Tuning In

Exactly what is ritual? 

Some people think of them as elaborate affairs conducted by an initiated elite like priests or clergy.  For others, the word “ritual” means something strange or mysterious, perhaps performed in the dark of night under a full moon.

At an ordinary level, however, we perform rituals every day!  The way we start our day – showering, brushing teeth, putting on make-up or shaving – is a form of ritual.  The way we prepare and eat our breakfast – gulping down juice and toast, picking up donuts and coffee on the way to work, or enjoying a lovingly cooked meal on a beautifully arranged tray – is a form of “ritual.”  In this context, ritual is simply one or more “things” (toast, coffee, full meal) brought together in a series of “actions” (gulp, sip, savor) for a “purpose” (feed self).

When the ritual involves a special event or celebration like a birthday, graduation, or wedding ceremony, we pay more conscious attention to the “things” we assemble (flowers, balloons) and “actions” we take (offer gifts, sing Happy Birthday) to achieve a specific “purpose” (honoring the recipient).

And, when one pays attention, we believe that life, itself, becomes a special event.  This is the reason for this book.  Throughout, you will find numerous simple materials (“things”) offered in a wide variety of ritual contexts (“actions”) to help you tune in more acutely to the ways in which Spirit is working through you (“purpose”).  Ritual then is simply a tool to help you remember who you really are.

The rituals in this book are primarily spun from three different skeins.  Those that involve the construction of an “elemental” (i.e., fire, water, earth, mineral or nature) altar are based on the traditions of the Dagara people of Burkina Faso in West Africa.  They are lovingly dedicated to Nancy’s Dagara teachers, Malidoma and Sobonfu Some.  Within this framework, Nancy often weaves in elements from other traditional teachers of hers, including the Huichols of central Mexico, the Druids of Ireland, and Mezo- and South American wisdom elders.

Terumi’s earliest childhood experience of ritual was her Japanese parents’ offering of the first serving of rice each day to Spirit.  She draws on her extensive background as a Feng Shui practitioner and teacher to bring together a variety of rituals designed to help you shift your energy and bring balance and harmony into every aspect of life.  She honors Grandmaster Lin Yun for imparting these teachings to her.  From her Tantra work, Terumi offers simple practices for opening the heart and being in loving relationship with another.