Dealing with emotions (Guest House poem)
Suppression of our emotions is associated with both psychological and physiological health damage. The Guest House poem is a way of explaining mindfulness and the importance of acknowledging and accepting unpleasant emotions.
The Guest House by Jelaluddin Rumi
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.
Reflection Questions
1. How do you interpret the poem?
2. What emotions visit you most often? Why do you think that is?
3. How might it affect you if you welcomed all your emotions rather than denying them? What benefits could there be in welcoming unpleasant emotions?
4. How might you apply the message of The Guest House to your everyday life?
(source:PositivePsychology.com)
Reflection Questions
1. How do you interpret the poem? Not necessarily an interpretation but I loved how the poet described each emotion as a visitor because our emotions do visit us at different times and can come as more than one.
2. What emotions visit you most often? Why do you think that is? I've definitely been trying to experience more joy in my life because with the current state of the world, it's so easy to fall into depression and sadness and it can be easy to overlook the good that is around us.
@CheeryMango
I completely agree with you! It is easy to fall into sadness/depression at that time due to uncertainty, sickness, etc. I really wish the world would get back to normal very soon. However, it is really important to try and see the nice things that are still there and appreciate them. Thank you for this reminder :)
