Wednesday, September 19, 2007

meet me at the door laughing



















"there are two kinds of suffering. the first is the suffering that causes more suffering, that we repeat over and over. the second is the suffering that comes when we stop running. the second kind of suffering can lead you to freedom."
- jack kornfield (based on the teachings of ajahn chah - thai forest monk)

"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 or she might 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

1 comment:

L. Espenmiller said...

This is one of my favorite images/statues of Kwan Yin. Thanks for sharing this photo. This is also one of my favorite Rumi poems. Have you read Coleman Barks' translation of it? It's beautiful. I'm thoroughly enjoying your blog!