Who Are These Two? Summary

Coleman Barks' commentary tells the story of Jelaluddin Rumi, a Middle Eastern doctor of theology living in Turkey, meeting Shams, an uneducated wandering dervish monk. Shams asked Rumi who was greater, Muhammad, the messenger of God, or Bestami, a mystic who claimed to be one with God. Rumi realized the greatness of Shams and his depth of thinking, and fell off his donkey, unconscious. Rumi, on regaining consciousness, replied that Bestami saw only a small portion of knowledge and glory, while Muhammad realized the depth and breadth of glory that he'd only tasted. Shams, too, realized the greatness of Rumi's thought and found a spiritual fellowship with him.

Rumi and Shams went on long retreats together, but Rumi's students saw Shams as a madman. Eventually, Shams was forced out of the area. Rumi sent his son Sultan...