The Guest House
This being human is a guest house.
Every morning a new arrival.
A joy, a depression, a meanness,
some momentary awareness comes
as an unexpected visitor.
Welcome and entertain them all!
Even if they're a crowd of sorrows,
who violently sweep your house
empty of its furniture,
still, treat each guest honorably.
He may be clearing you out
for some new delight.
The dark thought, the shame, the malice,
meet them at the door laughing,
and invite them in.
Be grateful for whoever comes,
because each has been sent
as a guide from beyond.
This being human is a guest house.
Every morning a new arrival.
A joy, a depression, a meanness,
some momentary awareness comes
as an unexpected visitor.
Welcome and entertain them all!
Even if they're a crowd of sorrows,
who violently sweep your house
empty of its furniture,
still, treat each guest honorably.
He may be clearing you out
for some new delight.
The dark thought, the shame, the malice,
meet them at the door laughing,
and invite them in.
Be grateful for whoever comes,
because each has been sent
as a guide from beyond.
~ Rumi ~
13th Century
(The Essential Rumi, versions by Coleman Barks)
there's worth in those words
ReplyDeleteI've always loved this Rumi poem... thanks for bringing it forward in my mind once again... The dark thought... meet it at the door laughing and invite it in... Yikes! Love, R
ReplyDeleteYou recently commented about how much you enjoy how my brain/heart "thinks" -- well, my dear, we must be kindred spirits...
ReplyDeleteI have been working on another journal piece and contrasting the issues of joy and happiness...one thing about being joy-full is that, even when you are greeting sorrow, and malice and shame and despair, you still have an overwhelming belief in a better day...a better world and there is hope...and there is love and faith so we never meet those srangers without support.
I really enjoyed this poem today...thank you.
Susan
P.S. I found this because I'm searching back through your old posts looking for one that will answer the question, "Why Sweetpea?"
Susan, I am wondering about your question, "Why Sweetpea?" Are you asking about how this blog got it's name - or - .....? Let me know & perhaps I can post about it.
ReplyDelete