death in 1273 is considered 'Rumi's Wedding Night', the night he achieved full union with the divine that he had sought so often in poetry and mystical practice.

There is much to be gained in the contemplation of this frequently overlooked poet.