Few works in world literature explore the inner life with the depth and brilliance of Rumi’s Mathnawi. This six-volume masterpiece is not merely poetry—it is a profound guide to the transformation of the human soul.
Rumi’s genius lies in his ability to communicate the deepest spiritual insights through symbol, story, and poetry. His characters are mirrors of our own inner life, revealing both the traps of the ego and the hidden capacities of the soul.
Across eight weeks we will engage these stories together, discovering why Rumi’s teachings continue to speak so powerfully to readers across cultures and centuries.
In this course you will discover:
Rumi’s map of the soul and the stages of inner transformation
The difference between the ego-self and the awakened heart
The symbolism behind Rumi’s most famous teaching stories
How poetry can function as a tool of spiritual awakening
The deeper meaning of key Sufi concepts such as:
nafs (the ego/self)
qalb (the spiritual heart)
tawḥīd (divine unity)
ʿishq (divine love)
fanāʾ (annihilation of the ego)
baqāʾ (abiding in God)
ikhlāṣ (sincerity)
maʿrifa (direct knowledge of the Divine)
You will also learn how these teachings can be applied practically in contemporary life, offering insight into the challenges of the modern spiritual seeker.
For centuries the Mathnawi has been regarded throughout the Muslim world as one of the greatest works of spiritual wisdom ever written.
It is not simply a book of beautiful poetry—it is a guide to self-knowledge.
Within its stories Rumi examines:
By studying Book One closely, we gain the keys to understanding the rest of Rumi’s work and the broader Sufi tradition.
Each week we will explore one of the major discourses of Book One of the Mathnawi, unpacking its symbolism and spiritual insights.
Week 1 - The Reed Flute & The King and the Handmaiden
We begin with the famous opening lines of the Mathnawi, the Song of the Reed, where Rumi introduces the soul’s longing for its divine source. These verses serve as a key to the entire work. We then explore the first great teaching story, The King and the Handmaiden, which Rumi calls “the essence of our state.” Through this story we uncover the difference between misplaced love and true love and the spiritual healing required for the soul to awaken.
Week 2 - The Lion and the Hare
In this celebrated story Rumi explores the nature of knowledge and discernment. Through the encounter between the lion and the clever hare, he reveals the difference between the partial intellect of the ego and the deeper wisdom of the Universal Intellect. The story also exposes one of the most dangerous traps on the spiritual path: the arrogance of thinking we already understand.
Week 3 - The Merchant and the Parrot
One of the most beloved stories of the Mathnawi, this discourse reveals the hidden cage of ego-identity. The parrot’s mysterious message contains one of Rumi’s most profound teachings about spiritual liberation. Through this story we explore the paradox that true freedom often requires a symbolic death of the false self.
Week 4 - The Bedouin and His Wife
The longest discourse in Book One unfolds as a series of interconnected teaching stories. Within it, Rumi exposes the subtle deceptions of the ego that can mislead even sincere seekers. Stories such as The Grammarian and the Boatman reveal how attachment to pride, intellect, or appearances can veil us from deeper truth.
Week 5 - The Lion, the Wolf, and the Fox
In this second lion story, Rumi presents a deeper stage of spiritual realization. By contrasting different responses to the lion, he illustrates the difference between ego-centered action and true surrender. The story becomes a powerful meditation on tawḥīd—the unity of all reality in the Divine.
Week 6 - The Mirror of the Heart
Through the story of Joseph and his friend, Rumi introduces one of the central symbols of Sufi spirituality: the heart as a mirror. The human heart has the capacity to reflect the light of reality—but it must first be polished. This week we explore how ego, distraction, and attachment cloud the heart and how spiritual practice restores its clarity.
Week 7 - Ali and the Denying Knight
In the final story of Book One, Rumi presents a powerful example of perfect sincerity and spiritual mastery. When Imam Ali faces his enemy in battle, an unexpected moment reveals the true meaning of ikhlāṣ—acting purely for the sake of God. This story reveals the culmination of the spiritual path and the character of the awakened soul.
Week 8 - Book One as a Map of Awakening
In our final session we step back and view Book One as a complete map of the soul’s journey. The stories we have studied reveal the stages of transformation from the ego’s illusions to the freedom of the awakened heart. We conclude by reflecting on how these teachings can guide our own spiritual lives and prepare us to explore the rest of the Mathnawi.
Live Sessions are bi-weekly on Sundays at 9AM PT / 12 PT ET.
This course is designed for:
No prior knowledge of the Mathnawi or Sufism is required.
Many modern presentations of Rumi focus only on inspirational quotations.
This course returns to the original teaching context of the Mathnawi.
Together we will explore:
The result is a deeper encounter with Rumi—not simply as a poet of love, but as one of humanity’s greatest spiritual guides.
Terms & Conditions
All sales are final. No refunds or exchanges.
Payment is processed automatically and is required regardless of course completion.
Course access may be shared only with immediate family members residing in the same household.
You will have access to the online course for 1-year until June 14, 2027.
Unauthorized distribution or sharing of course materials outside your household is not permitted.
Access to course content is for personal, non-commercial use only.
By enrolling in Rumi Center’s online courses, you agree to these terms.
BARAKA BLUE
