What was the magnitude of Shams’ influence on Rumi? What did Rumi lose—and more importantly, what did he gain through this transformation? In this episode, we explore how love can turn a person mad, and why, for mystics like Rumi, this madness is the ultimate path to selflessness.

#sufism #Islamic_mysticism #mysticism #Rumi #persianpoetry #persian_poem #Emanation #IbnArabi #fusus_al_hikam #molana #philosophy #Rumi_poetry_reading #greatest_Islamic_philosophers #Islamic_thought #rumi_poem #rumi_poetry #مولانا #مولانای_جان

In this episode of the Rumi Podcast, "Drunk on Divine Love" (Part 2), we examine Rumi’s powerful metaphors of wine and intoxication in ghazal 1135 of the Divan-i Shams Tabrizi. But this is no ordinary wine—it's the divine love that transforms the soul. What happens when we surrender everything for a taste of this sacred cup? Rumi invites us to abandon worldly attachments and experience the ecstasy of losing ourselves in divine love. Through his verses, we explore the soul's journey to spiritual awakening, where divine love heals the heart and illuminates the universe. Join us as we uncover the mysteries of this profound intoxication.

#sufism #Islamic_mysticism #mysticism #Rumi #persianpoetry #persian_poem #Emanation #IbnArabi #fusus_al_hikam #molana #philosophy #Rumi_poetry_reading #greatest_Islamic_philosophers #Islamic_thought #rumi_poem #rumi_poetry #مولانا #مولانای_جان

In this episode of the Rumi Podcast, "Drunk on Divine Love" (Part I), we examine Rumi’s powerful metaphors of wine and intoxication in ghazal 1135 of the Divan-i Shams Tabrizi. But this is no ordinary wine—it's the divine love that transforms the soul. What happens when we surrender everything for a taste of this sacred cup? Rumi invites us to abandon worldly attachments and experience the ecstasy of losing ourselves in divine love. Through his verses, we explore the soul's journey to spiritual awakening, where divine love heals the heart and illuminates the universe. Join us as we uncover the mysteries of this profound intoxication.

Join us as we examine Rumi’s ghazal 162 of the Divan-i Shams Tabrizi, exploring the themes of “detachment,” “spiritual union,” and the “ultimate treasure of divine love.” Discover how Rumi’s words guide us to let go of illusions and embrace what truly matters.

My question for you:

Rumi asks, What excuses do we have for the shortcomings within us? How is it that we crave Divine closeness yet stumble so often in faithfulness? How do Rumi’s words of self-dialogue help us navigate our inner conflicts and find balance in our lives? In this episode, we analyze the self-examination of the human heart through Rumi’s eyes—a conversation between his soul and his shortcomings. Join us to uncover how Rumi’s insights lead to profound lessons for our lives today.

#sufism #Islamic_mysticism #mysticism #Rumi #persianpoetry #persian_poem #Emanation #IbnArabi #fusus_al_hikam #molana #philosophy #Rumi_poetry_reading #greatest_Islamic_philosophers #Islamic_thought #rumi_poem #rumi_poetry #مولانا #مولانای_جان

What does it mean to truly answer the call of love? In this episode of the Rumi Podcast, we explore Ghazal 1594 from Rumi’s Diwan-i Shams, where the beloved is not just a figure of beauty, but a force that burns, transforms, and awakens. Why are lovers called “helpless”? Why do they cry out “Here I am!” at dawn?

Join us as we unfold:

Why does Rumi refer to God as “The fire kindled in the woods of thoughts”? In this episode, we examine the captivating imagery in ghazal 1 of the Divan-i Shams Tabrizi, exploring how the Divine both burns and enlightens amidst the tangled forest of our minds. Discover how Rumi’s verses connect the paradoxes of life—seeking and being sought, light and dark, chaos and beauty—and reveal the hidden joy within us all. Join us for this transformative journey through Rumi’s wisdom.

In this episode, I, Rasoul Rahbari-Ghazani, speak with Professor Catherine Keller, an influential theologian and thinker, about the mystery of unknowing and the language of unsaying in Christian mystical thought. Professor Keller—George T. Cobb Professor of Constructive Theology at Drew University—reflects on the living tradition of apophatic-negative theology. Together, we explore how theology becomes relational, how becoming replaces static being, and how mystical insight bridges faith, philosophy, and mysticism. This dialogue unfolds across traditions — from Nicholas of Cusa to Ibn ʿArabī, from process theology to planetary entanglement — revealing how unknowing opens a deeper awareness of our interconnected, sacred cosmos.

Topics discussed:

Timeline:

Prof. Keller’s books:

#ApophaticTheology #NegativeTheology #MysticalTheology #ProcessTheology #ConstructiveTheology #ChristianMysticism #IbnArabi #NicholasOfCusa #Mysticism #InterfaithDialogue #RelationalTheology #Unknowing #Unsaying #Becoming

In this inspiring conversation, Professor Omid Safi (Duke University) joins me, Rasoul Rahbari-Ghazani, to discuss his groundbreaking book Radical Love: Teachings from the Islamic Mystical Tradition. We explore the Mazhab-i 'ishq (religion of love), path of radical love, the whitewashing of Rumi in the West, and the unique mystical vision that refuses to separate Divine and human love. Professor Safi also reflects on Rumi’s farewell poem, the harmony of form and formlessness in Sufism, and the eternal nature of love that transcends death.

#Love #Sufism #Rumi #OmidSafi #IslamicMysticism #PersianPoetry #Spirituality #SufiLove #PersianSufiam