Poem Analysis - Like This

An Embodied Spirituality

Rumi's "Like This" is an exuberant invitation to experience the divine in the everyday. The poem is characterized by its direct address and evocative imagery, moving from sensual pleasure to spiritual revelation with disarming ease. The tone is playful and confident, urging the reader to embrace a tangible, embodied spirituality. There's a subtle shift throughout the poem, starting with the physical and sexual, then moving to more abstract concepts, and finally returning to the specific and personal.

Rumi's Context: A Sufi Perspective

Rumi was a 13th-century Persian poet, mystic, and Sufi master. Sufism, a mystical branch of Islam, emphasizes direct personal experience of the divine through love and devotion. This context is crucial to understanding the poem. The poem’s celebration of physical intimacy and sensory experience isn’t heretical; instead, it reflects the Sufi belief that the divine can be found in all aspects of creation.

Love's Embodiment and Demonstration

One of the central themes is the manifestation of love. The poem refuses abstract definitions, choosing instead to demonstrate love through actions and sensory experiences. From kissing on the lips to measuring the forehead, love is presented as something immediate and tangible. "If anyone asks you how the perfect satisfaction of all our sexual wanting will look, lift your face and say, Like this," establishes the tone of embodied experience that defines the entire poem. This theme suggests that love, in its fullest expression, cannot be explained but must be lived.

Spirituality Grounded in Experience

The poem also explores the theme of spirituality as an embodied reality. Rumi avoids theological jargon, instead pointing to concrete acts and sensations as expressions of the divine. The "fragrance of God" isn't a philosophical concept, but something to be experienced by leaning close to another person. The raising of the dead by Jesus isn't a miracle to be dissected, but a kiss to be shared. The soul's return to the body is not a matter of faith but a personal experience that one can have by simply walking back into the poet’s house. The sky where spirits live is one the reader is invited to stare into. In this way, Rumi grounds spirituality in the here and now.

The Mystery of the Divine Encounter

Finally, the poem touches upon the theme of the elusive nature of divine revelation. While the poem provides many concrete examples of how to experience the divine, it also acknowledges that these experiences are ultimately mysterious and ineffable. The repeated use of "Like this" acts as a pointer, not a definition. It invites the reader to participate in the experience, rather than simply understanding it. The "Huuuu" and the breeze whispering a secret emphasize the idea that some aspects of spiritual truth are beyond words, only accessible through intuition and direct experience. The anticipation of Shams's return symbolizes a longing for a deeper connection with the divine.

Recurring Symbols: A Tapestry of Meaning

The recurring image of the face and body functions as a central symbol, representing the physical manifestation of the divine. The act of lifting the face, leaning close, kissing, and measuring the forehead all emphasize the importance of physical presence and connection in experiencing spiritual truth. Another recurring symbol is light, particularly the candle in the hand. Light symbolizes knowledge, guidance, and the illumination of the spirit. The act of lighting the candle suggests that we can illuminate the path for others by sharing our own experiences and insights.

Conclusion: An Invitation to Experience

In conclusion, "Like This" is a vibrant and sensual poem that invites readers to experience the divine in the everyday. Rumi skillfully uses concrete imagery, direct address, and a playful tone to convey the Sufi belief that spirituality is not an abstract concept but a tangible reality to be lived and embodied. The poem’s repeated use of "Like this" encourages us to move beyond intellectual understanding and embrace the mystery and beauty of the present moment, finding the divine in love, connection, and the simple acts of being.