Rating: 
Summary: The Leftmost Wing of Islam
Review: This is a book of poetry by one of the more important and influential people of Sufism. In it you will find most of the difficult but most interesting aspects of life expounded.
Rumi has a fun way of simplifying life with entertaining stories and constantly shows an extreme love for his closest historical companions.
Rumi is most kind and respectful to the figures of the Bible (particularly kings David and Solomon of the OT and Jesus of the NT). I say this with the full admission of being a Christian. It is quite obvious that this individual values humanity at the core and sees all people as God's children. We should all benefit from such an example.
The only thing I found difficult was that some of the allegorical content is hard to decipher being 800 years removed from the true context. However, the translator's comments at the beginning of each section and the notes in the back of the book clarify much and help the reading immensely.
Rating: 
Summary: Essential part of the dilettante's library
Review: "Out beyond ideas of rightdoing and wrongdoing,
There is a field.
I will meet you there."I have bought no fewer than ten copies of this book, for friends and family. I was lucky to find them remainder at the local book megamart, but I would gladly pay full price. This book made Rumi my favorite poet. Rumi is habit forming, but this is by far the most accessible place to start.
Rating:
Summary: Keep going back
Review: This is one of those books I keep handy, and just open randomly whenever I need a quick reminder that the world runs deeper than we think. It never fails to pull me from the shallow waters... When I want to go.
| 
