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The Holy Intimacy of StrangersBy Sarah YorkPublisher: Jossey-BassNumber Of Pages: 224Publication Date: 2002-09-06ISBN-10 / ASIN: 0787960470ISBN-13 / EAN: 9780787960476Binding: HardcoverProduct Description:In The Holy Intimacy of Strangers Sarah York explores our common yearning for deeper and more meaningful connection with one another. The book presents the paradox we often observe: how our seemingly casual interactions with strangers can unlock the door to our hearts and help us discover how we need (and yet often resist) true intimacy in our relationships. This provocative book gives us a new way to look at the qualities of our exchanges with strangers. Once we begin this journey we can trace the outlines of our lives together in community-our expressions of caring and hospitality, the costs of prejudice and judgment, our fears and defensiveness, the tension between being inclusive or exclusive, our expectations and assumptions about one another.Amazon.com Review:In The Holy Intimacy of Strangers author Sarah York awakens readers to the potential for spiritual growth in every chance encounter. Once we recognize strangers as spiritual mirrors, life takes on a new meaning. We discover that a sacred spark can ignite anywhere, at any time–in parks, grocery stores, trains, elevators, checkout lines… the possibilities are endless.York, an ordained minister, draws upon personal stories–her own as well as those of others–to illustrate the many ways we can better know ourselves (the stranger within), as well as the divine, through encounters with strangers. “The notion of intimacy with strangers poses an intriguing paradox,” writes York, “we encounter the familiar in the unfamiliar, the known in the unknown, the self in the other, and the other in the self.”These aren’t just stories about the kindness of strangers; some encounters are disarming and even threatening. Although the spiritual messages are rich and well mined, York also ventures into political lessons. When we stop seeing strangers as “the other,” and begin to see them as fellow citizens of our global village, we can no longer distance ourselves from humanity’s suffering. –Gail HudsonSummary: Wonderful and inspiring insightsRating: 5I read Sarah York’s previous book, “Pilgrim Heart,” and as always the author explores a paradox. Sarah shows how our unconscious interactions with strangers actually have a lot to teach us about how we interact with our family members, coworkers, and best friends. I never would have thought about it, but it’s true!And as usual, Sarah tells a lot of great stories. One of my favorites is about getting stuck in a broken down elevator with a couple of strangers who started driving her totally crazy. It taught her a lot about patience, acceptance, and other issues that were also of concern in relationships with family members.I highly recommend this! I’m buying a copy for my mom for her birthday.