This so resonates as I often use the metaphor of “gremlins in the basement” to discuss the suppression of our uncomfortable feelings, shadow parts, and painful memories & reference “inviting them in” as Rumi does in his poem below:
The Guest House by 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’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.
— Jalaluddin Rumi, translation by Coleman Barks (The Essential Rumi)
Your beautiful insights on acceptance of one's shadow make me think of an analogous situation with pain: the more we resist it, the greater the pain's intensity. When we relax, suddenly what was painful is less so. We really are here to experience it all...
This so resonates as I often use the metaphor of “gremlins in the basement” to discuss the suppression of our uncomfortable feelings, shadow parts, and painful memories & reference “inviting them in” as Rumi does in his poem below:
The Guest House by 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’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.
— Jalaluddin Rumi, translation by Coleman Barks (The Essential Rumi)
Yes! I love that Rumi poem too. And your metaphor of gremlins in the basement.
Your beautiful insights on acceptance of one's shadow make me think of an analogous situation with pain: the more we resist it, the greater the pain's intensity. When we relax, suddenly what was painful is less so. We really are here to experience it all...