"When humans participate in ceremony, they enter a sacred space. Everything outside of that space shrivels in importance. Time takes on a different dimension. Emotions flow more freely. The bodies of participants become filled with the energy of life, and this energy reaches out and blesses the creation around them. All is made new; everything becomes sacred." - Sun Bear
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I had a long discussion about ceremony with a Catholic friend. I was asking why the Pope and the Bishops spend so much time on ceremonial aspects of the Mass, rather than the actual homily (sermon). He basically "Sun Bear"-ed me. Interesting. I'm with it, so long as the ceremony doesn't take precedence over the spirtuality. There's also something for praying with another group of people.
Interesting story TSO.
I suspect, however, that ritual is the vehicle for the spirit.
Ritual = legominism
"My dear and beloved Grandfather, tell me, please what does the word Legominism mean?" Hassein asked.
"This word Legominism," replied Beelzebub, "is given to one of the means existing there of transmitting from generation to generation information about certain events of long-past ages, through just those three-centered beings who are thought worthy to be and who are called initiates."
from Beelzebub's Tales to his Grandson, p.349
Interesting definition CNu.
I suspect, however, that ritual transmits a bit more than mere "information", from generation to generation.
Ceremony and ritual transmit something beyond even understanding.
Roman Catholic ritual has been profoundly debased - to the point where it contains little ergodic information.
Lectionary gothic roman cathedrals - OTOH - are some of the most profound legomisms in the world. As also, the Alhambra and many of the Almoravid (not Byzantine) mosques.
Parables are profound legomisms, as well - if you possess the key to acquiring their ergodic payload - as Jesus was wont to have said no fewer than 17 times in the synoptics, "if you have the eyes to see, and the ears to hear".
There is to my knowledge only one place where the meaning of this admonition is set forth in plain language - such that given a few dozen highly focused readings - nearly anybody could understand.
Doesn't mean they'd necessarily be able to "DO" the trick, but they could at least know what it entails.
There is a component of knowledge that goes along with the implicit expectation of enlarged "being" required to extract a legomism's payload.
Meanwhile, the movements, colors, accessories, liturgy, story form, music, symbols, and architecture serve to preserve and transmit a set of interior data that may not be apprehended at all in many generations, but will be preserved nevertheless because the form of their preservation has been crafted as a compelling and moving meme.
Beautiful CNu.
Simply beautiful.
Damn Nigga, I am as impressed with you, as I am with myself.
(Oops. Sorry about that Mike)
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