Was watching some interesting videos while sidelined from more active sports (and chores!) for a couple weeks--amazing how much time I can spend on YouTube and Google, LOL! One thing I noticed was how the use of ritual crosses species lines. Dogs, birds, children, life coaches, sports teams, and religion all make use of it.

Everybody uses little sets of behaviors to set a mood, calm (or pep up) the body, and focus the mind--all with the intent to increase the chances of success, if not guarantee it. If we don't understand the ritual, we call it magic, whether is works or not. And the world is full of magical thinking that is generally considered unscientific, right?

So, given our progressive and enlightened age, what place does ritual have in our daily lives? In particular, is there religious ritual within the Bahá'í Faith, which is a religion I keep saying is futuristic, logical and reasonable? How does it serve the individual and the greater good.

Of course, that is a topic suitable for a doctoral thesis, not easily squished into 800+ words, but here's my try--the latest article from the Baha'i site at BellaOnline.com. :)

The Value of Ritual
Ritual is a common and useful human construction, as long as rigidity doesn't obscure the original meaning. The Bahá'í Faith has a few simple rituals, but much meaning and guidance for effective daily living.

http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art41477.asp

Please visit bahai.bellaonline.com for more about the Baha'i Faith and what it's like to live a Bahá'í life -- at least, what it's like for me...

Think about your favorite and effective rituals, religious or otherwise, and share with us in the free online discussions in the site forum located here -

http://forums.bellaonline.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=postlist&Board=321

I hope to hear from you sometime soon, either in the forum or in response to this email message. I thrive on your feedback

Cheryll Schuette, Baha'i Editor
http://bahai.bellaonline.com