The Mysterion: Rumi and the Secret of Becoming Fully Human

Description

A contemporary exploration into the meaning and possibility of our human existence, through the universal insights of the 13th-century Persian poet and Sufi mystic Rumi-by pre-eminent Rumi translator, Kabir Helminski. The 13th-century poet and mystic Rumi has become one of the most popular spiritual voices of our time-known and loved by people of many faiths and worldviews for his rich metaphors, images, poems, and stories. The Mysterion deepens our appreciation of his teachings by illuminating both the practical psychological dimension behind them, as well as the universal spiritual truths they offer about what it means to be human. In this philosophical survey, Kabir Helminski, one of the foremost translators and writers of Sufi texts, gives us a contemporary lens through which to view and understand the "Mysterion," the unifying concept that bridges the human and the divine-and that connects the individual soul with spiritual Reality. This book is centered on that core, unifying concept of the Mysterion- the essence and intrinsic meaning of being human. Rumi, says Helminski, would suggest that in our human existence we might accomplish many marvels, but they will amount to little if we neglect cultivating the divine potential within us. Like a mirror, he says, we can reflect a spectrum of divine qualities depending on how polished and clean our mirror is. Likewise, our mirrors can become distorted and corroded by egoism and negativity. Our practical work, says Helminski (and Rumi), is to remove distortions from our souls and align ourselves with this higher order reality and divine agency, through humility, reverence, surrender, and love.

KABIR HELMINSKI has been translating Rumi and writing about spirituality for more than forty years. He is a respected teacher, a Shaikh of the Mevlevi Order, which traces back to Rumi. His translations of Rumi are among the most popular and respected for their literary faithfulness and beauty. He has written for Tikkun, Patheos.com, Times of India, and Huffington Post, among others.

"Kabir Helminski is one of our most luminous and authentic spiritual teachers. In this extraordinary book, he explores with simplicity and great profundity the states and stations of the path to divine love. No one on any path can afford to miss this masterwork by a great teacher."-Andrew Harvey, author of The Hope "The Mysterion is a reminder that Rumi's magnificent Sufi tradition is not confined to books and whirling dervishes but is a living tradition that continues to unfold. Helminski has tapped into the fountainhead of Spirit that gushed forth through Rumi and continues to flow today."-Omid Safi, author of Memories of Muhammad "The Mysterion is simply a gift. Kabir Helminski has generously revealed what he has come to understand through a lifetime of exploration and direct experience, so that each of us might know the 'secret' of who we truly are."-Rupert Spira, author of Being Myself