I believe that there is tremendous power in making life more sacred. When I am connected to self, to spirit, I am able to approach the every day from a place of ease instead of the default place of hyper-vigilance. I am able to make decisions with discernment and love, rather than with fear. I am able to stand in more confidence and authenticity. A sacred life is one that is tuned in, aligned, and connected to the magic of living.
So, how do we bring the sacred to the every day, in a world that requires us to bypass our feelings and bodily instincts in the name of productivity? One way that I have found to do this is through ritual.
My background in theatre has made me specifically attuned to the power of ritual. Performance is a ritual in itself. There are a series of actions, steps, that are carried out in a prescribed order when putting on a show. We start with a vision, then rehearsals, a series of trial and error, a tech week, and then pre-performance rituals followed by performances. There is something deeply connected to ancestry, time, and space through the process of making theatre. Storytelling is primal- an ancient means of connection. People have done this in a similar, if not the same, way for thousands of years. It’s special. It requires attention and love and the desire to connect.
Rituals do this. They make the mundane into something more; an alchemical moment where we can find inspiration, joy, or creativity. They bring us back to being rather than doing. They don’t have to be as elaborate as directing a musical with 40 teenagers, but rather, they can be a simple everyday promise to yourself. Perhaps it's lighting a candle and pulling a card, saying a short prayer, or sitting with your own thoughts for five minutes. It is about being in that moment and allowing that moment to shift something in you. It’s not something to simply check off on the to do list.
Therefore, rituals are different than routines. Routines are often the things we do on autopilot; brushing our teeth, taking a shower, doing the dishes, etc. Routines are absolutely necessary and often help us get the day-to-day things done. However, routines tend to lack presence and intentionality. They lack specialness. Which leads to me wonder, can we ritualize our routines? Can we make these essential everyday functionings more special? Perhaps, you too, wonder about this possibility. What brave new world exists when we bring a mindful presence to something we bypass and do everyday?
The next time you brush your teeth, have your morning coffee, or wash your dishes- take a moment and breathe. Can you sing a song, say a prayer, or simply be present whilst doing these things? Notice if this opens you up a little more- giving you room to expand your own capacity for compassion.
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