Like This By Rumi

In the grand tapestry of existence, there lies a profound wisdom that transcends the mundane and speaks directly to the soul. This is a wisdom that has been echoed throughout the ages by mystics, poets, and philosophers, each attempting to grasp and convey the essence of the human experience. One such luminary is Rumi, a 13th-century Persian poet, jurist, and theologian whose words have become a beacon of spiritual guidance and introspection for countless individuals across the globe.

Rumi’s poetry, in particular, stands as a testament to the power of language to capture the depth and complexity of human emotions, desires, and spiritual yearnings. His verses are not mere collections of words; they are gateways to inner worlds, invitations to embark on journeys of self-discovery, love, and spiritual awakening. One of his most revered poems, translated and interpreted in many ways, begins with the evocative line, “Like this,” a simple phrase that belies the profound exploration of the human condition that follows.

The Essence of Spiritual Longing

At its core, Rumi’s work embodies the universal theme of spiritual longing, a yearning that cannot be satiated by the ephemeral pleasures of the material world. It is a longing for connection, for unity with something greater than oneself, a phenomenon that has been described and pursued in countless forms across cultures and centuries. This longing is not merely a passive emotion but an active force that drives individuals to seek, to question, and to explore the depths of their own souls and the mysteries of the universe.

Rumi’s approach to this theme is quintessentially Sufi, emphasizing the path of love as the most direct and potent means of realizing one’s true nature and achieving unity with the divine. His poetry is replete with metaphors of love and intoxication, where the beloved is not just a human counterpart but a symbol of the divine, and the act of loving becomes a form of spiritual practice. In this context, “Like this” can be seen as an expression of the inexpressible, a pointer to the states of being and experiencing that transcend verbal communication.

The Role of Love and Separation

A central motif in Rumi’s work is the interplay between love and separation, where the pain of longing and the joy of union are intertwined. This dichotomy is not presented as a dilemma to be resolved but as a fundamental aspect of the human condition, reflective of the deeper, existential dance between the individual soul and the divine. Rumi’s poetry teaches that it is through embracing this paradox, rather than trying to escape or resolve it, that one can find a path to spiritual growth and understanding.

In this sense, the line “Like this” can also be interpreted as an embrace of the present moment, in all its complexity and simplicity. It is an acknowledgment that the human experience, with all its contradictions and mysteries, is the very fabric through which spiritual awakening can occur. Rumi’s message, therefore, is not one of escapism or denial but of profound acceptance and engagement with life as it is, lived deeply and authentically.

The Path to Unity

Rumi’s poetry offers a roadmap, albeit a nuanced and highly personal one, for navigating the journey towards unity and self-realization. It emphasizes the importance of letting go of egoistic attachments and preconceptions, embracing humility, and cultivating a heart filled with love and compassion. The path, as Rumi describes it, is not an external journey to a distant goal but an internal unfolding, where the distinctions between the self and the other, the seeker and the sought, gradually dissolve.

In the context of “Like this,” this dissolution can be seen as the ultimate expression of unity, where the individual ego transcends its limitations and experiences the world and itself as an undivided whole. This is not a state that can be intellectually grasped or willfully achieved but one that emerges through the genuine and consistent practice of love, forgiveness, and self-inquiry.

Conclusion: Embracing the Mystery

Rumi’s legacy, as encapsulated in poems like the one beginning with “Like this,” is a powerful reminder of the mystical dimensions of human existence. His work encourages readers to embrace the mystery of life, to find the divine in the mundane, and to seek truth not through dogma or doctrine but through the depths of their own experience. In a world increasingly fragmented and polarized, Rumi’s message of unity, love, and the transcendent power of the human spirit stands as a beacon of hope and a testament to the enduring power of poetry to touch, to heal, and to transform.