Written by Jaden Parker
Rumi Day is celebrated every 30th of September to commemorate the life and works of poet Jalāl ad-Dīn Muhammad Rūmī. Born in 1207 in either present-day Afghanistan or present-day Tajikistan, Rumi was an Islamic Jurist before jumping into poetry at the age of 37. Writing in Persion, he was a Muslim follower of the Sufi faith.
He was rumored to have had an intimate relationship with his mentor Shams, a wandering, holy man. When Shams was mysteriously killed in 1248, Rumi became extremely depressed, resulting in him writing the Diwan-i Shams-i Tabrīzī, a collection of over 40,000 verses dedicated to Shams. Rumi, whose name is derived from the Arabic word for “Roman,” died in 1273, but he is actually the best-selling poet in the United States. Every December 17th, a whirling dervish ceremony happens annually at his tomb in Turkey.
I, like many others, was extremely moved by his poetry. I have copied a translation of one of my favorites below for you to read on this day celebrating him. Enjoy!
The Guest House
By Jalāl ad-Dīn Muhammad Rūmī
Translated by Coleman Barks
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 same, 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.
