Here are Rumi’s love lyrics to the Shams of Tabriz–the inspirational, mysterious dervish who came into his life unbidden, forged with him a deep spiritual union, then abandoned him and left behind a yearning that Rumi transfigured into the divine Beloved. Here also are passages from Rumi’s great didactic epic, the Masnavi-ye Ma ‘navi, with its countless interweaving tales and mystic teachings. Prefaced by a discussion of Rumi’s life and philosophy, Words of Paradise is a perfect introduction to Rumi and Sufi mysticism.