Ritual

Practice, my friends, is not just a suggestion; it's a necessity. It's the essential reset button we need to press over and over again to truly experience something new. Think about it: we are creatures of habit, constantly practicing whether we realize it or not. When we stick to our old ways, those neural pathways in our brains get reinforced, making us, as they say, "set in our ways." But when we break away from those old habits, those pathways start to fade away. Practice has the power to create new responses within us and even allow the rigid ones to reveal themselves.

Isn't it odd that we readily acknowledge the importance of practice in sports, successful businesses, therapy, and creative pursuits, but somehow we often overlook its significance in religion? In the realm of spirituality, practice might just be more crucial than anywhere else. Jesus himself spoke of this when he said, "New wine demands fresh skins or otherwise we lose both the wine and the container." Practices are what create that new container for us, safeguarding the new wine we want to take in.

There's a deep wisdom in rituals and practices like a contemplative Eucharist, the rosary, chanting, and moments of silence. These practices have the potential to rewire our bodies and minds, allowing us to experience Reality from a mystical and contemplative perspective. However, as time passed, these practices became mere obligations for many. Instead of leading to new levels of consciousness, they often kept people stuck in their initial, simplistic understanding of these rituals. Transactions replaced transformations.

Mindlessly repeating any practice, without a clear intention or goal, can lull us into unconsciousness. Catatonic repetition keeps us far from real consciousness, intentionality, and spiritual growth. If spirituality isn't fostering inner and outer freedom, then it's missing the mark. It's this lack of genuine freedom that turns so many away from religious circles.

The fear-based repetition of prayers and rituals reflects an outdated level of consciousness that began to fade in the 1960s. Yet, each of these practices holds the potential for profound maturity.

It's a paradox, isn't it? God's gifts are freely given, yet they are only received by those who truly desire them, who say "yes" to them. This is the beautiful dance of grace. Divine Love never manipulates or forces itself upon us. It waits patiently to be invited, to be desired, and then it rushes in.

Practice, my friends, is not just about going through the motions. It's about breaking through into new insight, new desire, new compassion, and a deeper understanding of both God and ourselves. So let us not fear practice, but embrace it as the key to unlocking the profound mysteries of life and spirituality.