Episode 33: The Healing Power of Ritual
So Naaman went down and plunged into the Jordan seven times, according to the word of the man of God. His flesh became again like the flesh of a little child, and he was clean. - 2 Kings 5:14
Summary:
In this episode, Elizabeth Leon, Anna Gowasack, and Brittany Primeaux discuss the healing power of rituals in the context of grief, particularly focusing on how these practices can help individuals process their emotions and connect with their lost loved ones. They explore different types of rituals, the importance of structure in grief, and the distinction between natural and supernatural rituals, emphasizing the role of faith in the healing process. They discuss the role of music, personal rituals, and the importance of community in navigating grief, emphasizing that rituals can provide comfort and a sense of connection to something greater.
Takeaways:
Rituals provide a safe space for emotional expression.
Healing in grief often requires embodied practices.
There are three types of rituals: honoring, letting go, and self-transformation.
Rituals help establish enduring bonds with the deceased.
Supernatural rituals, like sacraments, offer grace even when we are not fully engaged.
Rituals can help reclaim identity after loss.
Structure in rituals can make grief more accessible.
Natural rituals focus on emotional release and peace.
Community support is vital in the grieving process.
Rituals can transform trauma into healing experiences.
Rituals can bring peace and closure in grief.
Music serves as a powerful tool for emotional connection.
Creating personal rituals helps in remembering loved ones.
Grief can be expressed through various forms of remembrance.
Community support is vital in the grieving process.
Finding meaning in loss can be a bittersweet journey.
The Divine Mercy Chaplet can aid in forgiveness and healing.
Rituals help connect us to something bigger than ourselves.
Hope is essential in navigating through grief.
Discussion questions:
How have you expressed your grief through ritual?
How has the presence or absence of ritual in your grief impacted you?
What rituals do you have for your child’s birthday or the day he/she died? What do you love about your rituals or what would you like to change?
What new rituals could help you continue to process your grief? Here are a few additional ideas that may interest you.
Light a candle when you are feeling particularly sad. Let it burn while you cry it out and then blow it out.
Pick a time each day to check in with your grief and intentionally remember your child. Maybe at sunset or at sunrise, maybe during your morning coffee or dessert.
Gift something special that belonged to your child to someone who loved them with a special note
Create a small altar in your home with items you think your child would love – a flower, a rock, a special toy…
Create a playlist of songs that inspire you to connect with your child or release your grief. Plan special times to enter into the music and grieve.
Find an analog clock and stop the time to the hour of your child’s death. Keep it in your home in a place you can see it and remember.
Wear something special that belonged to your child.
Create a photo collage of one of your child’s favorite places at different times of day and different seasons.
