Tradition, Symbolisation and Rituals

To quote Jose Bergamin quotes (Spanish Writer) "Tradition simply means that we need to end what began well and continue what is worth continuing"

Tradition is in itself the carrying out of actions in a ritual that symbolises an event that has been passed down from one generation to another. It takes an eternity of history to create tradition so can tradition change? The symbolisation of the tradition itself does not change but the rituals pertaining to a tradition do.

For example Slava - Of all Orthodox Christians, only Serbians have the custom of "Slava". Slava is the celebration of a saint; unlike most customs that are common for the whole people, each family separately celebrates its own saint who is considered its protector. A Slava is inherited from father to son and each household may only have one celebration which means that the occasion brings all of the family together. The word slava could be translated as "glory" or "praise".

Today in many households of Serbian descent where the children are born in countries far removed from Serbia and Serbian tradition, Slava is still celebrated. The symbolisation is that the family come together to celebrate the union of the family but the rituals have changed where the food is different, the home in which Slava is celebrated is not the father's home or if he has passed away then at the oldest son's home. The meaning may have been lost but the symbolisation remains.

But Slava is still celebrated - The meaning may have been lost but the symbolisation remains. The only time when the symbolisation is lost is when the tradition dies where no one celebrates Slava any more. Over time traditions may be replaced but the rituals and symbolisation can be recognised within the original tradition it was rooted from.

What's Your Fear?

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine as children do. It's not just in some of us; it is in everyone. And as we let our own lights shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others..”

By Marianne Williamson

I first heard this quote from the character Cruz in the film Coach Carter (which I think was an excellent film by the way!) and I think of it often. I’d like to hear from others who feel they either do or do not currently shine in their lives, help others to do the same or who are either liberated from or feel restrained by their own fears…