04:51

Five Minutes Of Ancient Wisdom - The Guest House

by Tony Brady

Rated
4.9
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talks
Activity
Meditation
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Everyone
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Some of the events that arise today will be pleasant, and we welcome these happenings with open arms. We are less enthusiastic about the difficult experiences of the day, We are inclined to push these to one side. We might even fall back on our habit of operating on autopilot and responding in a way that adds to the difficulty. The poet Rumi has some words that will help us to greet the events of the day with calmness and balance. Music: Deep Meditation by Grand Project via Pixabay. Image by Ken Haines from Pixabay Trigger Warning: This practice may include references to death, dying, and/or the departed.

WisdomMeditationGratitudeImpermanenceAcceptancePoetryEquanimityMindfulnessGratitude PracticeImpermanence AwarenessEmotional AcceptanceRumi PoetryEquanimity CultivationNew Start

Transcript

Dear friends,

It is a new day.

Our first thought should be one of gratitude.

We are here.

We are amazingly and extraordinarily here.

Who knows what awaits us in the day ahead.

Hopefully,

We will have made our plans.

After all,

Without some indication of where we wish to go,

We may find ourselves drifting in circles.

But life teaches us that our plans should be written in pencil rather than in ink.

As if to prove this point,

Just as I had written down these words in preparing this reflection,

I received a phone call telling me of the sudden death of my niece.

I share this sad news with you as an on-the-spot proof of the fact that we never know what awaits us in the day ahead.

Some of the events that arise today will be pleasant.

We welcome these happenings with open arms.

We are less enthusiastic about the difficult experiences of the day.

We are inclined to push these to one side.

We might even fall back on our habit of operating on autopilot and responding in a way that adds to the difficulty.

The poet Rumi has some words that will help us to greet the events of the day with calmness and balance.

He compares this life of ours to a guesthouse,

Which indeed is the title of the poem.

This being human is a guesthouse.

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 honourably.

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.

The Guesthouse by Rumi.

The Guesthouse teaches us to welcome all of our emotions and experiences with an attitude of acceptance rather than resistance.

It's a reminder to us that every encounter serves a purpose.

Everyone arrives as a teacher or a guide.

If we are prepared to open our minds to the possibilities that each new day offers,

We will greet people and events in a spirit of equanimity.

We will avoid our tendency to prejudge,

Our habit of falling into the black hole of pre-existing conclusions.

Every day is a clean sheet,

A new beginning.

Let us not start scribbling on the sheet in advance.

Namaste.

Meet your Teacher

Tony BradyDublin

4.9 (308)

Recent Reviews

Marlene

January 27, 2026

There is SO much in this short meditation. Exactly what I needed on this day and the days ahead. THANK YOU!!

Loretta

December 10, 2025

My deepest condolences Tony & family🌹. I really needed to hear this powerful lesson today and will focus on shifting my perspective before scribbling on the page. Thank you Tony! Bookmarked!🙏

Tara

September 27, 2025

My condolences on the leaving of your niece, we must take nothing for granted. Rumi never disappoints with his wisdom. Thank you, Tony 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

Helen

June 19, 2025

Thank you Tony the poem was lovely and the explanation of it was very helpful. Your introduction before the poem was very wise. Your words have had a positive impact I feel hopeful 🌻

Marjon🌸

June 15, 2025

Such a beautiful and powerful meditation. I love Rumi’s Guest House and your words in this meditation speak to my heart. Thank you dear Tony for all you do here on Insight Timer for us and thank you for your beautiful Wednesday lives 🙏💜🌺 I’m sorry for the loss of your beloved niece . My sincere condolences 💐 ❤️

Miche11e

June 11, 2025

Thank you this was beautifully done I'm sorry for your loss. The music was so calming can you please tell me what the name of it is? 🙏

Karen

June 6, 2025

Lovely reflection on Rumi’s poem, thank you. So sorry for yours and Fran’s loss, may your niece rest in peace 🙏🏻❤️

Elaine

June 1, 2025

So much wisdom in a short talk. Thank you Tony for sharing your thoughts. May you be blessed today. ❤️🙏

Sansa

May 31, 2025

Ohhh Tony, I’m sorry to hear about your niece. Thank you for sharing your love and wisdom through it all. You are a brilliant example. We love youuu!!

Daphne

May 31, 2025

So sorry for the loss of your niece.🌷💕Thank you for sharing this beautiful reminder. Much gratitude 🙏

Shauna

May 31, 2025

Condolences on the loss of your niece Tony, much love and light to you 💕

Bryan

May 31, 2025

Thank you for sharing the poem and reflections. So meaningful. 🙏🕊️

Muna

May 31, 2025

Beautiful reflection. Sorry for the sad news you shared with us. May the love of God fill your heart, and shine through you this week and always. Many blessings.  🙏💕✨🙏🏻

Deanna

May 31, 2025

Thank you Tony! Another great and extremely helpful beginning to a morning that is filled with anxiety about errands that MUST get done and I cannot put off. I appreciate you. I am so sorry to hear about your Niece. Sending love and keeping you and your family in prayer during this time.

Judy

May 31, 2025

Thank you for the message of this post, it was certainly timely for me. Please accept my condolences to you on your loss of your niece and sending caring thoughts to all who loved her.

Barb

May 31, 2025

Oh Tony I’m am so very sorry about your dear niece. I will hold you and your families in my heart and pray for peace during this very difficult time. I am getting ready to go to my dads funeral today, My siblings and I have had such a difficult 2025, loosing both our parents in 4 months. But we have been so blessed to have had them as long as we have. They are finally reunited and that makes this a little easier knowing that. It has also really been good to let go of things that really don’t matter. To cherish today and live as much with kindness to others and at least for me to tell everyone who means something to you how much you love and appreciate them. You never know when that may be your last time to be with them. Please take care of yourself. And even though you were given such hard news ….. you still showed up for all of us. That my friend is beautiful. Thank you Tony. You have helped me more then you know these last few months. If I can help you now please know I’m hear. 💕🙏🏻

Susan

May 31, 2025

Oh Tony. So sorry to hear about your niece 😔. Blessings to you and your family as you navigate thru this loss 🙏🏻

Marco

May 31, 2025

Deepest condolences with the passing of your niece 🙏

Deneen

May 31, 2025

I love the sentiment that each day is a blank page and not to scribble on it in advance. Thank you and Namaste’.

Bella

May 31, 2025

So wonderful Tony, as always I enjoy your thoughts and words of encouragement and wisdom. I’m very sorry to hear about your niece. ❤️‍🩹 You said something very important about just being on autopilot. I’ve been actively working on not answering people on autopilot and really take a second to feel what I really feel before I respond. That was a confirmation for me that you spoke abt autopilot. Wishing good vibes for your family Tony. 🫶🏽🫶🏽🫶🏽💕💙♥️♥️ Thank you for your authenticity and transparency. Namaste 🙏🏽

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© 2026 Tony Brady. All rights reserved. All copyright in this work remains with the original creator. No part of this material may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the copyright owner.

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