Rumi The Big Red Book

Das Buch ist wundervoll (5 Sterne) umso unverständlicher die Handhabung: ohne weiteren Schutz in den Pappkarton gestopft und dadurch, oder vorher schon, das Cover und beide Kanten des Buchrückens zerkratzt. Das Buch sieht aus wie dreimal gelesen, echt unmöglich

I love it

Beautiful! I made some music as a backup track, and made a spoken recording of three of the poems.An excerpt chosen at randomfrom FRESH ROOTS, p. 317:"A chunk of dirt thrown in the air breaks to pieces.If you do not try to fly, and so break yourself apart,you will be broken open by death,when it is too late for all you could become.":)Unfortunately I can't compare this to other versionsas it is the only one I have read,but I enjoy it every time I pick it up.

Barks included many poems in this classic book. The way the text was divided in itself is poetic where he used a mixture of the holy names of God in Islam, some of his sophic heroes and star signs. He starts with introduction to each chapter reflecting on his experiences which is in some way is almost mystical. This sometimes is a distraction and on other occasions is enriching of the text. I like also the arabic caligraphy of the names of God using the sulus writing. The translation varied depending on the writer but they are mostly clear and elegant

If you've ever read Mao's LITTLE RED BOOK, this is totally unlike it! Praise God! or Allah Akbar! It is as different as Ying is to Yang!Anything Coleman Barks has written is well worth reading! Some critics suggest that because his renditions of Rumi were not translated by him, they are inferior. This is far from the truth!In music, someone who plays someone else's song, is called an interpreter. The new version is always a little different and sometimes better, with heartfelt improvisation. Perhaps, in poetry, this holds true, too. Who better to interpret poetry than a poet?Coleman Barks is a true poet; unrestrained by language, rhyme, and meter. He suggests that he is only a minor poet. What makes one a major poet? How old or dead do you have to be? How many people have to read or respect your work?RUMI - THE BIG RED BOOK is great and should be savored like a fine wine. It is arranged in something like chapters, according to some of the ninety-nine names of God and some representatives of True Human Beings. Occasionally, you may read some familar lines from an earlier work but with a new twist. The words and poems are alive! This book is one I will treasure and re-read, hoping to experience more.It seems Coleman Barks is always revising, compiling, and exploring deeper into meanings. He seems to be an American disciple of Rumi. He reminds me of Chuang Tzu explaining Lao Tzu and the Tao Te Ching. (Pardon my Anglicanization - I barely understand English, let alone other languages)I could go on, but if you like Rumi and the Way, you'll love this.