Rumi was a Sufi poet who lived as a Muslim in the 13th Century. He never felt he belonged to his community because he was also gay.
Despite having a wife and children, he fell in love with another man. This caused quite a stir, but Rumi was determined to live as love. After a few short years, his lover disappeared and was never heard from again.
Rumi was shattered. He had sacrified everything for true love, only to have it destroyed.
To help him survive, he began writing poems. At first, they were about his grief and mistrust, but over time, the words began flowing from a deeper place inside.
Rumi realized that he had the same depth of love inside of him, with or without his lover.
He healed his heart through this realization. He touched the face of God with his words, and inspired generations of people through the centuries. He turned great loss into the most inspiring gift of all - the truth of humans.
5 Favorite Quotes about Love
I could write a book using the many quotes from Rumi that are available on the internet. To save you time, I have culled down the list to five quotes about love.
“Love sometimes wants to do us a great favour: hold us upside down and shake all the nonsense out.”
Have you ever hit the proverbial wall and nothing you did made a difference? It could be that Love is trying to get your attention. Step back from the wall and ask Love what it would have you do in this moment. Listen for the answer - it always comes.
“You have to keep breaking your heart until it opens.”
A corollary of the previous quote - something the worse events are really for the best. When you have closed your heart to love, you have closed your heart to living.
“Goodbyes are only for those who love with their eyes. Because for those who love with heart and soul there is no such thing as separation.”
When you love with your heart and soul, you are connected by the invisible thread of love. Love knows all things, accepts all things, and is all things. Be more love.
“Close your eyes, fall in love. Stay there.”
The greatest growth of any person begins when they love themselves. It’s a Universal Law - we can’t give away what we don’t have. When we know we are love, we can give it away freely, without strings or attachments. We are connected to infinite love when we love ourselves.
“Love is the bridge between you and everything.”
Whenever you are uncertain, ask, “What would love do?” When you are frightened or lost, ask the same question. The answer is there, waiting for you to acknowledge it.
The Takeaway
Even though Rumi experienced devastation and loss, he discovered a way to express deep truths about the human condition. He took his grief and turned it into inspiration that has been beloved for centuries.
The lesson for us is to remember the love that Rumi describes. We each have it, we never had to earn it, and we can’t destroy it.
Why not cultivate that love that flows from God, through you, and out into the world?
You will discover freedom to be yourself, confident and knowing who-you-are.
You will remember that every person on the planet also has access to love, but they have forgotten.
You will become more authentic, present, and alive, because you no longer need validation or approval from the outside world.
We need you to be you. You are here for a reason and you are a necessary part of the Divine Plan. Rest now, because there is much work to be done.
“Why stay in prison, when the door is so wide open?” - Rumi
Love & light,
Kathryn