Introduction: Rumi’s Enduring Legacy

Jalal ad-Din Muhammad Rumi, the 13th-century Persian poet, Sufi mystic, and scholar, remains one of the most celebrated voices in spiritual literature. His masterpiece, the Masnavi, is a six-volume poetic exploration of the human soul’s journey toward divine connection. Eight hundred years after his death, Rumi’s words continue to inspire people across cultures, religions, and languages. In this article, we delve into Rumi’s profound teachings on listening, talking, and the universal experience of separation, drawing from insights shared by Arasp Kazemian, known as Araspus, in his thoughtful YouTube commentary. We’ll explore how these concepts resonate in our modern lives and why Rumi’s wisdom remains a beacon of light in an increasingly disconnected world.

The Importance of Listening: Downloading the Soul’s Wisdom

The Reed Flute as a Universal Symbol

Rumi opens the Masnavi with a powerful invitation: “Listen to this reed how it complains.” The reed flute, or ney in Persian, is more than a musical instrument—it’s a metaphor for the human soul. Once part of a thriving riverbed, the reed is cut, hollowed out, and transformed into an instrument that sings a mournful tune. Arasp Kazemian explains this as a process of “downloading” information. Listening, he suggests, is how we absorb the world’s wisdom, much like a hard disk receiving data.

The ney’s haunting melody transcends language, making it a universal language akin to music itself. This universality is why Rumi’s poetry speaks to people worldwide, regardless of their native tongue. As Kazemian notes, “Rumi himself is a music—an international melody.” His words carry an emotional resonance that bypasses intellectual barriers, touching the heart directly.

Listening in Rumi’s Philosophy

For Rumi, listening is the first step toward understanding. It’s an active, intentional act that requires silence and presence. In the Masnavi, he writes:

“The ear of the heart must be open,
For the tongue of the soul to speak.”

This suggests that true listening goes beyond hearing words—it’s about tuning into the deeper truths of existence. In a world dominated by noise, Rumi’s call to listen invites us to pause and reconnect with our inner selves and the divine.

Why Listening Matters Today

In our digital age, listening has become a rare skill. Notifications, newsfeeds, and endless chatter drown out the stillness Rumi cherished. Yet, this makes his teachings more vital than ever. By practicing mindful listening—whether to nature, loved ones, or our own thoughts—we can counteract the superficiality of modern life and rediscover meaning. Listening, as Kazemian emphasizes, is the foundation for all that follows.

The Art of Talking: Uploading Our Inner Truth

From Listening to Expression

If listening is downloading, talking is uploading—sharing the insights we’ve gathered. But Rumi isn’t concerned with mundane chatter about business or daily routines. As Arasp Kazemian points out, Rumi focuses on a specific kind of speech: the expression of sorrow, grief, and longing. When we’re sad, we complain, much like the ney’s mournful cry. This isn’t mere whining—it’s a profound act of articulating our inner state.

Rumi writes:

“The wound is the place where the Light enters you.”

When we voice our pain, we open ourselves to healing and connection. Kazemian highlights that this complaining requires an audience—someone to hear our lament. Yet, even in solitude, we talk to ourselves, shaping our thoughts into words within the mind.

The Role of Language

Kazemian delves into the mechanics of speech, noting that words—derived from the Latin logos, meaning reason or expression—are containers of meaning. Without language, we cannot fully think or communicate. This aligns with Rumi’s view that expression is essential to the human experience. Our words give form to the formless, making the invisible visible.

Talking in the Modern Context

Today, talking has taken new forms—social media posts, blogs, podcasts—but the essence remains. We share our joys and sorrows to connect with others. Rumi’s insight encourages us to move beyond surface-level dialogue and express what truly matters. In a culture obsessed with positivity, his validation of complaint as a natural response to sadness offers a refreshing honesty. By speaking our truths, we invite others into our world, fostering empathy and understanding.

The Loneliness of the Human Condition: Alone in a Crowded World

The Paradox of Solitude

One of the most striking themes Kazemian explores is the inherent loneliness of humanity. “We are all alone,” he asserts, even in social settings. Despite living among friends, family, and colleagues—or engaging on social networks—we remain solitary in our thoughts and decisions. This existential isolation is a core thread in Rumi’s work, reflecting his own struggles with separation.

Rumi captures this in the Masnavi:

“I am a bird of the heavenly garden,
Imprisoned in this earthly cage.”

Here, he expresses the soul’s alienation from its divine origin, a sentiment Kazemian echoes in his analysis. We may consult others, but ultimately, we think and decide alone.

The Loneliness of the Wise

Kazemian adds a compelling layer: the more we know, the lonelier we become. Intellectuals, artists, and spiritual seekers often feel this acutely. Their deeper understanding sets them apart, making it harder to find kindred spirits who grasp their perspective. “You want to talk to others, but they cannot understand you,” Kazemian explains. This isn’t a flaw in others but a natural outcome of elevated awareness.

Rumi, a scholar and mystic, likely felt this isolation keenly. His poetry reflects a longing for connection—with Shams of Tabriz, with the divine—that transcends ordinary human bonds.

Relevance in Today’s World

This loneliness resonates powerfully in 2023. Digital connectivity promises community but often amplifies isolation. We’re surrounded by voices yet struggle to be heard. Rumi’s acknowledgment of this solitude offers solace—it’s not a personal failing but a universal condition. Moreover, his work suggests that this loneliness can be a gateway to growth. By embracing it, we turn inward, seeking the divine within ourselves.

Rumi’s Own Separation: A Poet’s Lament

The Influence of Shams of Tabriz

Rumi’s life was forever altered by his encounter with Shams of Tabriz, a wandering dervish who became his spiritual companion. Their bond was intense, a meeting of souls that ignited Rumi’s poetic genius. But when Shams disappeared—possibly murdered or departed mysteriously—Rumi was plunged into grief. This separation fueled the Masnavi and his Divan-e Shams, collections brimming with longing and love.

Kazemian connects this to the ney’s complaint: “Rumi is complaining about separations.” Like the reed torn from its riverbed, Rumi felt uprooted from his source of inspiration. His poetry became a vessel for this sorrow, transforming personal loss into universal truth.

A Complaint Against the World

Rumi’s lament wasn’t just for Shams but for a deeper disconnection. “He does not belong to this world,” Kazemian suggests, interpreting Rumi’s sense of alienation. This world, with its banality and distractions, couldn’t contain his expansive soul. His complaint is a cry for reunion—with Shams, with God, with the eternal.

Rumi’s Wisdom in the Modern Era: A Path to Connection

Listening in a Noisy World

In our fast-paced, tech-driven society, Rumi’s call to listen is revolutionary. We’re bombarded with information, yet starved for wisdom. Practicing deep listening—to silence, to poetry, to each other—can ground us. Mindfulness practices, inspired by Sufi traditions, echo this principle, encouraging us to hear the “reed’s complaint” within ourselves.

Expressing Our Truths

Rumi’s validation of complaint invites us to share our struggles authentically. In an age of curated perfection on Instagram, his honesty is a balm. Writing, art, or conversation can become acts of uploading our souls, bridging the gap between our inner and outer worlds.

Embracing Loneliness

Perhaps Rumi’s greatest gift is his perspective on loneliness. Rather than fleeing it, he urges us to lean in. Modern psychology supports this—solitude can foster creativity and self-awareness. Rumi takes it further, suggesting that our isolation points us toward the divine. In a secular world, this might translate to finding purpose beyond the material.

Rumi as a Global Guide

Rumi’s appeal spans continents because he speaks to the human condition. His metaphors—the reed, the lover, the tavern—resonate whether you’re in Tehran, Tokyo, or Texas. In 2023, as global crises like climate change and polarization deepen our sense of separation, Rumi offers a unifying voice. His work reminds us that we’re all reeds, singing the same song of longing.

Conclusion: The Melody of the Soul

Rumi’s teachings, illuminated by Arasp Kazemian’s insights, weave a tapestry of listening, talking, and separation that remains vibrant today. The ney’s lament mirrors our own—our joys and sorrows, our solitude and yearning. By listening deeply, expressing bravely, and embracing our aloneness, we align with Rumi’s vision of the soul’s journey. His poetry isn’t just literature; it’s a roadmap to meaning in a fragmented world. As Kazemian suggests, Rumi is music—a melody that invites us all to join the chorus.