The Illuminated Rumi

I have been a lover of Rumi's poetry for some time. This combination of Coleman Barks' inspired translations and the enlightened illustrations are like walking through the infinite reaches of time and soul space. If I have a deep concern or question, I can pick it up and open it randomly as an oracle...For me it's wisdom transcends all boundaries. A beautiful gift for someone who can dance in the depths of spirit...or just for your Self.

I love this book! It is one of those books I fall into when I've had a tough day and I just need to center myself. I highly recommend MANY MANY poems in here but a favorite would have to be Baby Pigeon on pg. 32

As a lifelong bookworm, I've gotta say: this one is a gem. Incredible illustrations, and a caringly, lit glimpse into the mystery and depth of Rumi. One of those ones you want to pass on to the most special people in your life. The kind of literature that runs against the grain of our aggravating times and quickly reminds us of something higher to aspire to.

My words to describe a GOD realized soul such as RUMI could never be adequate, but they can lead you to this book and that is my gift to you. The Illuminated Rumi is a DIAMOND reflecting the light of GOD.

That Love and loving are not affected by time and space is lovingly demonstrated by the "collaboration" of Rumi, Barks and Green. Through the inspired heart-work of Coleman Barks and Michael Green, we, the readers, are gifted by the Gift Rumi received. Now we can meet and perhaps love Rumi and his, our Beloved. I am forever touched and grateful to know Rumi. His words and his living presence communicate the human condition and the spirit-essence of all, inviting us to love as we are loved by our Lover.

From beginning to end a true masterpiece. Always acurate and ever so gentle,pushing the boundaries of language and spirit. To slowly and gracfully unravell this oral poetry is the hardest of tasks. The translations in this book evolve with the silent tongue of the reader,eloquent,reading the reader. Rumi,shams,mean spirited roadhouses and the faint shimmer of a 13th century mystic pointing towards your spirit.Classic and captivating pictures interweave with prose effortlessly true. Thankyou.................

As a child I once read the Persian translation of William Shakespeare's play Hamlet as a homework. By that age I had had the normal education with sufficient exposure the classics of Persian literature, so I had already cultivated some maturity and appreciation for deep literary works. It was an anticlimactic moment ! I found Shakespeare to be at best mediocre ! It was only later when I dabbled with English, French and Latin when I finally went back to give Hamlet another go and to my surprise this time it was categorically ingenious and sublime. This is precisely how I feel about the image of Rumi in the Western world. A bland, boring and minimally talented poet with some taste for sentimentality. This is not Rumi, believe me. First learn some Persian, then get acquainted with some Iranian medieval history and then you would appreciate him. And for the sake of knowledge stop referring to him as a Muslim, Turk or Arab !!!!!!!!! The main ontological theme of his entire work is some form of mystic pantheism which flies in the face of any monotheistic tradition . He was born in Persia, Balkh, and lived and breathed in the tradition of Persian poetry just like many other Persian poets and just happen to die in Ottoman empire. René Descartes happen to die in Sweden, nobody calls him a Swedish philosopher. Stop this madness.

COLEMAN BARKS IS A MODERN RUMI WITH THE SAME ECSTATIC SENSE OF THE SACRED THAT RUMI WAS POSSESSED BY -- AND THE COMBINATION OF BARKS' TRANSLATED TEXT WITH MICHAEL GREEN'S VISUAL CHOICES AND ARRANGEMENTS OF IMAGES TAKES RUMI'S POETRY TO A WHOLE NEW LEVEL -- THE ISOLATION OF SINGLE WORDS AND SHORT PHRASES WITHIN THE IMAGES INVIGORATES, ENLIVENS, ILLUMINATES (PERFECT TITLE) AND "DECODES" THE SACRED "LOGOS" ASPECTS OF THE WORDS. I'VE GIVEN ABOUT 20 OF THESE AS GIFTS IN THE LAST YEAR, AND EVERY PERSON WAS TOTALLY ENTRANCED BY THE BOOK!

I get the Illuminated Rumi Calendar every year. Hardest part.....throwing them away when the year is done!! Great inspiration and beautiful pictures. Except for Oct. 2013....the guy's a little scarey, so I covered him up with a beautiful rainbow! This was the ONLY time I've ever done that.

I would recommend this calendar to anyone who appreciate Rumi's writtings.

I am very pleased with the edition of The Illuminated Rumi I ordered. The illustrations are excellent and the material inspirational and informative about a culture I know little about. The work of Rumi was recommended to me by a friend and as a fairly knowledgeable reader I am surprised I had not encountered the work of this fine poet earlier in my life.

I share an e-mail address with my husband (Donald E. Rex) but this review was written by Marion R. Rex,his wife.

This book is a gem. I got 2 copies and gave 1 to my surgeon whom has been working closely with me for the past 10 months as a gift to say thank you and the other copy I gave to a cousin for her 30th Birthday. They seemed like exquisite gifts....something that each of them could enjoy forever. The illustrations and the text speak for themselves; high quality.

This gem of a book is visually and spiritually beautiful. I spend a little time with it to clear my mind and get focused for the day. I thank the artist and translator for their contribution to a world class book.

I have ordered this company's Rumi calendar for several years now because the illustrations, entwined with the Rumi poems, are so incredibly beautiful. I make myself wait every month to turn the new page so that I have that reoccuring feast for the eyes and soul!

This book will disappoint anyone who has seriously delved into the writings of Rumi. It is hard to see where Rumi starts and Barks leaves off which left me totally confused. I believe that Barks took many liberties with the translation of Rumi writings. The art work was too "new-age" for me and did not really add any new insights into the life and writings of this man.
A very shallow read.

I got this calendar for my wife since she liked the art work very much last year. But ... she thinks that the art work is not as creative as last year. More perspicuously said, she is very disappointed. Did I say she is an artist and retired art teacher?