The Guest House

The Guest House is a beautiful and profound poem attributed to the 13th-century Persian poet Jalaluddin Rumi. In just a few lines, it encapsulates a powerful message about acceptance, mindfulness, and embracing the full spectrum of human emotions

Transcript

The Guesthouse by Rumi This,

Being human,

Is a guesthouse.

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 honourably,

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.

Reviews

Thank you for this lovely reading of a wise and inspiring poem.