The Guest House by Rumi: Practice Mindfulness Meditation

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

One of the most cited poems by meditation teachers is The Guest House by Rumi. Heard of it? It is a beautiful piece that captures the essence of a mindfulness practice.

The Guest House
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.
— Jellaludin Rumi

My Understanding of Rumi’s Poem

You have a mind that is like a home where all kinds of guests can decide to drop by. Some are guests who lift you up, while others are guests who drain your energy. Typically, especially for those unexpected ones, you would chase them away.

As Rumi recommends, while in a state of mindful awareness, do things differently.

No matter who these guests are, welcome them in with love, laughter and gratitude.

Be present to your guests.

This means paying full attention to them without judgment.

You are simply observing and being mindful.

At the same time, you are intuitively aware that each has brought a gift.

It is a gift of wisdom.

The gift has a core waiting for you to unwrap.

From clearing darkness with insight, your home shines anew!

Who is Rumi

Rumi, as he’s popularly known, was a 13th-century Persian poet, jurist, Islamic scholar, theologian, and Sufi mystic. His influence transcends national borders, ethnic divisions and religious divides. Today, his poems have been translated into many languages. His spiritual legacy lives on through them.

Why should I seek? I am the same as He.
His essence speaks through me.
I have been looking for myself!

Seek not on the outside. The answers lie within!

Love and Abundance Always,

evelyn lim signature

P.S. Let’s encourage and inspire one another on cultivating a mindfulness practice. Please, can I have your help in sharing this post on social media? Thank you! In gratitude and appreciation, Evelyn.

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Sandra Pawula - June 29, 2015 Reply

What a great synopsis of the essence of mindfulness practice. When we truly understand how the mind works and practice staying mindfully aware, we’re no longer fearful of the emotions that used to sweep us away. Gradually, they lose their power to enslave us.

I have an mindful practice and encourage others to try it out. It’s so nourishing to allow your mind to settle and discover a sense of peace while also remaining aware.

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Evelyn Reply:
July 3rd, 2015 at 3:36 pm

Hi Sandra, thank you for dropping by. I certainly would like to cultivate a mindfulness practice and discover peace! 🙂

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Betsy/Zen Mama - June 30, 2015 Reply

Evelyn,
I love Rumi quotes but have never read a full poem. This one really speaks to mindfulness and gratitude. I will be sharing it with others. Thank you for your interpretation!

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Evelyn Reply:
July 3rd, 2015 at 3:36 pm

Hi Betsy,

Thank you for sharing 🙂

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Nancy - July 1, 2015 Reply

Hello.

I understand the appeal and feel the beauty of this poem, yet I find that it is not for me. The reason is that I want to be authentic–at the very least with myself.

What does it mean to welcome pain and deep sorrow with laughter and gratitude? It is just another “should” telling me how I “should” feel. But how do I truly feel? If I truly feel delight, I will laugh spontaneously. If I truly feel grateful, my heart will swell with gratitude. No one will need to tell me what to feel.

In the process of becoming aware, even of pain and deep sorrow–of whatever is authentically felt, which I know through my own body sensations as my inner truth–I have at times found that great relief and gratitude spontaneously arise. When these unheard aspects of me are heard, there can be an unfolding that feels very good. This is not how I “should” be. It does not come BEFORE the process. It is an unpredictable and lovely possibility that can result AFTER and through the process.

I think the important thing about this process is to be with what ever authentically IS at this moment. I am finding that includes especially those reluctances and hesitations and not-wantings that seem to stand in the way, for there are no interruptions. Whatever arises needs to be honored as it is. It needs to be heard.

What is so marvelous about this process is that it is paradoxical. It is only when I can acknowledge and accept myself just as I am, and truly mean it, that the life force is released and that change in life-affirming directions can spontaneously occur.

For anyone interested in checking out the process I speak of, I refer you to the web site about this process. I especially recommend starting with the FREE five-day email course, “Get Bigger than What’s Bugging You.” It is found under “free stuff” on the site and is a well-crafted introduction to how to do this process, which is called Focusing. I have no connection with this Web site, except that I am an individual learning the Focusing process. Here is the link: http://www.focusingresources.com

Best wishes to all of you on you journey!

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Evelyn - July 3, 2015 Reply

Hello Nancy,

Thank you for sharing your views on the poem.

Well, I perceive the poem more like an invitation to open up our minds rather than a “should” or “must”. Also, I believe that it is addressed to the vast majority who feels uncomfortable with embracing how they feel and who would prefer to suppress their emotions.

Feeling pain, shame or sorrow comes spontaneously. Yet we shun them. Instead of avoidance, Rumi is suggesting that we meet them at the meditation door and welcome them in. They are to be seen, heard and embraced.

It would seem to take an enlightened person to be able to welcome the guests in with love, laughter and gratitude. Indeed, most of us will find it hard to do so. Mostly, I’d find it difficult to practice this too.

However, there had also been times when I had laughed at myself as soon as I caught a glimpse of the part that I had played and contributed, prior to even analysing and distilling insights from the situation at hand. And so I believe that it is also entirely possible to first meet a negative thought or emotion with positivity (and to the extent of laughter), with the awareness that we are still caught in the same traps.

Our guest may create havoc by sweeping the house and emptying it of furniture. However, we allow each guest to simply Be. We practice mindfulness, quietly observing and acutely aware.

I enjoyed reading what you said…

“I think the important thing about this process is to be with what ever authentically IS at this moment. I am finding that includes especially those reluctances and hesitations and not-wantings that seem to stand in the way, for there are no interruptions. Whatever arises needs to be honored as it is. It needs to be heard.”

As Rumi has shared, each guest needs to be honoured. So this is in full agreement with your views and experience. The guest may well be a guide from beyond and he or she delivers a divine lesson. Knowing this, we are grateful and able to meet each guest with openness. It truly is an authentic process!

Thank you for sharing a helpful resource!

With love,
Evelyn

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