One of my teachers from the late 60s was Murshid Samuel Lewis, one of the very early Sufi teachers in this country. During that time he was teaching primarily in San Francisco. Murshid Sam was my first Sufi teacher. What I learned from him has been an ongoing blessing! He was a mystic, a spiritual teacher, an amazing gardener, and, of course, a Sufi dancer. So many people were blessed by his presence and his teaching.
Somewhere along the way, I also discovered Rumi, the amazing Sufi poet. I have used his poems in my classes for mor...
One of my teachers from the late 60s was Murshid Samuel Lewis, one of the very early Sufi teachers in this country. During that time he was teaching primarily in San Francisco. Murshid Sam was my first Sufi teacher. What I learned from him has been an ongoing blessing! He was a mystic, a spiritual teacher, an amazing gardener, and, of course, a Sufi dancer. So many people were blessed by his presence and his teaching.
Somewhere along the way, I also discovered Rumi, the amazing Sufi poet. I have used his poems in my classes for more than 25 years. So far, I have found that everyone loves Rumi. Whenever I am traveling, I carry a copy of The Essential Rumi by Coleman Barks.
Currently, we are in the midst of Ramadan from March 1 through March 29-30. The followers of the Quran and the teachings of Muhammad are celebrating Ramadan. Muslims believe the angel Gabriel revealed the Quran to the Prophet Muhammad over 23 years, beginning in 610 AD and ending in 632 AD, the year of Muhammad's death.
During Ramadan everyone who is able, fasts from sunrise to sundown. This fast is followed by dinner with family, and friends, or at the local mosque. This month is dedicated to prayer, charity, and community. I decided to support my Sufi and Muslim friends during Ramadan by using some of my favorite Jesus quotes from Rumi. The Sufis and Muslims revere Jesus as a great prophet. Mary, Jesus’ mother is mentioned more often in the Quran than in the Christian New Testament! So, we are definitely on the “mystic path” using Rumi’s poetry about Jesus!
From The Essential Rumi by Coleman Barks
“There's a strong connection between Jesus and Rumi. I'm told a Christian church in Shiraz (Iran) has a quatrain from Rumi carved in stone over its door:
Where Jesus lives, the great-hearted gather.
We are a door that's never locked.
If you are suffering any kind of pain,
stay near this door. Open it.
A sweet inclusiveness and healing mercy are felt around both Jesus and Rumi. The Friendship of Rumi and Shams has no parallel in the great aloneness of Jesus' life, but the relationship with children and with society's outcasts is very similar. Rumi showed deep consideration for the least-recognized members of his thirteenth-century Muslim small town. He would always stop to bow to children and old women, to bless and be blessed by them. One day an Armenian butcher, a Christian, was passing. Rumi stopped in the road and bowed seven times to him. Another day he came upon children playing a game. He acknowledged each as he would have an adult. And there was one little boy far away running across a field. 'Wait, I'm coming!' Rumi stayed till the boy had come close, bowed, and been bowed to.”
I also love the humor we find in Rumi’s poems. This is a great example!
"I called through your door,
'The mystics are gathering
in the street. Come out!'
"Leave me alone.
I'm sick."
"I don't care if you're dead!"
Jesus is here, and he wants
to resurrect somebody!"
(Translations and text by Coleman Barks with John Moyne)
All the Mystics I know or know about are working diligently to help with the current crises happening around the World. Most of us understand that a better world is being birthed, even with all this chaos and confusion. This is one very good reason that we do our meditations and spiritual practices.
So, thank you for all the good work you do every day and for all the Blessings you carry into the World!
Keep it up … !!! And, do your best to keep your sense of humor alive and well … !!!
Mary Christopher teaches mindfulness, breathing practices,
and the HeartMath program for Building Personal Resilience.
She loves gardening and meditating with Trees!
