Lovely and important piece Wendy. Has left me thinking of all the ways that our thirsty souls look for and create small rituals, and the comfort and connection this can bring, especially when we bring intention and pay attention. My daily tai chi in park has become more of a ritual as I have developed opening and closing moves and words, looking out for connections. Thinking also of every time we sit in circles and share, even when informal, how this creates holding and spaciousness for deeper conversations. Ritual opens tender feelings and modern culture has become shy, even fearful, of this, yet yearns for what is missing. Even small practices can help lead us back
Thank you so much, Sally. I love that you do daily chi in the park. I recall you wrote of finding your own centeredness in letting go of how others might perceive your practice. I agree we are so thirsty for deep connection and holding but resistant to allowing for it. The act of writing this piece and these conversations has me considering how I might commit more routinely to a few rituals that have become more sporadic—as “even small practices can help lead us back”. 💙
Beautifully written. My own rituals may just be quiet moments next to a stream, or sitting near a sandstone cliff, reflecting on all that is potently beautiful. Or our annual Winter Solstice Bonfire, when friends and family gather under the stars or in a snowstorm to watch the burning pyre that we built in the Fall. Being raised Catholic (but not practicing now), being in any church has always felt familiar and brings me to reflection. Many people have lost the ritual, which can bring joy, peace and solace, sometimes even sorrow - to mark our time and lives. I don’t think that they have to be huge moments… just stopping and paying attention. Thanks for your wise words, Wendy!
Thank you, Ang. The simple acts of mindfulness and gratitude—particularly in those beautiful natural spaces—are powerfully rituals in themselves. I agree they don’t need to be complicated to be meaningful.
Your Winter Solstice Bonfire sounds magical! We have Willow Woman here which I’ll attend if I don’t go home. 🔥✨❄️💙
Woke up to see your post first thing this morning while having succumbed to laryngitis this week. Read it as I made my coffee and fed Charlie, not able to set my phone down.
Your words speak so deeply to me as I feel you and I touched upon many of these insights on our Red Cliffs hike. I’ve found myself thinking we are losing our soul more and more often these days. Heart and soul, ritual and ceremony would help guide us away from the superficiality that has overtaken most of us. Kirkwood helps me to come back to who I really am and honor my soul🧡
The fact that you, Wendy, are so scientific yet embrace this necessity is so reassuring to me. Thank you for sharing your wisdom with the world.
Good morning, Karen!! Awwww…thank you so much for sharing this. It makes a difference to know my words have meaning—to even one beautiful soul like you!! I feel comfort knowing you and your heart are out there walking the Red Cliffs in solidarity. We need our big-hearted community more than ever now. ❤️❤️❤️
I have a hard time enacting rituals. I'm challenged to find new, more meaningful rituals to replace those that were offered by church and traditional cultural norms.
Depending on your interests, there are resources (books, groups, workshops and retreats) where you can to learn more and/or participate in rituals. There’s also a role for self-generated ceremony. Are there particular orientations (for example, indigenous culture, women’s circles, nature based ceremony, arts, somatics, etc.) that interest you? If you would like to share more, I might be able to suggest some resources.
Nature and somatics are my primary meditative and restorative practices, aside from yoga and Pilates. At present, I have a group of women who might gather for a women's circle. Also a mixed-gender friend group that might be interested, of which some of the women are a part and partnered to the men. Some of us are doing a lantern walk for Solstice. I think welcoming the new year would be meaningful to people. I love drumming circles.
Lovely and important piece Wendy. Has left me thinking of all the ways that our thirsty souls look for and create small rituals, and the comfort and connection this can bring, especially when we bring intention and pay attention. My daily tai chi in park has become more of a ritual as I have developed opening and closing moves and words, looking out for connections. Thinking also of every time we sit in circles and share, even when informal, how this creates holding and spaciousness for deeper conversations. Ritual opens tender feelings and modern culture has become shy, even fearful, of this, yet yearns for what is missing. Even small practices can help lead us back
Thank you so much, Sally. I love that you do daily chi in the park. I recall you wrote of finding your own centeredness in letting go of how others might perceive your practice. I agree we are so thirsty for deep connection and holding but resistant to allowing for it. The act of writing this piece and these conversations has me considering how I might commit more routinely to a few rituals that have become more sporadic—as “even small practices can help lead us back”. 💙
Beautifully written. My own rituals may just be quiet moments next to a stream, or sitting near a sandstone cliff, reflecting on all that is potently beautiful. Or our annual Winter Solstice Bonfire, when friends and family gather under the stars or in a snowstorm to watch the burning pyre that we built in the Fall. Being raised Catholic (but not practicing now), being in any church has always felt familiar and brings me to reflection. Many people have lost the ritual, which can bring joy, peace and solace, sometimes even sorrow - to mark our time and lives. I don’t think that they have to be huge moments… just stopping and paying attention. Thanks for your wise words, Wendy!
Thank you, Ang. The simple acts of mindfulness and gratitude—particularly in those beautiful natural spaces—are powerfully rituals in themselves. I agree they don’t need to be complicated to be meaningful.
Your Winter Solstice Bonfire sounds magical! We have Willow Woman here which I’ll attend if I don’t go home. 🔥✨❄️💙
Woke up to see your post first thing this morning while having succumbed to laryngitis this week. Read it as I made my coffee and fed Charlie, not able to set my phone down.
Your words speak so deeply to me as I feel you and I touched upon many of these insights on our Red Cliffs hike. I’ve found myself thinking we are losing our soul more and more often these days. Heart and soul, ritual and ceremony would help guide us away from the superficiality that has overtaken most of us. Kirkwood helps me to come back to who I really am and honor my soul🧡
The fact that you, Wendy, are so scientific yet embrace this necessity is so reassuring to me. Thank you for sharing your wisdom with the world.
Sending love your way always my brilliant friend
Good morning, Karen!! Awwww…thank you so much for sharing this. It makes a difference to know my words have meaning—to even one beautiful soul like you!! I feel comfort knowing you and your heart are out there walking the Red Cliffs in solidarity. We need our big-hearted community more than ever now. ❤️❤️❤️
I have a hard time enacting rituals. I'm challenged to find new, more meaningful rituals to replace those that were offered by church and traditional cultural norms.
Depending on your interests, there are resources (books, groups, workshops and retreats) where you can to learn more and/or participate in rituals. There’s also a role for self-generated ceremony. Are there particular orientations (for example, indigenous culture, women’s circles, nature based ceremony, arts, somatics, etc.) that interest you? If you would like to share more, I might be able to suggest some resources.
Nature and somatics are my primary meditative and restorative practices, aside from yoga and Pilates. At present, I have a group of women who might gather for a women's circle. Also a mixed-gender friend group that might be interested, of which some of the women are a part and partnered to the men. Some of us are doing a lantern walk for Solstice. I think welcoming the new year would be meaningful to people. I love drumming circles.