Book Notes/The Essential Rumi

The Essential Rumi

by Jalal al-Din Rumi

"The Essential Rumi" is a collection of poetry and prose by the 13th-century Persian mystic Jalal al-Din Rumi, showcasing his profound insights into love, spirituality, and the human experience. The selections emphasize the transformative power of love and the pursuit of spiritual enlightenment, blending mystical themes with practical wisdom. Rumi's evocative language invites readers to explore the depths of their own souls and the interconnectedness of all beings.

13 curated highlights from this book

Key Insights & Memorable Quotes

Below are the most impactful passages and quotes from The Essential Rumi, carefully selected to capture the essence of the book.

The wound is the place where the Light enters you.
Don't grieve. Anything you lose comes round in another form.
The only lasting beauty is the beauty of the heart.
You are not a drop in the ocean. You are the entire ocean in a drop.
Let the beauty we love be what we do.
When the soul lies down in that grass, the world is too full to talk about ideas, language, even the phrase each other doesn't make any sense.
Try not to resist the changes that come your way. Instead, let life live through you.
You have to keep breaking your heart until it opens.
Set your life on fire. Seek those who fan your flames.
The moon stays bright when it doesn't avoid the night.
Why are you so busy with this or that or good or bad, pay attention to how things blend.
The morning wind spreads its fresh smell. We must get up and take that in.
Dance, when you're broken open. Dance, if you’ve torn the bandage off.