Drawing on the wisdom of teacher from the world's great religious traditions, including Robert Thurman, Sharon Salzberg, Ram Dass, Mother Mary Clare Vincent, Joan Halifax, and Rabbi Jonathan Omer-Man, Gifts of the Spirit deepens our appreciation of such everyday routines as waking up, eating, and working, as well as the abundant rewards of enjoying music, gardening, walking, and being with others. Vivid descriptions of rituals from around the world help us find new spiritual meaning in life's key passages.

• Zen arts of cooking and eating

• Jewwish and Native American coming-of-age rituals

• Bedouin rules of hospitality and friendship

• Mindful approached to pregnancy and birth

• Ancient Christian practices that nurture the dying

• Shaker philosophies of daily work and craft

• The Buddhist way to a peaceful night's sleep