A Meditation on Rumi and the Power of Poetry | Leili Anvar | TED

Summary

In this poignant narrative, the speaker recounts their experience of exile from Iran at age 15, carrying with them the invaluable treasure of the Persian language and its rich poetic tradition. The speaker finds solace and a sense of home in the works of the 13th-century mystic poet Rumi, whose verses resonate deeply with the experience of separation and the longing for reunion. Through Rumi's poetry, the speaker embarks on a spiritual journey, discovering the power of words to transmute reality, connect with one's humanity, and find healing in the darkness of times. The speaker emphasizes the life-saving role of poetry in reminding us of our true selves and the universal human condition of exile.

Takeaways

• 😊 The Persian language and its rich poetic tradition became a source of solace and identity for the speaker after leaving Iran at age 15.
• 🌍 Despite being exiled from their homeland, the speaker found that their mother tongue, Persian, could not be taken away and became their connection to Iranian culture.
• 📖 The speaker immersed themselves in the works of the 13th-century Persian poet Rumi, whose verses on exile, separation, and the human condition resonated deeply with their experience.
• 🕊️ Rumi's poetry, particularly the famous lines from the prologue about the reed flute's lament, opened up a world of understanding for the speaker about the universal experience of exile and longing to return home.
• 🌹 Through Rumi's mystical poetry, the speaker was able to explore themes of love, spirituality, and the human condition, finding solace and meaning in their own journey.
• 🔑 Poetry, and the arts in general, have the power to transmute reality into something rich and meaningful, providing a therapeutic connection to our essential humanity.
• 🌇 The speaker emphasizes the centrality of love in Rumi's poetry, which reflects the true purpose of all great poetry.
• 🌎 Rumi's work reminds us that, in a sense, we are all exiles in this world, celestial souls separated from our true home, to which we must find our way back through spiritual awareness and love.
• 📚 Engaging with poetry – reading, reciting, translating – became a lifelong journey and companion for the speaker in their exile, helping them cope with the darkness of their circumstances.
• 🌺 Poetry has the power to connect us with what is most essential in life and should be cherished for its ability to provide solace, meaning, and a reminder of our shared humanity.

Q & A

What was the invaluable treasure the speaker took with them when leaving Iran?

The speaker states that the invaluable treasure they took with them when leaving Iran at the age of 15 was the Persian language, which they describe as a millennium-old language that emerged as the language of poetry.

How did the experience of exile help the speaker realize the importance of their mother tongue?

The speaker reveals that it was through the experience of exile that they came to realize that what they had lost was a country, a house, and a garden, but that nobody could bereave them of their motherland if their motherland was their mother tongue. Within them, the language remained alive, and it was the Persian language that made them Iranian.

What role did Persian poetry, particularly the works of Rumi, play in the speaker's life in exile?

The speaker embarked on a poetic journey guided by Rumi, the 13th-century Persian mystic poet. They read Rumi's poetry, learned his poems by heart, and translated many of his works. Rumi's poetry became a companion for the speaker in exile, helping them feel at home wherever they went.

What is the significance of Rumi's prologue to his 'opus magnum' in the speaker's understanding of exile?

In Rumi's prologue, where he compares his poetic work to the song of the reed flute, the speaker found a profound understanding of the pain of exile and separation, as well as an invitation to accompany Rumi on the return journey through the wings of poetry.

How does the speaker describe Rumi's poetry and its effect on the human experience?

The speaker describes Rumi's poetry as sheer music that tells and whispers a forgotten story to the soul. Through his lyric poetry and innumerable stories, Rumi not only points to his own individual experience but also reminds the listener of their situation in life – that whoever we are and wherever we live, we are in exile from our celestial origins.

According to the speaker, what is the power and significance of poetry in human life?

The speaker believes that poetry has the power to transmute reality into something rich and meaningful. It reminds us of who we are and where we belong, connects us with what is most essential in life, and can help us through the darkness of difficult times. The speaker sees reading, rendering, writing, and reciting poetry as a therapy that connects us to the spiritual essence of life.

How did the speaker's encounter with Rumi's poetry during the Iran-Iraq war impact them?

The speaker vividly remembers the first time they heard Rumi's lines during the Iran-Iraq war when Tehran was bombarded. Despite the risks, a circle of poets and poetry lovers would gather every Friday, and the speaker's father took them to these gatherings. Hearing Rumi's lines opened a whole new world for the speaker, and Rumi became their companion for life and in exile.

What does the speaker suggest about Rumi's own experience of exile?

The speaker mentions that Rumi himself had fled his native town (in present-day Afghanistan) when he was very young due to the Mongol threat. He left his homeland as a child, never to return, wandering from town to town until taking refuge in Anatolia (present-day Turkey). Even in this foreign land, Rumi kept reading Persian poetry, maintained his mother tongue, and taught it to his own children.

How did the speaker's encounter with Shams of Tabriz impact Rumi's life and poetry?

According to the speaker, when Rumi met Shams of Tabriz in Konya, Shams initiated Rumi to mystical music, dance, and the religion of love. It was through this encounter that Rumi lived a series of bewildering experiences that illuminated and awakened him to his true self, and he became a poet.

What is the speaker's overall message about the role of poetry and the arts in addressing the human condition?

The speaker's overall message is that poetry and the arts, if spiritually oriented, have the power to help us navigate the human condition, including the feelings of exile, disorientation, and despair that can arise from witnessing the inhumanity of humanity. Poetry connects us to what is most essential in life and should be cherished for its ability to transmute reality and offer spiritual guidance.

Outlines

00:00

📚 Embracing Persian: A Journey Through Language and Exile

The speaker narrates their departure from Iran at 15, taking with them not just physical possessions but the Persian language—a treasure ingrained within them. Persian, described as a language of poetry, represents more than just a means of communication; it's a link to childhood, culture, and identity. The experience of exile intensified the speaker's connection to their mother tongue, emphasizing its role as an unseizable homeland. They delve into Persian poetry, particularly drawn to Rumi, whose works provide solace and a sense of belonging amidst displacement. Through learning and internalizing poetry, the speaker carries a piece of home wherever they go, embarking on a continuous poetic journey with Rumi as a guide, illustrating the power of language and poetry in preserving identity and coping with loss.

05:02

🎶 Rumi’s Echo: The Song of Exile and Love

The second paragraph delves into Rumi's portrayal of exile and separation, emphasizing the universal experience of longing and the transformative power of poetry and love. Rumi's journey from his native land, fleeing Mongol threats to eventually finding refuge in Anatolia, underscores his own experience of exile. His encounter with Shams of Tabriz marked a turning point, igniting Rumi's poetic expression centered around mystical music, dance, and the religion of love. Through his poetry, Rumi transcends personal narrative to address universal themes of exile, longing, and the pursuit of spiritual awareness and humanity. The speaker reflects on the healing and unifying power of poetry, capable of transmuting reality into something meaningful, and highlights the essential role of poets and the arts in connecting us to our essence and potential for humanity.

Keywords

💡Exile

Exile refers to being forced to leave one's home country or place of origin. In the context of this video, it is a central theme as the speaker describes his experience of leaving Iran at age 15 and the profound sense of loss and displacement that accompanied it. He emphasizes that while he lost his physical homeland, his 'motherland' resided within his mother tongue, the Persian language, which became his connection to his roots and identity.

💡Mother tongue

A mother tongue, or native language, is the language that a person learns from birth. For the speaker, Persian was his mother tongue – the language of his 'childhood paradise' in Iran. Despite being exiled, he found solace in the fact that no one could 'bereave' him of his mother tongue, which remained a treasured part of his identity and a means of feeling at home wherever he went.

💡Poetry

Poetry emerges as a powerful force that sustains the speaker's connection to his roots and Persian heritage during his exile. He describes immersing himself in the work of the 13th-century mystic poet Rumi, learning poems by heart so that he could 'feel home wherever I go.' Poetry, with its profound lyricism and ability to evoke deep emotions, becomes a means of transcending physical displacement and accessing one's spiritual core.

💡Rumi

Rumi, or Jalal ad-Din Muhammad Rumi, was a 13th-century Persian poet and Sufi mystic. In the video, Rumi's work, particularly the prologue of his masterpiece Masnavi, serves as a guiding light for the speaker during his exile. Rumi's poetic expression of the pain of separation and the longing for spiritual reunion deeply resonates with the speaker's own experience of displacement.

💡Mystic

A mystic is a person who seeks to attain a profound spiritual understanding and union with the divine through direct experience and introspection. Rumi is described as a 'mystic poet,' indicating that his poetry was deeply influenced by his mystical beliefs and practices. The speaker finds solace in Rumi's mystical perspectives, which offer a transcendent view of the human experience beyond physical constraints.

💡Spirituality

Spirituality refers to the exploration and cultivation of the human spirit or soul, often in connection with a higher power or universal consciousness. The video emphasizes the spiritual dimensions of poetry, particularly Rumi's work, which reminds readers of their true nature as 'celestial souls' in exile from a 'lost paradise.' Poetry is presented as a means of developing spiritual awareness and a sense of belonging beyond the material world.

💡Identity

Identity is a multifaceted concept encompassing the distinctive characteristics, beliefs, and experiences that define an individual or group. In the context of the video, the speaker grapples with the impact of exile on his sense of identity, ultimately finding that his Iranian identity is inextricably linked to the Persian language and its rich poetic tradition, embodied by Rumi's work. Poetry becomes a means of preserving and celebrating his cultural identity despite physical displacement.

💡Love

Love is a central theme in Rumi's poetry and a concept that the speaker finds immensely profound. Rumi's work explores the transformative power of love, both in its human and divine manifestations. The speaker highlights how Rumi's poetry awakens readers to the 'religion of love' and the importance of cultivating humanity and spiritual awareness through love's transcendent force.

💡Humanity

Humanity refers to the collective human condition, including the shared experiences, emotions, and struggles that unite all people. The speaker suggests that poetry, particularly Rumi's work, has the power to remind readers of their essential humanity and to evoke the full spectrum of human emotions. Poetry is presented as a means of fostering empathy, compassion, and a deeper understanding of the universal human experience.

💡Therapy

In the context of the video, therapy refers to the healing or restorative power of poetry. The speaker describes poetry as a 'life-saving' force that helped him cope with the darkness and disorientation of exile. By connecting readers to 'what is most essential in life,' poetry is portrayed as a form of therapy that can provide solace, guidance, and a sense of meaning in times of struggle or upheaval.

Highlights

The Persian language was the author's invaluable treasure, a millennium-old language of poetry, from their childhood paradise in Iran.

Through the experience of exile, the author realized what they had lost was a country, a house, a garden – they were severed from the landscapes of Iran, but their mother tongue remained.

To feel at home wherever they went, the author embarked on a poetic journey guided by Rumi, the 13th century Persian mystic poet.

Rumi's prologue compares his poetic work to the song of the reed flute, telling the tale of separations and longing to return to the time of union.

The author vividly remembers first hearing Rumi's lines during the Iran-Iraq war gatherings their father took them to, opening a whole world.

Rumi's work is an ocean from which no traveler returns, as the author can bear witness to.

Rumi evokes the pain of exile, of being separated from where you belong and those you love, and his song is the song of all exiles.

Rumi himself had fled his native town due to the Mongol threat, wandering until taking refuge in Anatolia, where he kept to his Persian mother tongue.

Meeting Shams of Tabriz initiated Rumi into mystical music, dance, and the religion of love, awakening him to his true self as a poet.

Through lyric poetry and stories, Rumi points to the human experience of being exiles from a lost celestial paradise.

Rumi makes the audience feel the full range of human emotions, earthly desires and celestial hopes, centering on the transformative power of love.

Poetry has the power to transmute reality into something rich and meaningful, and was life-saving for the author.

In the face of the world's inhumanity, poetry can help guide people through the darkness, connecting them to life's essentials.

Reading, rendering, writing, and reciting poetry is a therapy that connects people with what is most essential in life.

Poetry should be cherished for its spiritual orientation and ability to transform reality.

Transcripts

When I left Iran, I was 15 years old.

I had only taken with me a suitcase of clothes and a few books.

Or so I thought.

I was wrong.

I had taken with me, in me, an invaluable treasure:

the Persian language.

A millennium-old language

that emerged from the beginning as the language of poetry.

Persian was the language of my childhood paradise.

The language of tales and nursery rhymes.

But I had to leave the Garden of Eden.

It is through the experience of exile that I came to realize

that what I had lost was, yes, a country,

a house, a garden.

I had been severed from my land, from the landscapes of Iran,

from the reassuring presence of Mount Damavand,

covered with snow.

But nobody could bereave me of my motherland

if my motherland was my mother tongue.

Within me what was alive was the language.

What makes me Iranian is Persian.

Specifically, the treasure of Persian poetry.

So I started reading poetry,

learning poems by heart,

so that I could take them everywhere with me.

So that I could feel home wherever I go.

I embarked on a poetic journey that is still going on.

My guide on this journey was no less than Rumi,

the Persian mystic poet of the 13th century.

In the prologue of his opus magnum,

comparing his poetic work to the song of the reed flute,

he says,

(Reciting in Persian)

"Listen to this reed flute.

Listen how it complains

Telling the tale of separations

Saying,

Ever since I was severed from the reed bed

Men and women have moaned in unison with my lament

I want a bosom torn by separation

That I may unfold the pain of love-desire.

Whoever is left far from the origin

Longs to return to the time of union"

I remember quite vividly the first time I heard those lines.

It was in 1982,

during the Iran-Iraq war when Tehran was bombarded.

There was a circle of poets and poetry lovers

who would gather every Friday,

notwithstanding the risks,

to read and listen to poetry.

My father took me to those gatherings.

I didn’t understand, far from it, all the poetry I heard in those days,

and many lines have left my memory.

But those lines by Rumi,

oh my God.

A whole world opened in front of me.

And Rumi became my companion for life.

My companion of exile.

So in exile I read his poetry,

I listened to the reed,

listened to the reed again and again

and said those poems aloud.

I wrote my PhD thesis and two books on his works.

I translated many of his poems.

It is said that Rumi's work is an ocean from which shore no traveler returns.

I can definitely bear witness to that.

What does the poet mean with this magnificent prologue?

“Listen to this reed.”

What does he want us to listen to?

He evokes the pain of exile,

of being separated from where you belong and those you love.

And he insists that his song is the song of all exiles.

He invites all of us

to accompany him on the return journey

on the wings of poetry,

through the song of the reed flute.

And indeed, his poetry is sheer music.

Like the reed flute it tells and it whispers to the soul

a forgotten story.

Rumi himself had fled his native town

in today's Afghanistan

when he was very young because of the Mongol’s threat.

He left his homeland as a child, never to return.

He had wandered from town to town until he took refuge in Anatolia.

There, in that foreign land,

he kept reading Persian poetry,

he kept to his mother tongue,

and he taught it to his own children.

One day he met Shams of Tabriz in Konya,

that city in which Rumi had become a very respectable preacher

and a spiritual guide.

Shams initiated Rumi to mystical music and dance,

and above all, to the religion of love.

With him, Rumi lived a series of bewildering experiences

that illuminated him and awakened him to his true self.

With Shams, Rumi became a poet.

About this inner transmutation, he says,

"I was dead,

alive I became.

I was tears.

Laughter I became.

The rain of love came upon me,

and my joy eternal became.”

(Reciting in Persian)

Through his lyric poetry,

through the innumerable stories he tells,

Rumi points not only to his own individual experience,

but he reminds us of our situation in life.

Whoever we are,

wherever we live,

we are in exile.

Because as celestial souls, we belong to another world,

to a lost paradise to which we shall return,

provided we have developed our spiritual awareness

and our humanity.

Through the beauty of his words,

Rumi makes us feel all the prism of human emotions.

He makes us taste

earthly desires and celestial hopes as all real poetry should do.

And over and over again, he returns to the centrality of love

as every real poet should do.

And that is why we need the poets.

To remember who we are and where we belong.

Poetry has the power to transmute reality

into something rich and meaningful.

To me, it was life-saving.

When we look at the world,

at the inhumanity of humanity sometimes,

how not to feel in exile, indeed?

How not to cry on "Love's Labour's Lost?"

How not to be desperate and disoriented?

Poetry can help us through the darkness of times.

As do all the arts if they are spiritually oriented.

So reading,

rendering,

writing, reciting poetry is a therapy.

It connects us with what is most essential in life,

and that is why it should be cherished.

Thank you.

(Applause)