Rumi: An 8-Week Exploration

Jalāl ad-Dīn Mohammad Balkhī Rumi is greatly appreciated in the West, but few understand the depth of his spiritual and cultural context and the Persian language or know the many layers of meaning that have been lost in translations. It will be difficult to grasp Rumi's poetry without understanding his mystical language and background.

Rumi's poetry is an invaluable map of the heart and the spiritual realm.

Through these teachings and providing key translations and contexts, Pouria supports you in embodying and tasting the transformative depth and beauty of these practices and language inside your heart. The course aspires to be an informative and transformative experience.

Date:

September 27 - November 15, 2022
Tuesdays (7-8:30 pm)

Location:

Althea Center for Engaged Spirituality
1400 N Williams Street, Denver, Colorado
AltheaCenter.org

What You'll Explore in These 8 Weeks:

• Sacred remembrance practices (singing and movement)
• Guided heart-centered meditations and movements
• Sacred reading practices, journaling, and offerings
• Introducing the week's theme (selected poems and discourses)
• Exploring the spiritual and cultural context and idioms in Rumi's work
• Embodiment practices

Each week, students will be provided with the following:

• Handouts including the selected poetry (in Farsi/Persian and English)
• Deepening practices, chants, contemplations, resources, and more.

Testimonial/Appreciations

The power of Pouria's teaching comes from this: it is not 'his' teaching. He is a radiant emptiness, like the hollow in the reed flute, that lets the ancient wisdom of the first Sufi's, of Rumi, and of the Christian mystics who were also part of that 11th Century community, play through him like a healing breath. His discourse is a melody, but the one who plays the flute is Rumi. Pouria impeccably translates Rumi's poetry from the original Persian, then unfolds the subtle depths of the Master's words in practical terms for the contemporary seeker. With unmatched media skills, he supplements this wisdom with music, calligraphy, and video imagery that is a feast for your heart. If you have a chance to explore Rumi with him or need a humble spiritual guide, don't hesitate to pass through the generous open door of Pouria!

— Fred LaMott (poet)

What an incredible opportunity to be guided into the mystical heart of the luminous Rumi by a native Farsi speaker and a true exemplar of the love Rumi sings about in his ecstatic poetry and brilliant prose. Pouria carries the direct transmission of his master and shares it with extraordinary insight, humility, and sweetness. I highly recommend this course, either in person or online.

— Mirabai Starr (Author/Teacher)

From the first moment on, I knew I was in the company of a great teacher. This class was like going to church but in the very best way. For days after each class, I would walk around in a state of total peace. Pouria's gift is to be able to turn a poem, or writing, into something that pertains to our world today.

— Chris Janeczko

About Pouria Montazeri:

Pouria Montazeri is the founder of "In the Footprints of Rumi." He shares his privileges as someone familiar with the language, culture, and religious/spiritual background of Rumi to support individuals in understanding what Rumi said and taught, which has been ignored, erased, or misinterpreted through translations and renditions in the West.

He is heavily influenced and informed by Islamic Sufism, Advaita Vedanta Teachings, Perennial Philosophy, and Alderian psychology/philosophy, to name a few.

Pouria makes his living as a Spiritual Director/Coach through his practice, "Axis Mundi: Heart-Centered Coaching," supporting individuals in exploring the interiority of their beings. He is also an Executive Coach and an Organizational and Leadership Renewal Consultant, working with leaders and managers to create healthy cultures at work.

He loves nature and has a love affair with aspen trees, and he can always be found on one of his contemplative sauntering in the mountains with scraps of poetry in my pocket in his home state of Colorado.