Genre: Personal Development
Book Type: Audio
Author & Narrator: Casper Ter Kuile
Pages / Length: 224 length / 5 hours and 55 minutes
Publisher: HarperOne (June 23, 2020) / HarperAudio
Book Description:
“After half a decade of research and hundreds of conversations with people around the country, I am convinced we are in the midst of a paradigm shift. That what used to hold us in community no longer works, and that the spiritual offerings of yesteryear no longer help us thrive.”–Casper ter Kuile
What do Soul Cycle, gratitude journals, and tech breaks have in common? For ter Kuile they offer rituals that create the foundation for our modern spiritual lives.
We are in crisis today. Our modern technological society has left too many of us—no matter our ages—feeling isolated and bereft of purpose. Previous frameworks for building community and finding meaning no longer support us. Yet ter Kuile reveals a hopeful new message: we might not be religious, but that doesn’t mean we are any less spiritual.
Instead, we are in the midst of a paradigm shift in which we seek belonging and meaning in secular practices. Today, we find connection in:
CrossFit and SoulCycle, which offer a sense of belonging rooted in accountability and support much like church groups
Harry Potter and other beloved books that offer universal lessons
Gratitude journals, which have replaced traditional prayer
Tech breaks, which provide mindful moments of calm
In The Power of Ritual, ter Kuile invites us to deepen these ordinary practices as intentional rituals that nurture connection and wellbeing. With wisdom and endearing wit, ter Kuile’s call for ritual is ultimately a call to heal our loss of connection to ourselves, to others, and to our spiritual identities.
The Power of Ritual reminds us that what we already do every day matters—and has the potential to become a powerful experience of reflection, sanctuary, and meaning.
Thoughts:
This book was broken down into 5 parts:
Connecting with Self
Connecting with Others
Connecting with Nature
Connecting with Transcendence
Already Connected
I found this to be a good read and a “feel good” read. I liked the different ways humans feel connected to the above and how we can deepen those connections. It was a good reminder of finding balance and deeply connecting with your environment and those around you.
One of the lines that stuck out the most to me was finding, “A book group that talks about the book but then really talks about life‘s difficulties and questions. As you share your shortcomings in a safe way, you’ll find that these people will love you and hold you responsible for your actions. They don’t need to believe in the same things you do, nor use the same language to describe their spiritual practices, nor do they even need to be your closest friends, but they will start to matter enormously.”
That sums up my Book Club perfectly, as we all make it a priority every month and this captured why so beautifully.
This was a good book and I would recommend it if you’re on a path of personal development or just looking to find ways to deepen some connections around you – whether through more self-reflection, through the outdoors and being at peace in the stillness to allow your mind to be free, through friendships, or through your religion. This didn’t provide any crazy new ideas for me, but it did open my eyes to how important rituals are, as well as how important connections are.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
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