“What you seek is seeking you.”
About
Rumi spun poetry into a path to the divine. A 13th-century Persian mystic, theologian, and Sufi master, he turned grief into beauty after the loss of his beloved teacher Shams. His verses danced between longing and love, presence and eternity. Through works like the Masnavi, Rumi bridged faiths, languages, and centuries teaching that the soul’s journey is one of unity, transformation, and endless return to love.
Place of Birth
Balkh (in present-day Afghanistan)
Birthday
September 30, 1207
Death
December 17, 1273 (Konya, Türkiye)
Legacy
Rumi’s legacy endures as one of the greatest poets and spiritual guides of all time. His major work, the Masnavi, often called the “Quran in Persian,” is a vast compendium of Sufi wisdom and ethical teachings. Rumi’s verses have been translated into dozens of languages and have inspired spiritual seekers, poets, artists, and philosophers worldwide. He is one of the best-selling poets in the United States and continues to be a unifying voice in a divided world.
Influence
Rumi’s influence bridges East and West, Islam and mysticism, intellect and emotion. His thoughts shaped the development of Sufism and had a profound impact on Persian, Turkish, and Urdu literature. In the modern world, his works inspire spiritual movements, interfaith dialogue, and a global hunger for inner peace and connection. His followers founded the Mevlevi Order, also known as the Whirling Dervishes, which continues to perform spiritual practices based on Rumi’s teachings.
Values & Beliefs
Rumi believed in divine love, unity, and the transformative power of the soul. His philosophy emphasizes the inner journey, the shedding of ego, and direct experience of the divine. He spoke of love as the ultimate path to truth, and his poetry frequently uses metaphors of music, dance, nature, and longing to express spiritual awakening. He valued humility, compassion, introspection, and the boundless nature of the human spirit.
Most Famous For:
Writing The Masnavi, one of the most important works in Islamic and mystical literature
Creating poetry that explores love, unity, and divine connection
Inspiring the formation of the Mevlevi Sufi Order (Whirling Dervishes)
A symbol of universal spirituality beyond creed or culture
A best-selling poet worldwide, centuries after his death
“Don’t grieve. Anything you lose comes round in another form.”
Ethan Townzen 