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 are 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 whatever comes,
because each has been sent
as a guide from beyond.
:: Rumi "The Guest House"
To live authentically is to welcome the unwanted.
Instead of shaming, it's celebrating.
Instead of hiding, it's exposing.
It's difficult. It's vulnerable. But is there any other way to fully live?!
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 are 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 whatever comes,
because each has been sent
as a guide from beyond.
:: Rumi "The Guest House"
To live authentically is to welcome the unwanted.
Instead of shaming, it's celebrating.
Instead of hiding, it's exposing.
It's difficult. It's vulnerable. But is there any other way to fully live?!
I'm getting Rumi quotes from my new-age-y breathwork friends and from my new-age-y Christian niece. Sweet!
ReplyDeletesw
New Age?? Rumi's words date back to the traditional practices of the Catholic church! We are just a little late in Western culture to embrace this way of living...
DeleteWell, I was joking (trying, at least) with the new-age-y comments, but Rumi and traditional practices of the Catholic church? Where's that coming from? According to the Wikipedia article on him, he was Sufi and Sunni Muslim. Where's the connection to Catholicism?
DeleteRumi is a Sufi Mystic who lived in the 1200's AD... His practices evolved from Islam and the idea of leading people on an inner journey. According to Islam, the inner journey is rooted in Surrender: the 3 pillars of surrender being belief, practice, and experience.
DeleteAs it relates to Catholicism, the most central teaching of Jesus is Surrender. Mystical practices can be traced back to the second century AD beginning with the church Fathers of Eastern Orthodoxy, stemming from the teachings of Jesus (1 John 1:5 states God is light)... the emphasis on personal transformation and social constructionism evolved during this time, as well as meditation on scripture and contemplation ("Lectio Divina" in Latin). Mystical Theology is rooted in spiritual illumination through "presence," which the Catholics defined as God's presence.
All in all - I think all spiritual practices work together in the personal journey of inner growth... no matter which religion you trace it back to. Although, I do find it interesting when mysticism is referred to as New Age, because it is, in fact, so ancient :)
Very cool, Rebecca. Thank you! You just keep working hard in grad school, and I'll tag along behind nourishing myself on your leftovers!
Delete