This collection  of articles by artists,   philosophers, psychologists, and social scientists  explores the Sufi tradition  and its  best-known teacher, Rumi, a 13th-century  poet,   jurist, and philosopher. Setting aside  the standard account of Rumi  as a poet of mystic love, these contributors  view  his  writings  in a  historical context, investigating Sufism's  ties to Islam and the teachings of the Prophet Mohammad and tracing Rumi's influence on Persian and Turkish literature.  The reasons why Sufism has transcended national boundaries and sectarian strife  so successfully are also debated, and several contributors recommend the Sufi message of faith, love, and tolerance as a useful common ground for dialogue  between religious groups.