Rituals Make Our Actions Sacred
In a recent webinar with Michael Bungay Stanier (author of The Coaching Habit), the nuances between ritual and habit were explored, shedding light on how each influences our lives differently. While both rituals and habits consist of repeated actions, their purposes and impacts diverge significantly.
Habits are essentially the practical routines we perform, often subconsciously, to streamline our daily lives. They are the "what" of our actions—what we do regularly to maintain efficiency and structure. The primary goal of a habit is to become mindless, allowing us to perform tasks without expending much mental energy. For instance, brushing your teeth every morning is a habit. It’s practical and doesn’t require much thought; you do it because it’s part of your routine to maintain dental hygiene.
Rituals, on the other hand, are steeped in mindfulness and intentionality. They are less about the practical outcome and more about the symbolic meaning behind the actions. Rituals are focused on the "how" rather than the "what." They elevate ordinary actions to a sacred plane, creating space for transformative change. For example, making a morning cup of coffee can become a ritual when performed mindfully and with intention. It’s not just about getting caffeine into our bodies; we can set an intention to practice being fully present as we prepare and drink the coffee—putting aside devices and distractions. We can choose not to multi-task for a few moments and open ourselves to ask: “What am I noticing? What do I want? What is one thing I commit to getting done today?” Choosing to make a habit into a ritual means to perform the action with full awareness and intention.
According to Stanier, rituals make our actions sacred. Turning habits into rituals can lead to profound and lasting transformation. While habits can help us manage our lives efficiently, rituals breathe meaning and purpose into our ordinary actions, heightening our sense of connection to others, to nature, and to God.
Consider creating rituals for your daily life. Reflect on the moments that hold meaning for you and think about how you can transform ordinary actions into mindful practices. Whether it's starting your day with a few moments of meditation, journaling your thoughts and intentions (Stanier writes his answers to the three questions I listed above), or creating a special routine to mark the end of a busy week, these rituals can provide a sense of grounding and purpose. Embrace the power of ritual to make your routines more sacred and intentional. Begin today and watch how mindful actions can transform your life.
Walking with you,
Vicki