June 27, 2009

This being human

Here is an interesting poem from the Sufi poet Rumi, a 13th century poet from Persia.

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 it's 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.


There is a lot of wisdom in this; a lot I can learn from. This is about accepting life as it and whatever comes to us.

2 comments:

Ultra Dave said...

That is a great poem, thanks for sharing it. Too bad such things aren't taught in high school. The world may have turned out much differently if it had.

Ur-spo said...

I love Rumi !
He wrote one of my favorite poems.