Hospitality is a spiritual practice.

“Hospitality” is a spiritual practice. It requires giving of our time and attention based on what someone else needs rather than what we want. When we try our best to accommodate others, we communicate love. With acts of love and acceptance, we close the distance between ourselves and others. Sometimes, we either perceive ourselves as better than others or we feel we are not as good as others. We feel separated from others, but according to Buddhist practice, all of this “separation” is an illusion. We are not better than others nor are we less than others. We are different, but we are all human, and when we give to others, we strengthen our spiritual connection to others and to our higher power. When we realize our kinship with others, we also become empowered.

Hospitality requires that we share ourselves with others and accept whatever differences they might bring into our lives. Showing hospitality can be difficult when we perceive others to be “less than” ourselves, so hospitality requires humility, and mutual respect. Sometimes, when we help others, we perceive them as “needy” or inferior to us, but we are mistaken. We might feel uncomfortable, but those who make us uncomfortable enable us to grow. They force us to examine our beliefs, values, and prejudices, and as a result, we learn more about ourselves and what we need to change.True hospitality begins with acceptance but it involves embracing and responding to the needs of someone else. A simple act of kindness is a good place to start, but hospitality requires acceptance and giving based on mutual respect.