Tending Your Inner Garden

'Watch over your heart with all diligence...'

For everything resolves in our hearts.

Our heart is the fulcrum point of our lives.

The doorway to our spirit,

Our heart waters the garden of Heaven in our souls,

So tend your heart with all diligence

...'for from it flow the springs of life.'

~ Bob Holmes

The Midnight Hole on Big Creek

Smokey Mountains National Park

Psalm 51:10

King James Version

¹⁰  Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.

The transliterated word for “clean” is ṭâôr. It is used in scripture with the connotation of ceremonially clean - of animals, pure (physically), and pure, clean (morally, ethically).

Through Christ God has declared us clean/pure, but it often doesnt feel like it. We can still remember the guilts and failures of the past.

There is something about ritual and ceremony, that helps the mind reframe its thinking about oneself.

Once David finishes this prayer, at the end of it he says something interesting (to me at least): Psalms 51:19 - Then shalt thou be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousness, with burnt offering and whole burnt offering: then shall they offer bullocks upon thine altar.

He connects the heart with the ceremonial. For some reason in western cultures we have disconnected heart and ritual, and even made them mutually opposed. “God looks on the heart, not the outside, so why do anything outside of my heart?”. This is true, however, rituals and ceremony play a significant role, but not for God per se’, but for you.

The Role of Ceremonies and Rituals in Promoting Psychological Wholeness

A summary of recent research suggests the following…

“Scientific research has increasingly recognized the psychological and social benefits of ceremonies and rituals in fostering a sense of wholeness among individuals and communities. These structured activities often serve as a means of marking significant life transitions, such as births, marriages, and deaths, thereby providing a framework for individuals to process complex emotions and experiences. Rituals can offer a sense of predictability and control, which is particularly valuable in times of uncertainty or stress. By engaging in these repetitive and symbolic actions, individuals can find comfort and stability, which are essential for psychological well-being. Studies in psychology and anthropology have shown that rituals can reduce anxiety, enhance emotional regulation, and promote a sense of belonging, all of which contribute to an individual's overall sense of wholeness.

Moreover, ceremonies and rituals often involve communal participation, which strengthens social bonds and fosters a sense of collective identity. This communal aspect is crucial for social cohesion and mutual support, both of which are fundamental for mental health. The shared experience of participating in a ritual can create a sense of unity and solidarity, reinforcing social networks that provide emotional and practical support. Additionally, the symbolic meanings embedded in rituals can help individuals make sense of their experiences and integrate them into their broader life narratives. This process of meaning-making is essential for achieving a coherent sense of self and purpose, which are key components of psychological wholeness. Thus, from a scientific perspective, ceremonies and rituals serve as vital mechanisms for both individual and collective well-being.”

Sacraments
In the Christian faith, we often have what are called sacraments or ordinances. Things like baptism, foot washing, confession (or altar call in some traditions), chrismation, holy unction, laying on of hands for healing, etc… These all aid the mind in sensing “something has changed”.

They are aids in bringing emotional clarity. It is a notice to the mind that 1)I am accepted by God and the community and 2) new connections in the brain are formed.

“Rituals and ceremonies play a significant role in shaping neural pathways in the brain by providing structured, repetitive activities that reinforce specific patterns of thought and behavior. Engaging in these practices can stimulate neuroplasticity, the brain's ability to reorganize itself by forming new neural connections. For instance, the repetitive nature of rituals can enhance memory and learning by repeatedly activating certain neural circuits, thereby strengthening them. Additionally, the emotional and social components of ceremonies can trigger the release of neurotransmitters like dopamine and oxytocin, which are crucial for bonding and emotional regulation. This combination of repetition, emotional engagement, and social interaction creates a rich environment for the brain to form and solidify new pathways, ultimately influencing cognitive and emotional processes.”

So how does God create in us a pure heart?

Technically speaking, of course, David could have prayed that prayer, and done no rituals (obviously in that time this was commanded). But I strongly believe, part of why all the rituals were commanded was to help them actualize in their minds, what already happened in their hearts. Why do I believe this? David in that same chapter says: For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou delightest not in burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.

So again, God doesn’t “NEED” the sacrifices, or in our case the rituals, sacraments, and ceremonies, he wants our hearts. BUT, He does set up these practices in the church for —> us ←- to benefit from. It produces emotional or “heart” (gr. “leb”the seat of emotions) regulation for us.

Here are some great rituals for emotional regulation and clarity:

Individual Rituals:

- Personal prayer

- Bible reading and study

- Fasting

- Meditation on scripture

- Confession of sins

- Observing personal devotions or quiet time

- Lighting candles for prayer intentions

Communal Rituals:

- Attending Sunday worship services

- Participating in the Eucharist or Holy Communion

- Baptism ceremonies

- Confirmation rites

- Group Bible studies or prayer meetings

- Celebrating religious holidays like Christmas and Pascha (called Easter in the west)

- Singing hymns and worship songs together