Today I am going to speak of Prayer and Ritual. I often am asked what my “Ritual” is… and how do I pray?” and I kind of chuckle to self, because to each of us it is unique, it is something we actually all do without even realizing it at times.
Ritual can refer to something that is done as part of a ceremony or something that is always done in a particular situation and/or the same way each time. So with that said lets take a look how they are defined in the dictionary;
RITUAL
1: of or relating to rites or a ritual ; ceremonial
2: according to religious law
3: done in accordance with social custom or normal protocol
— rit•u•al•ly adverb
PRAYER
1a (1) : an address (as a petition) to God or a god in word or thought (2) : a set order of words used in praying
b : an earnest request or wish
2 : the act or practice of praying to God or a god
…at least those are the basic definitions.
We all have many rituals in our life, they can be also referred to a routine and how accomplish that routine. Something as simple as my as my morning ritual which is to get up early, put the hot water on… take care of the critters, make a cup of tea and then sit and pray, reflect and pray some more. All this is done in order to set the tone for the day. Why is that some may ask? Because it balances me, centers me securely in my Sacred Hoop, humbles me and reminds me of whom I am and how I must walk, it keeps me to task.
More questions, “So what is so important about that? I want to know, do you add magic to it? Is there a special way to perform ritual?”
Answer is, everyone’s “Ritual” is different. There is no right or wrong way to do it, because it is unique to you. I don’t like to use labels… I simply do it repetitiously… and it becomes ritual.
I actually have a simpler word for it, “Prayer”. It helps me put positives into my day, keeps me sane, (or at least as sane as a bear can be), it empowers, enlightens and connects me to the Universe and beyond! I light candles, I add herbs and intent to my smudge when I light it, I show respect for the “ritual” of all of it, because it is sacred to me, it is how I show respect, Sometimes I drum, sometimes I sing, sometimes I write… but it is all form of that ritual of prayer. Connection to the Creator, the Ancestors and Spirit… it is a way to remember why we are human.
So how do you perform ritual? How do you pray? Is there a right way or wrong way? My response is keep it simple…keep it real. Speak your truths from your heart; listen to that little inner voice for it is telling you that you already have a “ritual”, a purpose here as you walk your human and the fact you are asking it is simply means it is time to embrace all that it is!
Prayer make it a.Ritual…. be aware of it and try adding a little of it to your day. You will be amazed at the positives it will bring to your life!
Mitakuye O’yasin
~ bear Medicinewalker
#theSacredHoopProject2015
Music by Fawn and Dallas provided by Canyon records and available at http://www.canyonrecords.com/
