Developing relationship through ritual

A living ritual is a form of structured activity that has symbolic meaning. It engages our full attention and is a way to sanctify our activity.

First step to preparing for ritual is to take root in the heart so that we can by pass the ego mind and go deeper into our practice so the practice then can enrich and nurture what is most precious to us in our lives.

The Rishis (Seers) suggested that there is a natural progression through which we come to recognize the deeper meaning in our lives.

The first wisdom is the recognition of suffering. If we welcome suffering, rather than rejecting it, there is the promise of knowledge. Welcoming this knowledge and whatever emotion comes up with it will take us to a desire, a wish to move out of suffering which will lead us to action. Through action we begin to understand our self and the world more accurately and our values come to light. This leads to a refocusing of our direction and a progressive letting go of things/activities/ beliefs that have no bearing on that direction. The letting go process even drops off with the insight that there is nothing to achieve, we are already complete whole and this leads to a devotion and dedication of one's life to abiding as pure being.

The following personal rituals are designed to underlie, support and inform your presence during our time together this weekend: 

1. Preparation - Gathering one's tools

a. Take the time to think about what makes sense to bring for yourself.

b. Think about what you can also bring that will make the retreat go well for the group - consider being overly generous.

2. Initiation - Preparing oneself, Purifying, Centering

A. Practicing Saucha - purity of mind and body:

I invite you to start your retreat today by being aware of what substances may get in the way of being completely available to yourself, your retreat, to each other, to me, and to the teachings.

1. Our silent retreat is upon us. Start now with being aware of the tendency to reject or attach to what is present by talking. Consider being conscious of your talking patterns and cutting back on the tendency to speak. Listen more this week. Perhaps you can even take one silent evening this week of undistracted presence and simply welcome what is.

2. Question the substances and behaviors you indulge in. Ask yourself if they support accessing spontaneous intelligence. Are you willing to scale back on indulging in them or even abstaining from them all together this week before and during retreat?

• sugar
• fast food
• caffeine
• alcohol
• over eating
• over doing/obsessing/ addiction (in any area)
• over thinking/over processing/controlling
• lying/pretense
• judging (self and other)
• raging
• any other substance or behavior that you know you use to reject/diffuse/separate from what is.

Be prepared for the ego-mind to justify these behaviors. The practice is to be willing to question every behavior, not necessarily to let it go, but to be willing to for a period of time to experience reality from an open, vulnerable, and courageous space present to spontaneous intelligence that is always arising, but not necessarily noticed.

3. Turning Within to Source

Pratyahara - a progressive shift from the outward orientation of attention in the day to day activities to an inward orientation toward the body/mind and heart, toward Awaring Presence.

a. This is achieved primarily by deciding to leave home, letting go of doing, processing, achieving and entering the sacred sanctum of retreat.

You can also 'commit to sit' in meditation each day now until retreat begins, deciding to direct your attention inward with an innocent mind away from the distractions of the world.

4. Taking refuge

A proclamation of commitment on the part of the student which is a necessary starting point to begin the Yoga journey.

We'll use the Yoga teachings of Patanjali with his first word atha in the first sutra of his classic treaty that presupposes the student is ready and willing to begin the journey of Yoga.

If there is some other formal confession of faith that you'd like to use, please do.

5. Stating Intention (Samkalpa)

Realizing and acknowledging one's higher purpose that supports consciousness and enlightenment (freedom from suffering)

Take some time with your Yoga-buddy or do a round of giving attention to each other on the ride up to the retreat regarding one's intention for the weekend/current time.