Aware of being unaware- that is a great description. For me, that’s when my writing arrives and I just have to get out of the way. Thank you for sharing.
Hello Priya, just completed your wonderful essay on personal ritual.
And loved the B&W photo.
For a considerable period of time (like more than two and a half years), I was seriously unwell.
While recovering from and surviving was challenging, recreating my routines and rituals was almost a greater struggle.
So a lot of what you have sain has a strong resonance and meaning.
So, now awakening before sunrise and birdsong starts, in the pre-dawn light, going for an increasingly longer walk, an the enjoying a cup of black tea (Dilmah Extra Strength)and one sugar while sitting on my back porch and planning my day ahead. And at the other end of the day in the gloaming as the Scottish say, heading off to the west where Venus and often Mars and further up my favourite local hill. Often reminded of my energetic companion Eejay, a sprightly Border Collie, who somedays was the sanest sentient being that I had contact with.
His meaning and purpose and intent wert always clear, and not into anthropomorphizing him.
These were symbols of success, as well as you say, the ability,literally, to be able to move around.
And your artful dissection of the function of ritual. Really WOW.
And the use of the word constellate reminding me of the function of binding, connecting, and communicating, not just with people, but with concepts, emotions and ideas.
I can now feel very angry about the actions of Prez Donald Duck and Elon the Acolyte sidekick, and more importantly understand why I an so.
This is because these things challenge to my very core, beliefs that I value and to feel and foresee the consequences.
Trump and Musk seem to either lack the capacity to do this or care about it, or both, which perhaps tells us a lot about them.
So thank you for the mental exercise, and "like Your Style".
And a moment of panic as I close, picturing you at your computer wearing a MAGA cap !!
And, now momentarily, a slight panic, as picture Priya at computer with a MAGA cap
I love that you mentioned your dog in your comment, Cristoffa, because our pets’ daily rituals mean everything to them. They don’t care if they had a hard day or there’s another episode of Severance to watch: they expect certain things to happen in a certain order at a certain time of day, and their disappointment when it doesn’t happen is almost palpable. It’s a little reminder that reminder that whatever else a ritual may signify, it’s important to experience it in the Now, instead of dwelling on the past or what’s next.
Stace, thank you! You pointed out something that is not always obvious in a ritual- its connection to time and how, while it may be rooted in the past or aimed towards the future, we experience it only as now.
Cristoffa, thank you for sharing. There's something powerful about dawn and dusk, both liminal times, when some meaning of life is more easily available to us. I enjoyed reading your story. And, no caps here!
Lisa, thank you! It is the most magical part of my day, to stand there in the semi-darkness and feel the magic of another day and yet, the sameness of the ritual.
Jeanine, I used to volunteer as a health coach for a heart center and their acronym was MEDS: meditation, exercise, diet, and sleep. It is the foundation of everything. Thank you!
This was wonderful, Priya. I think I may have mentioned something about this last post (I can’t remember) but I have been thinking about rituals a lot, as I am currently in a sort of transition phase between to parts of my life and I have been thinking of different personal rituals I could perform to sort of symbolise this transition.
Also, I loved these lines — “That words can function as entry points to some vast, sacred mystery. This (re)discovery of metaphor has been life-changing. A ritual is an embodied metaphor.” — they were beautiful. :)
Michael, I love that! A ceremonial ritual to close out one chapter and begin another is such a powerful act. It’s a profound conversation with yourself. Thank you for sharing! I appreciate it!
Rituals can be so powerful! I don't have a ritual to share per se, but I like to say the word "grace" in my mind to calm me down when I feel slighted, to give grace to others, to myself. It has been working stronger each time. Thank you for this wonderful post, Priya!
Aware of being unaware- that is a great description. For me, that’s when my writing arrives and I just have to get out of the way. Thank you for sharing.
Hello Priya, just completed your wonderful essay on personal ritual.
And loved the B&W photo.
For a considerable period of time (like more than two and a half years), I was seriously unwell.
While recovering from and surviving was challenging, recreating my routines and rituals was almost a greater struggle.
So a lot of what you have sain has a strong resonance and meaning.
So, now awakening before sunrise and birdsong starts, in the pre-dawn light, going for an increasingly longer walk, an the enjoying a cup of black tea (Dilmah Extra Strength)and one sugar while sitting on my back porch and planning my day ahead. And at the other end of the day in the gloaming as the Scottish say, heading off to the west where Venus and often Mars and further up my favourite local hill. Often reminded of my energetic companion Eejay, a sprightly Border Collie, who somedays was the sanest sentient being that I had contact with.
His meaning and purpose and intent wert always clear, and not into anthropomorphizing him.
These were symbols of success, as well as you say, the ability,literally, to be able to move around.
And your artful dissection of the function of ritual. Really WOW.
And the use of the word constellate reminding me of the function of binding, connecting, and communicating, not just with people, but with concepts, emotions and ideas.
I can now feel very angry about the actions of Prez Donald Duck and Elon the Acolyte sidekick, and more importantly understand why I an so.
This is because these things challenge to my very core, beliefs that I value and to feel and foresee the consequences.
Trump and Musk seem to either lack the capacity to do this or care about it, or both, which perhaps tells us a lot about them.
So thank you for the mental exercise, and "like Your Style".
And a moment of panic as I close, picturing you at your computer wearing a MAGA cap !!
And, now momentarily, a slight panic, as picture Priya at computer with a MAGA cap
I love that you mentioned your dog in your comment, Cristoffa, because our pets’ daily rituals mean everything to them. They don’t care if they had a hard day or there’s another episode of Severance to watch: they expect certain things to happen in a certain order at a certain time of day, and their disappointment when it doesn’t happen is almost palpable. It’s a little reminder that reminder that whatever else a ritual may signify, it’s important to experience it in the Now, instead of dwelling on the past or what’s next.
Stace, thank you! You pointed out something that is not always obvious in a ritual- its connection to time and how, while it may be rooted in the past or aimed towards the future, we experience it only as now.
Cristoffa, thank you for sharing. There's something powerful about dawn and dusk, both liminal times, when some meaning of life is more easily available to us. I enjoyed reading your story. And, no caps here!
Beautifully written. I felt like I was right there with you at 6 am. 🍵
Lisa, thank you! It is the most magical part of my day, to stand there in the semi-darkness and feel the magic of another day and yet, the sameness of the ritual.
My usual ritual is meditation first, then exercise regimen, so kind of basic stuff right now.
Jeanine, I used to volunteer as a health coach for a heart center and their acronym was MEDS: meditation, exercise, diet, and sleep. It is the foundation of everything. Thank you!
What a great acronym, Priya!!
This was wonderful, Priya. I think I may have mentioned something about this last post (I can’t remember) but I have been thinking about rituals a lot, as I am currently in a sort of transition phase between to parts of my life and I have been thinking of different personal rituals I could perform to sort of symbolise this transition.
Also, I loved these lines — “That words can function as entry points to some vast, sacred mystery. This (re)discovery of metaphor has been life-changing. A ritual is an embodied metaphor.” — they were beautiful. :)
Michael, I love that! A ceremonial ritual to close out one chapter and begin another is such a powerful act. It’s a profound conversation with yourself. Thank you for sharing! I appreciate it!
Thank you Priya.
Your writing on thresholds, rituals, and the heroes journey have really helped me reframe and think about the chapter I’m closing. :)
Rituals can be so powerful! I don't have a ritual to share per se, but I like to say the word "grace" in my mind to calm me down when I feel slighted, to give grace to others, to myself. It has been working stronger each time. Thank you for this wonderful post, Priya!
Nadia, sorry, I missed responding to you! The word grace is so powerful. Thank you for sharing!
❣️