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On Sunday 29th July, Swamiji participated in the interfaith conference 'Celebrating Rumi and mystics of east and west'. Organised by Professor Constant Mews, and held at Monash University, the well-attended event was a fascinating insight into some key 13th century mystics from the Hindu, Islamic and Christian traditions.
Professor Zeki Saritoprak began the day with a moving insight into the life of the great Sufi poet, Mevlana Jala-e-Din Mevlavi Rumi. He spoke of Rumi's intense and devotional relationship with his teacher Shams of Tabriz, who the poet considered a divine presence.
Swamiji then spoke illuminatingly on the Indian poets saints of Maharashtra whose ecstatic and, at times, earthy abhangas (a verse form) in the bhakti tradition give a powerful experience of god consciousness. Swamiji read passages from Tukaram who epitomises this tradition and whose poetry is the perfect medium for love and devotion.
John Wood finished the day with a charming and often personal insight into the work of Meister Eckhart, a 13th century Dominican whose teachings have many synchronicities with Rumi.
In the concluding panel, Swamiji commented that even though these Great Beings are now long passed, their work still speaks to us clearly and freshly of the divine presence.
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