About This Practice
Inspired by the poem, "The Guest House," by Rumi, this practice is designed to help you develop internal boundaries.
Throughout this practice, you will draw awareness to your thoughts and feelings as if they are guests in your house. You can then choose how you'd like to engage these "guests" in a way that serves you best.
The Guest House
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.
Steps
Notice your guests
Visualize your inner self as if it is your house. Then, imagine your thoughts and feelings as guests in your house. Take a moment to notice which "guests" are present in your home right now. What thoughts and feelings are occupying your heart and mind? See if you can notice those guests without attaching any judgment to them.
Choose to engage
Once you've drawn awareness to your thoughts and feelings, you can then choose how you'd like to engage with them. You might consider if your thoughts are helpful in this moment. If they are not, you might offer a polite "thanks for stopping by" and allow them to pass. If you notice a strong feeling come up, you may choose to sit with that feeling and offer it gratitude. Continue to remind yourself that each thought and feeling is simply a guest in your home. You can choose how you interact with them.
Develop your internal boundaries
Now that you've practiced noticing your house guests, you can use this practice as a frame of reference throughout your day when challenging feelings and thoughts drop by. Try your best to look at these objectively and in each moment ask yourself, "How do I want to engage with this guest?"