Poem Analysis - This Is Love

Introduction: A Mystical Flight of Love

Rumi's "this is love" is a deeply spiritual exploration of love's transformative power. The poem moves from a sense of active striving and letting go to one of inner peace and profound connection. Its tone is initially urgent and ecstatic, then becomes more reflective and grateful, culminating in a feeling of intimate discovery. The poem suggests that love, in its purest form, transcends the physical world and leads to a deeper understanding of the self and the universe.

Love and Transcendence: Unveiling the Divine

One of the central themes is transcendence. The opening lines depict love as an active pursuit, "to fly toward a secret sky, / to cause a hundred veils to fall each moment." This imagery suggests a relentless desire to break through illusions and reach a higher spiritual plane. The falling veils symbolize the shedding of worldly concerns and the uncovering of divine truth. Later, the idea of taking "a step without feet" reinforces this theme, suggesting a journey beyond physical limitations. The poem is advocating for love that transcends the limitations of the material world.

Letting Go: The Essence of Surrender

Another significant theme is the necessity of surrender and detachment. The lines "First, to let go of life. / In the end, to take a step without feet" indicate that true love requires a relinquishing of ego and attachment to worldly possessions. The phrase "to disregard what appears to be the self" emphasizes the importance of moving beyond a limited, ego-centric view to embrace a more expansive understanding of being. This theme connects to the Sufi concept of fana, the annihilation of the self in the divine.

Inner Discovery: Love as Internal Journey

The theme of inner discovery emerges in the second stanza. The speaker addresses the heart, expressing gratitude for entering "this circle of lovers" and for the ability "to see beyond seeing itself, / to reach and feel within the breast." This suggests that love is not merely an external experience, but also an internal journey of self-discovery. The act of "seeing beyond seeing" implies a deeper understanding of reality that goes beyond superficial appearances. Love, therefore, becomes a catalyst for self-awareness and spiritual growth.

The Eye of the Heart: Interpreting Key Symbols

One of the most powerful symbols in the poem is the "secret sky." This represents the divine realm or ultimate reality that is hidden from ordinary perception. The image of "a hundred veils" suggests the layers of illusion that obscure this reality. The act of causing these veils to fall implies an active and conscious effort to penetrate the surface and access the truth. Furthermore, the repeated focus on "seeing" and "the breast" hints at a particular perspective: the eye of the heart. Could it be argued that the poem implies that the only way to truly see love is to see it with one's heart?

Conclusion: Love's Unveiling

In conclusion, Rumi's "this is love" is a profound meditation on the transformative power of love, emphasizing transcendence, surrender, and inner discovery. The poem suggests that true love requires a willingness to let go of ego and embrace a deeper spiritual reality. By shedding illusions and opening the heart, one can access a more profound understanding of self and the divine. The poem's lasting significance lies in its invitation to embark on a journey of self-discovery through the power of love, ultimately unveiling the hidden beauty of existence.