Ritual is a human experience and it's good for you. It is as real as fear and as important as love. A ritual is myth enacted.
Rituals require forethought, and are inner directed. Rituals are tools, a guide to a desired way of life.
Rituals assist the requirements needed to change our attitudes and meet the new circumstances, we perceive as a better way of living.
All of these experiences involve altered states of perception, an altered sense of time and space. Rituals intensify our values and our beliefs.
Rituals play an important role in all aspects of our lives. It is essential that we live them, rather than follow the worn paths of habits. Habits dull us. Rituals enliven us.
Each of us lives within our personal myth that is made of what we believe and our view of ourselves. It is a combination of our parents beliefs and our social myths.
"It's good for you"
Our life, well lived is a journey through time and develops a mythical quality.
We need to constantly remind ourselves of this opportunity to live the good life.
We improve our lives when we improve ourselves. When we are willing to change our attitudes to meet the ever changing circumstances, we are in the right direction.
One of the most potent tools is our imagination, our ability to "see" a picture in our mind and manifest our creation.
"Myths are the mental supports of rites; rites, the physical enactments of myths." Joseph Campbell
"Any serious attempt to do something worthwhile is ritualistic."
(Derek Walcott)
"One day, after a long and largely uneventful life, the little man had a premonition that it was all about to end. Being of a philosophical turn of mind he decided to spend his remaining hours in walking the countryside. Mid-afternoon, a top a hill, he surveyed the land spread out below him as he reflected upon his life. A history of small achievements and unfulfilled dreams. His regrets were not for what he had done, but for bypassed opportunities; chances offered but not taken up.
It was then that he sensed the presence of Death at his shoulder. "So soon?" he asked. Receiving no reply, he rose to his feet to take a final look at the world."Oh well, he said, "back to the unknown." "No," Death replied, "that which is before and after are fully known. It is the life which is the great unknown."
"Oh," said the little man, "I didn't know." (Dante 82)
Our ego is necessary for our creativity, compassion and "knowing" our potential. Changes occur when we look inside ourselves. Teaching the ego to recall the good, enriches our lives and creates the desired anchor.
Alter your attitude and your environment changes.
"Rituals involve symbolic communication and convey 'this is who I am'. There is often an emotional imprint, once the act is completed. The individual may replay it in memory to capture some of the positive experience." (Dr. Barbara Fiese)
Ritual is an ancient tool for awakening. It requires time and devotion.
Morning and Evening Rituals
- Wash hands and face
- Light a candle
- Say affirmations
- Apply ritual oil
- Snuff out candle
Ask Spirit to reveal your gift. It's good for you.