This being human is a guest house. Every morning a new arrival… Be grateful for whatever comes because each has been sent as a guide from beyond.

Jalaluddin Mevlana Rumi

The Guest House

Topic: Self-Cultivation & Health

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.

Jalaluddin Mevlana Rumi

Jalal ad-Din Muhammad Rumi, born on September 30, 1207, and also known as Jalaluddin Mevlana (Mawlānā) Rumi, J. M. Rumi, or simply as Rumi in the Western world, was an extraordinary poet, philosopher, and Sufi mystic. He was a prominent figure in the Islamic world, born in the region of present-day Afghanistan, then within the greater Persian Empire, and later settled in Konya, present-day Turkey. Rumi's passionate love for humanity and his deep spiritual insights transcended geographical, linguistic, and cultural barriers, making his poetry and teachings resonate not only within the Islamic world but also with audiences globally.

Rumi's spiritual journey led him to develop a unique approach to Sufism that emphasized love, tolerance, and the pursuit of enlightenment. He created a fusion of traditional Islamic beliefs with mysticism, nurturing a school of thought that flourished in his followers. They established a sect known to the Western world as the 'Whirling Dervishes', a term derived from their mesmerizing practice of whirling as a form of physical meditation. The proper name for this branch is the Mevlevi order, dedicated to preserving and promoting Rumi's teachings.

In addition to being a mystic, Rumi was an accomplished scholar and theologian who left behind an impressive literary legacy. His best-known work, the Mathnawi or Masnavi, is a six-volume poetic epic that explores themes of love, divine mystery, and human connection to the spiritual world. Rumi's poetic style is marked by profound emotion and philosophical depth, weaving metaphors and allegory to create timeless pieces that continue to inspire readers today. Rumi's influence reaches far beyond his time, as his teachings on love, compassion, and unity continue to touch the hearts of millions, transcending barriers of religion, culture, and era.

(1207-1273) Islam

Rumi, Jalaluddin. Rumi: Selected Poems. Translated by Coleman Barks, John Moyne, A. J. Arberry, and Reynold Nicholson, Penguin Books, 2004.

Jalaluddin Mevlana Rumi

Theme: Healing

About This Jelaluddin Mevlana Rumi Quotation [Commentary]

Jelaluddin Mevlana Rumi’s quote, “This being human is a guest house. Every morning a new arrival… Be grateful for whatever comes because each has been sent as a guide from beyond,” reflects a profound understanding of the human condition. Rumi uses the metaphor of a guest house to describe the human experience, suggesting that emotions and experiences are temporary visitors that come and go. This imagery emphasizes the transient nature of our feelings, whether they are joyful or sorrowful, and encourages an attitude of acceptance towards them. By welcoming each “guest” with grace, Rumi implies that these experiences, regardless of their nature, contribute to our personal growth and self-awareness.

In the broader context of Rumi’s passage, he elaborates on this metaphor by advising us to “welcome and entertain them all.” This includes not just the positive emotions but also the “crowd of sorrows” that might leave us feeling empty and disoriented. Rumi’s suggestion to treat each guest honorably, even the painful ones, highlights the idea that suffering and hardship can pave the way for new delights and deeper insights. This perspective aligns with the theme of “Being in Self,” as it calls for a deeper engagement with our inner experiences, fostering a sense of inner resilience and understanding. By meeting dark thoughts and negative emotions with laughter and openness, Rumi encourages us to transform these experiences into opportunities for self-discovery and growth.

Rumi’s concluding advice to “be grateful for whatever comes” encapsulates his holistic view of human existence. He sees every emotion and experience as a “guide from beyond,” suggesting a divine purpose behind our daily trials and triumphs. This gratitude is not merely for the sake of positivity but is rooted in a recognition of the inherent value and lessons each experience brings. In the journey of “Being in Self,” this attitude of gratitude becomes a guiding principle, helping us to navigate the complexities of life with grace and wisdom. Rumi’s timeless words remind us that by embracing the full spectrum of our human experience, we can cultivate a deeper connection with our true selves and the divine.

Additional Jelaluddin Mevlana Rumi Quotations

Be with those who help your being.
Don’t sit with indifferent people, whose breath
comes cold out of their mouths.
Not these visible forms, your work is deeper.
A chunk of dirt thrown in the air breaks to pieces.
If you don’t try to fly,
and so break yourself apart,
you will be broken open by death
when it’s too late for all you could become.
Leaves get yellow. The tree puts out fresh roots
and makes them green.
Why are you so content with a love that turns you yellow?

—Rumi. “Be with those who help your being.” Translated by Coleman Barks, HarperOne, 1995.

God has made Existence magnificent,
He has made it through nonexistence.
He has concealed the sea
And exposed the foam,
Concealed the wind and displayed the dust.
The whirling dust flies like a dancer,
The wind is invisible, known only by trust,
The foam moves all about you,
But without the sea no whirling takes place.
Thought is hidden, speech is manifest.

—Rumi. “Magnificent Existence.” Translated by Philip Dunn, Love Poems of Rumi, Element Books, 1998.

The Guest House

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