The Guest House

This human being 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.

(Rumi, shared by relaXman in the Personal Development for Smart People forum)

When does your I tend to deviate from the Tao? When you are down, depressed, beaten up! The other side of the coin, however, is if everything is going your way and everyone is bowing before you. It is then when you become arrogant and start overlooking the signs the Tao sends your way. The trick is to welcome every emotion with full alertness and already be prepared for the upcoming change. If you embrace your life's ups and downs equally with open arms, you and the Tao will merge as one. As time goes by, the wild emotional swings will become a steady state of serene joy.