11 wise lessons from Rumi that will change your perspective on life

Life can be tough, right? Sometimes, we need a little help to understand it all.

That’s where Rumi comes in. He was a poet from the 13th century, and his wise words have been helping people for hundreds of years.

In this article, we’re going to share ten life-changing lessons from Rumi.

They’re simple but powerful, and they might just change the way you see things.

So, get comfy and get ready to see life in a whole new light.

1. “The wound is the place where the Light enters you.”

Life isn’t always a bed of roses. We all have our fair share of hardships and heartbreaks.

It’s during these tough times we might feel like we’ve been wounded, and it’s easy to let these wounds bring us down.

But Rumi suggests we look at it differently.

According to him, these wounds, or tough times, are actually opportunities for growth and enlightenment.

They are where the ‘light’ or wisdom enters us.

So next time when you’re faced with a problem, remember, it’s not just a challenge. It’s an opportunity for you to learn, grow and shine even brighter!

2. “You are not a drop in the ocean. You are the entire ocean in a drop.”

Sometimes, we may feel small and insignificant, just like a single drop in the vast ocean.

But Rumi encourages us to see ourselves in a different light.

According to him, each one of us is like the whole ocean contained in a single drop.

This means that each of us is filled with endless possibilities and potential.

We are not defined by our size but by the depth and vastness of our abilities and qualities.

So, never underestimate yourself or your potential. Remember, you’re an entire ocean!

3. “The only lasting beauty is the beauty of the heart.”

In a world obsessed with physical appearances, Rumi reminds us what truly matters – the beauty of the heart.

This lesson hits close to home for me.

I remember being so caught up in my looks during my teenage years, always worried about fitting into society’s standards of beauty.

But then I came across this quote by Rumi and it completely changed my perspective.

It reminded me that what truly matters isn’t how I look on the outside, but who I am on the inside.

It’s about kindness, compassion, love, and understanding.

Over the years, I’ve tried to focus more on cultivating these inner qualities and less on my physical appearance.

And guess what? It’s made me feel more beautiful and confident than ever before! 

4. “Don’t be satisfied with stories, how things have gone with others. Unfold your own myth.”

Rumi encourages us to forge our own path and create our own stories.

He suggests not to simply accept the stories of others as our own, but to explore and create our unique journey.

Remember, your life is your story, and you’re the author. Make it a good one!

5. “Let yourself be silently drawn by the strange pull of what you really love. It will not lead you astray.”

Rumi’s words touch our hearts when he talks about the power of love and passion.

It’s a gentle reminder to listen to our hearts and follow what we truly love.

We often find ourselves tangled up in societal expectations and norms, sometimes forgetting what our heart truly desires.

But remember that spark you feel when you do something you truly love? That’s your heart guiding you towards your passion.

It might be scary to follow this path, as it may not always align with what’s expected of us.

But Rumi assures us that it will not lead us astray.

So, let’s take a moment to listen to our hearts, to feel that strange pull, and have the courage to follow it.

For it is in doing what we love that we truly find ourselves and our purpose in life.

6. “Yesterday I was clever, so I wanted to change the world. Today I am wise, so I am changing myself.”

This quote by Rumi resonates deeply with me.

There was a time in my life when I was eager to change the world.

I was all about making a big impact, dreaming of grand schemes and big ideas.

But over time, I realized that the most profound change starts from within.

In my quest to change the world, I often found myself frustrated at the slow pace of progress and the resistance from others.

It was then that Rumi’s words echoed in my mind, reminding me that perhaps it was I who needed to change first.

I started focusing on self-improvement and personal growth, understanding that the only person I have complete control over is myself.

As I changed, so did my perspective of the world around me.

This shift didn’t just make me a better person but also allowed me to effect more change in my surroundings than ever before.

It’s a journey I’m still on, but one thing’s for sure – change really does start with oneself!

7. “Raise your words, not your voice. It is rain that grows flowers, not thunder.”

Sometimes, we all lose our cool. We shout, we argue, and we let our tempers get the better of us. I’ve been there more times than I’d like to admit. Rumi’s words, though, they offer a different way.

He tells us to raise our words, not our voice. To speak with kindness and reason, rather than anger and hostility.

It’s not easy, believe me. It’s so tempting to let loose, to let our frustrations out in a loud, thunderous roar.

But what does that achieve? Most of the time, it just makes things worse.

But when we calm down and choose our words carefully? That’s when true communication happens.

That’s when understanding grows. It’s like the gentle rain that nourishes the flowers, allowing them to bloom beautifully.

So when you find yourself on the verge of losing your temper, remember Rumi’s words.

Speak gently, reason calmly, and watch as understanding blooms around you.

8. “Wherever you are, and whatever you do, be in love.”

Rumi’s work often revolves around the theme of love, and this quote encapsulates it beautifully.

The poet encourages us to be in love with our lives, no matter where we are or what we’re doing.

This doesn’t just refer to romantic love, but to a deeper, all-encompassing love for life and all its experiences.

Interestingly, this concept aligns with the psychological construct of “flow” — a state of complete immersion and enjoyment in what you’re doing, proposed by psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi.

Research has shown that people who frequently experience flow in their daily activities report higher levels of happiness and satisfaction with their lives.

So there you have it – Rumi’s poetic wisdom backed by modern psychology.

Be in love with your life, savor every moment, immerse yourself fully in whatever you do and watch your happiness levels soar!

9. “Do not be satisfied with the stories that come before you. Unfold your own myth.”

Rumi’s wisdom shines through when he encourages us to create our own path in life.

This one hits close to home for me because I spent a lot of my early life following a script that was not mine.

I went through the motions, ticking off boxes based on what I thought was expected of me.

School, university, job – it felt like I was living someone else’s story, not my own.

Then I stumbled upon this quote by Rumi and it shook my world.

It made me realize that I had the power to write my own story, to unfold my own myth.

It wasn’t easy, but I began to make changes – small at first, then bigger ones.

I pursued interests that genuinely excited me, took risks that scared me and started living a life that felt more authentic and fulfilling.

So, if you ever feel like you’re living someone else’s story, remember Rumi’s words. You have the power to unfold your own myth. Trust me, it’s a journey worth embarking on!

10. “The art of knowing is knowing what to ignore.”

This one’s a hard pill to swallow.

We live in an age of information overload, where everyone has an opinion and it’s easy to get lost in the noise.

Rumi reminds us that knowing what to ignore is as important as knowing what to focus on.

It’s about filtering out the noise and focusing on what truly matters.

I’ve found this particularly tough. I’ve listened to naysayers and doubters, let their words cloud my judgment, and steer me off my path.

But over time, I’ve learned to filter out the noise, to trust in my journey and focus on my truth.

It’s not always easy, but it’s crucial for preserving our sanity and staying true to our path.

11. “Live life as if everything is rigged in your favor.”

This lesson from Rumi is about optimism and faith. Life can be tough, it can knock us down and test our spirit.

But imagine if we lived as though everything was rigged in our favor? As though every event, every encounter was designed for our benefit?

I’ve tried this approach and let me tell you, it changes everything.

It shifts your perspective from seeing challenges as setbacks to viewing them as opportunities for growth.

It encourages you to take risks, knowing that even if things don’t go as planned, there’s a lesson to be learned.

So there you have it – 11 wise lessons from Rumi that can change your perspective on life.

They’re raw, they’re honest, and they show us that even in the turmoil of life, there’s wisdom and beauty to be found.

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Picture of Lachlan Brown

Lachlan Brown

I’m Lachlan Brown, the editor of Ideapod and founder of Hack Spirit. I love writing practical articles that help others live a mindful and better life. I have a graduate degree in Psychology and I’ve spent the last 6 years reading and studying all I can about human psychology and practical ways to hack our mindsets. If you to want to get in touch with me, hit me up on Twitter or Facebook.

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