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 are 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 whatever comes.
because each has been sent
as a guide from beyond.
— Jelaluddin Rumi,
translation by Coleman Barks
In his timeless poem The Guest House, Rumi—the great 13th-century Persian poet, spiritual master, and Sufi mystic—offers profound wisdom on how to approach our emotions during mindfulness meditation. His words serve as a guide for how to meet our inner experiences with openness, compassion, and non-attachment. Rumi beautifully describes our emotions as guests arriving at the “house” of our being. These emotions, whether joyful or painful, come into our awareness for a reason. They demand our attention for a time, then, just as naturally, they fade away. His advice is simple yet transformative: greet them with love and respect, free from judgment or attachment.
What Rumi captured so eloquently centuries ago is precisely the practice we cultivate in mindfulness meditation today. When we sit in stillness, we notice the thoughts, emotions, and sensations that arise within us. We acknowledge their presence without resistance or clinging. We accept them for what they are—impermanent visitors—and allow them to leave in their own time. Every time I read this poem, I am reminded to surrender to the present moment. It inspires me to embrace life as it is, with all its ebbs and flows, and to live freely and joyfully.
Rumi’s poem is not only a guide to meditation but also a reflection of the human experience. Life is filled with both highs and lows, joys and sorrows. Through The Guest House, Rumi invites us to stop resisting these fluctuations and instead see them as teachers. Every experience, even the difficult ones, carries a lesson designed to help us grow, awaken, and become more fully ourselves. When we welcome each experience with curiosity and gratitude, we open ourselves to profound transformation. As Rumi advises, do not take these moments too seriously—they are fleeting, and they arrive with purpose.
This wisdom resonates across time, reminding us that our true freedom lies in embracing life’s impermanence and living with an open heart.
Rumi’s The Guest House is a timeless reminder to practice acceptance, self-compassion, and surrender. Whether you are on a journey of mindfulness or simply navigating the ups and downs of life, his words encourage us to meet each moment with grace.
Namaste,
Gita
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