This Longing

Rumi (1207-1273). His full name is Mevlânâ Celâleddîn Muhammed Rumi [Turkish], or Master Jalal of Rum. The Islamic world knows him as Mowl¿n¿ [Our Master]. The West knows him as Rumi. His poetry is beautiful and inspired, reaching the pinnacle of the rich Persian poetic tradition. But, to call him a great poet is an unfortunate understatement, Of far more import, perhaps no other human has ever lived who, through his own words, has given us such a clear view into the journey of a mystic on the road to Absence, to the Divinity, to Nothingness. Rumi was born in present-day Afghanistan in 1207 and lived most of his life in Konya, Turkey, where he died in1273. He was a Muslim scholar, well-respected in his community by those from all walks of life, including imams, priests and rabbis, beggars and Seljuk royalty. Now, 800 years later, mankind is still being blessed with the vastness of his wisdom.