Coleman Barks: The Gentle Voice of Rumi

Last updated on: May 26, 2015 at 8:49 am by Barbara Falconer Newhall

Coleman Barks: The Gentle Voice of Rumi 2015-05-26T08:49:45-08:00 Barbara Falconer Newhall

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

By Barbara Falconer Newhall

I’d always imagined Coleman Barks to be a distant, scholarly type — till I emailed him for permission to use a few lines from his Rumi translations in my book.

To my surprise, Barks very generously got back to me in no time with — sure, no problem.

The other day I googled him and found this video. And there he was, a kindly southern gentleman type, complete with a bit of a drawl, an open face, and totally immersed in — and amazed by — the Sufi mystic’s world view.

Persian Poet, Southern Gentleman, American Witch

The video gives you just a whiff of the 13th century Persian poet — and the 21st century Southern gentlemen.

I like Coleman Barks, what little I know of him. And maybe if I spent some focused time with Rumi, I too would be more of a mensch.

For those of you who have a copy of Wrestling with God, look for Rumi on page 118. There, Wiccan Cerridwen Fallingstar tells of embracing his poem, “The Dream That Must Be Interpreted” in hopes of coming to terms with the death of her husband and her unborn daughter within a week of each other.

“Whatever God is,” Cerridwen concludes, “it’s something that doesn’t operate the way we do.”

“The Essential Rumi,” new expanded edition, Coleman Barks, trans, Harper Collins, 2010.

A version of this story first appeared on BarbaraFalconerNewhall.com, where Barbara riffs on life, family, books, writing, and her rocky spiritual journey. Barbara ‘s newly released interfaith book is Wrestling with God: Stories of Doubt and Faith.

Uncategorized

cerridwen fallingstar

Previous Post

May 19, 2015

Dobson on How to Get to Heaven: Beat Your Dog, Whip Your Kid

Next Post

June 1, 2015 Two Buddhists -- One Happy, One Funny

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Uncategorized

Select a Month January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 September 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

Who advised Moses to appoint judges to help lead the people?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Jethro Aaron Joshua Miriam