Rituals & Ceremonies: How to include the sacred in our daily life

Rituals and ceremonies have always been part of our culture and traditions, regardless of our religion, beliefs, or ethnicity. In all countries, cultures, and religions of the world we have specific rituals and ceremonies that we perform with fervor and in many cases have become part of our habits.

Nowadays, certain rituals and ceremonies have become fashionable and it is almost normal to practice them. For example, the morning ritual (popularized thanks to the book “The Miracle Morning”). I think it is important to keep in mind that rituals involve a set of practices and symbols (offerings, dances, songs, gestures, or performances), which are carried out repeatedly and voluntarily by culturally related people, in specific places and times.

Generally, we relate rituals to something religious or “shamanic” and we do not take into account that certain things we do “out of habit” are part of our rituals. A ritual is a symbolic act through which we make visible the invisible values, emotions, and perceptions that are most essential, important to us. So in this special period of our lives, I believe it is important to give back the “symbolic” character to our rituals so that they can continue to have not only their importance in our lives but also a “sacred” impact.

Now, if we talk about acts that include activities of worship to divine entities (Jesus, Buddha, angels, archangels, …), or special situations of the universe (seasons, equinox, rain, …), we are talking about ceremonies.  The custom of “spring cleaning”, is one of the most common ceremonies that we perform in the month of March (In japan this ceremony is performed at the end of the year). What differentiates a ritual from a ceremony is that in the ceremony there is a “sacred” manifestation of petition or gratitude and that ceremonies involve a specific protocol, certain rules of conduct, and modes of execution, as well as the use of symbols. Symbols that do not necessarily have to be sacred symbols, in the case of the “spring cleaning” ceremony the broom and the cleaning products are the main symbols 😉

To bring back the “sacred” touch and the “magical” effect to any ritual or ceremony we wish to perform, I recommend 3 simple steps:

1. Perform the act with “intention”: Whatever the actions we perform, either to achieve a goal or to start a new stage (season, a period of the year) we must perform it with an “intention” in other words with a clear purpose. Doing an act with intention means that we are using our conscious side to carry it out. That we are involving the physical, emotional and psychological aspects of what we are doing.
2. To trust in the result: to be certain that the effect of the ritual or ceremony we are carrying out will be positive. That we are going to achieve what we wish to achieve and that in many situations we believe that it will only happen with “a miracle”.
3. Accept that there is something “bigger” than what we imagine: Whatever our beliefs are, accepting that we are united by the same “divinity” will allow us to accomplish wonderful things and will allow us to open the door to all that is possible.

So whether we are going to do a “summer cleaning”, a passage to the “spring eqinox”, a morning/evening ritual, a wedding vow update, a profession of faith, a tea/chocolate ceremony, whatever the ritual or ceremony I invite you to remember the unique and sacred side of our actions thanks to the fact that we are unique beings, divine beings living human experiences.  And just remember that the ultimate goal of those experiences is to be happy.

If you wish to learn more about the sacred side of rituals and ceremonies I invite you to visit my Conferences and Events page where you will find information about the Workshop/Coaching: Rituals & Ceremonies. 

With all my unconditional love and light, Eli