The Guest House

The Guest House by Rumi.

Being human is like a guest house
هست مهمانخانه این تن ای جوان

هرصباحی ضیف نوآیددرآن

نی غلط گفتم که آیددم به دم

ضیف تازه فکرت شادی وغم

میزبان تازه روشو ای خلیل

درمبندومنتظرشودرسبیل

هرچه آیدازجهان غیب وش

دردلت ضیف است اورادارخوش

فکرغم گرراه شادی می زند

کارسازی های شادی می کند

غم زدل هرچه بریزدیابرد

درعوض حقاکه بهتر آورد

خاصه آن راکه یقینش باشداین

که بودغم بنده اهل یقین

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.

-- Jelaluddin Rumi,
translation by Coleman Barks