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The Gift of Rumi
An authentic exploration of the real Rumi
As one of the world's most loved poets, Rumi's poems are celebrated for their message of love and their beauty, but too often they are stripped of their mystical and spiritual meanings. The Gift of Rumi offers a new reading of Rumi, contextualizing his work against the broader backdrop of Islamic mysticism and adding a richness and authenticity that is lacking in many Westernized conceptions of his work. Author Emily Jane O'Dell has studied Sufism both academically, in her work and research at Harvard, Columbia, and the American University of Beirut, and in practice, learning from a Mevlevi master and his whirling dervishes in Istanbul. She weaves this expertise throughout The Gift of Rumi , sharing a new vision of Rumi’s classic work.
At the heart of Rumi’s mystical poetry is the “religion of love” which transcends all religions. Through his majestic verses of ecstasy and longing, Rumi invites us into the religion of the heart and guides us to our own loving inner essence. The Gift of Rumi gives us a key to experiencing this profound and powerful invitation, allowing readers to meet the master in a new way.
As one of the world's most loved poets, Rumi's poems are celebrated for their message of love and their beauty, but too often they are stripped of their mystical and spiritual meanings. The Gift of Rumi offers a new reading of Rumi, contextualizing his work against the broader backdrop of Islamic mysticism and adding a richness and authenticity that is lacking in many Westernized conceptions of his work. Author Emily Jane O'Dell has studied Sufism both academically, in her work and research at Harvard, Columbia, and the American University of Beirut, and in practice, learning from a Mevlevi master and his whirling dervishes in Istanbul. She weaves this expertise throughout The Gift of Rumi , sharing a new vision of Rumi’s classic work.
At the heart of Rumi’s mystical poetry is the “religion of love” which transcends all religions. Through his majestic verses of ecstasy and longing, Rumi invites us into the religion of the heart and guides us to our own loving inner essence. The Gift of Rumi gives us a key to experiencing this profound and powerful invitation, allowing readers to meet the master in a new way.
320 pages, Paperback
Published July 26, 2022
56 people are currently reading
3763 people want to read
About the author
Emily Jane O'Dell
2 books25 followersDr. Emily Jane O’Dell is an Associate Professor at Sichuan University-Pittsburgh Institute in China. She has served as the Whittlesey Chair of History and Archaeology at the American University of Beirut, an Islamic Law and Civilization Research Fellow at Yale Law School, and an editor for Harvard Law School's SHARIASource. Stateside she has taught at Columbia, Brown, and Harvard, where she received a teaching excellence award. Her research can be found in the Journal of Global Slavery, Journal of Iranian Studies, Journal of Africana Religions, Obsidian: Literature & Arts in the African Diaspora, Journal of Literary and Cultural Disability Studies, Disability & Society, and SHARIASource. Her writing has appeared in The New York Times, The Louisville Review, Al Jazeera, NPR, CounterPunch, Salon, TRT World, The Christian Science Monitor, and Huffington Post.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
August 17, 2022
Rumi is one of the most beloved and well known Persian writers of the golden Islamic era, and Dr. O'Dell show us why Rumi is still loved after all these centuries as his works and life into a new, richer, and deeper perspective. I immensely enjoyed reading and learning new details of Rumi's life and his writing, and at times the book made me feel as if I were around Rumi, walking the same streets that he walked. Dr. O'Dell writing and expertise weaves a magical, wonderful tapestry of love for Rumi's words that wraps the reader in a bright light. This is a book that traps you from its first sentence, making time disappear, and can't wait to read more books from Dr. O'Dell, thank you for your writing.
August 5, 2022
As one of the world’s most loved poets, Rumi’s poems are celebrated for their message of love and their beauty, but too often they are stripped of their mystical and spiritual meanings. The Gift of Rumi offers a new understanding of Rumi, contextualizing his work against the broader backdrop of Islamic mysticism and adding a magical richness and authenticity that is lacking in so many Westernized readings of his work.
“The main goal of Sufism is to achieve loving union with the divine by detaching from the self and the desires of the ego”.
Dervishes try to free themselves from any attachments to the ego. One of the secrets to Sufism is to “die before you die”. It is seen as an intentional rupture of one’s attachment to ego, the material world, and identity.
Essentially, Sufism teaches us “how to live and how to love”. And the happiness of the Sufi flows from within—not from the material external world.
“Know that the way of pleasure is from within, not from without.”
Rumi
At the heart of Rumi’s mystical poetry is the “religion of love” which transcends all religions. Through his majestic verses of ecstasy and longing, Rumi invites us into the religion of the heart and guides us to our own loving inner essence. The Gift of Rumi gives us a key to experiencing this profound and powerful invitation, allowing readers to meet the master in a new way.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Emily Jane O’Dell has studied Sufism both academically, in her work and research at Harvard, Columbia, and the American University of Beirut, and in practice, learning from a Mevlevi master and his whirling dervishes in Istanbul. She weaves this expertise throughout The Gift of Rumi, sharing a new vision of Rumi’s classic work.
“The main goal of Sufism is to achieve loving union with the divine by detaching from the self and the desires of the ego”.
Dervishes try to free themselves from any attachments to the ego. One of the secrets to Sufism is to “die before you die”. It is seen as an intentional rupture of one’s attachment to ego, the material world, and identity.
Essentially, Sufism teaches us “how to live and how to love”. And the happiness of the Sufi flows from within—not from the material external world.
“Know that the way of pleasure is from within, not from without.”
Rumi
At the heart of Rumi’s mystical poetry is the “religion of love” which transcends all religions. Through his majestic verses of ecstasy and longing, Rumi invites us into the religion of the heart and guides us to our own loving inner essence. The Gift of Rumi gives us a key to experiencing this profound and powerful invitation, allowing readers to meet the master in a new way.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Emily Jane O’Dell has studied Sufism both academically, in her work and research at Harvard, Columbia, and the American University of Beirut, and in practice, learning from a Mevlevi master and his whirling dervishes in Istanbul. She weaves this expertise throughout The Gift of Rumi, sharing a new vision of Rumi’s classic work.
August 16, 2022
O’Dell’s book stands apart from a mere collection of Rumi translations, though of course she provides excellent translations of many poems and hews closely to the original Persian. But she also provides a cultural and historical context I’ve never encountered before AND an incredible personal context that connects a straight line from Rumi’s spirituality to the practice of Sufism today. It’s a remarkably easy read for a book so chock full of information, and I didn’t want to put it down.
August 17, 2022
Well thought out with an excellent mix of history and personal history. Rumi Poetry clearly explained in a fascinating way that keeps you turning the page. A must-read for anyone new to Rumi and dedicated followers. Very much enjoy the book.
August 17, 2022
Amazing book written by a very smart and knowledgeable professor. Read it, you won’t regret it.
August 16, 2022
My favorite book about Rumi!
August 4, 2022
I found this book hard to put down. I love Rumi. I've given books on Rumi as gifts. I have had many MFA level workshops and poetry classes. This book stands in a class of its own. It is essential in understanding what Rumi was teaching through his poetry. This is a book that teaches wisdom and is worthy of many rereads.
August 17, 2022
The Gift of Rumi is truly a gift for all readers. Though its focus is on Rumi’s life and poetry, the author provides historical and spiritual context that gives readers insight into Islamic mysticism more broadly, as well as major philosophies and debates that shaped life in 13th century Central Asia. Through this context—combined with the captivating story of the author’s personal journey to learn Sufi practices with whirling dervishes in Istanbul—I found myself connecting more deeply with Rumi’s poems and his vision of a life well-lived. The author’s skillful translations and thoughtful presentation offers readers their own experiential journey along a Sufi path: the chapters are structured to guide readers through the Sufi stages of selfless devotion and heart-opening. I found this book informative, energizing, and uniquely helpful in my own efforts to become free from the ego and aligned with a more powerful, healing force. Both informative and nourishing, this book is one I will return to again and again!
August 14, 2022
This book is a really odd mix of A++ excellent translation, fascinating granular spiritual quest, and too much information. It could be that I've read just a few too many nonfiction books lately where the author's personal life was used to emphasize the points that they were making, and in some cases that's an absolute benefit, but I think I would have preferred a somewhat more detached narrative view.
I know, I know, books sell better when there's a personal angle. But the balance didn't feel quite right in this instance for some reason.
However, as I said, O'Dell is an amazing translator...or at least she seems so. I don't read Persian or Arabic, so I don't have any resources other than having read other translations. She presents deep meaning and beautiful phrasing at the same time, which is a gift.
Last, I should say that I am not entirely thrilled with her 100% dismissal of the homo-romantic/erotic reading of Rumi. It is a valid parallel reading as long as one doesn't discount the religious devotional reading. Sufism is about a deeply intimate relationship with the Almighty...but we also know that Shams left in part because Rumi had become too attached to him, and certainly for that span of work, the personal reading of the love poems seems deeply relevant.
I know, I know, books sell better when there's a personal angle. But the balance didn't feel quite right in this instance for some reason.
However, as I said, O'Dell is an amazing translator...or at least she seems so. I don't read Persian or Arabic, so I don't have any resources other than having read other translations. She presents deep meaning and beautiful phrasing at the same time, which is a gift.
Last, I should say that I am not entirely thrilled with her 100% dismissal of the homo-romantic/erotic reading of Rumi. It is a valid parallel reading as long as one doesn't discount the religious devotional reading. Sufism is about a deeply intimate relationship with the Almighty...but we also know that Shams left in part because Rumi had become too attached to him, and certainly for that span of work, the personal reading of the love poems seems deeply relevant.
August 3, 2022
I’ve read quite a few translations of Rumi’s writings and quoted them often.
I had no idea how much I didn’t know about Rumi, the source of his work or Sufism until this book.
The author takes us along on her journey of exploration deep into a world of mysticism and love that captivates, enlightens and inspires.
I could not put it down. Bravo!
I had no idea how much I didn’t know about Rumi, the source of his work or Sufism until this book.
The author takes us along on her journey of exploration deep into a world of mysticism and love that captivates, enlightens and inspires.
I could not put it down. Bravo!
August 21, 2022
This lovely, thoughtful, deeply personal exploration of Rumi's poetry through the lens of Sufism is an absolute must-read for fans of poetry, history, and religion. The author's personal journey only enhances what is a delightfully meditative read.
August 18, 2022
What deep pleasure it is to read this new translation and interpretation of the poems and life of Rumi. Having read several previous translations of Rumi's work, I appreciate the invitation to consider how we in the West might discover the profoundly spiritual origins of the poet's writing on the beauty and pain of love and the quest for the divine. This volume allows us to expand our perspective on the meaning of Rumi's work, that love is expansive and inclusive and certainly embodied, and brings us closer to being fully human, and for Rumi and the Sufis and spiritual seekers everywhere, closer to the divine.
July 18, 2022
Rumi is one of the most beloved poets. His poems are about love and beauty with a lot of mystical and spiritual meanings. This book delves into those things. When put in the context of Islamic mysticism they become something deeper.
Emily Jane O’Dell has studied Sufism extensively at Harvard, Columbia, and the American University in Beirut. She also has done a lot of on-the-ground training from a Mevlevi master and even learns to twirl like a dervish in Istanbul. In other words, she knows a lot about what she is writing about.
What I took out of this book is a deeper and richer understanding of Rumi’s work. An understanding of his way of telling us Love is a religion and the only one that matters.
I was very impressed with this author!
NetGalley/July 26th, 2022 by St. Martin’s Essentials
Emily Jane O’Dell has studied Sufism extensively at Harvard, Columbia, and the American University in Beirut. She also has done a lot of on-the-ground training from a Mevlevi master and even learns to twirl like a dervish in Istanbul. In other words, she knows a lot about what she is writing about.
What I took out of this book is a deeper and richer understanding of Rumi’s work. An understanding of his way of telling us Love is a religion and the only one that matters.
I was very impressed with this author!
NetGalley/July 26th, 2022 by St. Martin’s Essentials
August 4, 2022
Thanks Netgalley for allowing me to read this book. This book made me think about life and love. It made me look at myself in a different way while reading these poems that opened my heart up to introspection. This is a book that you will read and read again.
May 31, 2022
Really enjoyed the poems in this book. Very moving and they gave me different perspective on some of life's circumstances
June 15, 2022
3.5 Stars
Basically The Gift of Rumi taught me that all the Rumi poems we love are misinterpreted and not as loveydovey & sexy as we think. This book is far more educational than romantically poetic.
That said, it’s very interesting. All the history of Central Asia during Rumi’s time on earth is fascinating and the author lays it out in a reader-friendly way for anyone to enjoy and digest. My fear, though, is that people will pick this up for it’s beautiful poetry and find themselves in the midst of a history lesson they didn’t plan on (I personally was sent this book by the publisher to read & review and I am incredibly grateful for that).
O��Dell’s experiences basically immersing herself in the world of Rumi were incredible- her life in general seems totally amazing. All the insights into mysticism and Islamic practice/culture really do put a totally different spin on the poems of Rumi we see today, which certainly makes this book worth the read.
Rumi fans obviously should pick it up and all who do should keep an open mind on the subject matter. It’s a pretty quick, educational read with a gorgeous cover.
Basically The Gift of Rumi taught me that all the Rumi poems we love are misinterpreted and not as loveydovey & sexy as we think. This book is far more educational than romantically poetic.
That said, it’s very interesting. All the history of Central Asia during Rumi’s time on earth is fascinating and the author lays it out in a reader-friendly way for anyone to enjoy and digest. My fear, though, is that people will pick this up for it’s beautiful poetry and find themselves in the midst of a history lesson they didn’t plan on (I personally was sent this book by the publisher to read & review and I am incredibly grateful for that).
O��Dell’s experiences basically immersing herself in the world of Rumi were incredible- her life in general seems totally amazing. All the insights into mysticism and Islamic practice/culture really do put a totally different spin on the poems of Rumi we see today, which certainly makes this book worth the read.
Rumi fans obviously should pick it up and all who do should keep an open mind on the subject matter. It’s a pretty quick, educational read with a gorgeous cover.
October 20, 2024
Be melting snow— wash yourself of yourself.
4/5⭐️
In The Gift of Rumi, Jane O’Dell shares her personal journey of discovering the profound wisdom in Rumi’s poetry. Blending her own experience in her personal spiritual retreat journey in Istanbul with Rumi’s timeless verses, O’Dell invites readers to explore themes of love, spirituality, and personal transformation. Through her lens, we see how Rumi’s teachings offer a path to inner peace and a deeper connection to the universe. This book is not just an exploration of Rumi’s work, but also a reflection on how his words can guide us through life’s challenges and joys.
It’s been a wonderful journey, reading this book. I was touched in so many ways and I cried in several parts. Some parts of the book is fairly (sorry for the harsh term) lunatic to read from my current standpoint in life but it all made sense as a whole idea. Reading this warms my heart, tenders my soul, and generally made me want to be a kinder, more mindful, and more genuine being. Love Jane O’Dell for sharing a very descriptive journey of hers. I had my doubts and worries given that she’s the only female foreigner doing a month long retreat in an apartment full of men but I was glad the story didn’t take a wild turn. Anyhow, this book made me adore Rumi and opened my eyes to so much knowledge of religion & spiritualism i’ve never heard of before.
#bookreview #TheGiftofRumi
4/5⭐️
In The Gift of Rumi, Jane O’Dell shares her personal journey of discovering the profound wisdom in Rumi’s poetry. Blending her own experience in her personal spiritual retreat journey in Istanbul with Rumi’s timeless verses, O’Dell invites readers to explore themes of love, spirituality, and personal transformation. Through her lens, we see how Rumi’s teachings offer a path to inner peace and a deeper connection to the universe. This book is not just an exploration of Rumi’s work, but also a reflection on how his words can guide us through life’s challenges and joys.
It’s been a wonderful journey, reading this book. I was touched in so many ways and I cried in several parts. Some parts of the book is fairly (sorry for the harsh term) lunatic to read from my current standpoint in life but it all made sense as a whole idea. Reading this warms my heart, tenders my soul, and generally made me want to be a kinder, more mindful, and more genuine being. Love Jane O’Dell for sharing a very descriptive journey of hers. I had my doubts and worries given that she’s the only female foreigner doing a month long retreat in an apartment full of men but I was glad the story didn’t take a wild turn. Anyhow, this book made me adore Rumi and opened my eyes to so much knowledge of religion & spiritualism i’ve never heard of before.
#bookreview #TheGiftofRumi
August 17, 2023
Lovely read. I felt a little bogged down about halfway through, but the last 1/4 or so picked up pace again. Take it one chapter per day, and it's a beautiful meditation that also provides scholarly interest if you aren't familiar with the subject. I deeply admire O'Dell's complete immersion into her subject, and her passion for Rumi and Sufi spirituality is apparent. This is a book written with care and love, and I feel blessed to have read it.
September 10, 2022
Thank you NetGalley for an advanced copy. I could not finish this, since I wasn’t learning much about Rumi’s poems and felt like I was learning more about the author’s biography. I couldn’t get into the book.
December 28, 2022
Author Emily Jane O'Dell explores the spirituality of Rumi's verses through the lens of her own experience as a student of the Sufi religious tradition. An illuminating read that sheds light onto the life and beliefs of one of the world's most beloved poets.
July 1, 2022
The Gift of Rumi is a strongly well-written book that kept my interest from cover to cover. Beautiful, inspiring poetry which provided me with so much peace. Highly recommend!
June 3, 2024
First and foremost, I definitely recommend this book if you are a fan of poetry & spirituality, and especially if you want to fill your personal notes with hundreds of deep spiritual poems. For Muslims who are reading this, this book talks about Sufism (duh), which is considered controversial nowadays and often attacked by laymen, students of knowledge, and scholars who maintain the consensus that it contains Kufr ideologies. Now I agree that, aside from the Quranic philosophy, all religious philosophies that exist on Earth today are definitely not immune to possessing Kufr, or freaky mystic and esoteric pathways that are so vague and specific that they confuse you as to whether they align with the Quran or Sunnah or not. Regardless, I'm just here to review a book, bro. To the extent of my knowledge, Sufism emphasizes individualistic closeness to God. In general, we all yearn to be closer to God, everyone has their own pathways to take to maintain Taqwa (consciousness of Allah).
To my surprise, Rumi's (Jalaluddin Muhammad Rumi)'s poetry has layers of depth, and it gets me reflecting on the creation of Allah and Satan's plots to astray mankind. If you're a person who hears the word "Sufi" and declares him a Kafir on the spot (takfeer),. Then let me remind you: do not ascribe godly powers to yourself and remain humble as a human being. Surely your Lord knows best who has strayed from His way and who is rightly guided [Quran 53:30]. I'm not a Sufi whatsoever, but this book contains genuine life advice.
However, at the same time, I do not recommend swirling and listening to music like a whirling Dervish with the aim of getting closer to Allah. There is an entire chapter in this book named "Whirling Dervishes.". I've always found that concept strange and weird; it also emphasizes the use of musical instruments such as the rabab or rabab, string instruments that independently spread via Islamic trading routes over much of North Africa, the Middle East, Central Asia, Southeast Asia, and parts of Europe. So, I assume you must have basic Islamic knowledge, prior to reading this book, as Music is definitely haram -- Sahih Bukhari 5590.
Let me say this one more time, apart from the Islamic- Quranic philosophy, every alternate/external spiritual or religious philosophy inevitably transposes some questionable ideologies that will directly hit your Aqedah or clash with the Quran and Sunnah. Thus, what I've learned is that you should take not necessarily what's good from each one, but what's right, and that it must conform with the Quran & Sunnah. As long as you don't extract concepts from this book that collide with the Quran & Sunnah (some do), you're safe. Alhamdulillah, by the mercy of Allah, from this book, I gained poetic and surface-level knowledge regarding the deeper perspective of Jihad Al Nafs (The War Against Your Own Soul), fighting desires, addiction, and excessive hedonism/materialism for demolishing all the barriers that separate us from Allah's remembrance.
To my surprise, Rumi's (Jalaluddin Muhammad Rumi)'s poetry has layers of depth, and it gets me reflecting on the creation of Allah and Satan's plots to astray mankind. If you're a person who hears the word "Sufi" and declares him a Kafir on the spot (takfeer),. Then let me remind you: do not ascribe godly powers to yourself and remain humble as a human being. Surely your Lord knows best who has strayed from His way and who is rightly guided [Quran 53:30]. I'm not a Sufi whatsoever, but this book contains genuine life advice.
However, at the same time, I do not recommend swirling and listening to music like a whirling Dervish with the aim of getting closer to Allah. There is an entire chapter in this book named "Whirling Dervishes.". I've always found that concept strange and weird; it also emphasizes the use of musical instruments such as the rabab or rabab, string instruments that independently spread via Islamic trading routes over much of North Africa, the Middle East, Central Asia, Southeast Asia, and parts of Europe. So, I assume you must have basic Islamic knowledge, prior to reading this book, as Music is definitely haram -- Sahih Bukhari 5590.
Let me say this one more time, apart from the Islamic- Quranic philosophy, every alternate/external spiritual or religious philosophy inevitably transposes some questionable ideologies that will directly hit your Aqedah or clash with the Quran and Sunnah. Thus, what I've learned is that you should take not necessarily what's good from each one, but what's right, and that it must conform with the Quran & Sunnah. As long as you don't extract concepts from this book that collide with the Quran & Sunnah (some do), you're safe. Alhamdulillah, by the mercy of Allah, from this book, I gained poetic and surface-level knowledge regarding the deeper perspective of Jihad Al Nafs (The War Against Your Own Soul), fighting desires, addiction, and excessive hedonism/materialism for demolishing all the barriers that separate us from Allah's remembrance.
July 24, 2022
You don’t need a Ph.D. to know that the world is currently a very mixed-up place. The ravages of COVID-19 continue more than two years after the initial outbreak, and Monkeypox seems to be nipping at its heels. We have a war between Russia and Ukraine that one hopes will not suddenly go nuclear. We have an epidemic of gun violence in the United States that no one seems to be able to stop or prevent, and the consequences of climate change continue. What this world needs now is love (if not a focus on the spirit), it seems. Thus, Emily Jane O’Dell’s The Gift of Rumi is being released at an interesting time in world history. The book is about the poetry of 13th-century mystic Jalāl al-Dīn Muḥammad Rūmī, known colloquially to Western audiences as simply Rumi. While Rumi’s poetry is often seen to be romantic, which is how his poems have been translated into English, O’Dell instead chooses to retranslate these pieces to offer a more spiritual view of his work. She peppers this insight with her own experiences spent in a Sufi retreat for 40 days in Istanbul, Turkey.
To this end, the book is quite a bit uneven between the personal and the profound — but that’s the least of its problems. It presupposes that you have some familiarity with not only Rumi but Islam and Sufism in a larger context. If you don’t, you may be a little lost and not really understand what the deal is with concepts such as whirling dervishes unless you consult Wikipedia or challenge yourself to keep reading the book in the expectation that all will be revealed. However, to be considerate, the good news is you get a lot of Rumi’s poetry in this volume. Being a Christian, I found a lot of the poetry to be eerily reminiscent of David’s poetry in the Book of Psalms of the Hebrew Bible. As noted, O’Dell takes pains to extract the romanticism from Rumi’s poems and infuse it instead with more religious qualities in her translations. This may be revealing for those familiar with these works, and this will probably be the main attraction for readers interested in this. That said, don’t come to this book expecting anything close to rhyming couplets or proper metering. The author seems to focus on translating things as literally as possible — which she admits can be a challenge when, in the original Persian, scholars can spend months debating the meaning of a single word in these poems. Even though the poems may have been shorn of their poetry, they are interesting and illuminating. That alone is worth the price of admission.
Read the entire review here: https://zachary-houle.medium.com/a-re...
To this end, the book is quite a bit uneven between the personal and the profound — but that’s the least of its problems. It presupposes that you have some familiarity with not only Rumi but Islam and Sufism in a larger context. If you don’t, you may be a little lost and not really understand what the deal is with concepts such as whirling dervishes unless you consult Wikipedia or challenge yourself to keep reading the book in the expectation that all will be revealed. However, to be considerate, the good news is you get a lot of Rumi’s poetry in this volume. Being a Christian, I found a lot of the poetry to be eerily reminiscent of David’s poetry in the Book of Psalms of the Hebrew Bible. As noted, O’Dell takes pains to extract the romanticism from Rumi’s poems and infuse it instead with more religious qualities in her translations. This may be revealing for those familiar with these works, and this will probably be the main attraction for readers interested in this. That said, don’t come to this book expecting anything close to rhyming couplets or proper metering. The author seems to focus on translating things as literally as possible — which she admits can be a challenge when, in the original Persian, scholars can spend months debating the meaning of a single word in these poems. Even though the poems may have been shorn of their poetry, they are interesting and illuminating. That alone is worth the price of admission.
Read the entire review here: https://zachary-houle.medium.com/a-re...
July 18, 2024
Everything I'd picked up about Rumi from popular culture was wrong. This book was nothing like I expected and I'm so glad.
" 'Whirling, you see, signifies the physical structure of the universe; there is no difference between the universe and its smallest particle, the atom: whatever an atom is, that is the universe,' Baba said...
Everything in the whole world, he pointed out, was whirling. He mentioned the revolution of particles, the circulation of blood through the veins, and the return of the soul to its source after death. The difference in the whirling of the dervishes, he said, is that whirling is a *conscious* attempt to be in harmony with all things in nature.
'It is like the sun, moon, stars, galaxies, and world turning around themselves; everything in this universe is whirling- everything revolves,' he said." p. 135
" 'Just as food and water are necessary in the time of hunger and thirst, whirling is necessary for the spiritually mature, because it increases their joy for life,' Rumi's teacher, Shams, wrote. Shams urged Rumi to put aside religious manuscripts and instead turn to music and ecstatic whirling. Shams himself taught Rumi how to whirl like a dervish. This deep and embodied spiritual practice transformed Rumi from a pious teacher to a passionate lover of God." p.140
"Rumi praised the healing power and spiritual benefit of whirling. Our conditional thinking, he pointed out, is bound- but not our feet! Movement takes us outside of ourselves and allows us to connect and worship free from the shackles of the mind. As Rumi wrote, 'How did you become stuck to the ground like mud? In the end, movement is the key to blessings.' In movement, a constricted heart can experience an overpowering expansion. Rumi suggests that love and movement offer us a portal out of the overwhelming sorrows of this world and our own limited minds." p.141
"While a typical Muslim funeral traditionally features a solemn recitation of the Qur'an and a declaration that the deceased was a believer who died a Muslim, Rumi asked for singing and whirling at his own funeral procession- which the more 'orthodox' Muslim community of Konya found appalling. Rumi had requested that his funeral procession bring kettledrums, flutes, and tambourines to usher his body to his grave with whirling and sacred songs. The friends of God, he wanted to show, dance toward eternity in the joy of spiritual communion- ready to meet the beloved as not just 'Muslims' but also 'lovers'." p. 153
"To try on the rest of the outfit in private, I hurried to my room to drape my body in the wide, white dress that symbolizes the death shroud of the ego... Staring at myself in the mirror, dressed in those symbolic funeral garments, I couldn't help but smile.
It appeared my obsession with death was serving me well on the Sufi path... Under Baba's guidance, I had been transformed into one who listens one who surrenders, and one who whirls and dances in both brokenness and wholeness, suffering and wellness, life and death." p.157
"Rumi's poems have been misunderstood in the West as romanic love poems, in part because sexual language was added to them and religious references were stripped from them in popular translations. However, Rumi wrote his mystical poetry as an expression of his insatiable love for the divine and all creation." p. 163
"Rumi writes about mystics as martyrs and warriors who have died on the battlefield of love. We must give our souls to love, Rumi suggests, and abandon our impulse for separateness in favor of union. In every moment, we must give ourselves away to love." p. 170
"I was well aware that the Sufi way is not a path of retreat from the world, but a way of seeking transcendence while still actively present in it. Engagement in the world does provide opportunities for spiritual growth- to practice love, compassion, awareness, generosity, and nonattachment- but I was unconvinced. I wanted to live in a hollowed-out tree in the forest, or a cave in the desert- far away from injustices and cruelties of humanity.
As I took out the sticks and tested out my new kettledrums, Baba detected the brewing conflict and anxiety rising in my mind and heart. He could tell that I was hesitant to reenter my worldly realm in America.
Peering into my eyes, he leaned forward.
'Listen: life is like a bird with two wings,' he said. 'One wing is the material world- money and daily-life concerns- the other wring is love, ecstasy, and meditative bliss. To fly, we need both." p.282
" 'Whirling, you see, signifies the physical structure of the universe; there is no difference between the universe and its smallest particle, the atom: whatever an atom is, that is the universe,' Baba said...
Everything in the whole world, he pointed out, was whirling. He mentioned the revolution of particles, the circulation of blood through the veins, and the return of the soul to its source after death. The difference in the whirling of the dervishes, he said, is that whirling is a *conscious* attempt to be in harmony with all things in nature.
'It is like the sun, moon, stars, galaxies, and world turning around themselves; everything in this universe is whirling- everything revolves,' he said." p. 135
" 'Just as food and water are necessary in the time of hunger and thirst, whirling is necessary for the spiritually mature, because it increases their joy for life,' Rumi's teacher, Shams, wrote. Shams urged Rumi to put aside religious manuscripts and instead turn to music and ecstatic whirling. Shams himself taught Rumi how to whirl like a dervish. This deep and embodied spiritual practice transformed Rumi from a pious teacher to a passionate lover of God." p.140
"Rumi praised the healing power and spiritual benefit of whirling. Our conditional thinking, he pointed out, is bound- but not our feet! Movement takes us outside of ourselves and allows us to connect and worship free from the shackles of the mind. As Rumi wrote, 'How did you become stuck to the ground like mud? In the end, movement is the key to blessings.' In movement, a constricted heart can experience an overpowering expansion. Rumi suggests that love and movement offer us a portal out of the overwhelming sorrows of this world and our own limited minds." p.141
"While a typical Muslim funeral traditionally features a solemn recitation of the Qur'an and a declaration that the deceased was a believer who died a Muslim, Rumi asked for singing and whirling at his own funeral procession- which the more 'orthodox' Muslim community of Konya found appalling. Rumi had requested that his funeral procession bring kettledrums, flutes, and tambourines to usher his body to his grave with whirling and sacred songs. The friends of God, he wanted to show, dance toward eternity in the joy of spiritual communion- ready to meet the beloved as not just 'Muslims' but also 'lovers'." p. 153
"To try on the rest of the outfit in private, I hurried to my room to drape my body in the wide, white dress that symbolizes the death shroud of the ego... Staring at myself in the mirror, dressed in those symbolic funeral garments, I couldn't help but smile.
It appeared my obsession with death was serving me well on the Sufi path... Under Baba's guidance, I had been transformed into one who listens one who surrenders, and one who whirls and dances in both brokenness and wholeness, suffering and wellness, life and death." p.157
"Rumi's poems have been misunderstood in the West as romanic love poems, in part because sexual language was added to them and religious references were stripped from them in popular translations. However, Rumi wrote his mystical poetry as an expression of his insatiable love for the divine and all creation." p. 163
"Rumi writes about mystics as martyrs and warriors who have died on the battlefield of love. We must give our souls to love, Rumi suggests, and abandon our impulse for separateness in favor of union. In every moment, we must give ourselves away to love." p. 170
"I was well aware that the Sufi way is not a path of retreat from the world, but a way of seeking transcendence while still actively present in it. Engagement in the world does provide opportunities for spiritual growth- to practice love, compassion, awareness, generosity, and nonattachment- but I was unconvinced. I wanted to live in a hollowed-out tree in the forest, or a cave in the desert- far away from injustices and cruelties of humanity.
As I took out the sticks and tested out my new kettledrums, Baba detected the brewing conflict and anxiety rising in my mind and heart. He could tell that I was hesitant to reenter my worldly realm in America.
Peering into my eyes, he leaned forward.
'Listen: life is like a bird with two wings,' he said. 'One wing is the material world- money and daily-life concerns- the other wring is love, ecstasy, and meditative bliss. To fly, we need both." p.282
February 18, 2025
In this book O'Dell here narrates segments of her journeys into the Sufi experience in small chapters which focus on one specific theme, such 'Virtue', and what that means to a Sufi. This book intersperses O'Dell's narrative and exposition with lots of Rumi verses.
One of the issues I had while trying to finish this book is that there is something about the verses that doesn't ring true to me. Other poetry I have read by Rumi (and Whitman as well) have a quality that pushes one towards the ecstatic - there is a positive energy that grabs and propels the reader along. I never had this sense reading these Rumi segments in this book; I don't know if this is due to the selections, the translations, or just my mood. In a similar vein, I did not feel much of a sense of exuberance in O'Dell's narrative either.
One of the issues I had while trying to finish this book is that there is something about the verses that doesn't ring true to me. Other poetry I have read by Rumi (and Whitman as well) have a quality that pushes one towards the ecstatic - there is a positive energy that grabs and propels the reader along. I never had this sense reading these Rumi segments in this book; I don't know if this is due to the selections, the translations, or just my mood. In a similar vein, I did not feel much of a sense of exuberance in O'Dell's narrative either.
December 25, 2025
Im not gonna lie this fucked me up. Thoughts, lots of them. Bit skeptical of the author and the contexts in which this was written, however the same could probably be said about the context Rumi was writing in. Regardless this analysis has definitely changed my life in that it changed nothing at all and just reinforced the idea that everyone, everywhere, always, are the same. Essentially anyway. I don’t need an ancient poet to tell me whirling brings us closer to the divine, I need only my feet for that. But what a joy to know I am not the only one!
Basically how I’m feeling after reading this is: I don’t know
Basically how I’m feeling after reading this is: I don’t know
September 17, 2022
O’Dell’s translations of Rumi dazzle! Prepare to be swept up, not only by the poetry itself, but by O’Dell’s own journey of self discovery, and her time training with whirling dervishes in Istanbul!
Framing these new translations within the context of Sufi mysticism encourages a more engaged, honest reading of this beloved master of poetry—one that rightly refuses to gloss over Rumi as a Muslim poet. In a moment when the world is torn apart by strife and irrational hatred, this book carries a much needed message of universal love—a must read!
Framing these new translations within the context of Sufi mysticism encourages a more engaged, honest reading of this beloved master of poetry—one that rightly refuses to gloss over Rumi as a Muslim poet. In a moment when the world is torn apart by strife and irrational hatred, this book carries a much needed message of universal love—a must read!
November 6, 2024
A series of short essays and/or longer thoughts from the loving and lovely writings of Rumi that are beautifully interpreted or exemplified by the male and female narrators of this book. Sufism is on the extremely liberal side of the mohammedan faith given that it exists on the basis of whirling and dancing to music performed in the name of the prophets, and that it allows for same sex relationships to be treated as acceptable. Very Enjoyable and quite full of clarifying examples of how beautiful this faith is outside of its more political and governmental influences .
September 17, 2022
The Gift of Rumi is a nuanced and profound reading of Rumi. Not only is O’Dell -- a polyglot, to say the least -- unmatched in her most accurate translations of Rumi's poems, but she also immerses the reader in his Islamic context like no one has ever done before. This clear, wise, and insightful book serves as a spiritual handbook on how to live by expanding your wisdom through Rumi. I recommend this book to all lovers of Rumi!
August 5, 2022
At the heart of Rumi’s mystical poetry is the “religion of love” which transcends all religions. Emily Jane O'Dell gives us a new perspective on the famous poet. She uses her studies and her practice of learning from a Mevlevi master. This is a wonderful book that gives us a new and necessary perspective on this poet.
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