The history of the Sufi Movement and how it has influenced modern poetry and concepts of romance is better explained by Filip here on Youtube: https://youtu.be/WQirjcT7ENs.  

The Short Version of the Sufi tradition is philosophers, mystics, teachers and Saints that originated in Bagdad in the roots of Islam and then later travelled to India to mix with devotees of Hindu and Buddhist traditions and taught that the rules of religion were not the path to god or happiness.   

The path of looking at the self and your inner world was the path to a closer relationship with the divine and true love.  

They used music, poetry, song, dance, chanting and teachings of the oneness of humanity, brotherhood, kindness and connection of humans to their environment, the stars and the earth.  

In Sydney I'll be sharing a Sufi Movement Workshop starting July 15 2022: https://classbento.com.au/sufi-movement-workshop-sydney 

Famous Sufi poets and writers such as Rumi have influenced the medieval and renaissance poets and writers such as Shakespeare and modern-day artists such as Beyonce who named her daughter after Rumi.   

The romance in the music and the poets of the Sufi go beyond the idea of being romantically inspired by one person. 

The romance is with life itself.  

One of my favorite poets is Kabir who was not just a Sufi he is also considered a Yogi and Saint who was and is revered by Hindus, Sikhs and Muslims.  

Kabir is known as being responsible for the Bhakti movement in India, which is singing and creating poetry full of devotion that inspires romance and deep feelings with the speaker and the listener and brings people to a deep connection to their heart.  

Check out some poetry by Kabir: https://www.poetry-chaikhana.com/Poets/K/Kabir/Mybodyisfloo/index.html  

My body is flooded by Kabir  (English version by Andrew Harvey) Original Language Hindi  

My body is flooded 

With the flame of Love. 

My soul lives in 

A furnace of bliss.  

Love's fragrance 

Fills my mouth, 

And fans through all things 

With each outbreath.