This episode which was recorded soon after the general election, emphasizes the significance of love as a lasting theme that can help us through disagreements and social rifts that often divide human society. Furthermore for Rumi, this worldly love, love connected to erotic desire, is not separate from or antagonistic to spiritual love. More than anything else, for Rumi love is a tool for bringing about positive change. In that sense, it is not passive or melancholic but a source of energy, action, and agency. Love is a process of searching, discovery, creation, and ultimately liberation.
In this episode, recorded last October, we connect Rumi and Einstein separated by centuries. They are astonishingly similar in their aspiration to make us see how connected we are with the universe — neither separate from it, nor captive in it. They both see knowledge as healing and liberating. They both see that everything perishes except for love. And what we run after, often in circles, is much closer than we think. Dive deep within, Rumi says, strengthen your wings. Now fly out, for you no longer need a ladder.
Listen to “Radio Rumi Program 6: Don’t let Your Habitat be your Prison: Albert Einstein and Rumi” on Spreaker.
Opening song: Arayesh e ghaliz, Homayun Shajarian
Producer: Sogand Seirafi
Graphic Designer: Amaal Yazdi
Editorial Consultant: Faezeh Lotfalian
Project Manager: Samar Ata
Audio editing: Tommy Hegarty
Technical assistance is provided by the Center for Innovation in Teaching at Learning, University of Maryland
How can one speak of love in a world plagued by disasters like forced migration, starvation, hatred and war? Well, that depends on how we understand the concept of love. If it is defined as the happy and optimistic emotion we normally associate with love, the answer is “We cannot.” In this program, I look at the ways in which Rumi understands love and what he wants us to do with it.
transcript of audio file
Opening song: Arayesh e ghaliz, Homayun Shajarian
Producer: Sogand Seirafi
Graphic Designer: Amaal Yazdi
Editorial Consultant: Faezeh Lotfalian
Project Manager: Samar Ata
Audio editing: Tommy Hegarty
Technical assistance is provided by the Center for Innovation in Teaching at Learning, University of Maryland