What do you think?
Rate this book
Teachings of Rumi (The Masnavi): The Spiritual Couplets of Jalaludin Rumi
The influence of Al-Ghazzali upon both the Christian and Islamic thinkers of the Middle Ages and beyond is being more and more widely documented. Known as "The Proof of Islam." Ghazzali finally won acceptance for Sufism in Islam, and his methods of argument and analysis powerfully impressed the schoolmen of the West, who imitated him extensively. In the East, "Al-Ghazzali has been acclaimed by both Muslim and European scholars as the greatest Muslim after Muhammad" (Professor W. Montgomery Watt). Above all, Ghazzali was a Sufi, and The Alchemy of Happiness is his own abridgement, designed for the ordinary reader, of his colossal masterwork, The Revival of Religious Sciences.
330 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1887
108 people are currently reading
1571 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
April 30, 2023
Trước đây, khi đọc Thiên kinh Qur'an, thật sự tôi nghĩ rằng mình không thể theo tôn giáo này. Thế nhưng, lần này, khi đọc "Lời dạy của Rumi" - một người theo Hồi giáo - tôi gần như không thể phân biệt được Hồi giáo với Phật giáo. Nếu thay "Chúa" bằng "Phật" thì chắc tôi ngỡ mình đang đọc kinh Nikaya. Cũng giống như vài năm gần đây, tôi đã vô cùng hạnh phúc khi được hòa mình trong suy nghĩ của Tolstoy, vốn là người sùng Thiên chúa giáo, nhưng thật sự chẳng khác gì Phật giáo. Càng theo thời gian, tôi lại càng thấy các tôn giáo chỉ khác nhau về bề ngoài, còn bản chất cao quý, mà chỉ những đấng cao quý nhất chỉ rõ cho cho mình, thì chẳng có gì khác biệt. Cũng như tôi đọc từ đâu đó rằng, bất kì một người nào đều mang trong mình khả năng viết lại toàn bộ Kinh thánh. Xét cho cùng, tất cả các tôn giáo đều nằm trong con người, các dòng chảy có thể theo những hướng khác nhau, nhưng bản chất gốc rễ của nước không thay đổi. Giờ đây, tôi hoàn toàn có thể quỳ lạy trước Allah hay Jesus mà không cảm thấy mình vi phạm lời thề khi quy y, giống như bố một người bạn tôi nói rằng Jesus cũng như một vị Phật (thật sự thì đúng là vậy, bởi Phật không phải một cá nhân, mà giống với cấp bậc hơn - như cử nhân, thạc sĩ, tiến sĩ vậy - ai vượt qua được tầng giác ngộ đó đều được gọi là Phật).
Vì Rumi theo dòng Sufi, đặc biệt về khổ hạnh, nên cuốn này cũng nhấn mạnh về nỗi đau như một ân sủng. Khổ hạnh trong Phật giáo thì gần như key rồi, trong Thiên chúa thì cũng vô vàn "Phúc cho ai sầu khổ, người đó sẽ được Thiên chúa ủi an". Nỗi đau không chỉ là cơ hội để tiến gần hơn tới Chúa, mà ở đây, là thứ cần phải tìm ra được. Như trong bài "Một khi con đã trở thành ta, thì con chính là ta", một người tới gõ cửa nhà bạn mình nhưng không được vào vì họ chưa trải qua khổ đau. Bởi "Nếu không phải ngọn lửa của vắng mặt và chia li/ Thì cái gì sẽ nấu chính những thứ sống sượng và giải thoát những thứ nửa vời khỏi sự lừa bịp". Thế này là người này phải ra đi, chịu sự đau đớn thiêu rụi vì chia ly, mới đủ tư cách trở về. Nên khi có một người bạn sống cả đời vô ưu, nay gặp cơn buồn khổ, thật sự tôi cảm thấy đó là may mắn của người đó. Đau khổ thật sự là ân sủng. Ai muốn đi đường dài, kể cả trong ái tình, đều cần tới nó. Mà một người đã coi đau khổ là ân sủng, thì cuộc đời đâu còn gì có thể đánh gục họ?
Rumi là nhà thần bí và cuốn này thì chuyên về tôn giáo nên chắc khá nặng đô với bạn nào không có niềm tin vào tôn giáo ;)) Thật sự, tôi là người khá yêu mến các tôn giáo nhưng nhiều lúc cũng cảm thấy hơi... quá =)) nhưng thật sự rất có sức hút, cảm giác như mê muội theo. Nhưng nếu ai hoài nghi thì cũng tốt thôi. Đa nghi thì đa ngộ mà ;))
Sau khi đọc cuốn này tôi có đọc thêm một số bài nổi tiếng của Rumi nhưng vì là tiếng Anh nên không biết I You là Chúa-con, bằng hữu hay anh-em. Nếu dịch ra thành anh-em yêu đương thì thật là đỉnh cao thơ tình =)) Đọc câu nào cũng thấy như người khát khô tìm thấy mạch nước trong núi, uống tới đâu thấy sung sướng ngập tràn tới đó. Thật sự người có tầm nhìn rộng viết cái gì cũng đỉnh đỉnh đỉnh xoxoxo
A cuốn này bản Việt là "Lời dạy của Rumi", NXB Đông Tây làm nha. Goodreads không có bản add chuẩn nên review ở bản này vậy. Tự dưng bị mất quyền add sách buồn ghê huhu. À mà Rumi sinh trước Darwin từ đời nhưng thuyết tiến hóa rất rành nha đừng ai bêu chuyện Chúa nặn ra người từ đất sét nữa hoho
Vì Rumi theo dòng Sufi, đặc biệt về khổ hạnh, nên cuốn này cũng nhấn mạnh về nỗi đau như một ân sủng. Khổ hạnh trong Phật giáo thì gần như key rồi, trong Thiên chúa thì cũng vô vàn "Phúc cho ai sầu khổ, người đó sẽ được Thiên chúa ủi an". Nỗi đau không chỉ là cơ hội để tiến gần hơn tới Chúa, mà ở đây, là thứ cần phải tìm ra được. Như trong bài "Một khi con đã trở thành ta, thì con chính là ta", một người tới gõ cửa nhà bạn mình nhưng không được vào vì họ chưa trải qua khổ đau. Bởi "Nếu không phải ngọn lửa của vắng mặt và chia li/ Thì cái gì sẽ nấu chính những thứ sống sượng và giải thoát những thứ nửa vời khỏi sự lừa bịp". Thế này là người này phải ra đi, chịu sự đau đớn thiêu rụi vì chia ly, mới đủ tư cách trở về. Nên khi có một người bạn sống cả đời vô ưu, nay gặp cơn buồn khổ, thật sự tôi cảm thấy đó là may mắn của người đó. Đau khổ thật sự là ân sủng. Ai muốn đi đường dài, kể cả trong ái tình, đều cần tới nó. Mà một người đã coi đau khổ là ân sủng, thì cuộc đời đâu còn gì có thể đánh gục họ?
Rumi là nhà thần bí và cuốn này thì chuyên về tôn giáo nên chắc khá nặng đô với bạn nào không có niềm tin vào tôn giáo ;)) Thật sự, tôi là người khá yêu mến các tôn giáo nhưng nhiều lúc cũng cảm thấy hơi... quá =)) nhưng thật sự rất có sức hút, cảm giác như mê muội theo. Nhưng nếu ai hoài nghi thì cũng tốt thôi. Đa nghi thì đa ngộ mà ;))
Sau khi đọc cuốn này tôi có đọc thêm một số bài nổi tiếng của Rumi nhưng vì là tiếng Anh nên không biết I You là Chúa-con, bằng hữu hay anh-em. Nếu dịch ra thành anh-em yêu đương thì thật là đỉnh cao thơ tình =)) Đọc câu nào cũng thấy như người khát khô tìm thấy mạch nước trong núi, uống tới đâu thấy sung sướng ngập tràn tới đó. Thật sự người có tầm nhìn rộng viết cái gì cũng đỉnh đỉnh đỉnh xoxoxo
A cuốn này bản Việt là "Lời dạy của Rumi", NXB Đông Tây làm nha. Goodreads không có bản add chuẩn nên review ở bản này vậy. Tự dưng bị mất quyền add sách buồn ghê huhu. À mà Rumi sinh trước Darwin từ đời nhưng thuyết tiến hóa rất rành nha đừng ai bêu chuyện Chúa nặn ra người từ đất sét nữa hoho
Read
October 16, 2016I believe that I will reread this book in a decade or so to see if it impacts me more. I feel as though I don't have enough life or religious experience to fully appreciate the writing, so I'll wait on rating the book.
Other readers, if you feel the same, don't give up on the book, save it in some place that you'll eventually find and think of it fondly.
Other readers, if you feel the same, don't give up on the book, save it in some place that you'll eventually find and think of it fondly.
January 28, 2019
This is my comfort read. Whenever I am looking for solace I read this. It wraps me in its warm embrace, and it feels so good to know that I have a Home in a book.
June 6, 2020
I wish i would have read him earlier (time spent without reading him is a time wasted). An entirely rich content, serene messages loaded with wisdom and knowledge. Rumi urges us to connect with Divine Power through introspection. Preaching of love, union, humility, reasoning and wisdom are dilated in detail.
In nutshell Rumi through his invisible eye treads the reader deep down to one's self. An ecstatic a mastepiece, ready to refer side table book stay connected to spirit.
In nutshell Rumi through his invisible eye treads the reader deep down to one's self. An ecstatic a mastepiece, ready to refer side table book stay connected to spirit.
unfinished
March 13, 2015I thought I was getting a deal – all 6 volumes of Rumi for less than $3! I can never seem to get enough Rumi, but translators are always releasing volumes with overlapping selections. The idea of having it ALL in one collections was quite appealing.
Now I see why it was so cheap. This translation is quite awful. Rather unpoetic. It makes me value the role of the translator…I will abandon this and stick with re-reading what I have, particularly from Coleman Barks. There is also something to be said for selectivity…there is some anti-Christain and anti-Jewish sentiment here one does not find in most compilations/selections of Rumi’s work.
Now I see why it was so cheap. This translation is quite awful. Rather unpoetic. It makes me value the role of the translator…I will abandon this and stick with re-reading what I have, particularly from Coleman Barks. There is also something to be said for selectivity…there is some anti-Christain and anti-Jewish sentiment here one does not find in most compilations/selections of Rumi’s work.
August 8, 2021
Good advice but I find skepticism in those that claim enlightenment.
November 26, 2021
Teachings of Rumi, this book goes with 4 movements in Mystic journey
1~The Call, the stage of awakening,
2~Be a lover
3~Ordeal, Explore the Nature
4~Union, where journey to God had become the journey of God
From The Call, i like
~Go on a journey from self to self, my friend.. such a journey transforms the earth into a mine of gold.
~whenever a strong lock is used, there is something extremely precious hidden, thats how it goes with thicker the veil, the more valuable the jewel would be.
~Effort is not a war with destiny; Destiny itself has imposed on us this effort.
From Be a Lover,
~if destiny comes to help you, love will come to meet you. A life without love isn't a life, God doesn't take it into account.
~what is love? Reply: "Giving up your self will"
~Only Love can Explain Love
~Love without words has more clarity, only Love itself can explain Love
~Passion burns down every branch of exhaustion
~Love is not contained in speaking or hearing; love is an ocean whose depth is invisible
From Ordeal;
~you want reality unmasked? choose death!
~the path towards God is the sacrifice of self,
~physical senses are the ladder for this world; Religious senses are the ladder for heaven.
~God's worst cruelty is better than all the mercies of the two worlds,
~In this vast prison of the world, the food of true faith is rare;
From Union
~My favourite is "You will not hear one from me"
first time, tried something like this, but enjoyed.
1~The Call, the stage of awakening,
2~Be a lover
3~Ordeal, Explore the Nature
4~Union, where journey to God had become the journey of God
From The Call, i like
~Go on a journey from self to self, my friend.. such a journey transforms the earth into a mine of gold.
~whenever a strong lock is used, there is something extremely precious hidden, thats how it goes with thicker the veil, the more valuable the jewel would be.
~Effort is not a war with destiny; Destiny itself has imposed on us this effort.
From Be a Lover,
~if destiny comes to help you, love will come to meet you. A life without love isn't a life, God doesn't take it into account.
~what is love? Reply: "Giving up your self will"
~Only Love can Explain Love
~Love without words has more clarity, only Love itself can explain Love
~Passion burns down every branch of exhaustion
~Love is not contained in speaking or hearing; love is an ocean whose depth is invisible
From Ordeal;
~you want reality unmasked? choose death!
~the path towards God is the sacrifice of self,
~physical senses are the ladder for this world; Religious senses are the ladder for heaven.
~God's worst cruelty is better than all the mercies of the two worlds,
~In this vast prison of the world, the food of true faith is rare;
From Union
~My favourite is "You will not hear one from me"
first time, tried something like this, but enjoyed.
May 28, 2020
Didn't vibe with a good amount of the messages of these teachings. Could also be that the translation is supposedly bad in this book. I'll be looking into 'The Essential Rumi Revised' by Coleman Barks for a second chance at Rumi's poetry, since that has a better translation and potentially better selection of Rumi's works.
August 21, 2018
Probably the worst translation of Rumi’s work that I have read. And it still gets a 3/5 stars.
Read
April 21, 2020First of all I thank to my buddy Nimra Saleem who gifted this book to me,I really need that kind of experience! The "Teachings of Rumi" in which the author, Andrew Harvey, have collected a wide range of luminous verses, talks, and, anecdotes from Odes, Methawni, and Table talks( collection of Rumi's writing), with the aim of presenting a balanced view of his teaching that includes both the high-flying love of God and the rigorous path of discipline essentialb for those who seek it.
This book is divided into four parts; The Call, Be a Lover, Ordeal, and Union. Sir Rumi has made it obvious to all of his followers that the path of Sufism gets to have grief, suffering, and bewilderment and Rumi's celebration of the Beloved are needed not only as revelation of the real purpose of human life but as essential inspiration and empowerments in the struggle to save the human race. While exploring the journey of this book, maturity of Sufism wallows inside oneself in away that it goes making that person quieter and thinker for reasoning the true self from wrapping up the false and fantasies a person has lived for long.
The sublime words of Rumi illuminate the heart and mind conveying an experience of Divine Love that is striking and revolutionary.
Citing the quote from the first part( The Call),"Untie the knot of existence and reign in your fantasies so you can at least escape the tyrannical false self." The first pick which gave me the inner shock for go and emulating the self existence. In "Be a Lover" the reader is taken into the shrine-room of the Heart,where the supreme secrets of Love and passion is opened up in its wisdom and power.The third movement "Ordeal" explores the nature meaning, price, and demand of the sustained ordeals. In Union,the Journey to God has become the Journey in God; Rumi makes it clear that such Journey to God has become the Journey has no end in dimension.
My last words about this book is that;
"In prostration why think of someone else
Why is your heart broken and in pain
Find the war within you
Stun everyone around you
Make a small world for yourself
Be a wanderer on spiritual ecastasy"
This book is divided into four parts; The Call, Be a Lover, Ordeal, and Union. Sir Rumi has made it obvious to all of his followers that the path of Sufism gets to have grief, suffering, and bewilderment and Rumi's celebration of the Beloved are needed not only as revelation of the real purpose of human life but as essential inspiration and empowerments in the struggle to save the human race. While exploring the journey of this book, maturity of Sufism wallows inside oneself in away that it goes making that person quieter and thinker for reasoning the true self from wrapping up the false and fantasies a person has lived for long.
The sublime words of Rumi illuminate the heart and mind conveying an experience of Divine Love that is striking and revolutionary.
Citing the quote from the first part( The Call),"Untie the knot of existence and reign in your fantasies so you can at least escape the tyrannical false self." The first pick which gave me the inner shock for go and emulating the self existence. In "Be a Lover" the reader is taken into the shrine-room of the Heart,where the supreme secrets of Love and passion is opened up in its wisdom and power.The third movement "Ordeal" explores the nature meaning, price, and demand of the sustained ordeals. In Union,the Journey to God has become the Journey in God; Rumi makes it clear that such Journey to God has become the Journey has no end in dimension.
My last words about this book is that;
"In prostration why think of someone else
Why is your heart broken and in pain
Find the war within you
Stun everyone around you
Make a small world for yourself
Be a wanderer on spiritual ecastasy"
January 14, 2019
So, the first read comes to an end with the "Teachings of Rumi" in which the author, Andrew Harvey, have collected a wide range of devine verses, talks, and, anecdotes from Odes, Methawni, and Table talks. This book is divided into four parts; The Call, Be a Lover, Ordeal, and Union. Sir Rumi has made it obvious to all of his followers that the path of Sufism gets to have grief, suffering, and bewilderment. While exploring the journey of this book, maturity of Sufism wallows inside oneself in away that it goes making that person quieter and thinker for reasoning the true self from wrapping up the false and fantasies a person has lived for long. Citing the quote from the first part( The Call),"Untie the knot of existence and reign in your fantasies so you can at least escape the tyrannical false self." The first pick which gave me the inner shock for go and emulating the self existence.
I feel so little when I look back at me few weeks before because the sublime wisdom has so much to do with the humanity. This book made me feel the essence of Islamic religion which we, today, are taking in impure and imperfect fashion. The Eastern Philosophy makes us understand the the true meaning of love religion and Sufism but simultaneously you may will feel the gap of Western thought which has contemporary dominance all over your. My last words about this book is that amongst the Islamic all prophecies and their followers Hazrat Jelalluddin Rumi is one of the mystics worth following for he is of Godly actual creature who lived the true living.
I feel so little when I look back at me few weeks before because the sublime wisdom has so much to do with the humanity. This book made me feel the essence of Islamic religion which we, today, are taking in impure and imperfect fashion. The Eastern Philosophy makes us understand the the true meaning of love religion and Sufism but simultaneously you may will feel the gap of Western thought which has contemporary dominance all over your. My last words about this book is that amongst the Islamic all prophecies and their followers Hazrat Jelalluddin Rumi is one of the mystics worth following for he is of Godly actual creature who lived the true living.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 19, 2017
Spiritual Poems call people to come back to essential things of life: love, truth... Some pieces are so mysterious and religious (because I'm not Christian/Islam) to understand thoroughly. Some are inspiring:
1. You're universe
2. Finding your Passion
3. Come back
I read Rumi because there're many quotes of him really catching my eyes, they give me more inspiration for living:
Shine, like the whole universe inside you.
What you're seeking, seeking you.
Universe is by your side.
It's the only book of Rumi in Vietnamese, quite rare spiritual poems like that in Vietnam. Want something exotic for the soul? Try it.
1. You're universe
2. Finding your Passion
3. Come back
I read Rumi because there're many quotes of him really catching my eyes, they give me more inspiration for living:
Shine, like the whole universe inside you.
What you're seeking, seeking you.
Universe is by your side.
It's the only book of Rumi in Vietnamese, quite rare spiritual poems like that in Vietnam. Want something exotic for the soul? Try it.
July 8, 2020
I have been interested in rumi after reading forty rules of love so I had to buy this book and it was awesome there were some parts
That kind of bored me that's y it's getting four stars but other than that it's an interesting book with very cool aspects, the way it's written is very aesthetic
That kind of bored me that's y it's getting four stars but other than that it's an interesting book with very cool aspects, the way it's written is very aesthetic
February 19, 2023
A nice collection of some deep teachings of Rumi. These are easy to read, and often must be reread to fully grasp their meaning. This book features a mixture of poetry and fables to convey Rumi’s teachings. A great read for any Rumi fan!
March 5, 2018
Must-read collection of work from one of the greatest Islamic mystics
August 2, 2018
Rumi is always just - Rumi.
September 16, 2018
Something I learnt from this book which I will carry with me for the rest of my life is that 'destruction precedes renewal'. One must read and reread this book.
Read
September 6, 2019Among the Persian poets,I find Saadi more interesting than Rumi.
August 15, 2020
Really good book
I love thia
I love thia
September 9, 2020
This is a go-to book that I have had on my bookshelf for over a decade. The pages are dog-eared, annotated, and will continue to be marked as each new reading brings fresh revelation.
December 4, 2020
one of best book rumi's teaching
some of ever best poetry and stories of rumi
some of ever best poetry and stories of rumi
Read
December 24, 2020bb
June 3, 2021
It is quite nice and motivational book.. I written many stories about it on my personal blog i.e https://urdustories.club
Read
April 26, 2022As this was my first time reading any Rumi, I think it was hard to gauge the quality of the translation. I would like to try a different translation.
January 15, 2023
As all other books covering Rumi, Superb. The book has excerpts from variuous works of Rumi. Give a peek into the world of Sufis
April 13, 2023
Amazing, so deep, well written. It helped me see our human soul and myself in a whole new light.
May 11, 2023
Eternal piece if peace 🙌🏻
September 9, 2023
Beautifully compiled by Andrew Harvey. It takes u on a mystic journey like no other. You're forced to pause and think at every instant .
July 28, 2014
lol I’m ashamed to admit that yes I went through the obligatory Rumi phase in college too (almost a must if you have a muslim background)…but damnit if this book isn’t wonderful and beautiful anyway….
October 6, 2008
jordan roman gave me this book years and years ago and sometimes i'll pick it up now and then just to re-read some of its passages and ponder. i think my dad also had the same book sitting on his bookshelf cuz he does the same thing?
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews