Mindful Nugget: Gratitude
Some poems capture complex concepts in a nutshell. This is one of them. The Guest House, by Jalal al-Din Muhammad Rumi, a classic writing often used to describe many of the principles of mindfulness.
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 whoever comes,
– Rumi
because each has been sent
as a guide from beyond.
Rumi talks about being human as a guest house because every physical and mind state we experience is impermanent. In mindfulness, we bow to all of our experiences and do not value the pleasant more than the challenging. When we are able to “treat each guest honorably” it is an opportunity to be grateful for the lessons that each brings us.
The Practice:
Read this poem at the start of each day and set one of the following intentions.
- Remind yourself that everything is impermanent so that you can savor the joys and breath through the challenges.
OR
- Greet each “new arrival” with acceptance and gratitude and look for the lesson(s) it brings you.
Be Well,
Ariel