  |
|
|
|
Whatever receives attention increases. It expands both in the amount of time it occupies and in its sense of meaning. That knowledge can be used to advantage.
This simple fact means that by not participating in what isn’t wanted, the time is automatically filled in other ways. Imagine the amount of energy that could be gained by not worrying, not arguing, not feeling hurt, not spending time on entertainment that isn’t entertaining. Apply this idea to activities, relationships, and even to the practice of spirituality. How Can Spirituality Be Bad? When ritual becomes habitual, it loses its sacred function, whether that be communication with a higher power or gratitude for what is. How can it serve its purpose if it has lost its vitality? Does that mean that all habits are bad? Using Habits To Increase Significance The positive purpose of daily habits is to relieve pressure. Habits make short work of acts that need not be re-invented in order to succeed. An early morning routine saves time, makes it easier to get out of the house with a minimum of effort. There’s no need to think through every action. You’re on automatic. It is an economical use of your strength. On the other hand, when the numerous acts that bring order to daily life, such as a second cup of coffee, opening the curtains, turning off the outdoor lights, and preparing breakfast begin to feel like empty busy work, these once-calming routines can be transformed into rituals that feed the spirit. A Living Act Requires Awareness Although it’s easy to say, awareness may not be that easy to instill. For example, attentively expressing thankfulness for food before a meal might be more effortless if a person has never given thanks before. The habit of saying a prayer might make the act possible to do it automatically, without alertness. Here’s where a bad habit might come in handy. If an individual learned to be critical of every meal served, the automatic negative inner thoughts can be used as an alarm clock, reminding the person, instead, to be grateful. Trying to stop an inner or outer dialogue may unleash conflict that may take awhile to tame and convert. If a person is on a diet, or working with health issues relating to food, these situations also can be used as positive reinforcement for awakening lively ritual. If being sophisticated, too worldly to pray, has not transformed your life to one filled with joy, why not try another attitude and action? What have you to lose? Why Make Such Efforts? Although controlling your attention will make it possible to accomplish a self-determined task to expand awareness, it isn’t enough to make the ritual grow in meaning. Writer Gary van Warmerdam points out, “You must also be able to shift your perspective to points of view of acceptance, love, compassion and respect.” If ritual has gone stale, perhaps it’s a sign of the practitioner’s readiness for the next step, a global shift in consciousness.
The copyright of the article Turning Habit Into Ritual in Alternative Spirituality is owned by BJ Appelgren. Permission to republish Turning Habit Into Ritual in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
|
|
|
|
