The Guesthouse

If you haven’t come across the poem “The Guesthouse” yet, it’s definitely worth a read. It was written by the famous 13th century Persian poet, Rumi.

Among many things, the poem teaches us to be ok with our feelings and just treat them like guests in our guesthouse. Rather than resisting the feelings and ignoring them, we want to embrace them and welcome them into our life. Below is the poem for you to read:

The Guesthouse

This being human is a guest house. Every morning a new arrival.

A joy, a depression, a meanness,some momentary awareness comesas 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 whatever comes. Because each has been sent as a guide from beyond. Rumi

Chris Martin from Coldplay featured this poem in one of his songs. A few years ago he was feeling depressed and overwhelmed from the breakup of his ten year marriage to Gwyneth Paltrow. A friend had given him some books, including Man’s Search for Meaning, and Rumi’s “The Guesthouse”. 

“The Guest House” — which suggests “inviting in” dark thoughts — helped him get through the period around his divorce. “It kind of changed my life,” he says. “It says that everything that happens to you is OK. The idea is to accept what happens to you and not run away from anything — and trust that things will blossom and become colorful.”

Below is the song by Coldplay. Worth a listen. Very inspiring!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZbseqGRLfpY