Robert Moss on Substack
Expecting the Unexpected Guest
August 21, 2026
The best-loved of the Sufi poets, Jalaluddin Rumi, helped inspire this game. The purpose is to take a close look at some of the moods and feelings that turn up at our door, like unwanted guests and distract us from what we are trying to do and can even crush the joy and the juice out of us. “Negative” feelings that surprise us may range from impatience or anxiety to rage or fear or guilt. Yet we can also be diverted or swamped by feelings that have a better reputation — like empathy or pity — if we can’t contain or channel them.
Rumi gave the general idea in a poem titled “The Guest House”. Here I am borrowing from the fluid version rendered by Coleman Barks. In Rumi’s poem, each of us is like a guest house where visitors are turning up at all hours, and we need to be ready to receive them in appropriate ways. These visitors are moods and feelings.
PODCAST: The Living Power of Your Dreams
Robert talks to Katherine Bell on Dream Journal
PODCAST: A Vast Journey into the Underworld of Dreams
with Andrew Holocek on Edge of Mind
PODCAST: Growing Big Dreams
with Jim Lefter on Big Universe
DREAM DRAWINGS
Dream-inspired art by Robert Moss
Dreams require action, to bring their creative, guiding and healing energies into the everyday world. My journals are filled with drawings I make from dreams and shamanic journeys, very often shared experiences in my playshops and trainings, where a whole flight of 30 or more dreamers may travel together through an agreed portal on an agreed assignment. Here is a selection of drawings inspired in this way, from my journals and sketchbooks. All pictures are (c) Robert Moss and may not be reproduced in any form without written permission. In this age of AI or data generated images, I will note that nothing here is produced that way. Very occasionally I may use some digital help with adding color and effects to an original piece. That will be noted.
I was asked for help by a brilliant thirty-something man who had taken early retirement after making tons of money in the world of hedge funds. He was living in a villa on a beach with his boyfriend, free to travel and live as he pleased. However, he was haunted by dreadful dreams in which he was chained in a basement dungeon and where he was used as a sex slave by a crazed dominatrix. He assured me this was definitely not his scene. His description of his tormentor made me think of Elvira Mistress of the Dark, a television character from before his time. I suggested that he reenter the dream and interview the dominatrix. He wasn’t initially enthusiastic but agreed to give it a try when I said I would go with him. So here we were. I beat the drum, and we traveled together in a mutual shamanic lucid dream [*] into his basement dungeon,. We asked the Elvira look-alike, Who are you? She croaked like the raven on her shoulder, “I am Mammon”. This made immediate sense to the dreamer and became the key to ending his nightmares by prompting him to make the right choice in waking life.
UPCOMING PROGRAMS
DREAM TEACHER TRAININGS ONLINE
Level 1: Starts January 12, 2027
Level 3: Starts October 7
3-PART WORKSHOP SERIES
December 2, 9, 16: ONLINE
Dancing with the Bear: Healing through Dreams and Imagination
Presented by Alternatives, London, UK
WAY OF THE DREAMER RADIO SHOW with Robert Moss
Listen and call in to Robert LIVE every second Tuesday of the month at 9-10am Pacific Time (Noon-1pm Eastern Time) or listen to recent shows anywhere, anytime at Healthy.net, or download archived radio programs HERE
Next Show: Tuesday, September 15
Robert’s online courses for The Shift Network are available as downloadable packages of recordings and transcript at affordable prices. (Completion of one or more courses fulfills a prerequisite for acceptance for Dream Teacher Training.)
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