Thursday, July 16, 2009

"This Being Human is a Guest House....

I was looking up a certain quote about acceptance, and in doing so, I found this really interesting poem... I never really thought about the image of us humans having to be a "guest house," but it is so true.


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 attend 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.

2 comments:

Suzanne said...

Very different.

Royco said...

This poem is from "The Illuminated Rumi," translated by Coleman Barks [New York, Bantam Books, 1997]