Tearing the Veil of Existence: The Intoxication of Love
Mawlānā Jalāl al-Dīn Rūmī, in his Divān-i Kabīr, conveys love through the metaphor of wine; with the intoxicating effect of this wine, it is possible for a person to transcend the boundaries of their self and reach the deep mysteries of existence. This ‘intoxication’ is a ḥāl (spiritual state) in which reason and logic prove insufficient, the qalb (the heart) is filled with divine love, and the weaknesses of the nafs (the lower self) melt away. According to Mawlānā, the one who offers this wine is God, generous like a king; by His grace, Josephs become intoxicated, veils are torn, and hidden truths are revealed. This expresses that love possesses a power that transforms a person and carries them beyond their own self.
Inner Burning: The Journey Toward the Particle of Reality
In Mawlānā’s philosophy, the human being is in a constant state of movement on the path of turning toward the Truth (Ḥaqq); just as particles revolve in pursuit of light. This turning represents not only a physical movement but also an inner process of purification. The presence of Shams-i Tabrīzī symbolizes a force that guides this spiritual journey; together with him, lovers reach eternal springs and the songs of hundreds of thousands of nightingales in the melodies of love. This shows that turning toward the Truth (Ḥaqq) leads to the sprouting of infinite beauties and joy within a person’s inner world.
The Dissolution of the Ego: Union with Reality
Mawlānā emphasizes the importance of transcending the ego; he expresses the necessity of shedding the thought of ‘I’ and uniting with the Truth (Ḥaqq). This requires going beyond the limitations of the intellect and allowing the qalb (the heart) to be filled with divine love. Under the effect of the wine, the intellect abandons its own weavings and begins to swim in the ocean of Reality (ḥaqīqa). In this process, a person is purified from arrogance, selfishness, and worldly delusions; with the melting away of their star-like temperament and their transformation into the sun, they meet their true self. In Mawlānā’s view, this purification is the highest point a human can attain.