You know you've touched a lot of lives when your 800th birthday is celebrated around the world. Sufi poet Mevlana Jellaluddin--best known as Rumi--is beloved by people of many faiths for his ecstatic, almost infatuated devotion to God. His eloquent longing seems to get at the very heart of love. Born September 30, 1207, the spiritual poet's global popularity has inspired the United Nations agency UNESCO to deem 2007 "The Year of Rumi."
For his birthday we honor the poet with this lush, uplifting meditation set to soothing music. Click below and enjoy.
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Delve Deeper into Rumi-mania.
Why Do We Love Rumi?
The 13th-century mystic inspires everyone from Hollywood stars to small-town Christians.
The Sufi-Rumi Connection
A sheikh of the Mevlevi order talks about Rumi, Sufism, and their common roots in Islam.
Read a Rumi Poem
A lesson on action and the spirit from a great Sufi mystic.
Listen to Some Rumi Poetry
Rumi interpreted by an Iranian ensemble and translator Coleman Barks.
Discuss Rumi's Sufi Roots
"Can someone please explain to me the role of Rumi's poems in Sufism?"
Ellen Burstyn Loves Rumi
The Sufi and Oscar-winning actress on why she loves the mystic poets.
If You Like Rumi, You'll Love... Hafiz
Discuss and discover Sufi poet Hafiz
Listen to a Hafiz Poem
"Love is grabbing hold of the great lion's mane."
Music: From Jai Uttal and Rara Avis' "Dial M for Mantra," with permission from Sounds True.
Poems: From "Unseen Rain: The Quatrains of Rumi" with permission from Shambhala Press.
Art Designer: Simona Barta
Flash Designer: Bill Safsel
Art Director: Joanna Choy
Editorial Director: Valerie Reiss
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