Spiritual Rituals

Spiritual Rituals: Hindu Worship - Ramnavmi

Ramnavmi

Lord Rama, an Incarnation of Lord Vishnu, who is measureless, who is of the nature of pure Consciousness and bliss, who is the consort of Sita, Master of Sri Hanuman, and the Lord of the three worlds, who took His birth at His own will in order to establish righteousness, destroy the wicked and protect His devotees.

Ramnavami or the birthday of Lord Rama falls on the 9th day of the bright fortnight of the month of Chaitra (March-April).

From Hindu Fasts & Festivals by Sri Swami Sivananda.

Read more here: » Ramnavmi: Hindu Worship - Ramnavmi

Spiritual Rituals: An Introduction to Hindu Worship

There is no reference to worship of idols in the Vedas. The Puranas and the Agamas give descriptions of idol-worship both in the houses and in the temples. Idol-worship is not peculiar to Hinduism. Christians worship the Cross. They have the image of the Cross in their mind. The Mohammedans keep the image of the Kaba stone when they kneel and do prayers. The people of the whole world, save a few Yogis and Vedantins, are all worshippers of idols. They keep some image or the other in the mind.

The mental image also is a form of idol. The difference is not one of kind, but only one of degree. All worshippers, however intellectual they may be, generate a form in the mind and make the mind dwell on that image.

Excerpt from All About Hinduism by Sri Swami Sivananda

Spiritual Rituals: The Philosophy And Significance Of Idol-Worship

There is no reference to worship of idols in the Vedas. The Puranas and the Agamas give descriptions of idol-worship both in the houses and in the temples. Idol-worship is not peculiar to Hinduism. Christians worship the Cross. They have the image of the Cross in their mind. The Mohammedans keep the image of the Kaba stone when they kneel and do prayers. The people of the whole world, save a few Yogis and Vedantins, are all worshippers of idols. They keep some image or the other in the mind.

The mental image also is a form of idol. The difference is not one of kind, but only one of degree. All worshippers, however intellectual they may be, generate a form in the mind and make the mind dwell on that image.

Excerpt from All About Hinduism by Sri Swami Sivananda

Spiritual Rituals: What Is God's Real Form?

What Is God's Real Form?

Does God have a form or is He formless? Adi Sankara preferred a formless God while Ramanujacharya believed that He was both with and without form.

Ramana Maharshi realised the Inner Divine Self by enquiring, ''Who am I?'' Vivekananda was not for dualism, of seeing God in an image. But when Ramakrishna Paramhansa touched his chest to indicate the divinity within, Vivekananda began to 'see' God in every thing - living or non-living.

Spiritual Rituals: A Different Kind of Pilgrimage - about Makara Sankaranti

January every year, devotees throng the Sabarimala temple situated in the Sahayadri ranges in Kerala, to participate in the renowned Mandala Puja conducted during Makara Sankaranti.

The deity worshipped here, Lord Ayyappa, is believed to be an incarnation of Vishnu and is also known as Sastha and Harihara Sutha. The basic concept of incarnation is that God descends in order to let man ascend.

Read more here: » Makara Sankaranti: A Different Kind of Pilgrimage - about Makara Sankaranti

Spiritual Rituals: Dhanteras for Health, Wealth and Prosperity

On Dhanteras , Hindus worship Lord Dhanwantari, the deity of health and healing. Dhan is wealth or Lakshmi - so the goddess of wealth and prosperity is also prayed to.

Every household buys something new. But we tend to forget the real meaning of wealth which is sound health. Lord Dhanwantari also symbolises the spirit of knowledge and nature, including all about herbs and medicinal plants.

Read more here: » Dhanteras: Dhanteras for Health, Wealth and Prosperity

Spiritual Rituals: Fasting, Praying and Charity

Ramzan, the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, offers an extensive programme of reform and spiritual elevation to all Muslims to help remould their entire being.

Since human beings tend to frequently lose touch with their inner world, Islam has provided for a substantial provision for an annual "workshop" in the form of siyam or Roza. This trains and equips us to reach out to the inner self, by firmly dealing with any moral laxity and indiscipline.

Read more here: » Ramzan: Fasting, Praying and Charity

Spiritual Rituals: Encyclopedia - African religions

African religions are distinct to African ethnic groups. In certain respects the term is awkward as traditional African religions have a wide cultural variety that makes virtually any overall statement a sweeping generalization, but the majority of African religions do share some commonalities. There is no universal aspect found in all African religions. Not all people of African descent are known to follow these gods, however. Many tribes in Africa have been converted to Islam and the Nation of Islam group tries to convert Afr ...

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Spiritual Rituals: Encyclopedia - Cherokee Clans

The Cherokee Clans were the traditional social organization of ancient Cherokee or Ah-ni-yv-wi-ya society. Cherokee Clans - Background on Cherokee Clans in Ancient History. There were seven clans in antiquity. There is a common misperception that the Ah-ni-ku-ta-ni or ancient Cherokee priesthood comprised an eighth clan of the Cherokee People, but this belief is a commonplace myth. The Ah-ni-ku-ta-ni appointed a member of each of the seven clans to represent both the spiritual forces the Cherokee believed e ...

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Spiritual Rituals: Encyclopedia - Eucharist

also known as "The Eucharist" or "The Lord's Supper" Theology Consecration Consubstantiation Memorialism Real Presence Transubstantiation Theologies contrasted Important theologians Paul ·Aquinas Augustine · Calvin Chrysostom · Cranmer Luther · Zwingli Related Articles Christianity Catholic Historic Roots Closed and Open Table Divine Liturgy Eucharistic adoration Eucharistic discipline First Communion Infant Commun ...

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Eucharist - Ritual and liturgy

Spiritual Rituals: Encyclopedia - Ritual

A ritual is a formalised, predetermined set of symbolic actions generally performed in a particular environment at a regular, recurring interval. The set of actions that comprise a ritual often include, but are not limited to, such things as recitation, singing, group processions, repetitive dance, manipulation of sacred objects, etc. The general purpose of rituals is to express some fundamental truth or meaning, evoke spiritual, numinous emotional responses from participants, and/or engage a group of people in unified action to strengthen their ...

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Read more here: » Ritual: Encyclopedia - Ritual

Spiritual Rituals: New Age Spiritual Dictionary on Ritual magic

ritual magic

Processes and ceremonies used repeatedly to execute psychism, known only to the magician

(See also: Ritual magic, Body Mind and Soul)