What is it exactly, that comes to mind with the use of the
word “ritual?” Is a ritual a daily
habit? Are the words “ritual” and “habit” interchangeable? Ritual seems to me, to be a more eloquent
word than habit. To have a habit, is to have something so ingrained that I no
longer have to think about the habit while I’m doing it. My attention can be elsewhere because my
actions are automatic. Ritual, however,
is focused attention. Not only am I
focused on myself, I am focused on the present moment and how that moment affects
what is beyond myself. Ritual attends to
more than the individual. Ritual speaks
to the soul or to the spirit.
The word I use for spirit, is “Asha.” There is neither an article for Asha, nor is
there any possession – it doesn’t belong to anyone individually. Asha simply is. It is all-encompassing. I am a part of Asha, and Asha is beyond
myself. Unlike the word spirit, Asha is
far less limiting. It describes all that
has ever been, all that might ever be, and all that currently is – in and
beyond everything. Ritual is to me, the
celebration of Asha.
In ritual, so many elements of myself are moved. I am moved literally in a physical way, and also
in a figurative sense because even my consciousness, my understanding of
something has been picked up and transported to somewhere new. I move physically, my emotions are in motion,
and spiritually I am moved because that all-compassing Asha is in motion. I am moved to see the perspective that I am a
piece in the greater workings of all that is.
And not only am I a piece, but I, myself, am an important part of that
working. I have usefulness. For me, to find use is to find meaning. I could almost use the words “usefulness” and
“meaningfulness” interchangeably. If I
know where I am useful then I have found a purpose for that moment, and that is
incredibly meaningful and fulfilling.
There is a profound feeling of respect that is invoked when
I use the word ritual. A ritual captures
me in the present moment and shows me my place in context to everything around
me. Ritual shows me my possibilities and
demands that I take responsibility for those possibilities. I am a part of Asha and I have my place. I can make a difference if I make the choice
to do so. Even the smallest of choices
that I make have an effect, because everything is connected. Everything is Asha.
Habits have their place in Asha, but a ritual is
special. It is a time to pause and focus
on all that is in motion in and around me and show respect for all of the
possibilities.
I will be hosting two rituals in the month of June:
Art Ritual: Come Play With Me! at Life Force Arts Center
Wednesday, June 1, 2016 at 7:00 PM
Summer Solstice Celebration with Chicago-land Pagan Circle at Dawes Park in Evanston
Saturday, June 25, 2016 at 2:00 PM
Purchase Tickets
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