The Guest House by Jalaluddin Rumi

The Guest House

by Jalaluddin Rumi 

Translated by Coleman Barks

 

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.

Journey Within (poem)

JOURNEY WITHIN

"Heart... somewhere

in unowned chest."

-- Says a sign

of my lost mind.

 

Im standing there,

in the space

of not existence ...

illusion,

and hate.

 

I walk away from the state

of storm,

while the beast...

is getting born.

Somewhere on the edge

of possible,

there is a bridge,

in a mist

to get out of the land 

of frozen shock.

 

Confusion is walking by,

yealing at me ...

"Choose your way...,

you are... your bard"

 

"Tell own story, 

the essence 

of heart ...   

... get courage,

step in ...

... or you will be forever, sorry."

 

I didn't see through it

clearly.

The storm was close

the fear

around me.

I took a step,

meeting

new

possibility.

The bridge ...

fell down.

 

I was hearing the laugh

of hidden clown.

It took my old me, away.

I yelled,

screamed.

started to pray.

 

"May we be with peace!

May we be safe.

May we all can reach,

the dream of, 

our inner place.

Where we can be

with you, 

seen,

embraced.

Where we can rest,

swim,

find, 

a new breath ..."

 

...

 

The falling bridge vanished,

in the smoke.

 

I got a pair of wings,

and changed ...

a form.

I saw clearly

throught the mist.

 

Flew up,

spread the wings. 

and stopped.

 

Then as a sharp arrow 

 was flaying down. 

 

...

... 

 

I hit the waters

bellow,

the cold waves

of sorrow.

 

My body shifted

to a boat.

to find a balance

to be me,

apretiate the seer.

The sky was dark, 

and lightning-bold

hit me hard.

 

I sank down,

as a fish

to find ...

the treasure

of my last wish.

 

There was a mermaid.

 

She was playfull,

friendly,

the beauty swimming

around me.

 

I was guided

to renew relationship

with me.

 

She was kind,

singing out

the love and care 

I forgot the mess

above

in my head.

We were swimming

together,

 

smiling,

singing,

 

as two naive kids,

as the sparks of life.

Supported by ocean"s

love.

 

I saw the light

new version,

of me.

It was in the rising sun,

in front of me.

 

I felt my heart,

the sanctuary

of play.

 

I would rather be me

than wrestle

someone's

unfriendly game.

I reached 

the place of silence  ...,
a shore with 
cracking sound of fire,

 

found out 

to be loved ... 
by existence.