Lauren Rubenstein, JD, PsyD, is a licensed clinical psychologist in private practice in Chevy Chase, MD, USA. A registered adult and children’s yoga teacher, she teaches yoga and mindfulness in multiple settings, including underserved communities in Haiti, Mississippi and Appalachia. Her humanitarian work in Haiti has been featured in the Huffington Post, Yoga Journal and Mantra. Dr. Rubenstein donates a portion of proceeds from Visiting Feelings to the Go Give Yoga Foundation.

The first lines of Visiting Feelings “visited” Dr. Rubenstein while she was in savasana at the end of a yoga class. She was inspired by Rumi’s “Guest House” poem, which suggests that being human is like a guest house; feelings come and go, and we should treat each one like a guest, welcoming and inviting it in.

Her study of iRest / yoga nidra with Richard Miller, PhD, was equally inspiring. This beautiful guided meditation practice takes Rumi one step further, asking us to experience feelings with all of our senses, using the non-judgmental observation skills  at the heart of mindfulness. So we invite a feeling in for a “play date,” in children’s terms.

Lauren Rubenstein is available for book readings as well as mindfulness workshops for students, teachers, and parents. See the CalmHeart Practice page for information on psychotherapy with Dr. Rubenstein.

The Guest House

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.

— Jelaluddin Rumi, translation by Coleman Barks