Ritual in Healing
In our busy lives, it's easy to feel disconnected. But what if there was a way to reconnect with our deeper selves, to heal and find clarity? Rituals, with roots in ancient wisdom, can support with this. In this blog, I share a little on how rituals are now integral to my healing journey and how they might touch your life too.
The room was dim, blanketed in a hush that was more felt than heard. I found myself transported.
Beside me, a mask I had made - an enigmatic blend of an old wizard and a wolf, representing facets of me that had long been dormant.
This wasn’t just a decorative mask; it was my shadow, a piece of me I had locked away, beckoning me to confront and embrace it.
And in that moment, it was the healer that emerged.
It was during this shadow work experience that I truly felt the therapeutic power of rituals.
Previously, my understanding of rituals was clouded by negative associations with religious mandates.
Until this time, rituals felt like rehearsed routines, lacking depth. But in that moment, I had an insight and clarity, feeling a deep connection to all the different parts of myself - those I had long hidden from the world.
It was freedom, it was connection, it was... me.
Rituals: A catalyst for deep inner work
Throughout history, ancient cultures have harnessed the power of rituals to achieve balance, healing, and spiritual growth.
These time-tested practices have been rooted in an intrinsic understanding of the human psyche and the natural world. Today, numerous therapists and psychologists are drawing inspiration from these ancient rituals, recognising their value in trauma recovery.
Dr. Peter Levine, a pioneering expert in trauma recovery, underscores the importance of the body in healing trauma. Rituals, with their embodied and symbolic actions, offer a medium through which trauma survivors can engage with their physical selves, processing and releasing traumatic memories.
Rituals, by themselves, aren't enough. They need to be combined with deep personal reflection. Without this, rituals might just be empty actions, like 'dressing up' without truly engaging in the healing process.
The communal power of rituals
Group rituals can amplify this experience.
A room full of individuals, each on their unique journey, yet united in intention and purpose, is powerful.
The collective energy, the shared vulnerability, the mutual support – it's really something else.
The act of coming together, bearing witness to each other's stories, and taking part in a shared ritualistic experience fosters deep healing and connection.
My personal ritual: Self-gratitude
While group rituals offer a shared experience, personal rituals are intimate conversations with oneself. They’re moments of reflection, gratitude, and healing.
One of the most transformative rituals I've adopted was birthed from a suggestion by my spiritual coach – a daily gratitude ritual for my own skills and talents. At first, the very thought of it felt strange, almost alien. I was accustomed to feeling gratitude for everyone around me, the universe, life's little joys, but to feel gratitude for myself and my gifts? That felt really uncomfortable.
The internal resistance was strong. It took months before I could even think about doing this practice. The idea of acknowledging my skills and talents felt uneasy, a stark contrast to the habitual humility I cloaked myself in. But underneath that discomfort lay a deeper issue: a persistent inner critic, a relentless drive for perfectionism, shadows of childhood trauma that many of us carry.
With dedication, I began a simple 10-minute daily ritual.
Each morning, before the world could make its demands, I'd find a quiet spot, often in nature, and play my drum and chant, before starting to journal.
I'd write down three skills or talents I was grateful for that day. Some days, it was my ability to hold space and for people to feel at ease in my presence, other days it was my knack for creating soothing soundscapes in my therapy sessions.
With each entry, I wasn't just acknowledging a skill; I was silencing that inner critic, diminishing its hold on me.
Over time, this ritual has became a pillar of strength, a daily reminder of my worth. It wasn't just about self-appreciation; it was a reclamation of self-worth and a step towards healing old wounds.
Crafting personal rituals
If you're inspired to create your own, let me guide you through the process:
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Before you begin, understand your purpose. Are you seeking healing, closure, gratitude, or perhaps clarity? Your ritual should be a reflection of this intent.
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Choose an object or action that resonates with your intent. It could be lighting a candle, holding a cherished trinket, playing your drum, or reciting a personal mantra.
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Dedicate a space for your ritual. It could be a quiet corner adorned with personal mementos, a garden nook, or even a favourite spot in your local green area.
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Your ritual deserves time and presence. Dedicate specific moments, be it daily or weekly, and approach them with reverence and commitment.
The lasting impact of healing rituals
The lessons and insights of rituals can continue to guide and teach us for years, leaving deep impressions, and even resurfacing in unexpected ways. My experience with the shadow ritual is a testament to that.
Over the last couple of months, I began to feel an acute pain in the back of my heart space, which manifested as a hump in my upper back.
This physical discomfort, I realised, was a manifestation of my younger self to protect the empathetic healer in me, a role that had been exploited during my childhood.
The shadow ritual illuminated this protective mechanism and helped me understand that I could embrace my healer's role without draining my own energy.
With this newfound clarity, I turned to my singing bowls, channeling their healing vibrations to address the trauma anchored in that space. Over a couple of solo sessions, I experienced a visceral, physical release, as if layers of pent-up emotions and memories were unfurling, allowing my upper back to open and realign.
Rituals are more than just actions; they're bridges to our deeper selves. Through them, we connect, heal, and grow. Whether in a group or alone, embracing rituals can lead us to a more genuine understanding of who we are, paving the way for a truly authentic life.
