The Power of Ritual: Turning Everyday Activities into Soulful Practices

This book put what's meaningful about ritual into focus. Things that felt mundane came alive and some daily habits suddenly felt sacred. I read the book once but have found myself coming back to it over and over as new aspects of ritual feel especially resonant. This is a guide to meaningful connection and embodiment and the beginning of so many transformative conversations and practices. It's a before and after kind of book.

The power of Ritual is an enjoyable and insightful exploration of the power of ritual to enhance our lives. The author explores why traditional (often religious) rituals maintain power and connection to us, and how to get the benefits of these rituals in a secular context. It is built upon work the How We Gather research the author did at Harvard Divinity School, which was focused on millennial but people of any generation can find insights here.This is a pragmatic not dogmatic book. For example, while we learn of the benefits of eating together, the term Kuile yields that sometimes eating while watching a video is just what we need. And one of the fun parts of the book is how the author injects light hearted personal comments in. The midst of some deeply philosophical conversations,While there is certainly some stuff to think deeply about, but this is also a very actionable book. As you read you are likely to think of things that you can do immediately, and small variations to things you already do.The Power of Ritual connects traditional spiritual connections with current life. If you are looking for some insights into how to better connect with your self and those around you consider reading this book.

I know this was written pre COVID but it is perfectly relevant for this moment. Casper knocked my socks off with his tight structure, and the way he makes the profound seem simple. This book is for anyone who would like spiritual direction, for those recovering from religion and craving the spirituality of ritual. It’s for all of us. It’s a quick read and will point readers in new directions too references many other resources and readings.A blessing to you Casper for what you put out into the world. You are gift to all of us. And a special blessing for those last pages. I had forgotten and I remembered. Thank you for reminding me and all of us of the paradox between loneliness and connection.

I will read this book against and again. Casper ter Kuile elevates love for self and for community by reminding us, not only of the power of ritual, but also of the power of compassion and care. In seeing our everyday routines and interactions as holy, as worthy of care, he helps us see the value of life lived with intention. Whether it is caring for and loving ourselves enough to take a tech Sabbath, or others enough to make space for them at the table, intentional living has power. I will not look at prayer, dining, or exercise the same now that I can see them as ritual to help me live with intention, love and care.

Love his podcast and was excited about the read. It's a good book with some good points. However, a lot of the examples he uses are ones that I've heard on the podcast before, so there wasn't a whole lot that I found new or helpful.

As a fan/follower of Casper’s for years, I was thrilled at the publication of this book. I had very high expectations and still they were surpassed. The Power of Ritual speaks to a deeper yearning to make meaning of our limited time, demonstrating how simple things can take on rich and generative meaning with intention. Pulling the meat of rituals and traditions away from sometimes outdated or otherwise uncomfortable containers give us all the capability and reason to add them into our own daily lives. Casper also doles out the permission to make these powerful tools our own, which may be what I appreciate the most.I will be keeping and referencing this one again and again. Five glorious stars and points to Slytherin!

I picked up this book based on the title alone, not realizing it was written by Casper ter Kuile, cohost of the podcast Harry Potter and the Sacred Text. I listened to several episodes of the podcast a few years back and was fascinated by the way the hosts do a deep dive into a series that has meant so much to so many people. This book plays off of some of the same ideas presented in the podcast. Any text can be sacred, there's power in community, and our society is changing faster than we've been able to keep up with. There's still time to figure out how to adapt to the steady decline in organized religion and my biggest takeaway is that it's important to foster those secular "third spaces" you hear about-- book clubs, gym buddies, park dates with mom friends, etc. There is real meaning and purpose in internal reflection and our tiny everyday rituals that sometimes feel mundane. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is feeling a little lost and lonely and looking for ways to deepen their connection to the world outside of the walls of a church.

I have to recommend Casper ter Kuile’s new book, “The Power of Ritual: Turning Everyday Activities Into Soulful Practices”. This is me, delighting in my morning ritual of greeting the sun. I started this ritual at the winter solstice, not knowing at the time how much this ritual would keep me together during 2020, and ground me to do the work I want to do in the world. This book delightfully shares Casper's personal stories that are weaved together with case studies and examples from various friends, elders, communities, and organizations, all becoming a welcome invitation to design and practice the lives we want to live together.

A beautiful reminder that life is about those around us and prioritising relationships and rituals over material goods

Traz ótimo conteúdo e embasamento como os rituais formam nossa maneira de viver. Recomendo fortemente para aqueles que buscam repensar seus hábitos, suas rotinas para remodelar sua maneira estar vivenciar momentos.Ele te fará pensar o quanto alguns hábitos são automáticos e quanto temos oportunidade de transformar em ritual alguns momentos mundanos do dia a dia.

Hatte es aus der Bücherhalle, mir dann aber gleich gekauft, weil es ein Buch zum Behalten ist. Witzig, informativ und inspirierend. Ich könnte es jedes Jahr lesen. Sehr empfehlenswert!

The power of ritual is an inspiring read that helps you see how easy it is to add spiritual practices into your life through things you’re probably already doing - reading , eating, walking. As an atheist I found it hard to figure out how to add more more-ness to my life and this book did the trick. I’ve already begun by setting intentions before I head out on a walk, and the 4 part prayer instruction has been helpful to sort out my thoughts. I loved this book, and it will become a frequent reread !

Casper ter Kuile's 'How We Gather' project profiling some of the most interesting 'community' case studies from the last 10 years had a big impact on my so I was excited to read his book. The project is referenced often in the book in terms of how different orgs and communities use ritual to shape them. The majority of the book is really about you as an individual and how you can use ritual to connect better with yourself, others, nature and the transcendent realm. All really good reminders with some nice anecdotes and applications. But the excellent setup - the paradigm shift - and my hope to discover more orgs who had applied these kind of rituals left me wanting a little more. Casper is an excellent empathiser and communicator and I'm sure The Power of Ritual will be gratefully read by a lot of people.