The Rumi Programme is an invitation to explore the timeless teachings of Mawlana Jalaluddin Rumi and discover their relevance to our lives today.
Through selected poems, stories and reflections from Rumi’s works, the programme explores self-knowledge, love, relationships, the ego, personal growth, wisdom and our connection with others and the wider world.
Rather than simply studying Rumi as a poet, we invite learners to reflect on his teachings and apply them to their own experiences and everyday lives.
Three Ways to Explore Rumi
Book One — Discovering Rumi
An introduction to Rumi’s world and his understanding of the human journey. Through selected poems and stories, learners begin exploring his ideas about self-knowledge, love, personal transformation and the search for meaning.
Book Two — Going Deeper
A deeper exploration of Rumi’s teachings and their application to human behaviour, relationships and life’s challenges. Learners are encouraged to move beyond reading the poetry and begin questioning, reflecting and discovering its meaning for themselves.
The 40-Day Rumi Programme
A personal journey with Rumi, one day at a time. Each day introduces a selected verse, story or teaching followed by a short explanation and a question for personal reflection. The aim is simple: to make Rumi part of everyday life.
Together, these three pathways allow you to discover Rumi, explore his teachings more deeply, and experience them through personal reflection and practice.
Learn Rumi Together
Although you can complete Discovering Rumi entirely on your own, we strongly encourage learners, where possible, to form a small Rumi Study & Reflection Group.
Meet once a week in a relaxed and informal setting — perhaps at home, in a café, at your college or online — and share the journey with others.
A Suggested Weekly Gathering
Begin each meeting by listening together to the podcast from the section you studied during the previous week. This provides a natural starting point and reminds everyone of the central ideas and teachings explored in that section.
Then continue your gathering with:
- Listen — Play the week’s Rumi podcast together.
- Discuss — Return to the main question or questions raised in that section. Share different interpretations and personal perspectives.
- Read — Choose some of Rumi’s poetry connected with the week’s theme. Where possible, read both the original Persian and the English translation.
- Reflect — Consider how Rumi’s teaching relates to your own experiences, relationships and everyday life.
- Share — Allow everyone the opportunity to contribute. There is no need to agree; different interpretations are part of the journey.
- Tea, Coffee & Conversation — Keep the gathering informal. Continue the conversation over tea or coffee and allow Rumi’s ideas to lead wherever the discussion naturally goes.
Not a Classroom — A Conversation
You do not need a teacher or lecturer to run the group. One member can simply act as the host or facilitator, helping to keep the conversation moving and making sure everyone has an opportunity to participate.
The purpose is not to decide who has interpreted Rumi correctly.
It is to listen, question, reflect and learn from one another.
Rumi’s poetry has brought people together in conversation for centuries. We hope these weekly gatherings will allow you to continue that tradition in your own way.
Read during the week. Meet once a week. Listen together. Discuss openly. Reflect personally. And enjoy Rumi over a cup of tea or coffee.
