I was thinking this morning of the poet, Rumi. Specifically, with respect to ‘greeting’ all suffering, and encouraging the experience to unveil.

Though, in life, we learn to turn away from our pain; to shield ourselves from the upset and chaos – to embrace the ‘simpler’ path. We believe that through minimizing our pain (or, perhaps even avoiding it) we are liberated from the suffering.

But, that couldn’t be further from the truth.

“The dark thought, the shame, the malice…” Rumi writes. “Meet them at the door laughing and invite them in.”

Though, it seems somewhat counter-intuitive to invite our troubles closer.

So, let’s examine that, if we can. In life, there is always a choice. We could turn away from our troubles – ignore and/or deny them. Though, what might we learn? And, more importantly – how do we begin to disentangle from the limitations of these tired, old habits?

Likewise, we could lean into our troubles, to soften to them. In doing so, we may begin to open our hearts, to understand the true root of our suffering.

From the basis of one, we invite exclusion. From the basis of the other, we are offered discovery.

To be truly boundless, we must remove these obstacles of heart. To be truly free, we must encourage discovery.

“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.”

A little something to consider, my loves.

We must learn to be grateful to all things; and, to each…we must learn to welcome them all.

In peace,

Namaste ❤️