When life gives you pain, transform it into gold. Where there is ruin, there is hope for a treasure. Where there is a wound, there is light entering. 13th-century Persian poet Rumi spent his life traveling and meditating on the meaning of life. Contemplating the universe, he became aware of life’s biggest mysteries and shared them with humanity in the most glorious form – poetry. Rumi’s vivid and thoughtful poems can change the way you look at life forever.
These are some of the most important lessons we can learn from Rumi:
Love is what keeps us alive
Rumi’s understanding of love goes beyond Hollywood romantic comedies. He sees love as an energy that sustains life and brings inspiration. If you love what you do, if you are grateful for the people around you, or if you find joy in helping others, you’ve already understood Rumi’s definition of love. There is no such thing as seeking and finding love, as love already resides in all of us.
“You think you are alive
because you breathe air?
Shame on you,
that you are alive in such a limited way.
Don’t be without Love,
so you won’t feel dead.
Die in Love
and stay alive forever.”
Everyone is your teacher, everything is your lesson
There is no shortage of teachers in the school of life. Is there a person you admire? This person is your teacher. Is there a person whose lifestyle you can’t understand? This person is also your teacher. Everyone comes to your life to teach you a lesson, be it through their success or failure. Accept this and you’ll never stop learning.
“Like a sculptor, if necessary,
carve a friend out of stone.
Realize that your inner sight is blind
and try to see a treasure in everyone.”
“Be grateful for whoever comes, because each has been sent as a guide from beyond.”
Live like there is no tomorrow… because there isn’t one
Focus on your present because the past is gone and the future is uncertain. This is an eternal truth that we all know, but we somehow tend to ignore it. Whenever we worry about what others will say about our words, looks, or choices, we forget life’s real value.
By the way, I thought you might want to read this:
Hope never dies
Stoicism teaches us to be resilient and embrace everything that happens in our life. Rumi’s lessons are an elegant form of Stoicism. His poems instruct us to accept both chaos and beauty in a highly artistic manner.
“I said: what about my eyes?
He said: Keep them on the road.
I said: What about my passion?
He said: Keep it burning.
I said: What about my heart?
He said: Tell me what you hold inside it?
I said: Pain and sorrow.
He said: Stay with it. The wound is the place where the Light enters you.”
You’re worth more than you think
Rumi explains that we are part of the universe and that the universe exists within us.
The journey of discovery is never over. Check out some of Art of Saudade‘s latest posts:
On the Art of Humbleness | Art of Saudade
The word ‘humble’ comes from the Latin humilis (“low, slight”) or the ability to become smaller, to go lower. Now compare the original Greek term, χαμαλός (khamalós), from humus (“the earth, ground”), humi (“on the ground”). Interestingly, ‘humiliating’ has the same origins. Yet, humbleness is an art of life, while humiliating is a disconnection from… Continue reading On the Art of Humbleness | Art of Saudade
The Eternal Cycle of Poetry: Celebrating Fernando Pessoa and Kocho Racin
In the realm of literature, June 13th marks a poignant juxtaposition of poetic births and farewells. On this day, we commemorate the luminous life of Fernando Pessoa, born in Lisbon, a figure whose poetic prowess transcends boundaries and echoes the essence of humanity itself. Pessoa, a beacon of plural poetry, embodies the profound belief that… Continue reading The Eternal Cycle of Poetry: Celebrating Fernando Pessoa and Kocho Racin
Where Horizons Meet Infinity: Finisterre, Galicia | Art of Saudade
Where does the end of the world lie? Throughout history, many cultures have pondered this question, and several places have been mythologized as its final frontier. The Spanish claimed it to be in Finisterre, Galicia. The Portuguese placed it at Cabo da Roca near Lisbon. The French identified it in the Finistère region of Brittany.… Continue reading Where Horizons Meet Infinity: Finisterre, Galicia | Art of Saudade
Subscribe to receive new posts!
Want to support the blog?
Buy me a coffee ☕
Make a monthly donation
Make a yearly donation
Choose an amount
Or enter a custom amount
Your contribution is appreciated.
Your contribution is appreciated.
Your contribution is appreciated.
DonateDonate monthlyDonate yearly
Art of Saudade 