Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing and rightdoing,
there is a field. I’ll meet you there.
When the soul lies down in that grass,
the world is too full to talk about.
Ideas, language, even the phrase “each other”
doesn’t make any sense.
Jalaluddin Rumi (1207–1273) The Essential Rumi,
Translated by Coleman Barks and John Moyne
“This poem embodies empathy for me. It embodies going to a field, I’ll meet you there, let’s start over again with each other, and let’s make this work this time. It’s a beautiful way to say come with me, here’s my hand, join me, we can be friends together, and work towards our connection. I believe that’s what we need most when there is discord in our personal relationships. And, we need it in the world because we’re putting humankind at great risk unless we learn how to go into this field and have empathy for one another. It is there we can have a beautiful change in humanity and in our personal lives. It is there where we can come together when there is discord or disagreement. It is there we can go into the field, start over again, look our opponent in the eyes, and begin to connect. This poem inspired me from the moment I read it years ago. Even today as I read it, it gives me goosebumps. That’s why I chose to put it at the beginning of my book, The Genius of Empathy, because it means so much to me. I also have the privilege of knowing Coleman, who’s an incredible translator and being. So, I want to honor him, Rumi, and the poem which so beautifully opens my heart over and over again.”
Judith Orloff, M.D. author of
The Genius of Empathy:
Practical Skills to Heal Your Sensitive Self,
Your Relationships & the World
