Power of Ritual, Part II
Currently, we are living in a culture and a time in history where the significance of life transitions is, for the most part, overlooked. Instead of experiencing developmental transitions that are validated by our communities, we typically experience intermittent crises that punctuate our lifespan and we experience these crises on our own. Although we may not be able to change this zeitgeist in the near future, we can make an individual effort to honor our own life transitions in order to reduce our distress and navigate these periods of destabilization more effectively. Ritual is one means of doing so.
In order to use ritual to help us manage a life transition we need first to determine whether we are actually in transition or experiencing the normal ebb and flow of life. Cues that we may have entered into a life transition include: feeling chronically dissatisfied with the roles that used to provide us with a sense of fulfillment; feeling lost and without direction; and feeling restless while desiring to have new experiences or to challenge ourselves. Second, we need to choose an action or activity that we feel symbolically represents aspects of the life transition in which we find ourselves. Taking a long walk for example, could symbolize one’s striving to find a new life direction after the completion of a major goal, such a raising a family or obtaining a job promotion. Third, the ritual needs to be enacted. Remember, in order for a ritual to be effective, activity needs to occur.
Because transitions which lead to transformations tend to take time, usually several months to years, steps two and three can be usefully reenacted throughout the period of transition, with relevant changes being made to the rituals as needed. We need to be aware of transitions in order to influence them (re: to help ourselves go through them). Rituals increase this awareness.
© Copyright 2002-2003 Diane L. Randall, All rights reserved. Read Terms of Use for details