The Harpist, the Moaning Pillar, and the Mystery of Divine Breath | Chapter 11 of The Masnavi
Divine Breath, Miraculous Presence, and the Call to Inner Awakening | Chapter 11 of The Masnavi (Book One) Chapter 11 of The Masnavi is a luminous meditation on divine inspiration, spiritual receptivity, and the mysterious interplay between the visible and invisible worlds. Through a series of interconnected stories—an old harpist’s repentance, Aisha’s mystical vision, the Prophet’s teachings, and the moaning of a bereft pillar—Rumi illustrates how divine “breaths” continually reach the seeker who is awake, humble, and receptive. These breaths, moments of grace that revive the heart, serve as reminders that all creation responds to divine presence, and that the spiritual path requires inward listening, detachment, and readiness for transformation. To experience this chapter’s full depth and its mystical symbolism, watch the complete video summary here: The Harpist in the Graveyard: Devotion, Grace, and Repentance The chapter opens with the tale of an elderly harpist living ...