Spiritual Verses

By: Jalal ad-Din Rumi

Narrated by: Anton Lesser

Length: 4 hrs and 44 mins

Publisher's summary

Rumi's Spiritual Verses is the greatest mystical poem in Islamic culture - and of all time. Rumi examines our human separation from reality, love, and truth. He shows how love - neither erotic nor sentimental but divine, by which the universe is held together - enlightens ignorance and dissolves suffering. The first book of the Masnavi is the key to the whole work: It takes off from simple, amusing tales into realms unimaginable, but wholly familiar to the human heart.

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©2007 Naxos AudioBooks Ltd. (P)2007 Naxos AudioBooks Ltd.

Good performance of an abridged edition

The Masnavi e Masnavi is a very complicated work. The stories weave in and out of each other and are often riddled with commentary. This abridgement does a fairly good job of capturing the book but it is something that requires time and attention as the narrative often shifts unexpectedly. I hope you enjoy this listen.

Not actually unabridged

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

Alan Williams' translation is very good, and Anton Lesser's reading is (as always) excellent. The one problem with this audiobook is that it's falsely advertised as unabridged, when it is in fact abridged. It cuts out many of Rumi's tangents, which is too bad because it gives a misleading sense of Rumi's style.

I beg you for more

Please release the other 5 books in the series. English readers deserve to read the rest of this masterpiece. The Masnavi is a 6 series collection of books by Rumi, it’s his life’s learning. Release it already, what do I do now? I will have to go to another publisher to continue reading.

Excellent translation and narration

Simply loved every second, every sentence , can't wait for the other 5 books to come out.
May Allah the most beloved give us all a taste of this nectar of Love that Rumi was given and he also wanted us to experience.

meant for listening

Rumi's verse was meant for listening; just turn it on and flow with the river of words. This is the only decent translation into English verse out there. The others are either doggerel or "versions" that owe more to the versioneer than to the Persian original. The narrator does a good job capturing some of the many voices that are speaking through the verses. It's not quite complete version of Books 1 and 2, though. Hoping for more!--when Williams finishes translating the remaining books, they should sign up Lesser again. Fifty hours of Masnavi would be just about enough.

Should be listened to by all spiritual seekers

Amazing. The raw cannot understand the ripe. Where is part 2? Jalaloddin comes to life with Anton Lesser's performance. This is more than a book, it IS living Word. Thank you!

Mevlana Rumi... the mirror of life

Where does Spiritual Verses rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Rumi's works are beyond time.
His books are lifetime companion.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Spiritual Verses?

the story of "the lion, the hare and the hunted animals"

What does Anton Lesser bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Anton Lesser is the best narrator I've listened to so far!

He reads Rumi's works by feeling every verse deeply, and speaks with the spirit of Rumi!

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Silent, pure, and peaceful.

Any additional comments?

"Accept this reading, make no argument,
Such milk and honey you too might be sent;
Interpreting throws back what you’ve received,
Due to a fault in it that you’ve perceived."
-- Mevlana Rumi

Beautiful Poetry

Sadly I found Anton Lessor's reading detracted from the words. Not the expression but the sound of voice detracted from my enjoyment . I read so many others enjoyed the reading, so read my comments in that light. It is a personal opinion.

The poetry, the verses are beautiful.

Be free my son and break your chains asunder

How long will you be a slave to gold and silver?

Rumi makes poetry about the kind of love that cannot be described, one can only sort of go around it. As a result his poetry often leaves one speechless.
Listen to this poetry and / or read it and while doing so,

take utmost care.

love is healing

I have found the holy spirit in me,. for love is the astrolobe of God's mystery