On dealing with difficult thoughts

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’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, “The Guest House”

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I am indeed a guest house

My mind

My soul

My heart

Find themselves greeting

Each moment perhaps

Visitors

Unexpected and expected

Memories

Thoughts

Fears

Regrets

I am not always a welcoming host

Sometimes I resent the presence of these guests

Wishing I could banish them

I close the windows of my soul

And board up the door of my mind

I hide my heart

And yet though I resist

The violate my space

And roar through my very being

ravaging

Tearing me apart

Until I am littered

With tattered remnants

Of my self

And then in the quietness of acceptance

In the openness of doors

Wrenched asunder

As I pick among the debris

To find that which remains

That which I value

Other guests arrive

Unbidden, unexpected

And gently fill the space

To clean

And restore

To heal

Ah, Sacred One

Ah, Jesus

Ah, Love

Ah, Grace