The Illumination of Rumi

 

Let yourself be silently drawn by the stronger pull of what you truly love.

Rumi

Ten days ago  we drove from the McMichael Gallery in Kleinburg to the Aga Khan Museum, a journey that included nearly half an hour to drive a few kilometres down the hideous Don Valley Parkway. It was the wrong time of day to be driving but we're cheap and wanted to take advantage of free admission on Wednesdays after 4:00.

We wanted to take in the Rumi exhibition which is currently there, and certainly worthwhile. Rumi has become improbably popular in recent years, a 13th century Muslim mystic who was largely unknown in the Western world until translators, particularly Coleman Barks,made his writings accessible to English language readers. The criticism is that these popularizing efforts have somehow taken the Islamic voice away from the Muslim writer, sometimes reducing his deep reflections to coffee mug and fridge magnet slogans.

I must admit that I consigned Rumi to the back of an envelope many years ago, jotting down a phrase which captured my heart when I was contemplating what I wanted to do and be in ministry. Shortly after our recent visit I came upon that envelope in a pile of office rubble. Coincidence?  

We spent a illumative, meditative hour or so wandering through the exhibition, glad that we made the effort, although also glad that we hadn't made a trip specifically for this purpose.Ruth would have enjoyed more poetry on display. I think we're agreed that any visit to the Aga Khan is worthwhile, an important antidote to the senseless anti-Islamic current that runs through our society. The depth of history and the beauty is always uplifting and we're grateful for the free admission (we have also paid for entry several times) 

Here is the website description of the exhibition, if you're intrigued: 

Journey through the life and timeless legacy of Jalal al-Din Muhammad Balkhi (d. 1273), known as Rumi, in an inspiring exhibition celebrating one of history's most famous poets, on the 750th anniversary of his passing. Join us as we explore Rumi's enduring impact through an examination of artifacts, manuscripts, and contemporary art.

Rumi will take you on a visual voyage through his early life in Central Asia, his experiences with displacement and migration, and his transformation into one of the most important mystical poets of the Persian-Islamic tradition. The exhibition will take a deep dive into the ways in which his words have inspired arts and culture, both past and present.

The Historical Rumi 

Explore the rich historical, visual, and literary environment Rumi was immersed in, as well as his journey from Central Asia to the Lands of Rum (present-day Türkiye). Uncover the experiences and personal relationships that shaped his worldview and his poetry through a close examination of artifacts and works of art.

The Visual Rumi 

Renowned for his vivid stories and meditations on perception, Rumi often explored the relationship between seeing with the eyes, understanding with the mind, and sensing with the heart. Delve into works of art from the Aga Khan Museum and other collections that explore the visual nature of his poetry.

Rumi in Translation 

Experience the timelessness of Rumi's wisdom by taking a close look at the ways in which his writings have been translated through time and how they continue to resonate with audiences today.