Thursday 8 August 2013

I'm in Bits!..

A poem today. This one, by Rumi, has helped me a lot when I am tempted to 'should' on myself. When I am running from parts of me that embarrass me, frighten me, or shame me. When I am becoming dis-int-grat-ed. In bits. The poem encourages us to welcome these parts of ourselves, to embrace them. They hold within them a message...More on that in a future post.

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'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

Translated by Coleman Barks

1 comment:

Mitch said...

There are certain visitors' that are less welcome and some that I wilfully detain. Depression, even it's cousin four times removed is never welcome - but does show up from time to time. Insecurity has taken up residence - long term, but will be evicted soon. But you are so very right. If insecurity did not infiltrated the my abode, I would not know God as my security. If depression had never showed-up - I would never of known the healing hand of the Lord. So, being in Bits! is very human and painful but as the singer/song writer Jason Gray sings 'It from the deepest wounds that beauty finds a place to bloom.' Thanks for sharing your thoughts. Regards, Mitch.