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Abstract

ared humanity in one of his most popular poems, “Only Breath”. We are often so divided by our differences that it’s easy to forget that we are all one and the same. We may not share the same principles and values, but in the end, there is only one living, breathing, earthly community. And that is the beauty of life.</p><h2 id="36a5">Only breath</h2><p id="2662">Not Christian or Jew or Muslim, not Hindu Buddhist, Sufi, or Zen. Not any religion or cultural system. I am not from the East or the West, not out of the ocean or up from the ground, not natural or ethereal, not composed of elements at all. I do not exist, am not an entity in this world or in the next, did not descend from Adam and Eve or any origin story. My place is placeless, a trace of the traceless. Neither body nor soul. I belong to the beloved, have seen the two worlds as one and that one call to and know, first, last, outer, inner, only that breath breathing human being.</p><h1 id="246b">2. We fear people and things that are different from ourselves.</h1><p id="b009">What if we try to understand our fears better? Would it help us rethink the decisions we make?</p><h2 id="22ea">The uses of fear</h2><p id="5f21">A donkey turning a millstone is not trying To press oil from sesame seed. He is fleeing the blow that was just struck and hoping to avoid the next. We look to ease our pain, and this keeps civilization Moving along. Fear is the architect here. Fear keeps us working near the ark. Sometimes though, it is fear, a contracting, That brings you into the present.</p><h1 id="ba29">3. Our lives may be different, but we all experience life’s beginning and end.</h1><p id="b137">The most human experience of all is the experience of love and loss. If there’s anything we can be sure of, it’s that no matter how differently we live our lives, we will one day experience the loss of a loved one, or else we ourselves will become the one who moves on. It’s important to appreciate our differences because it’s a great reminder of how much we actually have in common.</p><h2 id="0da8">Special plates</h2><p id="708e">Notice how each particle moves, Notice how e

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veryone has just arrived here from a journey, Notice how each wants a different food, Notice how the stars vanish as the sun comes up, and how all streams stream toward the ocean.</p><h1 id="21d7">4. We can start over and make the world a better place.</h1><p id="7e55">True change begins by accepting our faults and failures. From pride and pain, we can turn our energies into passion. Believe that you have what it takes to make your world better. Start over.</p><h2 id="4b7a">The wandering elephant</h2><p id="6df0">Whatever customs humanity had Becomes waves of compassion. Nothing with shape and dimensions can keep still when passions move. Start your lives over. Everyone is totally forgiven, no matter what.</p><h1 id="4686">5. Embrace your life fully by starting your days with an open invitation to your “guest house.”</h1><p id="a2e3">Accept that to be human, you’ll need to allow yourself to feel both darkness and light existing within you. Listen to what you have to say to yourself. Give yourself the opportunity to become more aware of every moment of every day. Only then will you see your journey unfold into a life worth living.</p><h2 id="c341">The guest house</h2><p id="8108">This being human is a guest house. Every morning a new arrival. A joy, a depression, a meanness, Some momentary awareness comes As an unexpected visitor. Welcome and entertain them all! Even if they’re a crowd of sorrows, Who violently sweep your house Empty of its furniture, Still, treat each guest honorably. He may be clearing you out For some new delight. The dark thought, the shame, the malice, Meet them at the door laughing, And invite them in. Be grateful for whoever comes, Because each has been sent, As a guide from beyond.</p><p id="2bf9">If you’ve been stuck in one mindset for far too long, to the point that you have lost touch with how to be human, it might be time to start taking a journey inwards more than outwards. You can rewrite your story in order to become that which you’ve always dreamed of.</p><p id="7af2">With love and gratitude, Aurora</p><h2 id="f38e">Connect with me on Twitter and LinkedIn</h2></article></body>

5 Essential Poems by Rumi for Our Times

Powerful prose about our shared humanity

Jalāl ad-Dīn Muhammad Rūmī, also known as Jalāl ad-Dīn Muhammad Balkh, was a 13th-century Persian poet who inspired the world with his magnificent musings on life, love, and loss.

During the latter 25 years of his life, Rumi composed over 70,000 verses of poetry collected in 2 different volumes.

His work was deeply philosophical and mystical, with poems of fiery, soulful expression and passionate love in the first volume. In his second volume, which is his most popular work, he offers up life lessons, moral stories from all three Abrahamic religions, popular topics of the day, and even satirical tales.

Wikimedia Commons: Statue of Rumi in Buca, Turkey

As we navigate this era of bottomless emotions, dividing ideologies, and differing beliefs, Rumi’s work is more relevant than ever.

We all share a humbling commonality with every form of life on earth: We respirate. We breathe to live. Our breath is the voice of life.

So, let’s take a step back from the division and chaos, and ask ourselves an essential question, steeped in love, compassion, and understanding.

How can we become more loving and understanding amidst the chaos that currently permeates our world?

5 Essential Poems by Rumi for Our Times

What Rumi has to share on loss, love, and life will change the way that you view the world.

1. We are all the same.

Rumi speaks to our shared humanity in one of his most popular poems, “Only Breath”. We are often so divided by our differences that it’s easy to forget that we are all one and the same. We may not share the same principles and values, but in the end, there is only one living, breathing, earthly community. And that is the beauty of life.

Only breath

Not Christian or Jew or Muslim, not Hindu Buddhist, Sufi, or Zen. Not any religion or cultural system. I am not from the East or the West, not out of the ocean or up from the ground, not natural or ethereal, not composed of elements at all. I do not exist, am not an entity in this world or in the next, did not descend from Adam and Eve or any origin story. My place is placeless, a trace of the traceless. Neither body nor soul. I belong to the beloved, have seen the two worlds as one and that one call to and know, first, last, outer, inner, only that breath breathing human being.

2. We fear people and things that are different from ourselves.

What if we try to understand our fears better? Would it help us rethink the decisions we make?

The uses of fear

A donkey turning a millstone is not trying To press oil from sesame seed. He is fleeing the blow that was just struck and hoping to avoid the next. We look to ease our pain, and this keeps civilization Moving along. Fear is the architect here. Fear keeps us working near the ark. Sometimes though, it is fear, a contracting, That brings you into the present.

3. Our lives may be different, but we all experience life’s beginning and end.

The most human experience of all is the experience of love and loss. If there’s anything we can be sure of, it’s that no matter how differently we live our lives, we will one day experience the loss of a loved one, or else we ourselves will become the one who moves on. It’s important to appreciate our differences because it’s a great reminder of how much we actually have in common.

Special plates

Notice how each particle moves, Notice how everyone has just arrived here from a journey, Notice how each wants a different food, Notice how the stars vanish as the sun comes up, and how all streams stream toward the ocean.

4. We can start over and make the world a better place.

True change begins by accepting our faults and failures. From pride and pain, we can turn our energies into passion. Believe that you have what it takes to make your world better. Start over.

The wandering elephant

Whatever customs humanity had Becomes waves of compassion. Nothing with shape and dimensions can keep still when passions move. Start your lives over. Everyone is totally forgiven, no matter what.

5. Embrace your life fully by starting your days with an open invitation to your “guest house.”

Accept that to be human, you’ll need to allow yourself to feel both darkness and light existing within you. Listen to what you have to say to yourself. Give yourself the opportunity to become more aware of every moment of every day. Only then will you see your journey unfold into a life worth living.

The guest house

This being human is a guest house. Every morning a new arrival. A joy, a depression, a meanness, Some momentary awareness comes As an unexpected visitor. Welcome and entertain them all! Even if they’re a crowd of sorrows, Who violently sweep your house Empty of its furniture, Still, treat each guest honorably. He may be clearing you out For some new delight. The dark thought, the shame, the malice, Meet them at the door laughing, And invite them in. Be grateful for whoever comes, Because each has been sent, As a guide from beyond.

If you’ve been stuck in one mindset for far too long, to the point that you have lost touch with how to be human, it might be time to start taking a journey inwards more than outwards. You can rewrite your story in order to become that which you’ve always dreamed of.

With love and gratitude, Aurora