Product Description

In the seven centuries since the death of Jelaluddin Rumi in 1273, the world has come to know and thrill to his sacred poetry. In concert with the tabla and sitar, his writing is part of a religious tradition that is believed to excite "spiritual heroism," embracing the holiness of love, lamentation, battle, and the longing for God. RUMI: VOICE OF LONGING collects nearly one hundred of Rumi's most memorable quatrains, presented here on two superbly remastered CD recordings for the first time ever.

Translated and performed by the Rumi scholar Coleman Barks, these works echo with a spiritual complexity that defies their outward simplicity. As Sufism acknowledges the truth of other religions, so does Rumi's poetry reflect universal themes: the search for the highest truth, the mystery of surrender, the longing to overcome ego imprisonment. RUMI: VOICE OF LONGING captures the silence, the love, and the playfulness that make each experience with this work one of sacred wonder.

With musical accompaniment by Marcus Wise on tablas and David Whetstone on sitar. Special appearance by Robert Bly.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #536239 in Books
• Published on: 2001-10
• Formats: Audiobook, Unabridged
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 2
• Binding: Audio CD

Features

• ISBN13: 9781564558329
• Condition: NEW
• Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
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Customer Reviews

A spiritual but earthy sound

On this lovely recital of Jelaludin Rumi's poetry, the voice of Coleman Barks is accompanied by Marcus Wise on sitar and David Whetstone on sitar. There is a flute too, but nobody is credited. The 2-CD set contains translations of poems from the following books of translations by Barks: Birdsong, Say I Am You, One-Handed, Open Secret, We Are Three, This Longing, These Branching Moments and Delicious Laughter. The insert lists the first lines of the all the poems recited.

Disc One: 1. Birdsong brings relief 2. This is how I would die 3. Soul of the world 4. Again, the violet bows to the lily 5. Intricate sounds, not words, I catch 6. You said, "Who's at the door?" 7. The soul must suffer secrets 8. I saw grief drinking a cup of sorrow 9. In this river the soul is a waterwheel.

Disc Two: A sufi was wandering the world 2. Love comes with a knife, not some shy question 3. Someone may be clairvoyant, able to see 4. Last night my teacher told me the lesson of poverty 5. On Resurrection Day your body testifies against you 6. Someone says, sanai is dead 7. Those full of fear are not really on the way 8. We tremble, thinking we're about to dissolve 9. Before Muhammed appeared in physical form 10. I, you, he, she, we 11. There is no prison so dark and small 12. Moses heard a shepherd on the road praying.

The combination of devotional playing and the deep voice of Barks create a type of spiritual ambience that is more earthy than ethereal. I find the sound most relaxing and enjoyable, a fitting vehicle for the inspiring words of Rumi.

Total running time for Disc 1 is 70:08 and for Disc 2, 77:33.

I Can't Stop Listening!...
This collaboration of Coleman Barks reading Rumi, the tabla drum, the flute and sitar is such a perfect marriage of expressive music and delicious Rumi. It brings Rumi's words to life so well, I get levels of understanding and joy from the spoken words that reading them on the printed page alone seldom delivered.

Colemansong, Rumisong.
These songs are not for the quick, the ephemeral, the here and now. Lay back. You're in a hurry, but there is time. There is distance between what you think you have to do, and what needs to be done. There is distance between you. And you. Lay back and come together. Listen . . . Hear it? You can hear yourself coming together. Like a suture.

If you don't have time for this book, let it bleed.