Return to Yourself – An Explanation
These verses, drawn from Jalaluddin Rumi’s Divan-i Kebir, invite the individual on an inner journey. The expression in the original text, “Return to yourself, do not go crooked,” conveys the pain of being tossed about in the chaos of life and straying from one’s true self. It is as if each of us were a chess piece flung randomly in different directions; however, reason and insight are essential to stop this disorderly progression. Rumi invites us to return to ourselves, to find our inner tranquility, for the real meaning lies not in the external world but in the depths of our own being.
The Mysterious Dance of the Universe
The cosmic imagery in Rumi’s poetry points to the infinity of the universe and man’s questioning of his place within this immense order. The movement of the sun, the ripeness of fruits, even the fragrance of a flower, are presented as manifestations of an unseen power. With the question, “The sun runs like a golden ball; whose curled tip is making it run?” Rumi expresses a heart that wonders about the source of existence. It motivates the person who seeks to understand the divine power behind every event and every maturity. This reminds us that we are not only witnesses to the universe’s complex and mysterious dance, but also a part of that dance.
Reaching Truth with the Face of Love
In Rumi’s teachings, love is more than just an emotional experience; it is the most important path to reaching existence. The expression in the poems, “Everyone is bewildered by love, everyone’s head is spinning with love; what is astonishing is: who is turning the head of love?” emphasizes that love has a hypnotic power on man. Love allows humans to transcend the boundaries of their ego and see reality from a different perspective. Rumi states that the path to attaining love lies in disciplining the nafs-i emmare (the commanding self) and purifying oneself from worldly ambitions, for love is a manifestation of a divine fire burning deep within hearts.