The Path of Blame Summary

Barks's commentary, titled "The Hurt We Embrace," which is the first line of the following poem, talks about the pain of surrendering to love, which brings to light all one's flaws. He says that Shams said Rumi wrote in three ways, one that only Rumi could read, one that everyone could read, and one that no one could read. Shams said that he was the third way of writing, or script. Shams also said that what we're really worshiping is each other. The spiritual journey Shams and Rumi discuss is a difficult one that breaks down the self to find the basic roots of religion in humanity.

Rumi's poem says that embracing hurt transforms it into joy. He uses a silkworm inside its cocoon as a metaphor for man's journey into himself. The poet says he doesn't...