For many of us the word ritual conjures up images from popular movies of human sacrifice, evil chanting and VOODOO! Much of our culture has missed the meaning of this word, so I think it is important that we revisit it's basic meaning and get an idea of what we are really talking about here.
What is ritual? Wikipedia defines ritual as; any practice or pattern of behavior regularly performed in a set manner. This could include behaviors regulating social conduct like a gentleman raising his hat, or the shaking of hands in greeting. Ritual could also include an established procedure for a religious or other rite, including graduation, and praying over a meal.
If you look at your daily activities you may find that your life is filled with ritual that you didn’t even know about. Much of our ritual is simple repetition of things that are a necessity to living life; your morning coffee or tea, your morning exercise program, the simple act of brushing your teeth. Life is filled with ritual.
Ritual becomes a dedicated practice when we perform these actions with intention rather than simply repeating them out of habit. For example, I brush my teeth every day because I appreciate them and want them to stay healthy and strong. I move my body every day because I am grateful to have a body that can move and I want it to be a happy place to exist. I pray every day because it helps me stay connected to what is important to me.
I grew up in a place where the word ritual was not used, but we did have traditions. Often these traditional type practices are passed down from one generation to the next. As I began my family I felt an urge to continue the same family traditions I grew up with for certain holidays or events. The yearly pattern of performing your family holiday traditions is a ritual. Ritual is very personal. It is something that you can use to keep your life filled with meaning, whether it is religious or not you will find your life enriched by starting simple rituals in your life.
Think of some areas of your life that you may want to improve. Then set an intention to begin a ritual to support that goal. For example if you want to stay in better contact with friends you might begin a ritual of meeting for lunch on the 4th Tuesday of each month. If you want to deepen your yoga practice you might begin your practice by lighting a candle and set an intention that your practice be a light to guide you in your daily activities. The act of taking your dogs out every morning can be made more meaning full by taking a deep breath of fresh air when you step outside and being grateful for it!
I hope this has given you an opportunity to reflect on the rituals you already use in your life. And that it has opened a door for you to explore other ways to incorporate meaningful rituals into your daily practices. Enjoy!
Note to foot~I mean foot note~ These are very simple ideas for adding ritual to your life, there are endless others, so many that there is no way I could possibly mention them all. Play with this idea yourself and see what happens.