800th Anniversary of birth of Mevlana Rumi

Today is being celebrated as the 800 birth anniversary of Mevlana Jalalud-din Rumi. Rumi is one of the most famous Sufi masters and poet par excellence. The day is being celebrated all over the world especially in Afghanistan (where he was born) and Turkey (where he spend most of his life). UNESCO has named 2007 as the year of the Mevlana. Many celebrations are being held all over the world and one such celebration is taking place today in Konya, Turkey the location of the Mausoleum of Rumi, where 300 Dervishes would be performing!! One of the things in my list of 'Things to do before I die' is to visit Konya. I have always been drawn to Rumi's poetry and hence today's post is dedicated to his remembrance.
To commemorate today's special occasion I am sharing a poem by Rumi with you. The great thing about Rumi's poetry is that the themes are so universal and timeless that they still hold true for us today as they did to the people in his time. I have posted earlier too about Rumi so I am not going to bore you by repeating it all once again but you could check it here and here.
I think with the proper exposure a lot of people would find solace in his teachings of universal brotherhood, tolerance and love. Most people would equate Sufism with Islam and the bad publicity that Islam has been getting of late due to senseless acts by fanatics seem to put people off Sufism too but in my opinion it is the most accepting and universal of all the mysticism that I have read about. Sufism is not a religion it is the spiritual mysticism of a way of life which is pure and beautiful.

My heart, sit only with those
who know and understand you.
Sit only under a tree
that is full of blossoms.
In the bazaar of herbs and potions
don't wander aimlessly
find the shop with a potion that is sweet
If you don't have a measure
people will rob you in no time.
You will take counterfeit coins
thinking they are real.
Don't fill your bowl with food from
every boiling pot you see.
Not every joke is humorous, so don't search
for meaning where there isn't one.
Not every eye can see,
not every sea is full of pearls.
My hart, sing the song of longing
like nightingale.
The sound of your voice casts a spell
on every stone, on every thorn.
First, lay down your head
then one by one
let go of all distractions.
Embrace the light and let it guide you
beyond the winds of desire.
There you will find a spring and nourished by its see waters
like a tree you will bear fruit forever.

Rumi: The Hidden Music
by Maryam Mafi & Azima Melita Kolin

Video credit: Draytonpark
Photo credit: Obieglad