This book offers a paradigm shift and fresh interpretation of Rumi's message. After being disentangled from the anachronistic connection with the Mevlevi order of Islamic Sufism, Rumi is instead placed in the world of philosophy.

"In these troubled times, when many focus their attention on the differences between religions, Vaziri masterfully presents us with the vision of one of Islam's greatest saints who perceived the same divine spirit of love and wisdom operating in all religions." - Mark S. G. Dyczkowski, Sanskritist and Scholar of Kashmir Shaivism and Tantra

"The author draws a new and unusual picture of Rumi a picture not only of a great poet, but also of a great philosopher. Vaziri places Islamic mysticism and philosophy into a comprehensive intercultural context, revealing many surprising parallels between Western, Near Eastern, and Indian thought systems and cultures." - Reinhard Margreiter, Emeritus Lecturer of Philosophy, Humboldt University Berlin, Germany