A little while ago I had read this poem and analyzed it, after I did that I found myself more content and able to accept that my emotions and what I am experiencing is a part of who I am. The poem is as follows:
The Guest House
RUMI
This being human is a guesthouse.
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 honourably.
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.
When I first read this I understood it as it telling us that All of our emotions and thoughts come as friends. Sometimes our emotions come to us strongly, and we may want to push them out of our minds, but this is not what you should be doing. Your emotions come as friends to tell you something, help you out, and help you sort out your thoughts. No emotion is BAD or wrong. They are a part of you and play essential roles, speak with your emotions and see why they have chosen to visit.
As i've continued to think of this poem I've understood what RUMI meant. Your emotions are old friends, here to support you in what you need, although you may not be able to see it, they have knowledge of what you need. Your emotions tend not to be expected, arriving fresh with each passing moment and/or experience.
Even if you do not understand why they are there, or you are not happy that they are there, take time to understand why they are there, and what you can do to help them feel comfortable. These emotions are here to tell you something, and the more honourable/kind you are to them the faster you learn how to speak to them and understand them.
Your emotions are not out to get you or hurt you, they are here to help you.
I have found it easier to listen to the difficult emotions when I speak to them/myself. To do this I tend follow these steps:
Find a quiet and comfortable place to sit
Wrap yourself up in a blanket
Feel your feet on the ground and put your hands in your lap
Relax your face
Allow yourself to breath as your body naturally is, noting the tastes and the smells
Pay attention to how you are feeling (What are you feeling? What does it look like?)
Out-loud identify what the emotions feels like and where it is coming from (ex. a ball of hot something in my throat and chest)
Speak to that emotion "I want to understand you," "I may not like it but experiencing you is part of my life." "I might not like you right now, but you are a part of me"
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