Yunus Emre, the love journey,

Traveling with your feet along the Sufitrail is difficult now. Traveling in your head in time and space is easier.
I discovered the English subtitled Turkish series Yunus Emre, the journey of love on youtube. This 44-part series, broadcast on the Turkish Public Broadcasting Service in 2015 and 2016, was a success with millions of viewers. Currently, this series is also shown on Pakistani TV and is even recommended by the Prime Minister of that country.
The series is based on the life of Yunus Emre, one of the greatest Turkish poets and a popular saint. He lived in Anatolia in the last half of the 13th century and the first quarter of the 14th century. Very little is historically known about his life. A lot of information can be found in the Sufi stories and legends. Romance is inevitable when making a TV series.
In the series, Yunus Emre is portrayed as a self-righteous judge. Under the leadership of Tapduk Emre, a charismatic Sufi master, he transforms into a Sufi totally devoted to God and seeking unity. And it is precisely this process of change that is interesting for anyone interested in a profound spirituality. Yunus's battle with himself, his supposed progress repeatedly punished mercilessly by his tutor. That teacher puts him back on the road to the next stage where the whole process repeats itself. In the end, the great poet is born who gives shape to his experiences of his quest in beautiful poems.
There is still more to discover. There are the unforgettable expositions of Tapduk Emre to his dervishes. Admittedly not always easy to follow for the interested, also partly due to the rather peculiar English subtitles. But those who do not cling to words gain a wonderful access to the wisdom of the Sufi tradition.

Marcel Schuurmans