Masnavi reading sessions, Tuesday with Faranak

Sue:  It would be helpful to me, since I will be present in spirit only, if you would give me some idea of which pages you will be studying at each session.

Ali:  Such a pleasure and such a great honor, Sue.  In the first session we read the first 12 lines of the first volume of Masnavi in Nicholson's translation.  Sabber is determined to read the whole Masnavi.  I think this dream will come true this time.   There are a lot of friends who are as determined as Sabber.

We are concentrating on the first 20 lines of Masnavi's first volume, Sue.  In a moment I have a session with Faranak to read the book of Nei, the first 20 which I just mentioned.

Any suggestions, Sue?

Ali

Bahman's letter to Sue,

Dear friend,
Oh, piano is a beautiful musical instrument. Do you know that Santour is pattern for Piano? They are like each other, but a piano is larger than Santour It has 7 octaves, but Santour has 3 octaves.
We saw a film in class last Friday. It is very interesting. I copied it in my I pod and I see it in the university way. I have quickened the time in way. University is very difficult in this semester. My units are welding, founding and etc. I try to write to you and send musical pieces for you.
Thank you, I am not a good santour player, but I enjoy playing. It is enough for me.
My friends want to read Masnavi. I love to read it book, but I can go only on Fridays, because I must come long way for class. I am 2 or 3 hours in traffic. I will go to Semnan tomorrow morning.
Oh, I’m so tired.
Wish you the best,
Bahman

Fattemeh, the new member for our Masnavi reading sessions

Hello Fattemeh, 

What a pity.  Yes, we studied the first page of Masnavi at 8 o'clock with Sabber today.  It would have been great if you could have been with us.  I am so delighted to see you are interested to participate in these sessions.  The journey would certainly be more enjoyable with you and any other friends from any the other classes.  It would be a great pity for us to learn English and read the literary masterpieces from the Western literature and then forget about our own literature and mysticism.

We study these books in English:  Nicholson's and Javid Mojaddedi's English translations of Masnavi and Coleman Bark's translation of Masnavi and the Ghazaliyat of the Shams of Tabriz.  We will certainly read the Persian original poems too.  No translation in the world can ever replace the scent of Rumi's original words.  The same words whose delight sent Rumi dancing in the marketplace.

Once again I am very delighted to see your interest in Masnavi.  Are you free in the morning of any other days during this week?  If so let lus meet.  Only you and me to catch up with Faranak and the Masnavi.  Let me know please.

T