The essential difference between rituals and routines is not necessarily what can be observed by an outsider but how each is perceived inside our heads.

To some individuals, getting up every morning, brushing your teeth, taking a shower, getting dressed, and driving to work is a routine. It is something that needs to be done, so we do it solely for the sake of getting the task completed. Sometimes we even do these things in fear of what will happen if we don’t.

But those who live more consciously can turn even a simple practice like this into a powerful and purposeful ritual.

Surely, these same people will still get up every morning, they will brush their teeth, take a shower, get dressed, and drive to work; however, it is not the behavior that will distinguish between a ritual and routine, it is how we view our actions. Those who live their lives as a ritual don’t do things out of obligation or fear, but out of love for the action in-itself.

The absence of love and engagement

One thing that distinguishes routines and rituals is that routines often have a very little sense of love and engagement. Routines are acted out because we feel “they need to be done,” rather than because they fulfill an inner desire to do them.

On the other hand, rituals are actions to be fully engaged in. When we brush our teeth, it isn’t just a chore to avoid cavities and gingivitis, it is an expression of love for our bodies and health. And for this reason, the actions define themselves. It is “in-its-doing” where we find contentment.

In rituals things are done because we love to do them. There are little thoughts or concerns about, “Well, what if I don’t do this?”

What do you mean what if I don’t do this? That is like asking a young child if he eats candy and plays video games because he wants to fit in with the other kids. He does those things because he absolutely loves the pleasure that comes from doing them. I suggest that we instill this sense of love and pleasure in everything that we do.

Symbols and meaning

I often emphasize the importance of meaning. All rituals are heavily marinated in symbols, story-telling, analogies, and deep levels of meaning. Symbols are powerful; they direct our attention to an idea, allow us to build energy around it, and inject that energy into our lives through our actions. It is alchemy – psychological power transformed into physical manifestation.

But it requires that we live with purpose.

Our actions need to define themselves. They need to be seen as something greater than a simple fulfillment of a duty, but instead an expression of life as a whole.

When you see the God in everything, there is no longer a need to go to church, pray, or even meditate. Your whole life is one big ritual in itself.

Rituals are celebrations

If you are anything like me then you have probably always thought of church as something mundane and boring. Unfortunately, many churches are. If there is a God, I doubt he would want us to be so dull and lifeless while speaking to him.

Rituals are celebrations. They should spark the zest out of life like a good college party. They should grab your attention and emerge you into a saturated state of flow.

Any pattern of behavior can be a ritual

Any pattern of behavior can be a ritual if we perceive it as one. Every time I shower, eat, or brush my teeth I try to see the holiness in the experience and I remain incredibly mindful of what it is I am doing. It may sound funny, but I actually think by doing this I am improving my health (both physically and mentally).

I try to integrate this practice into everything I do, but some things are harder than others. For example, I often get distracted when I am reading or writing (especially when I have easy access to the internet). I would like to seek out each blog post of mine as a ritual – I even think it would increase the quality of my posts. This whole process of “ritualizing” is a constant work in progress.

A quick summary

I think by now you understand where I draw the line between a ritual versus a routine. As a quick summary, here is a small list of the key things that I find which distinguish between these two “modes of doing.”

Please take the time today to consider what areas of your life are ritualistic and which are only a routine. Which areas do you need the most improvement? What can you try to do to achieve this?

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