The Guest House By Rumi

This poem invites you to welcome every emotion as an honored guest — joy, sorrow, anger, and love alike. It reminds you that each feeling arrives with a message, asking to be felt, not feared. By opening your inner door without judgment, you discover that even pain carries wisdom. The Guest House teaches that life’s beauty lies in acceptance — that every visitor, no matter how unexpected, comes to cleanse, renew, and expand the soul.

Transcript

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.