The Riches of ritual
Rituals are carefully selected actions, practised meaningfully and purposefully, and have historically been designed to facilitate connection, celebration, collaboration and comfort in religious, secular, cultural, familial and educational traditions throughout the ages. From Roman Catholic High Mass, to Vedic Soma immortality ceremonies, to Latin All Souls Day, to Aboriginal Corroborees, to Mardi Gras (and everything in between), ritual is often linked with ceremony and community.
The act of ritual is a commonality that has linked humanity throughout the ages, with practices of worship, sacraments, rites of passage, atonement, purification, allegiance, dedication, inaugurations, commitments, celebration and mourning. The oldest known acts of human ritual are reported to date back 70,000 years to a cave in the Tsodilo Hills, Botswana, known locally as the “Mountains of the Gods”. One of the most fascinating aspects of historical human rituals is the extreme variations in practice and meaning, reflecting the sheer diversity of the collective human experience. What seems normal and rational within one family, culture or religion, can appear utterly bizarre or at odds with the next.
Rituals can motivate and move us. They can also comfort and ground us. Traditionally, rituals helped groups form structure and hierarchy and were crucial in defining one’s place in the world. This in turn, related to early forms of worship such as totemism, animism and paganism. Our ancient ancestors used the bond of ritual to create ties necessary for survival. As modern religions emerged, ancient rituals were absorbed into new forms. Religious leaders have long understood that communal identity is created and consolidated through shared experiences.
Whilst we may no longer consider ritual practices necessary for our physical survival, modern humans continue to build families and community, transition through and celebrate major life events, bask in happiness and shelter in sorrow through ritual, and these practices to some extent, still play a role in the formation and maintenance of individual and group identity. Worldwide, gatherings for ceremonial rituals also connect us to our history. Each year the French unite in massive festivities to celebrate Bastille Day, Australians respectfully observe ANZAC day, and North Americans join together for Thanksgiving, to name a few.
While communal rituals offer the comfort of familiarity, solidarity and shared experience, personal rituals can also foster a feeling of connection and peace in the grand scheme of the universe. Anthropologists have long studied and documented historical rituals, and new research now centres on the potential health benefits these practices can bring to our lives. Ritual can be vitally important for our mental, emotional and spiritual wellbeing. I personally wonder whether the need for individual ritual practice, may be more important than ever, in our increasingly busy, fragmented and disconnected daily lives.
When we consider our health and wellbeing challenges holistically, learning to participate more actively and mindfully in our lives supports the endeavor of really holding ourselves accountable, for how we choose to live, with whom we choose to have relationships and for how we choose to define ourselves in our families, our communities and the world.
We can customise our own rituals according to our needs and invest in mindful, meaningful activities designed to enhance our overall being. Whilst rituals differ from a routine, which is a sequence of acts regularly followed, task driven and often habit forming, you can decide to ritualise some of your daily tasks. Perhaps turn your hair or skincare routines into more ritualistic spa practices or really immerse yourself in your morning tea or coffee making routine, for example. Zen Master Thich Nhat Hahn describes “washing the dishes to wash the dishes”. That is to say that mindfully engaging in daily routines, and tasks of daily living without allowing our minds to constantly wander onto other things, can have tremendous benefits. Mindfulness and ritual practice are inherently linked.
You may want to try a daily prayer, gratitude or meditation. Incorporate breathing practices or dance into your day. Try lighting candles in the evening, playing some gentle music and taking a bath with salts and essential oils, or engaging in self massage. Simple acts such as setting the table well, sitting down to meals and giving thanks, particularly with children, is a great place to start. Maybe you could enjoy the ritual of smudging with sage, burning incense or Pal Santo. Perhaps the late afternoon activity of pouring a drink and sitting to watch the day draw to a close is the ritual for you. Watering your garden at sunset or taking a stroll along a body of water might be your thing. You might engage in or develop many ritual practices or gravitate more towards fewer, more consistent approaches.
Studies related to centenarians suggest they all engage in some form of daily ritual of pleasure and connection. So if you're interested in living long, and living well, consider how you find time to invest in the rituals that serve you.
*I’m a passionate life long student and my blog posts intend to share information only. If something peaks your interest, I encourage you to do your own research, and seek further advice and support through your health and wellness providers. If you’d like to consult with me, please get in touch.*
