Shams and Rumi: The Meeting of Two Oceans
written by Omar Aena
In the annals of spiritual history, few encounters are as transformative and profound as the meeting of Rumi and Shams of Tabriz. This sacred moment, which took place in the bustling streets of Konya, forever altered the course of Islamic mysticism and gave birth to some of the most beautiful poetry the world has ever known.
Rumi, a respected scholar and teacher, was immersed in the intellectual pursuits of his time. His life was orderly, his reputation well-established. Yet, beneath the surface, there was a longing—an unspoken yearning for something deeper, something more. This hidden desire for divine intimacy was ignited the moment he met Shams, a wandering dervish with a heart aflame with the love of God.
The stories of their first meeting are as varied as they are mystical. Some say that when Shams asked Rumi a question about the deeper meanings of the Quran, Rumi fainted in awe. Others suggest that their eyes met, and in that instant, Rumi saw in Shams the mirror of his own soul. Whatever the precise details, it is clear that this meeting was not of this world. It was a divine appointment, orchestrated by the unseen hand of destiny, that set Rumi on a path of spiritual awakening.
For days and nights, the two men were inseparable, engaged in conversations that transcended words, sharing a communion of hearts that shattered the boundaries of intellect and reason. Rumi’s transformation was immediate and profound. He became a poet, a lover, a seeker of the Beloved in every form. His words flowed with the wine of divine love, pouring forth the mystical teachings that continue to inspire millions to this day.
But their connection did not just reshape Rumi’s poetry—it also birthed the sacred dance of the Sema, a mystical expression of the soul’s journey to divine union. The Sema is not merely a dance; it is a profound spiritual practice that mirrors the turning of the cosmos, the eternal cycle of life, death, and rebirth. Through the whirling motion of the dervishes, the heart opens, the ego dissolves, and the soul ascends, seeking the embrace of the Divine.
As we embark on our journey to Turkey this September, we will not only walk the same streets where Rumi and Shams once met, but we will also be immersed in the living tradition of the Sema. In Konya, we will witness the Sema performed by the Mevlevi dervishes, their movements embodying the love and devotion that Rumi and Shams shared. Watching the Sema in the city where it was born is more than a cultural experience; it is a chance to witness the dance of the soul in its purest form.
But our journey does not end there. We will also have the opportunity to experience the Sema ourselves, to step into the circle and let our own hearts whirl in the rhythm of divine love. In this sacred practice, we are invited to become like the dervishes—to turn, to surrender, and to feel the presence of the Beloved within and all around us.
As we stand in these sacred spaces and partake in the Sema, let us remember that the meeting of Rumi and Shams is not just a historical event; it is a living story that invites us into our own encounter with the Divine. May their story inspire us to seek out our own Shams, to be open to the transformative power of love, and to walk the path of the heart with courage and devotion.
Join us on this journey—not just to visit the physical tombs of these great souls, but to connect with the living essence of their teachings, to witness the sacred dance of the Sema, and to find within ourselves that same spark of divine love that set Rumi’s heart ablaze.
