This book is dedicated to all who believe in beauty, love, mindfulness, and the power of words. (excerpt) FOREWORD I remember it well as if it were yesterday. I was ten years old when my father took me to a performance of the dancing dervishes in Konya. I was fascinated by the elegance of their movements, as if they were floating. But, to be honest, I did not know how to classify my impressions at that moment. It was just too much. On the one hand, I was deeply impressed and touched; on the other hand, I was afraid (today, I would call it awe). In any case, my visit at that time left lasting impressions. So much so that they keep coming back to my mind. Rumi's poems and quotations are omnipresent. They appear everywhere, and one cannot escape their depth, beauty, and meaning. They are a part of great human creativity and remind us repeatedly how powerful (in a positive sense) words can be. This little booklet addresses all who believe in beauty, love, mindfulness, and the power of words. May Rumi's words touch you as they have always touched me and be a companion for a fulfilling and inspiring life. Murat Durmus

The Soul of Rumi collects the poetry of the thirteenth century Persian mystic that explores the divine from the teachings of Sufism. Rumi’s masterpieces have inspired countless people throughout the centuries, and Coleman Barks’s exquisite renderings are widely considered the definitive versions. His translations capture the inward exploration and intensity that characterize Rumi’s poetry, making this unique voice of mysticism and desire contemporary while remaining true to the original poems. In this volume readers will encounter the essence of Sufism’s insights into the experience of divine love, wisdom, and the nature of both humanity and God. Rumi’s voice leaps off these pages with a rapturous power, expressing our deepest yearning for the transcendent connection with the source of the divine: there are passionate outbursts about the torment of longing for the beloved and the sweet delight that comes from union; stories of sexual adventures and of loss; poems of love and fury, sadness and joy; and quiet truths about the beauty and variety of human emotion. For Rumi, soul and body and emotion are not separate but are rather part of the great mystery of mortal life, a riddle whose solution is love. Above all else, Rumi’s poetry exposes us to the delight that comes from being fully alive, urging us always to put aside our fears and take the risk of discovering our core self. Barks’s fresh, original translations magnificently convey Rumi’s insights into the human heart and its longings with his signature passion and daring, focusing on the ecstatic experience of the inseparability of human and divine love.

"This is an excellent book that explains spiritual principles and how to carry them into everyday life . . . Highly recommended."—Library Journal Sufism is a centuries-old spiritual psychology leading to presence in life. Presence is our capacity to be whole in the moment, in alignment with our deepest wisdom. With unusual clarity, this book describes how presence is different from ordinary habits of mind, and how it can be developed. Drawing on the words of the great Sufi, Rumi, as well as traditional material and personal experience, this book integrates the wisdom of Sufism with the needs of contemporary life. Living Presence offers a wisdom that is both universal and practical. It shows how we can bring spirituality and psychology into a balanced system that honors and awakens the soul. “I am pleased to give Living Presence a high recommendation: It is sober, thoughtful, and well worth deep reflection. Helminski is concerned with out interactions with each other, with cultivating love and a desire to serve the Highest through serving each other . . . a valuable emphasis in a culture like ours that tends to think of spiritual development as special and solitary experiences.”—Noetic Sciences Review by Charles Tart, Ph.D.

Philip Pullman, author of 'His Dark Materials' trilogy, has remarked that "after nourishment, shelter, and companionship, stories are the thing we need most in the world." This new collection of Rumi stories fills that need. This fresh prose translation of 105 short teaching stories by Rumi, which form the core of the six-volume Masnavi, explores the hidden spiritual aspects of everyday experience. Rumi transforms the seemingly mundane events of daily life into profound Sufi teaching moments. These prose gems open the mystical portal to the world of the ancient mystic. These stories include well-known and popular tales such as "Angel of Death," "The Sufi and His Cheating Wife," "Moses and the Shepherd," "Chickpeas," and "The Greek and Chinese Painters" as well as the less commonly quoted parables: "The Basket Weaver," "The Mud Eater," and "A Sackful of Pebbles." Rumi's voice alternates between playful and authoritative, whether he is telling stories of ordinary lives or inviting the discerning reader to higher levels of introspection and attainment of transcendent values. Mafi's translations delicately reflect the nuances of Rumi's poetry while retaining the positive tone of all of Rumi's writings, as well as the sense of suspense and drama that mark the essence of the Masnavi.

Step into the shoes of one of history's most revered philosophers and discover the wisdom of Marcus Aurelius. In "The Wisdom of Marcus Aurelius - Thoughts and Quotes for a Fulfilled Life," you'll find practical advice and timeless insights for leading a life of purpose and fulfillment drawn from the teachings of this ancient Stoic philosopher. With inspiring quotes, insightful reflections, and actionable tips, this book is a must-read for anyone seeking a more meaningful life.

A Girl Called Rumi, Ari Honarvar’s debut novel, weaves a captivating tale of survival, redemption, and the power of storytelling. Kimia, a successful spiritual advisor whose Iranian childhood continues to haunt her, collides with a mysterious giant bird in her mother’s California garage. She begins reliving her experience as a nine-year-old girl in war-torn Iran, including her friendship with a mystical storyteller who led her through the mythic Seven Valleys of Love. Grappling with her unresolved past, Kimia agrees to accompany her ailing mother back to Iran, only to arrive in the midst of the Green Uprising in the streets. Against the backdrop of the election protests, Kimia begins to unravel the secrets of the night that broke her mother and produced a dangerous enemy. As past and present collide, she must choose between running away again or completing her unfinished journey through the Valley of Death to save her brother.

The Spiritual Poems of Rumi is a beautiful and elegantly illustrated gift book of Rumi's spiritual poems translated by Nader Khalili, geared for readers searching for a stronger spiritual core.