Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing and rightdoing,

RumiEnglish7 lines1 public analyses
Original Poetry
Translation
Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing and rightdoing,
Beyond the ideas of right and wrong,
there is a field.
there's a field.
I’ll meet you there.
I'll meet you there.
When the soul lies down in that grass,
When the soul lies down in that grass,
the world is too full to talk about.
the world is too full to talk about.
Ideas, language, even the phraseeach other
Ideas, language, even saying 'each other'
doesn’t make any sense.
doesn't make sense.
 

Explanation

This poem by Rumi speaks to the idea of transcending the dualities of right and wrong. The 'field' represents a spiritual space beyond judgment and conflict, where souls can connect on a deeper level. Rumi invites the reader to meet in this place of unity and peace. When the soul is in this state, worldly concerns and language become irrelevant, as the experience of unity is beyond words. The poem reflects Rumi's Sufi beliefs, emphasizing the dissolution of ego and the embrace of universal love and understanding. It suggests that true connection and understanding occur beyond the limitations of language and societal constructs.

Word Dictionary9

WordIn EnglishPlain (English)Pron.
wrongdoingbad actionsbad things people dowrong-do-ing
rightdoinggood actionsgood things people doright-do-ing
fieldopen areaa large open space, often grassyfeeld
soulspiritthe spiritual or immaterial part of a personsohl
lies downreststo recline or rest in a flat positionlyz down
grassgreen plantsplants with narrow leaves, covering the groundgrass
fullcompletefilled upfool
phraseexpressiona small group of words standing togetherfrayz
sensemeaninga coherent meaning or understandingsens

Poet & Context

PoetRumi
Era13th century

Jalāl al-Dīn Muḥammad Rūmī, commonly known as Rumi, was a 13th-century Persian poet, Sufi mystic, and founder of the Mevlevi Order. His works, including the Masnavi, are considered some of the greatest in Persian literature and mystic poetry. Rumi's influence extends globally, and he is one of the most popular poets in the world today.

View on Wikipedia
When13th century
WhyRumi's poetry often explores themes of spirituality, love, and the transcendence of the soul beyond the material world. This poem reflects his Sufi beliefs, emphasizing unity and the dissolution of dualities such as right and wrong.
FormMystic poetry

Themes & More

SpiritualityUnityTranscendence
Metaphor: 'field' as a place beyond dualitiesImagery: 'lies down in that grass' evokes peaceParadox: 'Ideas, language... doesn’t make any sense' suggests a state beyond understanding
Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing and rightdoing, by Rumi — Poem, Translation & Meaning