Rituals and Psychology

Rituals surround us every day in small and big ways. In a previous article, I described that our morning and evening routines are rituals. Of course, we never think of our routines as rituals because these ritual behaviors can be so common and familiar. For example, we might exercise at 8 a.m. every day, eat breakfast after exercising, shower after breakfast, feed the dog and go to work. Such behaviors are scheduled in our minds as patterns for our daily routines but patterned behaviors are rituals.

These every day rituals provide us with a sense of control, the familiar and denial that we are vulnerable in so many ways. By performing these rituals, we are convincing ourselves that our lives are okay, steady and safe.

Of course, there also are daily rituals that are not pleasant. For example, there are repetitive behaviors such as: waking in the morning from under a tarp or in a car, searching for a morning handout for money or food and attempting to survive the remainder of the day. Although our vulnerability is much more conscious (aware) with these routines, the rituals still provide a sense of control and denial.

Other than our daily rituals, there are big rituals. These patterns of behavior occur in frightening situations -- when a person extends her/his control to someone or something else, to prevent major tragedies or to recover from such tragedies, to alleviate major fears and to communicate with something considered beyond reality.

Big rituals still attempt to control and deny, but in addition, these rituals bring forth bigger than life experiences because the rituals connect us to our unconscious (our hidden psychologies).

So, you can see that rituals and psychology are associated. Behaviors are motivated by psychological thoughts, beliefs, images, fantasies, emotions and imaginations. In other words, psychology is the base and origin of rituals, both daily routines and big rituals. Control, denial and a connection to the unconscious are psychological characteristics that help us experience ourselves as steady, or consistent, and to live harmoniously with powers beyond our identities, such as the natural powers of nature and the unconscious. Rituals can inform and protect, destroy and save us from ourselves and life.

When you wake tomorrow, consider your daily rituals and how you feel about each one. If you ever find yourself in a terrifying situation or connecting with a power greater than you, after you pass through the experience, consider the big rituals that were involved.