The Guesthouse by Rumi

This week, a little wisdom from the great Persian poet Rumi.


The Guesthouse

This being human is a guesthouse
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 cleaning 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 the beyond

Translated by Coleman Barks

Rumi (Jalal ad-Din Muhammad Rumi) adalah seorang muslim yang ahli puisi, akademisi, dan teolog yang hidup di abad ke 13 di Persia. Namanya secara literatur memiliki arti "Kebesaran Agama". Dia dilahirkan di Balkh (sekarang bagian dari Afghanistan) dan meninggal di Turkey. Hasil karyanya banyak dibaca di Iran, Afghanistan, tajikistan, dan diterjemahkan ke dalam berbagai bahasa seperti di Turki, Azerbaijan, Amerika Serikat, dan Asia Selatan. Dia hidup dan berkarya di jaman kekhalifahan Seljuk. Warisan dari Rumi dianggap telah menyebar ke seluruh dunia dan semua manusia dari segala latar belakang etnis maupun agama .