The purpose of ritual

The private moment of prayer in an Indian temple happens in public.

10th February, 2009

The regularity of ritual brings reassurance if nothing else.

It is a time to connect with the subtle, which means we connect with something subtle within our self, not just an external energy. The connection with an external thing happens from something in us that resonates with that entity. So, if we are relating to something material, that connection comes from the material in us. If we are relating to something sattwic and spiritual and subtle, the connection comes from that which is sattwic, subtle and spiritual in us. If we do that regularly, it builds up inside.

This is the purpose of ritual, of offering, of puja.