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 are a crowd of sorrows,
who violently sweep your house
empty of its furniture,
still, treat each guest honourably.
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 whatever comes.
because each has been sent
as a guide from beyond.
–
By RUMI as translated by Coleman Barks in The Illuminated Rumi
Contemplation Questions
After reading the poem and letting it sink in, we invite you to take a few minutes to journal your answers to the following questions.
- What has arrived recently in your life unexpectedly that could be reframed as an opportunity for growth or learning?
- What is a time in your life that was difficult in the moment that you look back on as a learning or growth opportunity? Perhaps it was an unexpected ending to something that led to a new opening.
- What’s one thing in your life happening at this moment that you can practice being grateful for regardless of whether you’ve labelled it as “hard”, “disappointing” or “unwelcome”?
