Channelizing the Therapeutic Powers of Sufi Poetry in the Modern World

Abstract

In the post-9/11 scenario, modern world appears to be rife with wars, suspicion, threats, mistrust, insecurity, arson and
inflation. What seems to loom large is the global fear of a third world war. The world searches for channels which can ensure lasting
peace and minimize violence in the world. In order to achieve harmony and peace in the world, in addition to other things, promoting
literature that preaches universal love may help. We need to channelize therapeutic words from literature that can purge our mind-sets of
jingoistic, chauvinistic and xenophobic tendencies and ethno-linguistic conflicts. The therapeutic power of words is channelized in
Psychotherapy, bibliotherapy and poetry therapy. Bibliotherapy and poetry therapy have been applied in various rehabilitation centers
and hospitals to cure people of their memories of their traumatic experiences. News reports reveal that the poetry of Rumi has risen from
the Mediterranean region and entered American culture. Generalizing from such developments, experiments, reports and observations,
the paper explores the possibility of large scale, mass poetry therapy involving multicultural and multilingual people of the global village.
It tries to figure out poetry that can bridge gaps in the global community. It looks at the capacity and suitability of the classical Muslim
Sufi poetry to meet these needs and challenges of the present age of information. Being an embodiment of universal love, peace and
humanitarianism, if promoted effectively on media, it may help in minimizing war and violence in the world.