Mawlana Jalaluddin Rumi, a 13th-centry Persian Sufi poet, is one of the most widely-read poets today. But who was Rumi really? How do we know what we know about him? How did he become a passionate poet of love? What was the nature of the relationship between Rumi and his beloved friend Shams? What are the key notions in the thousands of Rumi poems? What are Rumi's essential teachings for transformation and spiritual growth? How can we use his poetry as meditation? How is Rumi related to our modern world and life? How do Rumi's views compare with the teachings of the Buddha? What is the position of Jesus Christ in Rumi's poetry and faith? Why is Rumi's poetry so popular seven centuries after his life? These are among the major questions explored in this book. This comprehensive package of information and reflections on Rumi's life, poetry, and vision draws on original works in Persian including Rumi's own poetry and historical texts. This volume of essays will be useful to all who want to understand Rumi in greater detail in order to better situate his ideas and better appreciate his poetry.