"clearing you out for some new delight"

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."

by Jelaluddin Rumi, translated by Coleman Barks

original image by shamash

Comments

[Terry]

Wow. Thanks for posting this. I'll be pondering it for days.

[Lamamamajama]

Hi, I was in a grouchy mood after reading an email from my MIL but feel a bit better reading this. I love the photo that goes with it.