“Do not feel lonely, the entire universe is inside of you.” — Rumi

A few months back, I got an apricot mini poodle. When meeting him for the first time, I gazed into his eyes and sensed a deep wisdom filled with love. It didn’t take long for me to name him Rumi, after my favorite Sufi poet.

Yesterday, in celebration of my 70th birthday, I spent a lot of time reading the works of Jalaluddin Rumi. For years he has been my teacher and guide, someone who has given words to familiar experiences and feelings. His poems often have to do with matters of the heart, mind, and soul—and because of all the uncertainty and chaos in the universe, I believe his poetry is something we all need right now.

According to Marianna Pogosyan, Ph.D. (2023), poetry has moved humanity for millennia. Research has shown various reasons why, such as it arouses profound emotions, sends readers on a meaning-finding quest, provides aesthetic pleasure, and is also a place where healing can occur.

Rumi’s poetry offers a deep sense of love while weaving in themes of self-awareness and self-acceptance, which are essential to personal transformation. We also cannot over-emphasize the importance of love and having a deep sense of connection—something that Rumi advocated centuries ago. Being interconnected with the rest of humanity........

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