spiritual rituals

Spiritual Rituals are those actions and thoughts that awaken Spiritual Practice, which is whole bodily Love-Surrender into the Life-Energy.  

 From the mind’s point of view, we associate spiritual practice with the practice of certain rituals and belief systems, customs and particular methods of meditation. It is not at all uncommon for individuals to compare their so-called spiritual practice with that of others on the basis of rituals and methods of yoga and so forth. 

 We are far too fond of identifying with one or other method of meditation or spiritual practice merely on the basis of certain rituals and customs that are compatible with the “personal mind.” In such a way, when we talk of our spiritual practice, you will notice we talk about the rituals and concepts and diets, beliefs and customs. And, it is always handy if we can link that to one or other exotic spiritual tradition. Never mind that the security acquired from belonging to a tradition comes at the cost or the loss of our own ability to surprise our self, since most well worn traditions have lost the Life-Art of spontaneity. 

How many kinds of meditation are there? Are there certain experiences that are spiritual and others which are not? How many techniques and methods that are called ‘spiritual practice’ are there for the mind to wrap itself around? There are as many forms of spiritual practice as there are diet programs. Has anyone counted the number of weight loss programs, techniques and bodily denying methods that people submit themselves to rather than understanding their deeper longing? 

Generally, what attracts us to different teachers, methods and techniques we call spiritual practice is no more profound than the usual person’s consumer choices for personal consolation and fulfillment. This, along with the desire to belong to whatever is currently popular. There is a long history of humans creating tribes, societies, religions, cultures, nationalities on the basis of specific customs and rituals and beliefs designed in order to instill a sense of belonging and unquestionable loyalty to the clan – something that sets them apart from others. 

For many it is simply an attraction to the personality of a teacher. One with whom we have a chance of becoming personally involved. If we are not awake to what we are doing, the rituals and customs and symbols we associate with spiritual practice merely serve much the same purpose as religious orders, cultural customs and nationalistic ideologies; they create an “us” and “them.” 

We are right and they are wrong. 

How do most people define or explain their spiritual practice? Usually by describing their practice of, or participation in, rituals and customs and ceremonies and all kinds of other particular to their practice spiritual paraphernalia. We are vulnerable to confusing the practice and use of rituals, symbols, chants and meditative disciplines with Spiritual Practice. 

Spiritual Practice is Love-Communion with the Life-Energy. It is One and the Same Sacred activity for all human beings. Whole Bodily Enlightenment or Realisation of our Inherent Identity is revealed within the Process of Love- Surrender into and as the Universal Life-Energy.  

It is not that we abandon rituals and meditation and so forth. Rituals are unavoidable in our human existence. Consider all the rituals one ordinarily goes through in a day, from the moment you get out of bed. It is not that we dispense with performing rituals as part of our Spiritual Practice. 
However, spiritual rituals are there to remind us and support our Spiritual Practice – our Whole Bodily Love-Communion with the Transcendental (Impersonal) Life-Energy. Spiritual Rituals are those rituals we perform that remind us and oblige us to acknowledge our Inherence in the Life-Energy – the Impersonal Life-Energy. 

The Body resides in the Heart. The Heart resides in All. Allow your mind to reside in the Heart.