Hospitality means being friendly and considerate toward guests, cheerfully meeting their needs and sharing conversation, food and shelter. I practice it when I treat visitors with welcoming affection and generosity. The opposite is inhospitality.§
Comparing the actions of one who is hospitable to one who is inhospitable§ |
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|---|---|---|
Situation§ |
Hospitality§ |
Inhospitality§ |
If guests are in the home near mealtime, you…§ |
repeatedly encourage them to stay for the meal.§ |
bring the conversation to a halt and hope they leave before dinner.§ |
When new neighbors move in next door, you…§ |
go to their home with a gift and welcome them to the community.§ |
keep your distance, hoping they don’t cause your family any grief.§ |
When relatives visit your town on business, you…§ |
call to insist they overnight in your home, not in a local hotel.§ |
keep silent, preferring not to have the extra bother in your life.§ |
Gurudeva explained: “Hospitality flows from Siva’s followers like sweet music from a vina. Guests are treated as Gods. Friends, relatives, acquaintances, even strangers, are humbled by the overwhelming, ever-willing attention received.”§
“Hospitality is a vital part of fulfilling dana. When guests come, they must be given hospitality, at least a mat to sit on and a glass of water to drink. These are obligatory gifts. You must never leave your guest standing, and you must never leave your guest thirsty.”§
ASSIGNMENT: During these two weeks, watch for opportunities to be hospitable. Overcoming any reluctance to give your guests a warm welcome, give freely of food, shelter and conversation.§
Date you began this assignment ____________________§
MY THOUGHTS ON THE BENEFITS OF HOSPITALITY: 
§
