Spiritual Gatherings is all about bringing soul, spirit , heart and meaning into those times of our lives we wish to celebrate, mourn, acknowledge and honour.If we look up the definition of the word “ritual” in the Oxford Dictionary, we find descriptors based on its 16th Century Latin origin: “A religious or solemn ceremony consisting of a series of actions performed according to a prescribed order." “A prescribed order for performing a ritual ceremony, especially one characteristic of a particular religion or Church.” “A series of actions or type of behaviour regularly and invariably followed by someone.” Throughout human history, effective rituals have the potential to link us spiritually and nourish our souls. When most of think of rituals, we associate them with religion, some formal social transition or a rite of passage. As the world has changed, particularly in the 21st century, many of these established or prescribed rituals are no longer satisfying to growing numbers of people. For many of us, rituals linked to established religion aren’t able to capture the essence of what the current day ritual needs to provide. Instead of having its intended meaning, rituals are perceived as “routine” and often as meaningless, irrelevant and unnecessary. Instead of connecting us they can actually contribute to feelings of isolation and disconnection. But absence of rituals leaves a profound yearning for connection to self and others.
Mythologist Joseph Campbell wrote: “A ritual is the enactment of a myth. And, by participating in the ritual, you are participating in the myth. And since myth is a projection of the depth wisdom of the psyche, by participating in a ritual, participating in the myth, you are being, as it were, put in accord with that wisdom, which is the wisdom that is inherent within you anyhow. Your consciousness is being re-minded of the wisdom of your own life. I think ritual is terribly important.” Rituals have survived over the vastness of human history as an important and effective process for teaching both great spiritual truths, along with the practical skills needed to live a life in harmony with others, the natural world and the universe. “The function of ritual,” Campbell pointed out, “is to give form to human life, not in the way of a mere surface arrangement, but in depth.”
Rituals allow us to experience ancient wisdoms and connect us to our world. Rituals help us accept change and to grow. Rituals help us to acknowledge our greatest achievements and joys and grieve our most painful sufferings and losses. We live in challenging times when the world changes faster than ever before. Rituals help ground us, assist us in deepening our connections to our families, our communities and the cosmos . Rituals mark and acknowledge transformations throughout our lives. When we are affected by transitions in our lives, rituals help us return to a sense being whole again. Rituals support us as we process life events and help us get balanced in a more holistic way. Rituals allow us the opportunity to stop and appreciate the different passages of life. They create an atmosphere where meaning can be generated and acknowledged. It creates a space where we as individuals and our communities can join in celebration and support our journeys. Without such moments, important events, challenges and transitions in life go unnoticed or are trivialised. Our lives are therefore impoverished because of this.
The art of ritual is currently enjoying a renaissance-an ancient practice appreciated in meaningful and signiifcant ways. Ritual can be meaningfully experienced in major life events, such as weddings and funerals, but also in the “ordinary” events we experience every day. If we ponder the things we do on a daily basis that we enjoy; our first cup of coffee, a neighbourhood walk with the dog, our evening dinner? Do we take the time to enjoy these moments or do we rush through them unconscious of the pleasure of warm sun on our face, the people we meet along the way, or the taste of delicious nourishing food. Ritual doesn’t need to be formal…or complicated. But, before we can begin to create meaningful ritual we need to return to a state of mindfulness of being. This is a place where we are the creative composer of our lives…a place where we are aware and conscious.
The great existential philosopher, Martin Heidegger stated that many of us suffer from the “forgetfulness of being”. This is what happens when our energy is going to just getting through the day, and we lose our connection to the rhythm of our lives. Just for today, I invite you to truly “experience” that cup of coffee, that “walk “around your neighbourhood with the dog, that sensual experience of your evening meal. There are plenty of resources and courses to assist in developing mindfulness and ritual. I will be developing a resource page for you soon.
If you are looking for a celebrant to assist you in developing meaningful and bespoke ceremony and ritual to support your life journey, I would would love to help!