The art of life
How do you deal with your healing journey?
We encounter, on our inward journey, countless unexpected ‘guests’. The art of life is the capacity to embrace all your visitors, whether you like them or not. I couldn’t describe our path of awakening and healing any better than the Persian poet and Sufi mystic Rumi did in the 13th century.
The Guesthouse
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 (1207 – 1273)