  Spiritual
This week: Creating Ritual from Routine Edited by: Sophy  
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Hi, I'm Sophy ~ your editor for this edition of the Spiritual Newsletter.
The Rev. Scotty McLennan, author of the book Finding Your Religion, compares humanity's innate need for spiritual searching to climbing a mountain. In his view, we are all endeavoring to climb the same figurative mountain in our search for the divine, we just may take different ways to get there. In other words, there is one "God," but many paths. I honor whatever path or paths you have chosen to climb that mountain in your quest for the Sacred.  |
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Creating Ritual from Routine
“A sacred life is a ritualized life, that is, one that draws constantly from the realm of the spiritual to handle even the smallest detail.”
Ritual: Power, Healing and Community, Malidoma Patrice Some
The words "routine" and "ritual" are often used interchangeably to define practices we engage in on a regular basis. Though we sometimes use the words synonymously, in a general sense a routine is usually understood as secular, while a ritual is normally associated with religious or sacred meaning.
Yet there exists a fine line between these two concepts – a line that is generally easier to cross when something regresses from a ritual to a routine, which can happen when inattention and repetition turn even the most meaningful practice into mundane habit. For instance, saying grace at dinner or taking communion in church can easily become routine if they are seen merely as a recitation of words or something to get through, rather than rich and symbolic experiences of gratitude and connection. A less frequent occurrence is when a routine becomes a ritual. But we can experience our connection to God in powerful ways when we intentionally cross that line and infuse even the most ordinary of habits with sacred meaning.
The start of a new academic year provide a timely example. Whether you are are in school or have kids in school or neither, each of us has certain habits and practices we associate with the beginning of a new school year. For instance, some of us adjust our driving patterns or timing of our driving around town to avoid getting stopped behind a school bus. We have to adjust our speed to the posted school zone speed when school is back in or risk a ticket.
Of course, there are positive associations with the start of a new school year too – remember how freshly sharpened pencils and the blank first page of a brand new notebook brought a sense of anticipation and hope when you were a student, your whole life ahead of you? For me, watching freshmen at our local university find their way around campus creates a sense of nostalgia, and maybe even a little bit of wistfulness.
We all have experiences we associate with the beginning of school, some positive and some for which we have less patience. And this is just the kind of activity that has potential for sacred awareness as we intentionally transform these mid-August routines into rituals, and convert our experience of them from secular to sacred.
As a personal example, while driving to my office near the university campus this week, I began muttering to myself about the traffic and the students darting out in front of cars to cross the street rather than waiting for their "walk" signal – this muttering has become part of my routine whenever school goes back in session and has me already yearning for the month-long winter break. But this time I stopped myself mid-mutter, intentionally switched gears, and whispered a blessing for the thousands of young people embarking on one of the most significant experiences of their lives. Amidst the multitude of these unknown college students, it occurred to me that a blessing was much more appropriate than a grumble.
Any inconvenience to my driving notwithstanding, these young people are turning a corner in their lives, the possibilities and outcomes of which are yet to be seen. In that respect, this is holy ground no less than when Moses encountered the burning bush. And thus I found myself transforming the potentially frustrating routine of "back to school" week into prayerful ritual, nudging a seemingly secular experience into the realm of the sacred.
This sort of transformation of our thinking can only be accomplished with mindful attention to our routines, reframing them in such a way as to create opportunities for sacred moments of reflection and grace. By doing this reframing, washing dishes can become a meditation, as can swimming laps. Whatever it is you do that has become mundane and routine, it is well worth the effort to discover the extraordinary in the ordinary, the sacred meaning in every day life.
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Below you'll find some spiritual offerings from other WDC members. Please let the folks know if you read their piece by leaving a thoughtful comment or review.
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Here is a response to my last newsletter "Spiritual Newsletter (July 23, 2014)" about "Your One Wild and Precious Life:"
From ANN Counselor, Lesbian & Happy 
Just yesterday I was reading words by Campbell. I loved those interviews of him on PBS; amazing! Great to read your thoughts on his words. I connected to those thoughts decades ago and know I'm following my bliss, the way you defined it. Lots of peace and heart-comfort go with "following my bliss" for at 76 I have no regrets, only joy and peace of mind. ANN
That is so wonderful - the best way to live for sure!
     
From Quick-Quill 
Sometimes we find ourselves in spite of our circumstances. I added a story I wrote about a woman who finds herself homeless and then finds her way home.
Thanks for sharing this with us.
From Zeke 
Your commentary about our lives was wonderful, thank you.
Zeke
Thank you so much!
From Joy 
Fantastic newsletter, Sophy, and you got me with Mary Oliver. That poem is among my favorites, too.
I think true prayer is witnessing life with reverence, and through "following our bliss," we are in life participating and witnessing at the same time, which I believe must be the idea behind all creation.
What a beautiful and powerful way to think about it, thank you so much for sharing.
From redbarron
Your newsletter here about following your bliss and changing corner of your world is so amazingly beautiful, true, and good writing. thank you!!!
Thank you for your kind words!
From shepherd46
"Your wild and precious life" article is wonderful and inspirational! It has helped me to focus on what area or areas of my life I can contribute to and perhaps help others. Right now, I feel that I am using my wild and precious life to help others through a community newsletter and by listening to neighbors and doing what I can to help.
Thanks again for your article!
Morningstar
You are welcome, so glad it was helpful!
From Mia - craving colour
A beautiful and well-written reflection, Sophy.
I also enjoy your columns.
Mia
Aww, thanks so much!
From ElizabethHayes-DaughterofIAM 
I enjoyed "Your One Wild and Precious Life" article. I believe everyone has a life purpose. However, each is discovered at different times. It may be simple for some, but harder for others to realize what their life purpose is. The only thing I know about mine is that it involves helping others. How do I know, you ask? Simply because I have always been one to help everybody else but myself. I know that sounds silly, but, it is the only way I can explain it.
Great job!
I agree, we can certainly have more than one meaning and purpose, which can change over time. I like that the core of yours remains the same. Thanks for writing in.
Here is a comment from my June Newsletter on "Breathing Lessons."
From Elfin Dragon-finally published
That one single breath. My father mentioned that the one word for God was used not just by Hebrew but by many other religions as well and it was those of Hebrew faith who distinguished Jehovah in His many different forms by adding to it. Thus became Jehovah-Jirah and other forms of Jehovah.
But it's good to know we all begin at the same road. With a single breath, a single beginning, a single word.
Amen.
Please keep your comments and suggestions coming! Until next time! Sophy
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Spiritual: August 20, 2014 Issue [#6497]
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