Beyond Existence: Love
These excerpts selected from Mevlana Celaleddin Rumi’s Divan-ı Kebir strikingly express that love is a force transcending boundaries, liberating the individual from the burdens of worldly existence while opening a door to the secrets of the universe. The poet depicts a unique being who sees himself guided by reason and aflame with love simultaneously, traversing above the sky while residing on earth, described as the sharp sword of time; this symbolizes the desire to reach truth by surpassing worldly limits through love. The spread of this fire, which penetrates even stones and rocks with its power, is a reflection of Mevlana’s universal understanding of love and compassion; in this understanding, love is not only an individual feeling but also a source of energy reaching all creation.
A Journey to Truth Following Yusuf
Mevlana’s metaphor of Yusuf conveys the human effort in seeking truth and the difficulties of this journey. The person pursuing divine love, represented by Yusuf’s beauty and wisdom, constantly encounters obstacles; they must be patient to become a true man behind the veil. From a Sufi perspective, this represents the effort to transcend the deceptive appearance of the external world and grasp inner reality. In this symbolic journey, Mevlana indicates that those guided by the passion of love can rise above worldly concerns and reach the light of truth; for those who follow in Yusuf’s footsteps will attain divine love, the land where their faces belong.
The Secrets of the Heart and Inner Harmony
Mevlana deeply analyzes the inner world of the heart, emphasizing the necessity of knowing oneself and struggling with one’s own ego. Just as the heart might throw dice even in a game of backgammon, internal conflicts and weaknesses may always exist; however, what is important is to confront these conflicts and learn from them. Giving the heart to Saladin means delivering it to a safe harbor, while catching the scent of love means revitalizing the soul and being reborn. In this inner journey, Mevlana invites humanity to know themselves, correct their mistakes, and listen to the cries of their hearts; thus, they can achieve inner harmony and true happiness.