In a magnificent meeting of words and visuals, of ancient tradition and modern interpretation, this beautiful book assembles in one volume the timeless work of 13th-century Sufi poet and philosopher Jelaluddin Rumi. Extraordinary, contemporary, full-color collages capture the richness of Rumis teachings. Rise up nimbly and go on your strange journey to the ocean of meanings... In the mid-thirteenth century, in a dusty marketplace in Konya, Turkey, a city where Muslim, Christian, Hindu, and Buddhist travelers mingled, Jelaluddin Rumi, a popular philosopher and scholar, met Shams of Tabriz, a wandering dervish. Their meeting forever altered the course of Rumis life and influenced the mystical evolution of the planet. The bond they formed was everlasting--a powerful transcendent friendship that would flow through Rumi as some of the worlds best-loved ecstatic poetry. Rumis passionate, playful poems find and celebrate sacred life in everyday existence. They speak across all traditions, to all peoples, and today his relevance and popularity continue to grow. In The Illuminated Rumi, Coleman Barks, widely regarded as the worlds premier translator of Rumis writings, presents some of his most brilliant work, including many new translations. To complement Rumis universal vision, Michael Green has worked the ancient art of illumination into a new, visually stunning form that joins typography, original art, old masters, photographs, and prints with sacred images from around the world. The Illuminated Rumi is a truly groundbreaking collaboration that interweaves word and image: a magnificent meeting of ancient tradition and modern interpretation that uniquely captures the spiritual wealth of Rumis teachings. Coleman Barkss wise and witty commentary, together with Michael Greens art, makes this a classic guide to the life of the soul for a whole new generation of seekers.