Rumi goes by many names and was evidently born with quite a few. The
author of the Bible book of Ecclesiastes is another writer, poet,
thinker who comments are still quite relevant to our lives today. But
Rumi (1207-1273), born in an area of modern day Turkey is a stalwart
of Afghan poetry and his words speak to all classes and nations of
people today. If you look him up on Google or elsewhere, you can
quickly run into his work called "The Guest House."
"This being human is a guest house.
Every morning is a new arrival.
A joy, a depression, a meanness, some momentary awareness comes as an
unexpected visitor…
Welcome and entertain them all.
Treat each guest honorably.
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."
Iqbal, Gabriel. Rumi Soul Healer: A Transcendental Story of Ecstatic
Passion and Mystical Love (pp. 37-38). Eureka Academy. Kindle Edition.
This blog is not a self-help column but sometimes I get in touch with
good ideas. Yesterday's post about the Zen master woman Sono and the
current preacher Peggy Senger Morrison urged us to be thankful for all
our experiences, both what seems positive and what seems wrong, nasty
and sad. Morrison and Sono urge gratitude for what comes and Rumi
urges extending welcome for what shows up. Between welcoming all and
being thankful for all, we should have everything covered.
