Saturday, February 19, 2011

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~
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12 comments:

  1. FlowerLady LorraineFebruary 19, 2011 at 6:38 AM

    What a great thought, thank you for sharing.

    FlowerLady

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  2. MarcieFebruary 19, 2011 at 9:41 AM

    Wow. That really makes you think! Thank you for the Saturday morning "wake up call." :)

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  3. BalishaFebruary 19, 2011 at 10:26 AM

    I never thought of myself as a guesthouse. What an interesting thought. Have a wonderful weekend.
    Balisha

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  4. LauraFebruary 19, 2011 at 1:47 PM

    one of my all time favorite poems...thanks for posting, for this reminder to welcome our wholeness...even the parts we are not so in love with.

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  5. sallyFebruary 19, 2011 at 10:11 PM

    Thank you for always giving me something not only to read but to feel.

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  6. One Woman's Journey - a journal being written from Woodhaven - her cottage in the woods.February 20, 2011 at 7:38 AM

    Flower Lady, Aisling, Balisha, Laura and Sally, thank you for visiting. A rainy morning in Tennessee.

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  7. AdarleneFebruary 20, 2011 at 11:35 AM

    What a wonderful sentiment to share on this winter morning when it seems as though it was written particularly for me. Thank youl Alice

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  8. One Woman's Journey - a journal being written from Woodhaven - her cottage in the woods.February 20, 2011 at 5:15 PM

    Alice, thank you for visiting. Please stop by again...

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  9. ChristyFebruary 20, 2011 at 10:32 PM

    Wow. This could be one of my favs...thanks

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  10. SharonFebruary 21, 2011 at 8:49 PM

    This is my lifelong challenge. Thank you for this poem today.

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  11. One Woman's Journey - a journal being written from Woodhaven - her cottage in the woods.February 22, 2011 at 6:58 AM

    Christy and Sharon, thank you for visiting...

    ReplyDelete
  12. MsGrayseaFebruary 22, 2011 at 9:30 AM

    The Guest House was used as the basis of a seminar I attended on healing grief last year. So meaningful, and I most certainly needed the reminder of this lovely Rumi piece this morning.!

    ReplyDelete