by Nanette Sawyer

Published by Skylight Paths (2008). Also available through Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Google Books.

Learn how this ancient spiritual practice can transform your relationship with yourself, with others and with God. “The practice of deep hospitality can help us step into a more vital, vibrant embrace of this great adventure we call life—which includes our relationship with God, however you might define God. . . .  It is an invitation to walk through life with a liberating posture of receptivity, reverence, and generosity.” —from the Introduction

We may think of hospitality as merely being polite to guests, but the ancients understood the profound potential hospitality holds for building and transforming lasting relationships—for binding families together, making strangers into friends, even turning enemies into neighbors.

This practical book provides you with the tools you need to cultivate the spiritual power of invitation and welcome in your life. Guided by Rev. Nanette Sawyer, you will discover the qualities of hospitality—receptivity, reverence, and generosity—and how these qualities can significantly deepen your self-understanding as well as your relationships with others and with God.

Read excerpts free on-line!

Nurturing the Self at Spirituality & Practice website

Hospitality to Self, Hospitality to Family (chaps 2 & 3) at Google Books

Book Reviews

Publishers Weekly
“This small book will be a blessing to many people.”

Spirituality and Practice
“The author includes in this excellent treatment of hospitality pieces on centering prayer, mantra practice, compassionate acceptance, making intentional conversation, dealing with fear, looking for the good in our adversaries, and embodying a life of balance with creation.”

Praise for the Book

“Gently voiced and clear … adds wonderful thoughtfulness and depth to the practices of a truly spiritual life…. Will help people navigate the complexity of life with love and welcome for [all] living things.”

—Rev. Clare Butterfield, director, Faith in Place

“Turns your black-and-white understanding [of hospitality] into a spiritual practice that will transform you, your relationships, and your experience of God…. [Offers an] experience of awareness, acceptance and action that is both profoundly human and divine.”

—Thomas Ryan, CSP, author, The Sacred Art of Fasting: Preparing to Practice

“This interfaith meditation on an essential spiritual discipline is written with a wonderfully deft touch.”

—Tony Jones, national coordinator, Emergent Village; author, The New Christians

“A lovely book! This wise and wonderful guide is required reading for leaders of any congregation seeking to create a warm ambience of welcoming. Highly recommended.”

—Dr. Ron Wolfson, author, The Spirituality of Welcoming: How to Transform Your Congregation into a Sacred Community