Indian philosophy believes that the world is just a guest house. Being human is just like being a guest where we come and check in and perform our duties during the period assigned to us by our destiny. Having completed the task, we check out of our guest house and leave this world.
Rumi has extended this concept to our emotions and perceptions as well as to our actions and performances, our inputs and our outputs to be precise. The poem by Rumi is not only beautiful, it also is virtually real, so appropriate by the new norms. What comes to us, our guest house of individuals, is neither by our choice nor by our decisions. When we cannot control them, why to bother about them, why not to welcome these visitors with open arms? This is wisdom indeed. This message from Rumi tells us to maintain our equanimity and sanity without being affected by them.
As for our response, we have to use all the three of our resources, our hands, our head and our heart, the physical, the mental and the spiritual. Comfort or discomfort is just a matter of perception. One can be comfortable in worst of circumstances and uncomfortable in the best. Listening before speaking and understanding before reacting will certainly help with our mental responses. Empathy and gratitude, kindness and compassion can fill or change anybody’s heart to respond back with equal measures.
Time and circumstances are the greatest test of all, they can stretch our patience and resilience to the maximum. Covid-19 seems to be doing the same. All we have to do is to have faith in powers beyond, and trust in our prayers, positive actions and goodwill of humanity. Nothing ever stays the same. This time too shall pass like the old times, and new norms shall become the reality. Curiosity and wonder will make place for acceptance with grace.
The time has come to accept the changing times, the new ways of life and the virtual being as good as the real, be it in socializing, education, transports, or communications. Virtual conferences, virtual tours, even virtual prayers, and worships may have to be accepted as new norms.
Then I wonder why some of us resist in accepting the virtual concept of God as being The Reality.
This brings back so many fond memories of past commencements and of lifelong friendships.
Let me start by congratulating the class of 2020.
Indian philosophy believes that the world is just a guest house. Being human is just like being a guest where we come and check in and perform our duties during the period assigned to us by our destiny. Having completed the task, we check out of our guest house and leave this world.
Rumi has extended this concept to our emotions and perceptions as well as to our actions and performances, our inputs and our outputs to be precise. The poem by Rumi is not only beautiful, it also is virtually real, so appropriate by the new norms. What comes to us, our guest house of individuals, is neither by our choice nor by our decisions. When we cannot control them, why to bother about them, why not to welcome these visitors with open arms? This is wisdom indeed. This message from Rumi tells us to maintain our equanimity and sanity without being affected by them.
As for our response, we have to use all the three of our resources, our hands, our head and our heart, the physical, the mental and the spiritual. Comfort or discomfort is just a matter of perception. One can be comfortable in worst of circumstances and uncomfortable in the best. Listening before speaking and understanding before reacting will certainly help with our mental responses. Empathy and gratitude, kindness and compassion can fill or change anybody’s heart to respond back with equal measures.
Time and circumstances are the greatest test of all, they can stretch our patience and resilience to the maximum. Covid-19 seems to be doing the same. All we have to do is to have faith in powers beyond, and trust in our prayers, positive actions and goodwill of humanity. Nothing ever stays the same. This time too shall pass like the old times, and new norms shall become the reality. Curiosity and wonder will make place for acceptance with grace.
The time has come to accept the changing times, the new ways of life and the virtual being as good as the real, be it in socializing, education, transports, or communications. Virtual conferences, virtual tours, even virtual prayers, and worships may have to be accepted as new norms.
Then I wonder why some of us resist in accepting the virtual concept of God as being The Reality.
Just a thought. Stay blessed and be safe.