Story Summary
Explore Rumi's The Guest House, a profound Sufi parable teaching us to welcome every emotion and experience as a divine guide for our spiritual growth.
This being human is a guest house. Every morning brings a new arrival: a joy, a depression, a meanness, or some momentary awareness that comes as an unexpected visitor. Rumi teaches us to welcome and entertain them all. Even if they are a crowd of sorrows who violently sweep your house empty of its furniture, you must still treat each guest honorably. This guest may be clearing you out for some new delight. Whether it is the dark thought, the shame, or the malice, you are encouraged to 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 divine to lead you on your spiritual journey.
The Moral
Every emotion and experience should be welcomed with gratitude, as they are all purposeful guides sent to prepare our souls for growth.
“Be grateful for whoever comes, because each has been sent as a guide from beyond.”
Fun Fact
The Guest House is part of the Masnavi, an epic poem of over 25,000 verses that is often referred to as the 'Persian Quran' due to its deep spiritual insights.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the moral of The Guest House?
The moral is to accept all emotions, even painful ones, with hospitality and gratitude. Rumi suggests that these experiences are necessary for spiritual cleansing and personal evolution.
Who wrote The Guest House?
The Guest House was written by Jalal ad-Din Muhammad Rumi, a 13th-century Persian poet, Islamic scholar, and Sufi mystic. It is one of his most beloved works in the Western world.
What do the 'guests' represent in the story?
The guests represent the various human emotions and mental states we experience daily, such as joy, sorrow, meanness, and shame. Rumi personifies them to show how we should interact with our inner world.
Why does Rumi suggest laughing at the door?
Laughing at the door symbolizes a lack of resistance and a state of complete mindfulness. It suggests that by not fearing our darker emotions, we take away their power to harm us.
Is The Guest House originally a poem or a story?
It is originally a poem found in Rumi's massive poetic collection, the Masnavi. However, it is frequently shared as a parable due to its narrative structure and moral teaching.
How does the story view sorrow?
Sorrow is viewed as a transformative force. Rather than a negative experience to be avoided, it is seen as a visitor that 'clears the house' to make room for new, positive experiences.