Poetry Circle: Rumi's Masnavi Book One

Join us Thursday evenings this December-January at Qahwah House in New York City for the second title of our Sufi Corner Poetry Circle! We will be reading Book One of Jalal al-Din Rumi’s masterpiece, The Masnavi!

In this 5-session series, we will explore the symbolic and spiritual depths of Rumi’s greatest work, sharing insights and learning from each other. Each meeting will begin with a brief discussion of the themes, motifs, and spiritual significance of that week’s reading—after which, participants will divide into groups to discuss specific portions of the text. Following this division, the group will come back together, with each smaller group introducing their specific section and posing an open-ended question from the reading to the wider group.

Session 1: (p. 3-47)                             December 3
The Lament of the Reed-Flute
…The Jewish Vizier Who
Misled Christians

Session 2: (p 47-87)                         December 10
Mohammad in the Gospels
...The Greater Jihad

Sessions 3: (p. 88-119)                   December 17
An Emissary of Byzantium
Comes to Omar... Escape of
the Merchant's Parrot

Session 4: (p. 119-198)                          January 7
The Old Harpist... The Poor
Bedouin and His Wife

Session 5: (p. 198-243)                       January 14
The Prophet's Scribe Who
Became an Apostate... Why
Ali Dropped His Sword in Battle

Registration: FREE (button down below)
Dates: December 3 - January 14
Time: 8PM
Duration: 1 ½ hour
Location: Qahwah House, 2869 Broadway, New York, NY

Starting December 3, we are also hosting our Sufi Corner Book Club at 6:30PM prior to the Poetry Circle in the same location. Our Book Club meets weekly to read great books on the philosophy, beliefs, and practices of Sufism. Our next title will be Claude Addas’ The Voyage of No Return.