The Ocean of Annihilation, Existence, and Grace
These couplets taken from Jalaluddin Rumi’s Divan-i Kebir strikingly express the difficulty of the path of love and the impossibility of reaching truth. The self-desiring soul (nafs-i emmare), confronted with the depth of love, cannot be purified without destruction and breaking; for divine love tears a person away from their current being and transforms them into a new existence. Rumi emphasizes that this transformation is a painful process, stating, ‘Will He ever give me that treasure unless He destroys me?’ This annihilation is not only external but also includes an internal collapse; however, this collapse opens the door to divine grace and propels the person towards the ocean of love.
The Sweetness of Words and the Mystery of the Gnostic
The depth of Rumi’s words is captivating not only by their meaning but also by the way they are presented. The sweet tongue of the master of words imprints truth upon hearts, revealing the inadequacy of dry intellectual debates and superficial knowledge. The words of the gnostic (arif) directly address the soul; however, to understand these words, the ears must become eyes—that is, the heart must open. Rumi, at this point, defines himself as a mirror, aiming to remove obstacles that stand in the way of seeing truth. The mysterious language of the arif is filled with symbols and images; because truth is grasped not through reason but through love.
The Wheel of Fortune and the Pen of the Heart
Rumi’s understanding of the universe is one of constant transformation and dynamism. The wheel of fortune (Çark-ı felek), along with the rotating movement of the celestial heavens, also symbolizes changes in a person’s inner world. Within the rhythm of this wheel, the heart takes shape like a pen in the hand of a sultan; however, using this pen correctly is possible only through the guidance of a spiritual mentor referred to as a teacher (hoca). Rumi advises abandoning complaint and renewing one’s Islam with repentance and remembrance (dhikr). Even the sultan’s harshness is actually a test; understanding and accepting this hardship is a path to truth. The world is like a book in which hidden decrees are collected, and our soul is its opening passage; therefore, life must be read and understood correctly.
Light, Shadow, and the Unity of Truth
In Rumi’s teaching, the relationship between light and shadow is an important symbol of the unity of truth. Light represents God, while shadow expresses His manifestations. Shadow cannot be thought of separately from light; because it is a result of that illumination. Reaching truth means surrendering to the light; this requires purification from the desires of the self and the annihilation of the ego. Rumi emphasizes that the separation between light and shadow is actually a state of transformation into one another. This unity also represents the unity of love and truth; because true love is the complete surrender of the self and integration with God.