[shanhaiguan]

Perhaps, but I would be cautious in saying that even present-day Sufis from traditional orders are especially representative of a normative ideal of 'Sufism', especially those who have exposure by social media and the internet to huge audiences and to the West. This is partially what I think is common sense and partially from some personal experience. My working conjecture is that if such people like Rumi and other ancient Sufis like Hallaj, Junayd, Ibn Arabi, &c. genuinely exist today, they won't be easily found without intense search.

There is probably no doubt that the line from Barks' translation has much to offer readers who ponder it. If it provides benefit, people should keep using it. But they should be more clear in attribution - I would be happy if the quote was always presented alongside Coleman Barks' name, the same way Ezra Pound's translations of Li Bai are attributed more to Ezra Pound than to Li Bai.

[dang]

I take your point and am interested in your perspective!