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.
This poem, titled “The Guest House,” is by the 13th-century Persian poet Rumi. It employs the metaphor of a guest house to explore the nature of the human experience and our relationship with our emotions and thoughts.
The central theme of the poem is the acceptance and embrace of all human experiences, both positive and negative. Rumi suggests that by welcoming and acknowledging these experiences, we can gain wisdom and personal growth. The poem promotes a non-judgmental and open-minded approach to life, encouraging readers to see challenges and difficulties as opportunities for self-discovery and transformation.
The metaphor of the guest house is particularly effective in conveying the idea that our thoughts and emotions are transient and separate from our core being. By viewing them as visitors, we can develop a sense of detachment and avoid over-identifying with them.
The final line, “each has been sent as a guide from beyond,” suggests that every experience, even the difficult ones, has a higher purpose and can serve as a teacher or guide on our life’s journey. This idea is rooted in Rumi’s spiritual beliefs and encourages a sense of trust in the unfolding of life’s events.
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