This Being Human

The Guest House

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.

~ Rumi ~

(The Essential Rumi, versions by Coleman Barks)

I was gifted with this poem in my email this morning. I've been doing a lot of negotiating with my ego the last couple of months. It has its ideas, thoughts, insights, and stories and the gamut of emotions that arise along with them. I'm listening and taking it all in. Allowing it to guide me and then letting it go. Contemplating this being human as a guest house and all that I invite in.