I picked up Radical Hospiality because of a sermon I heard in Boston awhile ago while visiting a friend from college. I did not catch the name of the author, authors as it turns out, but I was sure the minister, a woman, was quoting from a book. When I did a internet search it turned out that the phrase Radical Hospitality is used by religious and social groups from churches to conventions, all around the world. What I amazed by is that so few of the people, like the minister, name where they got their quotes or who they are quoting. This is a very fine book. It borders on brilliant actually and I am not the sort to use such a word casually. Why would anyone not want to give these authors the credit they deserve? The book, Radical Hospitality is challenging in a gentle way. I never once felt like the writers were shoving some agenda down my throat. There is just this level of telling their own experience and stories that any half-brain dead person could tell is from their hearts. Don't get me wrong. It is not a personal experience kind of book and it is not a book for anyone who like fluff instead of substance. But, if you are looking for a book about what has gone wrong in how we relate to one another, this is it. And if you love it too, be sure you tell people who you're quoting!
The strength of Radical Hospitality is that it never, not once, treats the reader with anything less than respect. In my opinion, this is rare in books about inner spirituality. I like the way the authors avoid preaching. I like the abundance of personal stories which are xcellent stories no less. I like the way the book delves into the deeper meaning of hospitality. It is not a book about place settings or how to cook a bloody good pork roast. If you think of the word hospitality in a traditional sense this book will surprise you because it is actually a book about becoming more open to others and to our lives and to ourselves, all the things that spiritual masters have always said. With all of that said, I will voice one thing that requires some questioning, I think. The collaboration itself seems a little strange to me. When does a monk have time to put his head together with a married woman and write a book? Maybe I don't understand much about monasticism but that seems like an oxymoron to me. Don't monks avoid women--isn't that part of what a monk ought to do? Just asking what seems obvious. Also, Mrs. Collins Pratt has a new book out, written on her own. I have heard some rumblings that it is something less than orthodox. This also concerns me a little. However, to the matter at hand: Radical Hospitality is a fine book that I will read several times. I hope it receives the attention that such fine work merits. God Bless.
