The Guest House

by Rumi

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

A joy, depression, a meanness,
some momentary awareness
comes as an unexpected visitor.

Welcome and attend 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.

Welcome difficulty.
Learn the alchemy
True Human Beings know:
the moment you accept
what troubles you’ve been given,
the door opens.

Welcome difficulty as a familiar comrade.
Joke with torment brought by the friend.

Sorrows are the rags of old clothes
and jackets that serve to cover,
and then are taken off.
That undressing,
and the beautiful
naked body
underneath is the sweetness
that comes
after grief.