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,
translation by Coleman Barks

Tripping over Joy

What is the difference
Between your experience of Existence
And that of a saint?

The saint knows
That the spiritual path
Is a sublime chess game with God

And that the Beloved
Has just made such a Fantastic Move

That the saint is now continually
Tripping over Joy
And bursting out in Laughter
And saying, "I Surrender!"

Whereas, my dear,
I am afraid you still think

You have a thousand serious moves

- Hafiz

You've pursued this dream
for a long while

caught glimpses of her white heels
disappearing around corners.

Finally, you arrive at the edge of
the woods where she waits.

You're dishevelled, out of breath
a little afraid.

She smiles, turning to you
your own beloved, unfamiliar face.

- Hiro Boga

Cutting Loose

​Sometimes from sorrow, for no reason,
you sing. For no reason, you accept
the way of being lost, cutting loose
from all else and electing a world
where you go where you want to.

Arbitrary, a sound comes, a reminder
that a steady center is holding
all else. If you listen, that sound
will tell you where it is and you
can slide your way past trouble.
​
Certain twisted monsters
always bar the path—but that's when
you get going best, glad to be lost,
learning how real it is
here on earth, again and again.

- William Stafford