Friday, December 05, 2008

clearing you out for some new delight

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.

Source: Rumi, The Guest House

via inward/outward

3 comments:

Sarah Louise said...

This morning: a meanness. Thank you for this.

xo,
SL

bobbie said...

you're welcome sl - i needed to re-read this myself this morning...

Togenberg said...

Rumi!

Man the Plymouth Brethren are way behind us in the rear view mirror now!