"The Guest House" by Rumi - The poem that helped me through my darkest moments
A Powerful Metaphor for The Ups and Downs of Life
This beautiful poem by renowned author Rumi has helped me move through my darkest moments in life. I found it over 10 years ago and have held it close to my heart since.
If you’re struggling with something right now, I hope it helps you, too.
What this poem means
Rumi’s suggestion in this poem is to simply be with whatever comes your way in life - whether it brings pleasure or pain - for there is something to learn with each experience.
From a mental health perspective, this is a very healthy way to process emotions and feelings that arise, rather that shutting them out or suppressing them - or letting them overstay their welcome.
I would also add that we can let joys in even if we have sorrows visiting, and vice versa. They can co-exist!
Before I share the poem, here are a few additional tips and strategies to create a healthy mental health mindset and use healthy coping mechanisms:
Step into the role of the observer rather than the thinker of your thoughts.
Get curious about your feelings and emotions rather than judging them. Shaming yourself only creates a more negative environment.
Sit with the feelings and emotions that arise, let yourself feel them and they will move THROUGH you. Suppressing or trying to ignore them will create more stress and resentment. If you don’t allow yourself the space to feel, you’re bottling feelings and emotions up, and they will eventually come bursting out.
Give yourself space and time to feel your feelings. This doesn’t mean to dwell on them, but be careful not to be “too busy” or “moving on” without taking time to slow down and practice self care, whether that’s making yourself a nice meal, taking a few days off, going for a walk, etc.
Look for the lesson in the experience, but allow yourself to feel the pain or anger too. Know that emotions are complex. We can hold space for more than one emotion at a time. For example, if you’re going through grief, you can feel sadness, anger, and happiness at the same time - sadness because the person is gone, anger at the situation, and happiness at your memories.
“The Guest House” by Rumi
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, translation by Coleman Barks (The Essential Rumi)
I hope you enjoyed the poem as much as I did.
If you are struggling through something right now - whether it’s a difficult job situation, a relationship, or something else - and you’d like some additional support, consider a one-on-one session. Click here to request more information & connect directly with me.
Take care of yourself, my friend!
Sending love and light your way,
✨Lo
