A Ritual Blessing: From Doubt to Joy
The parish priest and his entourage
Strangers at the Gate
Several nights ago while entertaining friends at home here in Northern Portugal, Linda and I received an unexpected doorbell ring. When we approached the entrance gate of our home, we encountered an older gentleman accompanied by two younger men. They were speaking to us in Portuguese, a beautiful language that we have yet to master. We were, however, able to discern that these men were asking our permission to enter our home on Sunday. At first, I noticed a slight doubt and skepticism arise in me—most certainly a vestige from my conditioning of having lived in various urban and suburban environments over the years, where people tended to keep to themselves. As I relaxed into the situation, we learned that the men were asking permission for the village priest to enter and bless our home on Easter Sunday! The joke was on me; what began as a cautious interaction turned into accepting an offer for a blessing. If you’ve ever traveled with us on retreat, you know that we’re open to receiving heartfelt blessings from any tradition.
The Two Isabels
The day after accepting the offer for a house blessing, I consulted with two Portuguese friends—who both happened to be named “Isabel”—to shed light on the process of the house blessing. The ‘two Isabels’ provided me with insight and information about this cultural ritual, which allowed us to prepare to receive the priest and his entourage on Easter Sunday.
The Blessing
On the morning of Easter Sunday, Linda arranged a lovely table of snacks and beverages for the group that was anticipated to enter our home. Just as expected, we at first heard bells ringing as the priest and his small group processed up our street to enter the wide-open gate into our yard. After we gathered in the kitchen of our home, we exchanged several greetings in Portuguese before the priest offered his blessing. After the priest’s blessing, the entire group sang a sweet song that seemed to deepen the roots of the blessing, joining all of us in a spirit of community, connection, and reverence. Food and beverages were then offered to the group. We shared words, laughter, and appreciation for the visit.
Unexpected Joy
Although the context was religious, I experienced the blessing as a spiritual, communal ritual—transcending the boundaries created by belief systems. Following the ritual, I felt more connected to the culture and the people who care deeply for one another and the beautiful land that surrounds and nourishes them. After viewing the above photo with the priest and his attendants, I noticed that the late Zen master Thich Nhat Hanh’s calligraphy was captured in the frame. His words state, “I have arrived. I am home.” Later that morning, I remarked to Linda how joyful I felt, connecting this joy to the blessing we had received. Indeed, I was home.
Hold Thoughts Lightly
So what began as a bit of doubt and cautiousness ended up transformed into the energy of joy and connection. This was a wonderful lesson in the art of holding conditioned, reflexive thoughts lightly. When you hold your thoughts, stories, beliefs, and perceptions lightly, there’s more space for joy and other possibilities to enter into experience where there was once doubt, constriction, fear, or division. And where joy is, love is surely there as well.
The late mythologist Joseph Campbell tells us that:
A ritual is the enactment of a myth. And, by participating in the ritual, you are participating in the myth. And since myth is a projection of the depth wisdom of the psyche, by participating in a ritual, participating in the myth, you are being, as it were, put in accord with that wisdom, which is the wisdom that is inherent within you anyhow. Your consciousness is being re-minded of the wisdom of your own life.
Pay Attention with Intention
As every dedicated mindfulness practitioner learns, human beings are easily distracted and lead astray from what matters most. Whether receiving a blessing from another or engaging in a self-guided ritual as simple as sitting in meditative silence, a ritual can serve to remind you of the wisdom, meaning, depth, and joy that is available to you when you pay attention with acceptance, openness, and compassion.
© 2024 Larry Cammarata, Ph.D., Licensed Psychologist and Mindfulness Educator
Mindfulness Travels provides continuing education retreats to beautiful, inspiring places throughout the world with leaders in the fields of mindfulness-based psychology, process-based therapy, and mindful movement.