GETTING INTO SELF
The Guest House
Allowing us to be present and attuned; quieting yourself and going inside; sitting up straight; becoming aware of your breathing, and gradually deepening your breath.
Moving and flexing your body a bit until it settles down; feeling the weight of your legs and letting them relax; feeling the weight of your arms and letting them relax; allowing your shoulders to be heavy and letting your jaw slacken.
Imagining that you’re breathing in cool white mist and breathing out gray fog may help you relax and become still; breathing in white mist; breathing out gray fog; inhaling through the nose (pause) exhaling out the mouth; inhaling (pause) exhaling.
This meditation is about getting into self and allowing self to lead with its qualities and energy; self is a state of being; it is your core essence, in the seat of consciousness.
Your Self embodies and projects certain innate character strengths that will always be present and have always been present. These strengths do not have to be learned or cultivated.
Self is the internal observer of your internal experience and cannot be observed; Self has the qualities of connection, compassion, courage, confidence, calm, clarity, creativity, and curiosity.
I would like to recite a poem. This poem is very powerful when read out loud. It is called The Guest House. It was written by Jelaluddin Rumi
- 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 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 whatever comes. because each has been sent as a guide from beyond.
For the next part of this meditation, imagine that your internal system is your guest house, and parts in your system are the guests. You are extending an invitation to visit the guest house to any parts that need your attention.
Now take a moment and see who the guests are in your house; you are noticing them one by one as they make themselves known to you
The visitors to your guest house can be identified and accessed by self through experiences; and you may recognize these guests as:
- a thought
- inner dialogue
- an emotion
- a felt sense
- a physical sensation
- energy or vibration
- a distraction
- an intrusive thought
- a memory
- an image
- a color
- a shape
- an element such as air, water, fog, light, darkness, or fire
As you invite each of them in, give them a seat at some sort of table or circle; it could be an intimate kitchen table or a large dining room table, a conference table, outside at a campfire or community circle, or anything else.
Place yourself at the head of this table or circle so that you can see all the guests, communicate with them and interact with each of your guests as they take a seat.
Welcome them into your guest house; tell them all “You are all welcome here.” Big or small, loud or quiet, anxious or sad, feisty or sullen, clear or shadowy.
How are the guests responding to Self and each other?
What are the guests saying to Self and each other?
See how it feels for you to be at the head of the table or circle. What is happening in your current experience?
How do you feel toward the guests? How do you feel about how you feel toward the guests?
Can you be curious about them? Are you feeling connection and compassion?
Acknowledge each of the guests one at a time. Say hello to each.
Talk to each of them, and inquire “Who are you? Where do you come from? What is your job?”
Wait for them to answer. What are they saying? How do they feel toward you?
Let them know you have enjoyed getting to know them and that you appreciate them visiting your guest house.
Let them know you have to leave this gathering but they are welcome to stay.
Let them know you will come back another day, and regularly to check on them. How are they responding to your leaving?
Thank them for visiting with you. Say goodbye. When you are ready, gradually bring yourself back to the room.