Beautiful–just beautiful. I really must read The Prophet….. (note to self)

from another of my favorite Mystic poets …
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 it’s 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
and this, along the same lines, from Hafiz:
My Eyes So Soft
Don’t surrender your loneliness so quickly
let it cut more deep.
Let it ferment and season you
as few human or even divine ingredients can
Something missing in my heart tonight
has made my eyes so soft
my voice so tender
my need of god
absolutely clear.
–Hafiz
but one of my absolute favorites is from Omar Khayyam:
Oh, Thou who Man of baser Earth didst make,
And ev’n with Paradise devise the Snake:
For all the Sin wherewith the Face of Man
Is blacken’d–Man’s forgiveness give–and take!

Liked that quote from “The Prophet”. Been a fan of Gibran since 1971. Another of his works that you might enjoy is “Have Mercy on Me My Soul.” It’s in the “Tears and Laughter” book.

I am 52 and can’t believe that Khalil Gibran is still being referenced. I attended a private school in 1970-71 and was required to read and comment on each section. I was the only one, it seems, that countered his commentary.
He was accepted by those that really don’t look beneath the surface of his words then and I don’t see that that has changed.
It just makes me feel sorry for those that think that he was a ‘great thinker’. I’d suggest reading through Psalms and Proverbs a few times … it will supply more help and won’t just be a quick patch of the emotions.

It seems that you are lulled into more emotions and thus more confused with your dilemma whether what is more important: the joy or sorrow. These are just emotions and are passing, like moisture that quickly dries up under the heat of the sun.
My purpose in reading is to seek enlightenment and guidance, not to be anesthetized with poetic verses. Sadly, i find Gibran’s words to be soothing to the mind but not to the spirit.

Annapurna, read the book, u won’t regret! however i would advise you to read each line carefully, read one page and meditate on what you have read for 2-3 days before reading the next page…

@ Charles
whatever, buddy. It was a great work of art that neither you nor I could have written. Learn to appreciate works, instead of telling us to read psalms and such. We have our own religious beliefs, stick to the topic.

@ Charles, I wonder if you even believe in God at all. Because if you do, you’d know God give his children talents. Gibran was talented. Guess where that came from?

Gibran’s writings are multidimensional. But most of all, they are not really describing something in a beautiful or poetic way or providing information. They are footprints of a soul that has traveled through deep valleys and climbed glorious mountains. They are guideposts for those who are on the same path and it is solitary by necessity.
You may also enjoy reading these parables that have a similar flavor to Gibran’s work:
http://www.forbiddenheights.com/main/catforbiddenheights