Apprentice yourself … to a generous and righteous craftsman. Seek the pearl in the oyster shell … and seek craftsmanship from the skilled.

Jalaluddin Mevlana Rumi

The Garment of Humility

Topic: Temperance & Humility

THE GARMENT OF HUMILITY

The meanest earning that goes on in the world,
is it ever practiced without the guidance of a master?
It begins with knowledge and is followed by action
that it may yield fruit after a while or after death.
Apprentice yourself, O possessor of intelligence,
to a generous and righteous craftsman.
Seek the pearl in the oyster-shell, my brother,
and seek craftsmanship from the skilled.
If you meet sincere spiritual counselors,
deal fairly with them and be eager to learn:
don’t put on any airs.
If a tanner wears a threadbare coat,
that doesn’t diminish the master’s mastery;
if the blacksmith with massive biceps
wears a patched apron while flexing the bellows,
his reputation doesn’t plummet in people’s eyes.
So strip the raiment of pride from your body:
in learning, put on the garment of humility.

Jalaluddin Mevlana Rumi

Jalal ad-Din Muhammad Rumi, born on September 30, 1207, and known as Mawlānā or simply as Rumi in the Western world, was an extraordinary poet, philosopher, and Sufi mystic. He was a prominent figure in the Islamic world, born in the region of present-day Afghanistan, then within the greater Persian Empire, and later settled in Konya, present-day Turkey. Rumi's passionate love for humanity and his deep spiritual insights transcended geographical, linguistic, and cultural barriers, making his poetry and teachings resonate not only within the Islamic world but also with audiences globally.

Rumi's spiritual journey led him to develop a unique approach to Sufism that emphasized love, tolerance, and the pursuit of enlightenment. He created a fusion of traditional Islamic beliefs with mysticism, nurturing a school of thought that flourished in his followers. They established a sect known to the Western world as the 'Whirling Dervishes', a term derived from their mesmerizing practice of whirling as a form of physical meditation. The proper name for this branch is the Mevlevi order, dedicated to preserving and promoting Rumi's teachings.

In addition to being a mystic, Rumi was an accomplished scholar and theologian who left behind an impressive literary legacy. His best-known work, the Mathnawi or Masnavi, is a six-volume poetic epic that explores themes of love, divine mystery, and human connection to the spiritual world. Rumi's poetic style is marked by profound emotion and philosophical depth, weaving metaphors and allegory to create timeless pieces that continue to inspire readers today. Rumi's influence reaches far beyond his time, as his teachings on love, compassion, and unity continue to touch the hearts of millions, transcending barriers of religion, culture, and era.

(1207-1273) Islam
Mathnawi

Rumi, Jalal al-Din, et al. The Rumi Daybook. Shambhala, 2012, p. 297 [Mathnawi V:1054-1061].

Jalaluddin Mevlana Rumi