I spoke briefly about this in an earlier post, but in terms of generosity, there are few acts of kindness as powerful as hospitality. All life depends on hospitality. Since all life must do all the following things, grow, move, eat, excrete, exchange gasses and reproduce; providing necessary food and space (shelter), as well as room to feel comfortable and grow can be enough. Sharing your blanket with someone who is cold, sharing an umbrella when it rains, giving away half a sandwich to someone who has no food...all of these are obviously hospitable. It may be easier to see when there are physical needs that can be met through sharing, or outright gifts to our fellow inhabitants of Earth. Being intellectually, emotionally, or spiritually hospitable may seem different, but in fact it springs from the same source, our common humanity.
In my current experience as an "American", which ironically could better be said as a United States of American, if one did not want to belittle every other culture within the Americas. I am constantly bombarded with messages the Arabs are bad, Muslims are dangerous and that those who hail from the "Cradle of Civilization" are to be feared, or at least not trusted. In fact, our nation has shirked virtually all responsibility for being hospitable to refugees from areas that we, The United States of America have systematically destabilized. The hospitality of nations is not the hospitality I wish to speak of though, I am only trying to utilize our collective behavior to point out the inherent flaws of being inhospitable. Not giving, not sharing, not considering the needs of our friends neighbors and acquaintances demonstrates a paucity of compassion that can undermine every other virtue.
I tried searching for images for hospitality and was disappointed by the fact that since hospitality has become an industry, the corporate influence on the images associated with it would be corrupted as well. I didn't see a single picture of a host welcoming guests, or offering them food or drink. There was no allusion to the fact that travelers could find secure refuge along their way. Instead it was all about business and their industry. Images of staff and welcome cards next to bells, etc. I think of hospitality as something more akin to what we do for our guests. at our Air B&B, we only offer lodging and there have been times we offered to drive them to an event and drop them off to avoid needless traffic headaches, or put food in the fridge for them, but we always let them know whatever they need or want, they can call. We are right across the street. If they want restaurants, a grocery or music and/or dancing we can steer them in the right direction. I think of like being a tour guide of sorts, helping them plan more efficiently for their brief time here. I have had a lifetime to become familiar with this area. If you want to go to the artesian well with the best tasting water, a waterfall or trail hike, I can give you highway, or back road directions. I often wonder if a phone will ever understand any of the places I send folks to? The sublime beauty and energy of say a Dave's Falls, near Amberg, WI or if they go to see Strong Falls, near Athelstane, WI, they can rest assured that these are some of the finest falls around. If they ask to go apple picking, we will send them to our favorite orchard, and it will be different if they want apples or cherries. Hospitality in many ways is putting the best foot of your entire community forward.
Honoring the abundant planet, her creatures and one another requires that we are hospitable to one another. Giving what you would want if you were in uncharted territory, this is part of what I have written about repeatedly in the past, the give-away. Perfecting the art of giving selflessly is one that the best hosts have taken to heart. Being hospitable can become a way of life for those who have both compassion and empathy for others and giving enough of yourself to them to help them feel secure and at ease. There are very good reasons that in many cultures being a host is such an honor. People far and wide often speak of folks who host events and who take in guests who may be passing through. The WOOFing experience is a good example. Travelers work their way around the countryside working on organic farms for room and board, both the hosts and their guests get enriching experiences along with Working on organic farms (thus the acronym) travelers get to know local people and customs and farmers get help in their fields. Once one learns the art of the give away, hospitality resides in their person, no effort is required, no accounting takes place for the time spent or resources offered. Knowing that the dividends that good will pay back over time dwarf whatever the cost is today.
Native cultures often honor the gift with some guidelines. If a guest comments on something you have three times, you are supposed to give it to them...things like this. When you take your first harvest, give half to a single mother or invalid in the tribe. Ancient as these truths are, they have currency in today's world more than ever! Even the precious Bible that some speak so highly of admonish X-tians to plant extra rows along the roadsides for travelers. Without giving, the abundance of of nature is cut off. Scarcity is not a part of native world views, because the reality is that there will always be more. Sharing makes us all wealthier, of mind, body and spirit.
In my current experience as an "American", which ironically could better be said as a United States of American, if one did not want to belittle every other culture within the Americas. I am constantly bombarded with messages the Arabs are bad, Muslims are dangerous and that those who hail from the "Cradle of Civilization" are to be feared, or at least not trusted. In fact, our nation has shirked virtually all responsibility for being hospitable to refugees from areas that we, The United States of America have systematically destabilized. The hospitality of nations is not the hospitality I wish to speak of though, I am only trying to utilize our collective behavior to point out the inherent flaws of being inhospitable. Not giving, not sharing, not considering the needs of our friends neighbors and acquaintances demonstrates a paucity of compassion that can undermine every other virtue.
I tried searching for images for hospitality and was disappointed by the fact that since hospitality has become an industry, the corporate influence on the images associated with it would be corrupted as well. I didn't see a single picture of a host welcoming guests, or offering them food or drink. There was no allusion to the fact that travelers could find secure refuge along their way. Instead it was all about business and their industry. Images of staff and welcome cards next to bells, etc. I think of hospitality as something more akin to what we do for our guests. at our Air B&B, we only offer lodging and there have been times we offered to drive them to an event and drop them off to avoid needless traffic headaches, or put food in the fridge for them, but we always let them know whatever they need or want, they can call. We are right across the street. If they want restaurants, a grocery or music and/or dancing we can steer them in the right direction. I think of like being a tour guide of sorts, helping them plan more efficiently for their brief time here. I have had a lifetime to become familiar with this area. If you want to go to the artesian well with the best tasting water, a waterfall or trail hike, I can give you highway, or back road directions. I often wonder if a phone will ever understand any of the places I send folks to? The sublime beauty and energy of say a Dave's Falls, near Amberg, WI or if they go to see Strong Falls, near Athelstane, WI, they can rest assured that these are some of the finest falls around. If they ask to go apple picking, we will send them to our favorite orchard, and it will be different if they want apples or cherries. Hospitality in many ways is putting the best foot of your entire community forward.
Honoring the abundant planet, her creatures and one another requires that we are hospitable to one another. Giving what you would want if you were in uncharted territory, this is part of what I have written about repeatedly in the past, the give-away. Perfecting the art of giving selflessly is one that the best hosts have taken to heart. Being hospitable can become a way of life for those who have both compassion and empathy for others and giving enough of yourself to them to help them feel secure and at ease. There are very good reasons that in many cultures being a host is such an honor. People far and wide often speak of folks who host events and who take in guests who may be passing through. The WOOFing experience is a good example. Travelers work their way around the countryside working on organic farms for room and board, both the hosts and their guests get enriching experiences along with Working on organic farms (thus the acronym) travelers get to know local people and customs and farmers get help in their fields. Once one learns the art of the give away, hospitality resides in their person, no effort is required, no accounting takes place for the time spent or resources offered. Knowing that the dividends that good will pay back over time dwarf whatever the cost is today.
Native cultures often honor the gift with some guidelines. If a guest comments on something you have three times, you are supposed to give it to them...things like this. When you take your first harvest, give half to a single mother or invalid in the tribe. Ancient as these truths are, they have currency in today's world more than ever! Even the precious Bible that some speak so highly of admonish X-tians to plant extra rows along the roadsides for travelers. Without giving, the abundance of of nature is cut off. Scarcity is not a part of native world views, because the reality is that there will always be more. Sharing makes us all wealthier, of mind, body and spirit.
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