His full name was Abū 'Abdullāh Muḥammad ibn 'Alī ibn Muḥammad ibn al-`Arabī al-Hāṭimī al-Ṭā'ī. Born in Murcia, Spain on July 28, 1165 CE (560 in the Islamic calendar), his family moved to Seville when he was seven years old. In 1200 CE, at the age of thirty-five, he left Iberia for good, intending to make the hajj to Mecca. The obligatory Mecca pilgrimage was to lead to a massive work of
immense spiritual insight, that eventually influenced theologians of Jewish
and Chrisitian traditions. This will be the beginning of explorations with
Ibn 'Arabi, rather than a philosophical analysis of his ideas. Often it
will take the form of meditation, as a means of seeing along
with the Sheikh Al Akbar, or Great Sheik, as he is known.
Other inspiration comes from the poets Rumi and Hafiz, who embodied
the Sufi imagination and depth of experience in grand style. It was Rumi
who gave us
Come, come, whoever you are.
Worshiper, Wanderer, Lover of Leaving;
ours is not a caravan of despair.
Though you have broken your vow a thousand times,
Come, yet again, Come.
Some scholars say, as Coleman Barks did in a letter to me once, that
the attribution of this poem to Rumi is uncertain. The Sufis of the
time were known to trade poems, and Rumi was a devoted Sufi.
Nevertheless, this one is the Rumi verse familiar to most people.
I have tried my own hand at Rumi-like poems.
Rumi-esque I
naked in divine embarassment I stand,
fearful of offending my mentor and guide...
but it is your nakedness, Friend, that dazzles me.
my soul yearns for the space where we are One,
love poured out, no shame, utter Joy.
let us shout to the heavens that
the cosmos sees us unclothed
as babes.
Rumi-esque II
beloved, your wild disciple and Lover
has a peddler's pack
in it are sweets and books of every sort,
Even cards!
do not be dismayed if your Lover sells his
wares with his teaching.
he does not beg, but rejoices in the marketplace,
with his cries of Buy This Now!,
his teaching takes wings.
