The Art of Ritual Leadership

Ritual is a core aspect of cultural life in any community.

 It is how we structure our daily rhythms, how we mark significant events, and how we connect deeply with one another and the mysteries of life.  It helps us move outside of our minds into our bodies and hearts, and fully experience the incidental as well as the profound moments in our lives.

Since the 1960s, Journeys has developed extensive knowledge about rituals and rites of passage for youth and adults. Yet until this point, we have not yet shared our knowledge in an ongoing program open to the public.  Our Leading Rituals training program offers you the fruits of our 40-year “labor of love” as you gain insight and practical tools to mark important events in your community through the creation of intentional rituals.

Like all meaningful experiences, this course requires a commitment from you. It consists of four weekend retreats spread over nine months: October 17-19, January 9-11, April 10-12, June 12-14.  It offers a unique opportunity to not only hear with your mind, but also experience with your body and senses. You will participate deeply in art, sound, rhythm, symbolism, dialogue, meditation, sweat lodge, sacred space and silence.

We have invited our most seasoned staff members to guide you and share their particular area of expertise. In addition, we also invite nationally-known practitioners and teachers from sister organizations.  Part personal reflection and exploration, part skills training, and part initiatory experience, this program will prepare you to create and guide ritual experiences in your own life and in your community.

Rituals are not just activities for religious communities – they benefit all of us, in myriad ways, and deepen our lives and our relationships. Rituals complement any spiritual path, and provide connection among us, no matter how different we may appear.

This program is designed for those both experienced with ritual who wish to take their practice deeper, and explore ways to bring ritual into their homes and communities.  It is also designed as a “next step” for those who have just been introduced to ritual practice, but wish to immerse deeply.  Adult vision quest participants, or those who have taken our Coming of Age Leader’s Training series, will find this to be a meaningful next step.  In between the seasonal retreats, participant will have an opportunity to continue their learning through homework assignments , informal gatherings, and other Journeys community offerings.

Outcomes

• Exposure to key elements of ritual & ceremonial design, including silence, sound, artistic expression, movement, creation of symbols, scent, sacred space, drumming, singing, and prayer.
• Learn together in a supportive and exciting community.
• Explore a range of traditions and ceremonial modalities through learning from a range of teachers, guides, and explorers into the ritual terrain.
• Expand our awareness and attention to the everyday rituals and rhythms in our lives.
• Create personal ritual symbols & tools, including drums.
• Explore one’s personal relationship with ritual & ceremony, and challenge one another to experience leadership roles while creating a safe and supportive community in which to do so.
• Engage in a personal “initiation into ritual leadership.”