TED: A meditation on Rumi and the power of poetry | Leili Anvar

The video explores the speaker's deep connection to the Persian language and poetry, particularly through the works of Rumi. It discusses themes of exile, identity, and the transformative power of poetry. The speaker shares personal experiences of finding solace in Rumi's poetry during the Iran-Iraq war and highlights Rumi's life journey, his meeting with Shams, and the spiritual awakening that followed. The video emphasizes poetry's ability to connect us with our emotions and provide comfort in difficult times.

What does the narrator consider as an invaluable treasure taken from their homeland?

• The Persian language

• A collection of books

• A suitcase of clothes

• Mount Damavand

Who became the narrator's guide on their poetic journey?

• Rumi

• Saadi

• Hafez

• Omar Khayyam

During which historical event did the narrator first hear Rumi's lines?

• The Iranian Revolution

• The Iran-Iraq War

• The Mongol Invasion

• The Persian Constitutional Revolution

What does Rumi's poetry primarily evoke according to the narrator?

• The joy of childhood

• The pain of exile

• The beauty of nature

• The complexity of politics

What transformation did Rumi undergo after meeting Shams of Tabriz?

• He became a warrior

• He became a poet

• He became a king

• He became a merchant

According to the narrator, what is the central theme in Rumi's poetry?

• Love

• Wealth

• Power

• War

How does the narrator describe the role of poetry in life?

• As a form of entertainment

• As a political tool

• As a historical record

• As a spiritual therapy