Shundo David Haye – Zen Priest

‘Rituals shape, stretch, define and redefine the identity of those who perform them. As you engage in a ritual, your consciousness changes. The power of ritual, however, is not an ability to communicate conscious knowledge, but to frame experience in such a way that it may be apprehended meaningfully. Ritual can have the impact of lived experience because it is performed by the body. In this way, people can learn about what is important through experiencing “fresh” what those before have experienced. Real life is very messy and organic, while discourse about life tends to be tidy and linear. Ritual is found somewhere in between. Performing a ritual with a long tradition can make a person feel connected.’ (Bringing Zen Home)