Islamic Art Studies

Islamic Art Studies

The Manifestation of Positive Psychology in the Divan-e Shams and the Decorations of Rumi’s Tomb Based on Martin Seligman’s Perspective

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Parvin Dokht Rezaei Majdabadi 1
Hossein Parsaei 2
Reza Forsati Juybari 2
1 PhD Student, Department of Persian Language and Literature, Ghaemshahr Branch, Islamic Azad University, Ghaemshahr, Iran
2 Assistant Professor, Department of Persian Language and Literature, Ghaemshahr Branch, Islamic Azad University, Ghaemshahr, Iran
10.22034/ias.2021.303925.1717
Abstract
The world champion of the human epic in Rumi’s Divan-e Shams is a positive, capable, and dynamic individual who powerfully enjoys the present moment of life, optimistically strides toward perfection, and joyfully nurtures the soul and spirit of themselves and others in the journey of life. Mental health is the product of this perspective and belief, which encapsulates the views of positive psychology thinkers. The present article examines and analyzes the evidence and examples of positive psychology components according to Martin Seligman’s theory in the Divan-e Shams. In other words, positive psychology, instead of focusing on disorders and weaknesses, summarizes human strengths into six broad categories: wisdom and knowledge, courage, humanity, justice, temperance, and transcendence. The core theme of many verses in the Divan-e Shams, a portion of which is referenced in this study, is the celebration, promotion, and propagation of these strengths, as well as the concepts and meanings subsumed under these six categories, such as curiosity, creativity, self-confidence, perseverance, love, and more. Using a descriptive-analytical method, this research analyzes selected verses from the Divan-e Shams through the lens of positive psychology, ultimately revealing Rumi’s positive outlook in creating the Divan-e Shams, which highlights the immense potential of Persian literature in psychology. Additionally, the decorations of Rumi’s tomb are examined.
Research Objectives:


To examine positive psychology in the Divan-e Shams based on Martin Seligman’s perspective.


To explore positive psychology in the decorations of Rumi’s tomb based on Martin Seligman’s perspective.


Research Questions:


How is positive psychology reflected in the Divan-e Shams based on Martin Seligman’s perspective?


How is positive psychology reflected in the decorations of Rumi’s tomb based on Martin Seligman’s perspective?
Keywords
Divan-e Shams
Rumi
Positive Psychology
Martin Seligman
Asafnia, A., Hosseini, A. S., & Zaravani, M. (2016). Analysis and investigation of psychological components in adolescent education. Journal of Religions and Mysticism, 1, 21-46. [In Persian]
Balkhi, J. M. (2018). Selected Ghazals of Shams. Edited by Mohammad Reza Shafiei Kadkani. Tehran: Amir Kabir Publishing. [In Persian]
Carr, A. (2006). Positive Psychology. Translated by Hassan Pasha Sharifi and Jafar Najafi Zand. Tehran: Sokhan Publishing. [In Persian]
Dehkhoda, A. A. (1998). Dehkhoda Dictionary. Tehran: University of Tehran Press. [In Persian]
Ibn Abi Jumhur, M. (1982). Awali al-La'ali al-Gharidhiya fi al-Ahadith al-Diniya. Edited by Mojtaba Iraqi. Qom: Sayyid al-Shuhada Institute. [In Persian]
Karimi, R. (2008). Optimistic Organizations. Tehran: Bahar Sabz Publishing. [In Persian]
Karimi, R. (2010). Martin Seligman. Tehran: Danjeh Publishing. [In Persian]
Khorasani, M., & Arabha, F. (2018). Positive psychology in Attar Neishabouri's Elahi-Nameh. Cultural and Social Studies of Khorasan Journal, 3, 57-86. [In Persian]
Mowlana, J. M. (1997). Complete Works of Shams Tabrizi. Edited by Badiozzaman Forouzanfar. Tehran: Amir Kabir Publishing. [In Persian]
Pirani, M. (2013). A look at Hafez's poetry with the approach of Martin Seligman's positive psychology. Seventh Conference on Persian Language and Literature Research, 338-357. [In Persian]
Qasemi, N., & Ghorishian, M. (2009). Positive psychology: A new approach to human nature. Journal of New Psychotherapy, 51-52, 98-114. [In Persian]
Rashid, T., Summers, R. F., & Seligman, M. E. P. (2015). Positive psychology. In Psychiatry (pp. 489-498). Wiley. https://doi.org/10.1002/9781118753378.ch30
Sajjadi, S. J. (1996). Dictionary of Mystical Terms and Expressions. Tehran: Tahouri Publishing. [In Persian]
Schultz, D., & Schultz, S. P. (1996). History of Modern Psychology. Translated by Ali Akbar Seif, Hassan Pasha Sharifi, Khadija Aliabadi, and Jafar Najafi. Tehran: Roshd Publishing. [In Persian]
Seligman, M. E. P. (2000). The Optimistic Child. Translated by Nahid Irannejad. Tehran: Dayereh Publishing. [In Persian]
Seligman, M. E. P. (2013). Flourish: A Visionary New Understanding of Happiness and Well-being. Translated by Amir Kamkar and Sakineh Hejbarian. Tehran: Ravan Publishing. [In Persian]
Seligman, M. E. P. (2019). Positive psychology: A personal history. Annual Review of Clinical Psychology, 15, 1-23. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-clinpsy-050718-095653
Seligman, M. E. P., & Csikszentmihalyi, M. (2014). Positive psychology: An introduction. In Flow and the Foundations of Positive Psychology (pp. 279-298). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-017-9088-8_18
Zamani, K. (2018). Commentary on the Divan of Shams Tabrizi. Tehran: Qatre Publishing. [In Persian]