Hi Sue,
You introduced the "Where Have All the Flowers Gone?" song to me. I listened to it. It is very beautiful. This group pronounces words slowly and more clear than De Burgh and I can understand their songs earlier. I listened to other songs of this group like "Wedding", "The fox", "Leaving on a Jet plane" and others. "Leaving on a Jet plane" is beautiful too.
I don't know foreign singers well, so I must thank you for your good guidance.
Dear fiend, you know we have started to read Masnavi and read the first 28 lines in Nicholson version.
I have a lot of questions about the life, myself, my religious and other things like them. I had said to you we can't ask questions abut our religious and discuss about it directly and easily.
I hope that can find some of my answers in Masnavi.
T teaches this book very beautiful and very good. He explains meaning of some sentences and answers my questions patiently while he teaches.
I'm sure these classes can be better with your helps and guidance and I can improve my English, my spirit and my information with these classes.
Have a nice day.
Faranak.
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Moving on in Masnavi
Hi Sue,
I have studied the first 20 lines with a number of our friends several times. They are Fattemeh, Faranak, Sabber who was the first behind the idea of reading the whole Masnavi in classes, Maryam and Bahman who will certainly participate. It is quite likely that others join in too.
I am delighted that you are traveling hand in hand with us. To tell you the truth, this is exactly your presence in this lovely endeavor that has poured so much passion in us and encouraged us to read the book like this.
I am gathering a number of short thoughts on these first lines and will put them on the site in a day or two. These few first lines are known as the book of the Nei and it is unanimously believed that Rumi has poured the whole Masnavi into them. We may call it Masnavi's plot or an outline of everything ahead in the book.
I was exhausted at 12 midnight. I missed you so much that I thought I'd come and talk to you a bit before I just collpase.
Take care,
Ali
I have studied the first 20 lines with a number of our friends several times. They are Fattemeh, Faranak, Sabber who was the first behind the idea of reading the whole Masnavi in classes, Maryam and Bahman who will certainly participate. It is quite likely that others join in too.
I am delighted that you are traveling hand in hand with us. To tell you the truth, this is exactly your presence in this lovely endeavor that has poured so much passion in us and encouraged us to read the book like this.
I am gathering a number of short thoughts on these first lines and will put them on the site in a day or two. These few first lines are known as the book of the Nei and it is unanimously believed that Rumi has poured the whole Masnavi into them. We may call it Masnavi's plot or an outline of everything ahead in the book.
I was exhausted at 12 midnight. I missed you so much that I thought I'd come and talk to you a bit before I just collpase.
Take care,
Ali
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Sabber's letter to Sue
Hi Sue
How are you these days?
When I put my letter to T on the website you put a comment for T and me in which you said that you wanted to read the Masnavi with us.
What do you think about this book?
Is it a good idea for my language and my spirit?
I have not read the Masnavi before but, I know it. I heard from T that you study it.
I think reading the Masnavi in Persian is better than reading it in English but, because I want to learn English I should read it in English.
T is a very good teacher and I think our class is one of the best classes in Iran!
He is a good man and I like him more than a teacher
I wish you the best.
Sabber
How are you these days?
When I put my letter to T on the website you put a comment for T and me in which you said that you wanted to read the Masnavi with us.
What do you think about this book?
Is it a good idea for my language and my spirit?
I have not read the Masnavi before but, I know it. I heard from T that you study it.
I think reading the Masnavi in Persian is better than reading it in English but, because I want to learn English I should read it in English.
T is a very good teacher and I think our class is one of the best classes in Iran!
He is a good man and I like him more than a teacher
I wish you the best.
Sabber
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Sahar's letter to Sue
I'm Sahar.I think you forgot me because I didn't write any letter for you.
I went to the concert yesterday. That was very pretty and I enjoyed it. That was "Camerata Quintet". "Camerata" is name of the group. "Quintet" mean a group made of five musician. And it was a classical concert.
I go to the university all days except Thursday and Friday so, I'm very busy. I have a concert in the university two next month.
your friend's Sahar
I'm Sahar.I think you forgot me because I didn't write any letter for you.
I went to the concert yesterday. That was very pretty and I enjoyed it. That was "Camerata Quintet". "Camerata" is name of the group. "Quintet" mean a group made of five musician. And it was a classical concert.
I go to the university all days except Thursday and Friday so, I'm very busy. I have a concert in the university two next month.
your friend's Sahar
Being
My very dear friends Sue and Herman,
I always enjoy poetry especially when it is a gift from a friend. I saw the interesting poem that Herman sent us in his own introduction and saw a similarity between it with the mystical thoughts I am familiar with in my own culture. Here too all the particles of the universe are singing loudly. But the Persian mystics hear this sound in a different way.
Perhaps the first lines of Masnavi can give us a clue to hear sounds in the way these mystics hear. In Rumi's opinion the reason we hear such beautiful songs in the Nei is that the Nei is emptied of its own existence. That is why the Nei player can make the flow of his own chest, his own "bosom" into the reed flute.
In Rumi's universe / ideology, if Beings empty themselves of themselves they will turn into a musical instrument that can then sing in harmony with the rest of the universe. Does this make any sense in the West? All I hear from the west is the sound of many great philosophers who try to prove that they are. Rumi would have said, "I am not. Therefore, I am." Or the way Mansoor Hallaj put it: "I am the Truth."
Ali
I always enjoy poetry especially when it is a gift from a friend. I saw the interesting poem that Herman sent us in his own introduction and saw a similarity between it with the mystical thoughts I am familiar with in my own culture. Here too all the particles of the universe are singing loudly. But the Persian mystics hear this sound in a different way.
Perhaps the first lines of Masnavi can give us a clue to hear sounds in the way these mystics hear. In Rumi's opinion the reason we hear such beautiful songs in the Nei is that the Nei is emptied of its own existence. That is why the Nei player can make the flow of his own chest, his own "bosom" into the reed flute.
In Rumi's universe / ideology, if Beings empty themselves of themselves they will turn into a musical instrument that can then sing in harmony with the rest of the universe. Does this make any sense in the West? All I hear from the west is the sound of many great philosophers who try to prove that they are. Rumi would have said, "I am not. Therefore, I am." Or the way Mansoor Hallaj put it: "I am the Truth."
Ali
Monday, October 11, 2010
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
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
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
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
Sunday, October 10, 2010
Masnavi reading invitaion
Friends all,
At 8 o'clock, Monday morning Tehran time, Sabber and I are going to start our Masnavi reading sessions. We will be delighted to have anyone who is interested in our company not just on Monday, but on all the many days which will follow this first sessions.. Sue, it was such a great honor for us to see you want to study the book with us. Reading the Masnavi will stictch your heart to the heart of every single Iranian. What a precious opportunity. Thank you very much for sharing this lovely endeavor with us. Your help is very much needed as we try to cope with the English translations. Yes, of course we plan to read the English translations very carefully too. We plan to read both translations we have available here: One by Nicholson and the other by Javid Mojadadi. We will also read The Essential Rumi by Coleman Barks. In addition to these we plan to read the original Persian poems very carefully. Today it is only Nicholson's translation.
We want to adorn our classes with great literary works from the east and west. You and Herman are the ones who can help us on our way.
This is an invitation to all the friends who come to my English classes to join the Masnavi reading sessions which will be followed by other great works of literature. Just let me know if you are interested.
T
At 8 o'clock, Monday morning Tehran time, Sabber and I are going to start our Masnavi reading sessions. We will be delighted to have anyone who is interested in our company not just on Monday, but on all the many days which will follow this first sessions.. Sue, it was such a great honor for us to see you want to study the book with us. Reading the Masnavi will stictch your heart to the heart of every single Iranian. What a precious opportunity. Thank you very much for sharing this lovely endeavor with us. Your help is very much needed as we try to cope with the English translations. Yes, of course we plan to read the English translations very carefully too. We plan to read both translations we have available here: One by Nicholson and the other by Javid Mojadadi. We will also read The Essential Rumi by Coleman Barks. In addition to these we plan to read the original Persian poems very carefully. Today it is only Nicholson's translation.
We want to adorn our classes with great literary works from the east and west. You and Herman are the ones who can help us on our way.
This is an invitation to all the friends who come to my English classes to join the Masnavi reading sessions which will be followed by other great works of literature. Just let me know if you are interested.
T
Yes, noisy Beings
Hi Herman, Thank you for writing to us. I always value your thoughts and friendship. I am very glad to find you beside us here. Friendship is the essence of life to me. How fortunate I am to have Sue and you here with me.
You have sent us a beautiful poem. In our mystical culture, the whole being was boiling in a single ocean when the sun shined and took part of it away separating it from the rest of the ocean. Then the vapor was forced to pour down in the form of rain drops in far away lands and the convoluted maze of an alien world. As a Persian poem says, "The drop of water is an ocean if it is in the ocean. Otherwise it is merely a drop and the ocean an ocean."
Whatever you hear in the universe, either the soft whisper of the fountains and the deafening noise of the roaring rivers, all tell the same story: The story of the love to return to our origin and the ocean that calls us back with every kiss that it puts on its vast shores.. From a single drop of water to the ocean and from the ocean to join another ocean and oceans and so on and so forth.
What journey are the philosophers in The West talking about? Do they speak of any journey at all? The way Rumi complained of a red flute which was separated from the reed bed?
Your brother, Ali
You have sent us a beautiful poem. In our mystical culture, the whole being was boiling in a single ocean when the sun shined and took part of it away separating it from the rest of the ocean. Then the vapor was forced to pour down in the form of rain drops in far away lands and the convoluted maze of an alien world. As a Persian poem says, "The drop of water is an ocean if it is in the ocean. Otherwise it is merely a drop and the ocean an ocean."
Whatever you hear in the universe, either the soft whisper of the fountains and the deafening noise of the roaring rivers, all tell the same story: The story of the love to return to our origin and the ocean that calls us back with every kiss that it puts on its vast shores.. From a single drop of water to the ocean and from the ocean to join another ocean and oceans and so on and so forth.
What journey are the philosophers in The West talking about? Do they speak of any journey at all? The way Rumi complained of a red flute which was separated from the reed bed?
Your brother, Ali
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