Rites and Vain Repetitions

September 1, 2023 Open Religion No Comments

In religious or other contexts, rites can be tokens of something special happening. On the other hand, they can be effective without meaning — as vain repetitions.

See also: Rituals.

Like stones around a campfire

These stones denote the fire’s borders — a clear delineation of the campfire. This is useful and even helps the fire. But mistaking the stones for the fire makes no sense.

Likewise, mistaking the rites for the fire inside yourself makes no sense.

Reminders of something special

In a religious setting, rites can remind the attendants that a temporary change in mindscape is called for. Daily hassles can be left behind, opening oneself to a broader and more Open view prone to let one experience the presence of more.

This experience is the fiery essence of genuine religion. The rest is nothing but stones — lifeless, vain repetitions.

Open Religion has many faces.

Each is the face of a genuinely felt, locally blossoming religious adventure.

Yet Open Religion is always about the same burning fire inside each of these adventures. Open Religion the searching for this fire, the opening towards it, and eventually, support for experiencing it — all while staying as rational as possible.

A correct take on rites is crucial for this.

From an oversight viewpoint, it doesn’t matter which concrete rites are enacted. What matters is how they are felt — either as outside agents of something magical or as a help to summon what spontaneously burns inside.

This is also the distinction between genuine belief and superstition. There are many religious stories about rites of ‘superstition from outside’ ― for instance, worshipping foreign gods. This can be like the pot calling the kettle black. It can also be about a genuine feeling from deep inside.

Eventually, superstition is about anything that doesn’t come from the inside out.

Thus, any rite that is supposed to make a connection in the outside direction is a sign of superstition. Any rite enacted as an invitation to what comes from the inside out is genuine, beautiful, and interesting.

You should run away from the former. You cannot get enough of the latter.

For instance, this is crucial in how to light a little candle. I invite you to practice with this experience ― each time entirely.

Not only religious

Of course, the same is true in any field. Any autosuggestion quickly becomes a vain repetition if it is seen instrumentally to obtain something externally ― that doesn’t come from the inside out.

Vain repetition may still work and bring you something. It may get you power.

But that something is useless,

and that power has no meaning because it’s not yours.

If well done, any rite is a door to yourself, deep inside, where “it doesn’t matter anymore.”