I like doing things the same way every day because I’m not a fan of surprises. I used to think this made me a lazy or boring person. But Everyday Rituals by Pearl Katz showed me that my routines actually help me feel free. She points out that even in places like the military or jails, where you wouldn’t expect people to feel free, routines can give a sense of freedom.
I’m usually shy and don’t get too excited about cultural traditions. Yet, this book made me see rituals in a new perspective. It talks about how these routines help families feel connected to their past, create a sense of belonging, and handle big emotions like grief. It also shows how saying goodbye to someone we’ve lost through rituals can help us feel better and move forward.
Everyday Rituals is a great book for anyone who wants to recognize why we follow routines and how they help us. It’s easy to read and really makes you think differently about your daily habits.
Summary
What is rituals?
Rituals are routines we do repeatedly, but they’re more than just ordinary tasks. Each one holds a special significance that is unique and personal to us.
What is freedom?
Freedom isn’t just the absence of rules or restrictions. It’s the feeling that you can think and dream without any boundaries.
Paradox of rituals and freedom
Rituals can actually set us free. By engaging in our daily rituals, we know exactly what to expect next—there are no surprises, just same old day activities. These familiar, repetitive actions provide emotional freedom through the comfort of predictability.
Interestingly, this sense of freedom can also be found in structured environments like the military and prisons. Why? Because individuals are relieved from making basic decisions like what to wear or eat. Even in prison, a form of psychological freedom is possible. The text mentions well-known individuals who have found a way to free something within themselves, despite their confinement. This shows that even in restrictive settings, people can find a way to experience freedom internally.
The biological perspective of having rituals
For rituals that are routine habits, like daily practices, a specific part of the brain known as the posterior dorsolateral striatum gets activated. This includes areas like the right posterior putamen and the globus pallidus, which are part of the basal ganglia. These routines are stored in our brain’s automatic memory, which means we do them without much thought. The cerebral cortex, which helps us perform most rituals, is also active. Healing rituals, in particular, are known to encourage feelings of connection and bonding among those involved.
Engaging in repetitive rituals allows our brain to switch from the alert, conscious state (beta waves) to a more relaxed, daydreaming state (alpha and theta waves). During this switch, the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, which is in charge of planning and complex thinking, is less active. This deactivation, along with the activation of theta waves, lets a flood of neurotransmitters like norepinephrine, dopamine, endorphins, anandamide, and serotonin into our system. This surge in chemicals enhances our creativity, helping us connect ideas in new and imaginative ways.
Religious rituals and some ceremonies, including moments of trance, mainly stimulate the amygdala, the part of the brain linked to our emotions. These activities can make the brain release several chemicals like serotonin, norepinephrine, oxytocin, among others, which affect our mood and feelings. Parts of the brain such as the limbic system, basal ganglia, and cerebellum, which release natural pain-relieving substances, are also involved. Religious rituals usually include quiet moments, readings from holy books, various postures like standing and sitting, and singing.
The impact of routine on mental state and creativity
The repetitive nature of certain activities, like rituals, can foster creativity. When someone is deeply engaged in a task, such as walking, running, or even attending a religious ceremony, they often reach a state of intense focus and enjoyment. This state is characterized by complete involvement in the activity, where nothing else seems to matter. It’s a time when worries and distractions disappear, and one feels completely absorbed, satisfied, and can lead to free-flowing thoughts. This special state often arises during routine activities that require little thought because they have become automatic, like jogging, cycling, or exercising.
This mental state not only opens up possibilities for creativity but also for personal change. However, reaching this creative state doesn’t just happen by feeling free and in the flow; it requires a history of practicing and mastering the activity. Regular runners often find that their running experiences enhance their creativity. Creative individuals who run are not focused on a particular task because running has become second nature to them.
Rituals’ impact beyond the ordinary
- In families:
- Emotional bridges: Rituals help transfer emotions from the past into the present, making them meaningful for all family members. They strengthen the sense of belonging, can prevent conflicts, allow families to express or conceal emotions, and unite them around common symbols.
- Reduction in stress: Families that engage in rituals often experience less stress, communicate better, and have more stable relationships.
- Building resilience: Family rituals enhance resilience by connecting members to each other, their history, and their wider cultural or community celebrations. They evoke strong, positive emotions like awe, reverence, and gratitude.
- Health benefits: Regular family meals, as a ritual, not only promote healthy eating but also help improve chronic health conditions.
- Death rituals:
- Healing in mourning: Rituals associated with death help those left behind accept the biological passing of a loved one while transitioning the deceased into a remembered spirit. These rituals support mourners in transforming their lives and finding psychological freedom through this transformation.
A big shoutout to NetGalley and Globe Pequot for hooking me up with an advance reader copy of this book. Thanks for letting me share my honest thoughts!
Author: Pearl Katz, PhD
Publication date: 6 August 2024
Number of pages: 279 pages
