the thirteenth-century mystic Jelaluddin Rumi, reject orthodoxy of any kind: I hold to no religion or creed, am neither Eastern nor Western, Muslim or infidel, Zoroastrian, Christian, Jew or Gentile. I come from neither land nor sea, am not related to those above or below, was not born nearby or far away, do not live either in Paradise or on this Earth, claim descent not from Adam and Eve or the Angels above. I transcend body and soul. My home is beyond place and name. It is with the beloved, in a space beyond space.
Jelaluddin Rumi, a thirteenth-century mystic, challenges established religious norms by expressing a profound sense of transcendence. He declares a refusal to adhere to any specific religion or ideology, emphasizing his liberation from the divisions typically imposed by cultural and religious identities. Rumi identifies as neither Eastern nor Western, Muslim nor infidel, reflecting a universal perspective that seeks unity beyond categorization.
His contemplations suggest that the essence of existence transcends the physical and spiritual boundaries that often define human identity. By asserting his detachment from earthly affiliations and familial ties, Rumi articulates a connection to a divine 'beloved,' existing in a realm beyond conventional understanding. This highlights his philosophical stance that true belonging and enlightenment are found outside the limitations of place and identity.
