More than 750 years ago Rumi said:
“Every war and every conflict between human beings has happened because of some disagreement about names. It is such an unnecessary foolishness, because just beyond the arguing there is a long table of companionship set and waiting for us to sit down. … All religions, all this singing, one song. The differences are just illusion and vanity.”
Given his uplifting message of unity, it’s easy to understand why Rumi is the best-selling translated poet in the US today. He invites us to go beyond our cultural conditioning and look for and witness the beauty and mystery of life.
Rumi lived in a time of upheaval and violence. He was a scholar and mystic and would recite ecstatic poems while whirling. This practice evolved into what we now call the whirling dervishes. Indeed, Rumi is the founder of this Mevlevi order.
Around the world, lovers of Rumi gather in mid-December in honor of his urs, the day of his death. Rumi died on December 17, 1273 in Konya (now in Turkey). Springfield will have its own Rumi Night on Saturday, December 15, from 7-9 pm also at the UU Meetinghouse. There will be live music, zikr, poetry and maybe even some whirling! The evening will be led by Shams and Walia Guillow and Rev. Mellen Kennedy. The evening will include the Dances of Universal Peace, simple, joyous dances which embrace the wisdom of the world’s religions and focus on peace and community. The event is free, donations welcome.
You’re invited to join in the participatory evening of poetry and ecstatic dancing in celebration of Rumi both of which will be held at the Unitarian Universalist Meetinghouse, 21 Fairground Road, Springfield, VT. All are welcome.
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