A simple example of RITUAL

The Lichtenbergian Precept of RITUAL is the fuzziest, woo-iest of the Precepts, and the one that most people have the hardest time grokking. So it was a flash of understanding when I realized the other night that dining out in a nice restaurant is exactly what we’re talking about.

INVOCATION: You and your friends decide on a restaurant to go to. If it’s one you’re trying for the first time, you may even invoke the Food Gods: “I’ve heard good things about it; I hope it’s as good as they say.” The point is that you have to decide to go to the restaurant. You have to choose to dine out, and you have to choose a restaurant. Likewise, as an artist, you have to decide to MAKE THE THING THAT IS NOT.

DRAWING THE CIRCLE: The hostess seats you and your friends. There is some decision-making about who sits where, but eventually you’re in place. The waiter appears, hands you menus. You unfurl your place setting and put your napkin in your lap. You begin to study the menu. As an artist, you set up your space, choose your playlist, give some thought to the work, get everything ready to begin.

TAKING THE PATH: You give the waiter your order. You converse with your friends over appetizers, drinks. The focus shifts from one topic to the next. Laughter, concern, problems, solutions. Your food arrives, and you all dig in. As an artist, you begin the work, perhaps haphazardly, perhaps with a goal in mind.

NUMEN/CONNECTION: You pay attention to the sensations the well-prepared food elicits in you, the flavors, the textures, the perfection of the chef’s artistry. Your friends share their perceptions. Perhaps you share bites of your food with each other. You file away ideas for future meals at home. As an artist, you remain open to the ideas that spring up from the universe. You relate to the works and talents and techniques of others and incorporate them into your own work when appropriate.

BREAKING THE CIRCLE: Your server offers dessert; you may or may not accept. In either case, the meal winds down, you get your check, you discuss a tip, you rise from the table. As an artist, you reach a stopping point, either because time is up or the work is not moving forward (or it’s done!). You clean your brushes, save your document, turn out the lights.

BENEDICTION: You thank the waiter and the hostess on your way out. You hug your friends, say your goodbyes, agree to do it all again, and head back out into the real world. As an artist, thank your work, thank your universe, and set a date to come back and do it all again.

Now do you grok what RITUAL means? Go, make your reservations.