The Guest House

In this blog post, I share a poem by the Sufi mystic Rumi. I hope you like it. It's titled the Guest House.

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

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A joy, a depression, a meanness,
 some momentary awareness comes
 as an unexpected visitor.

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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.

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The dark thought, the shame, the malice,
 meet them at the door laughing,
 and invite them in.

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Be grateful for whoever comes,
 because each has been sent
 as a guide from beyond.