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.
- Rumi
I love the above poem for so many reasons! The poem expresses many things but it's core message is also one of the core messages of mindfulness - to be with whatever life brings to us. Whether it comes in the form of a a joy or a great difficulty Rumi encourages us to open ourselves to whatever life brings us - internally or externally. Whatever life throws at us, our attitude and commitment to greet it without fear or loathing, and with whatever subtle faith we can muster, allows us to become wiser, kind and more compassionate toward our self and others.
I like to use the below reminders with my clients to aid in becoming aware while accurately labeling emotions that may feel as though they are too big and overwhelming to sit with:
1.) Remember that our emotions are here for a reason. Our emotions serve as very necessary alarm systems to let us know that care and attention are needed. If we are to ignore or repress these signals, we often suffer much more at a later time.
2.) Remember that emotions have a limited time span, typically only lasting for 30-90 seconds. When we view our emotions and non permeant, we can be much more tolerant of the waves without feeling drowned by our emotions.
3.) Remember to welcome all emotions with an attitude of kindness and curiosity. When we see our emotions as guests, and welcome them ('good' and 'bad') we can begin view them with something to teach rather than a pain to be avoided.
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