Bipolar disorder, formerly known as manic depression, has been a recognised mental health disorder since the publication of the DSM-3 (The Diagnostic_and_Statistical_Manual_of_Mental_Disorders) in 1980.

In no way to diminish the reality of those who suffer from bipolar, human beings have always found themselves beset by extremes of emotion and experience. Jalāl al-Dīn Muḥammad Rūmī most commonly known now simply as Rumi, was an Islamic teacher, scholar, philosopher and poet who lived in the 13th century.

This poem, translated by Coleman Barker, outlines these experiences, and not just the reality of them, but the importance of them, that they are essential, vital to a human lifetime.

There is a stern challenge, of course, in “welcoming in” the bad times, the negative experiences, the things we would give everything to avoid.

But equally, these shadows, these darknesses, offer us eternal truths.

As Ren, the epic singer-songwriter-vocal-wizward says in one of his monologues (which will be featured in this podcast soon…)

“the brighter the light shines, the darker the shadow it casts”

And that is what Rumi provides us with in The Guest House. An encouragement to welcome everything, because in every failure there is a direct dotted line to success, and because your shadows are inextricably linked to your light.

You can read the poem here

For a detailed outline of the mission and purpose behind this podcast, please check out Episode 100, "Why Poems for the Speed of Life?", in your podcast player or ⁠⁠⁠⁠click here to listen on Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠.

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Music Credit:

Once Upon a Time by Alex-Productions | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://onsound.eu/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  | Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com