When we started his exercise we buddied up with another person, to keep in touch during the week and report progress and share experiences. My Buddha buddy is Tim, who I had not met before, but who has been practising much longer than I have.
We had a very interesting and enjoyable chat today, and among the various things we talked about was texts which inspired us. He mentioned Rumi, who I have read from time to time, but never with much focus. Tim mentioned a poem called ‘The Guest House’, which I had come across before but never properly studied. Rumi was a Persian mystic, born eight hundred years ago in what is now Tajikistan; he was born Jalāl ad-Dīn Muhammad Balkhī, and was a poet, jurist, theologian, and Sufi mystic. Although a Muslim, many people see his poetry as ecumenical, although probably Muslim scholars would disagree. He died in Turkey in 1273, at the age of sixty-six.
This is the poem Tim recommended to me:
The Guest HouseThis 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 ~
Lois Elsden 
Amazing, it’s the second time in a week that this poem has presented itself to me. It’s lovely, and it got me thinking the first time, but now I’m really looking to apply it to my life now. Thank you and good luck with your retreat!
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Thank you too!
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one of my faves Lois, thanks to my yoga teacher Donna Farhi who introduced me to this poem, and I, since then have read it in the classes I teach too 🙂 thaks for bringing it into my consciousness now …
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Thank you!
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Thank you! I remember this one from long ago. It’s a perfect retreat poem! So glad that you brought it to my attention again.
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Thank you!
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Your style is unique in comparison to other people I’ve read stuff from. Many thanks for posting when you’ve got the opportunity, Guess I’ll just book mark this page.
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