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Global Spirit

Rumi: Poet of the Heart

http://www.linktv.org/globalspirit/

Why is a 13th century Islamic mystic the most popular poet in America? What do we need to learn from him?

What is the LOVE that Rumi spoke about?

Experience the teachings and genius of Jalaluddin Rumi.

Surprisingly, the bestselling poet in America today is a thirteenth-century Sufi poet and mystic named Jalaluddin Rumi. For eight hundred years, Rumi’s writings have enchanted, inspired, and enlightened Muslims, Jews, Christians, Hindus, and Buddhists, celebrating the sacred in everyday existence, and transcending boundaries of time, place, and religion.

What makes Rumi's writings so enticing and unforgettable? This episode of Global Spirit explores the power and person of this extraordinary poet through conversation, music and film. Host Phil Cousineau speaks with filmmaker Haydn Reiss about his award-winning film Rumi, Poet of the Heart, which will be shown in its entirety as part of the Global Spirit series. Rumi, Poet of the Heart features Coleman Barks, the pre-eminent translator of Rumi today; Robert Bly, a poet/translator who first encouraged Barks to translate Rumi; author Deepak Chopra; storyteller and mythologist Michael Meade; and religious historian Huston Smith. In addition, Oud virtuoso Hamza El Din and singer Jai Uttal offer inspiring accompaniment to this beautifully produced, lively and provocative exploration of the genius and timeliness of Rumi’s emergence in the West.

Sunday, July 18th, watch online and via satellite at 6:00pm PT / 9:00pm ET

Chat LIVE with Haydn Reis after the film at 7:14pm PT / 10:14pm ET

This week's preview is only available on the Global Spirit website.

LIVE Chat

Producer/director Haydn Reiss’ forthcoming film (July 2009) is “Every War Has Two Losers” based on the writings of poet/conscientious objector William Stafford. Featuring Alice Walker, W.S. Merwin, Robert Bly, Michael Meade, Naomi Shihab Nye, Maxine Hong Kingston, Coleman Barks and others. Linda Hunt narrates. Work for PBS includes "Overture: A Conversation with Lotfi Mansouri", "River of Words" with former U.S. Poet Laureate Robert Hass, and "William Stafford & Robert Bly: A Literary Friendship". Mr. Reiss was assistant to director Adrian Lyne on the feature "Jacob's Ladder" and assistant to the producer on Oliver Stone’s "JFK". Mr. Reiss has received grants from the NEA, Poetry Foundation, and the Witter Bynner Foundation for his work. Contact: haydn@zincfilms.com