No Small Endeavor with Lee C. Camp 233: Haleh Liza Gafori: The Poetry of Rumi, Theology, and Social Critique - Poetry Against the Dark
Oct 27, 2025
Haleh Liza Gafori, a poet and translator renowned for her translations of Rumi, dives into the mystical world of 13th-century poetry and its relevance today. She explores how Rumi's work addresses modern crises like anxiety and materialism. Gafori frames poetry as a political act and a means of personal healing, discussing the impact of her Iranian-American identity. With powerful insights, she urges listeners to cultivate joy and inner transformation, connecting personal growth with broader societal change. Rumi's vision inspires liberation from fear and encourages a collective reimagining of a loving society.
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Rumi As Childhood Companion
- Haleh Liza Gafori grew up in a New York home where her Iranian parents brought books and recited Rumi nightly.
- Those household 'Shabashir' poetry nights made Rumi's voice a living presence before she understood the words.
Poetry Reorients Attention
- Poetry helps bring us into the present and cultivates reverence for interconnection.
- Haleh argues that poetry can counter fear and greed by reminding us to use our five senses and feel connection.
Rumi’s Journey To Konya
- Haleh recounts Rumi's early life: born 1206, family moved across Central Asia to escape Mongol invasions, ending in Konya.
- She highlights his theological upbringing and storytelling before he became a famed poet.
