Accessing the power of ritual
January 20, 2025 | 12 CommentsAudio only version is here
Meditation practice begins at 11:54
Hello, wonderful Open Heart Project. I hope you are finding steadiness and friendship wherever you look.
Before today’s sit, I share some thoughts about a favorite subject of mine: the power of ritual. Ritual takes our practice out of the realm of self-help only and situates it in the realm of magic. I try to explain more about this in the video and also share some of the details of my own personal ritual, in case that is interesting.
I’m always interested to hear what you think.
With love,
Susan
PS If you are interested in knowing more about what happens in the OHP sangha (membership community), please check out my end-of-the-year letter with reflections about 2024 and what is planned for 2025. This is not the easiest time for seekers and meditators, but it is an important time…and our sangha is a source of wisdom, support, and friendship. It is a place to cry, laugh, and find your people. And be confused and delighted together! See all my different hairdos! All the things. It’s serious and light-hearted at the same time. At least I think so. 🙂
PPS Let us rouse the wish together on this MLK Day (in the USA) that all beings are able to skillfully navigate chaos and find sanity and liberation and solidarity.
categorized in: meditation, open heart project
12 Comments
Dear Susan ,
May you have a long and peaceful and happy life. ☺️
Thinking of you all in America may it not be as dreadful as it portends.
I was just wondering about the paintbrush.
Is it Chinese or Japanese I am assuming it relates to some kind of Zen painting.
I was told of an artist whose sole practice is dipping his huge Chinese paintbrush every day into ink and letting it build up.
Intriguing ☺️
Many thanks
Jane xx
Thank you, Jane. I think of the calligraphy brush as a symbol of writing and communication that cuts through delusion. May it be so! ❤️ susan
Thank you Susan,
Having just listened to Trumps inauguration speech I am not sure any amount of beautiful calligraphy could cut through that delusion.
I am in tears for all of us.
So sorry.
Any comforting words would be welcome.
J xx 🙏
I did not listen. I have no comforting words beyond to continue to care about yourself and others.
Susan! Thank you so much for this. I loved learning about your shrine and just wanted to say I wish you a speedy recovery on your surgery! You’re a warrior, of course, so I’m sure you’re doing brilliantly 👏 😉 ❤️
Thank you, Jenn. It’s all going in the right direction! xo S
That was one of the best explanations of ritual I’ve heard in simple, accessible terms. I’ve always been ritual-adverse because it always seemed too “religious” to me, but I can appreciate the power/magic of it now. Thank you.
I’m so glad to hear this, Cathy! Makes my day. xo S
Nicely done. Thank you Susan.
You are very welcome, Robert.
Dear Susan, Thank you for this beautiful teaching. It has certainly deepened my understanding of ritual elements and its significance and power. I have just begun to hear you speak about the closing of the day and have the intention to include that in my practice. I feel shaky about writing that because I worry about my not carrying that out…habits are hard to change. But…that’s my intention.
Intention is always the beginning! Feel free to approach this in your own way. Love, S