Synopses & Reviews
A seminal collection of poetry from the medieval Sufi mystic—the most popular poet in America—and his “soul friend,” Shams Tabriz, which illuminate the evocative and deeply spiritual dimensions of friendship and love, compiled by the foremost Rumi translator and author of
The Essential Rumi, Coleman Barks.
In this stunning translation, Coleman Barks brings to light Rumis theme of “love as religion”—that to reach its most profound depths requires mindful practice—as well as love in its most meaningful form: soul friendship. These short poems by both Rumi and Shams Tabriz, rich in beauty and spiritual insight, capture the delight and the impermanence of these bonds that pierce deep into the human mind, heart, and soul.
Rumis poetry is honored and enjoyed by many traditions and cultures. Today, many people from all walks of life have moved beyond traditional notions of spirituality, embracing a sense of the sacred that transcends a singular religion, belief, or text. Rumis poetry speaks to them and nourishes their divine yearnings. Joyous and contemplative, provocative and playful, Rumi: Soul Fury is a sterling addition to the modern Rumi oeuvre, and is sure to be embraced by his wide and devoted readership.
Review
“If Rumi is the mostread poet in America today, Coleman Barks is in good part responsible. His ear for the truly divine madness in Rumis poetry is truly remarkable.” < b=""> Huston Smith <> , author of < i=""> The World's Religions <>
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“Perhaps the worlds greatest spiritual poetthe gold of Rumi down through Colemans words. The words leap off the page and dance!” < b=""> Jack Kornfield <> , author of < i=""> A Pathless Heart <>
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“In Coleman Barkss able hands, Rumi leaps across the centuries to join us as a contemporary. The humor, the beauty, and the wisdom in this collection are a timeless gift.” < b=""> Jay Kinney <> , editor-in-chief, < i=""> Gnosis <> Magazine
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“Through Coleman Barkss inspired renderings, we tired, modern people have come not only to love Rumi, but evena littleto love who and what Rumi himself loved.” < b=""> Jacob Needleman <> , author of < i=""> The Big Heart Philosophy <>
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“Coleman Barks is a pioneer and renowned scholar on Rumi, the great Sufi. In his elegant and exquisite way, Coleman has made Rumi as popular as Shakespeare to the world and continues to inspire us with Rumis ecstatic poetry.” < b=""> Deepak Chopra <> , author of < i=""> The Shadow Effect <> and < i=""> Muhammad <>
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“Coleman Barkss Rumi translations…scratch our spiritual itch better than others do, getting under the skin of our longing by making Rumis raptures accessible in language at once ordinary and lyrical.” Yoga Journal
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“Colemans exquisite sensitivity to the flavor and turns of ordinary American speech has produced marvelous lines, full of flavor and Sufi humor, as well as the intimacy that is carried inside American speech at its best.” < b=""> Robert Bly <> , National Book Award-winning poet and translator
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“No translator could do greater justice to the gorgeous simplicity of Rumis poetry than Coleman Barks has done here… while remaining faithful to the images, tone, and spiritual message of the originals.” Booklist
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“Brings something of the spiritual fragrance of Rumi into the contemporary American poetic medium and can serve as a foretaste of the inner paradise of mystical poetry produced by that colossal figure of Sufi literature, Jelaluddin Rumi.” < b=""> Seyyed Hossein Nasr <> , author of < i=""> The Heart of Islam <>
Review
“At the end of our wanderings there is only the souls yearning to return to God. No one speaks that yearning better than Rumi. No one, these days, does Rumi better than Coleman Barks.” < b=""> Ram Dass <> , author of < i=""> Be Here Now <>
Review
“The mystical and soul-stirring friendship between Rumi and Shams Tabriz was built upon mutual exploration of crazy wisdom and dangerous truth that those who surrounded these men could not understand or appreciate. This kind of spiritual friendship... is described repeatedly in Soul Fury.” < i=""> Spirituality and Practice <>
Synopsis
This is how the heart sounds. Do not change the melody, this now, you and I, here together. Let this being with each other be heart-sound.The evocative, spiritual poetry of thirteenthcentury Sufi mystic Rumi has inspired people for centuries, and Coleman Barks' stunning translations are unparalleled. This exquisite new collection speaks to the mystery of soul friendship, specifi cally between Rumi and Shams Tabriz, and universally in the relationships we all share.
Jelaluddin Rumi and Shams Tabriz met in 1244 and began a mystical, divine friendship, one not bound to time and space and despite their diff erences. Where Rumi was introspective, loving, and embodied peace and kindness, Shams was wild, brash, and honest—full of a fi ery passion Barks calls "soul fury." Together they shared an eternal friendship that resulted in Rumi's luminous quatrains and the wise Sayings of Shams Tabriz, giving language to the delight of true friendship.
About the Author
Coleman Barks is a renowned poet and the bestselling author of The Essential Rumi, Rumi: The Big Red Book, The Soul of Rumi, Rumi: The Book of Love, and The Drowned Book. He was prominently featured in both of Bill Moyers' PBS television series on poetry, The Language of Life and Fooling with Words. He taught English and poetry at the University of Georgia for thirty years, and he now focuses on writing, readings, and performances.