Wednesday, May 6, 2009

the guest house...



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.


Rumi


image source: mmm_009_updt_by_scarabuss metin demirilay

11 comments:

~CJ said...

Very enlightening and true

That Rumi... I think he was onto something here ;)

Cori Lynn Berg said...

Love Rumi and love this poem! Do you think this speaks of moods of self or others? Or both?

Karen said...

Very nice, Calli. Good advice.

Steve E. said...

Yeah, yeah, yes, Calli, I plan to use this thinking next time I'm asked to be a speaker. BUT I WON'T USE YOUR WORDS -grin! (But I might mention your name and number--just kidding...)

I'm gonna hit the "Rumi" pages again, he reminds me (somewhat) of Anthony De Mello or Kahlil gibran.

As evah.
'roni

Angelynn said...

That is one of my favorite of Rumi's
I read him everyday...and still find new insight and truths. Namaste Calli. Thanks for your comment and following my blog...I hope that you enjoy mine as much as I enjoy yours!
Angelynn

Printemps said...

j'aime cet poeme et merci beaucoup!

Calli said...

To Cori~
I love Rumi and Khalil Gibran, and I always come away with some new understanding about, life, love emotions, etc. To answer your question I feel he speaks of both, his teachings were truly Universal and touched upon those things such as emotions, love, all of it. WE receive love, meanness, sorrows, etc, which in many cases are brought about or upon us by others. Others, along with our own feelings, moods and emotions are our greatest teachers, as well as, our reactions to these things.

That's why I love this poem so much.

CJ~ OH, he was onto 'something'...

Karen~ Thank you!

Steve~ I will have to read more of Anthony de Mello.

Angelynn~ Rumi is perfect for a daily dose of wisdom! :)

Printemps~ merci, merci, beaucoup vous!

Catvibe said...

That is too funny, I was reading this poem thinking you wrote it, and I thought, this sounds like something Rumi would say, and then...! I agree entirely, although the advice is often difficult to follow.

Shadow said...

yes, i tend to agree. after all, you have to meet who you are meant to meant, for whatever purpose...

spottedwolf said...

Hey Hon......love your new picture and here's somethin' I fell in love with back in the early 70s when I was reading some Gibran.

"never treat a brother like a passin' stranger...always try to keep your love-light burnin'...listen closely to his song and watch his eyes for he might be th' prince of peace returnin'"....Leon Russell.

Linda S. Socha said...

I love this. It is one of my all time favorites. I love how you have put it together with the photo. You are very talented Calli
Linda