Rituals For Every Day

by Nadia Katia Narain Narain, Katia Narain Phillips

We all feel that desire for a calmer, more spacious way of living, but we’re often unsure exactly how to step off the crazy treadmill of day-to-day routines and responsibilities. Nadia and Katia have learned, through years of practice, that simple rituals can help you press the pause button on the pace of modern life. In Rituals for Every Day they share their easy-to-follow advice, step by step.

Let rituals bring you back to yourself.

Genres: Nonfiction, Self Help, Audiobook, Psychology

192 pages, Hardcover

Published November 29, 2018

Reviews

[Emma Sea · Rating 2 out of 5]

Bit of a mixed bag. I definitely agree my life would be richer if i had meaningful rituals to mark changes and seasons and events. On the other hand, I'm not into manifestation alters, crystals, pouring salt in the corners of room to absorb negative energy , or drawing a First Nations medicine wheel on a large piece of paper to stand on for protection. This last one feels really wrong - I don't feel comfortable pulling this motif out of its culture for my use, when i am entirely ignorant of its meaning and tradition. And for sure my neighbors would complain if i celebrated the New Year by banging pots and pans (p 52). Most of them are asleep by 11pm, and they have young kids.

Other suggestions, like being mindfully grateful, are useful and good, but I guess I also wanted something ... more? Different? Practical? More realistic and grounded in the 21st century?? Is that impossible? Can I blame a book if I don't even know what I'm looking for? Would my life feel more meaningful if I believed in the power of a tiger eye stone in my pocket to bring me good luck in an interview (p. 77).

I am very aware of the poverty of culture that comes with being Pakeha - my tiny family group has no traditions, no rituals, no celebrations - beyond Sunday morning brunch at a cafe. Each of my days are the same as the last and I don't even celebrate good things like work promotions. My grandmother told me about rituals her own grandparents had (a dark-haired man must be the first person to step over your threshold after New Year), but these don't feel like those things relate to my life. I guess I wanted this book to offer suggestions i could incorporate into my everyday.

I was looking for something - I'm still looking for something to add depth to my life - but this isn't it.

[Yoshita Sood · Rating 4 out of 5]

Most of the advice was targeted towards white people but I'm fine with that. I found a couple of good habits which can be implemented in my daily routine and which might actually improve my life (who knows).

Was reading it in an ironic way for the first quarter but subconsciously took it very seriously by the end. Complete with my post-its, it may become my bedside staple.

[Annelies · Rating 4 out of 5]

A bit sceptical at first, but actually enjoyed reading this book.

[what.heather.loves · Rating 4 out of 5]

"A ritual can be whatever you want it to be, but we believe that all rituals involve three stages: Pause to acknowledge where you are, how you feel, and what is going on in this moment. Pay attention to your emotions, to your breathing, to any sensations in your body. Set your intention - are you looking for peace? Energy? Acceptance? Change? Be clear in your intention."

After I read their first book, Self Care for The Real World followed by their latest ebook, Self Care for Self Isolation, I thought it was time I read their second book, so asked for it for my Birthday. I also have the journal that accompanies the book. Split into five sections, as well as an introduction and ending (with further resources, the authors focus on rituals for Beginning, Inviting, Changing, Accepting and Ending. Each chapter includes beautiful photographs different types of spiritual rituals and a summary that enables focus on each theme.

Rituals are intended to slow you down and can be passed on to and from other people. They can celebrate big events or be smaller and daily rituals. They can help you through tough times. Some of my favourite rituals in the book are in the Changing chapter (such as the celebrating the seasons) and the Acceptance chapter (such as being with things as they are). This beautiful book, in fact any of them, would make a wonderful gift.

[Cheryl Dobranski · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's a book to help get back to the basics. Read when needed, reflect. No need to read from cover to cover, but bookmark the areas that help you ground yourself the most. Definitely not a throw a way book.

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book to enjoy with a cup of tea. I suspect the idea is to pick and choose the rituals that resonate with you. It would be impossible to incorporate them all and still get out of the house!

[E J · Rating 2 out of 5]

There is some good advice in here but I think the inevitable result of this sort of (self described) borrow-from-their-mish-mash-of-religions-and-cultures approach is appropriation from closed practices, such as the recommendation that people smudge with Palo Alto sage.
I find the idea of ritual divorced from a specific religious practice appealing, and useful, however I think I find it offputting to see so many cultures and ideals sort of mashed together like this. Crystals and sage and essential oils on the skin (be careful with this omg can you say contact dermatitis) and manifestation and mindfulness and meditation... it's all sanitised wellness guck, borrowing from a broad range of religions and spirituality. Sometimes I wonder if this type of modern 'spiritual' practice is contributing to a sense of emptiness, corporatisation.
That being said, as somebody who doesn't align well with religions once I dive deeper into them but believes in the usefulness of ritual, there are certainly some gems in here.
While a lot of it is very simple and actionable and they go to great lengths to make it accessible, I found myself feeling tired at the idea of having to wake up even earlier to fit even more into my day and I found the disconnected nouveau-spiritual practices left me feeling less grounded, longing for something deeper. I won't go into a whole spiel about what this cherry picking from different ideologies makes me think of or how it makes me feel but personally, in this form, it was disappointing.
It also struck me as something that is for people in a different phase of life: it felt more applicable for the classic person suffering from hustle brain rot, most likely who own their own home or have control over their space. People who have money and space to go out and make sure their bedroom has specific furniture, expensive supplies like essential oils and crystals (I say expensive because surely we are not supposed to buy cheap items from exploitative or opaque supply changes, right?) that sort of thing. When they said to focus on the things "we" have that other less fortunate people don't like a roof over their head, consistent food and warmth (etc) that rubbed me the wrong way and I think exposed the intended audience for this type of modern self help spiritual practice.
There are nice, easy, practicable ideas in here about how to bring yourself into the moment and I like that. I think this book has value and is concise and efficiently written.

I also desperately wish nonfiction authors would stop narrating their own audiobooks.

[Nehal Sangoi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rituals for Everyday
By Authors
@nadianarain
@katianarainphillips
@nadia.and.katia


An easy read but full of amazing insights and easy to follow rituals. Again explained well about what rituals are and what are habits and the difference between the two.
They have guided with so many rituals that we can inculcate in our life to get to a better place in life and almost all of them help you heal yourself and be at peace within yourself.
There are rituals for your mornings, to inviting love, inviting abundance, manifesting, moon rituals, trust, finding peace, saying goodbye and closure to mention a few, there are many more and different options that suits your need and comfort which is the best thing. Like the authors say ritual doesn't have to be a chore to do hence they have provided with any options and freedom for the readers to choose and keep changing as per their need in their individual situation and comfort.
They have even given some valuable guidance on essentials oils and crystals of anyone would want to follow them (I'm surely using this guidance).

Personally I would definitely keep going back to this book to refer some rituals and insights as and when needed coz I actually even felt at peace while reading the book and just imagining doing most of the rituals.

Definitely a must read for today's busy lifestyle we follow needs these rituals for sure.

Publisher - @hutchinson @penguinrandomhouse

[Am Y · Rating 3 out of 5]

Seemed to be a woo book at first glance, but it did offer some good life advice. The authors do emphasise that the rituals have nothing to do with religion, and are simply actions that can help instill comfort or other feelings in a person, especially when associated with certain occasions or events.

I didn't quite bother with the description of the rituals (I don't need them); I found myself attracted more to the life philosophies and zen teachings imparted (e.g. be open and receptive; light the way for others with love and intent; articulate the truth in a manner that is honest and vulnerable so you invite connection and empathy rather than conflict, etc).

[Dodie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got this as an audio book from the library. I was skeptical but I really enjoyed this book. All of the rituals are pretty straightforward but it was a good reminder. There where things that I did before the pandemic that I forgot about.

“We can make the mistake of thinking peace is something we will find in nature, in other words that it’s something outside of ourselves, to be found somewhere else. Real peace is finding it in the everyday.”

[Allison · Rating 4 out of 5]

The rituals are nice and simple and they freely admit that you should modify them to make them work for you and your situations.

I wish the font had been bigger so there wasn’t so much white space on the pages and would have been easier to read.

I also REALLY wish they hadn’t appropriated items from other cultures. DO NOT USE SAGE OR PALO SANTO as it is most often not ethically sourced. I would like to see that changed in future editions.

[Keeley Touhey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyed this and although already practising a few of these there were definitely some new things I learned and it just reinforced that I was already in not such a bad place! One I’ll go back to when reassurance needed!

[Sarah Fettke · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like how Narain and Phillips explain rituals as simple actions that help us live with intention, and I've put some of their ideas in the book into practice in my own life. Their writing style is down to earth and accessible, even if you're not into new-age or metaphysical spirituality.

[Jeffrey Ning · Rating 5 out of 5]

You learn beginning, inviting, changing, accepting, ending and end rituals with this book called Rituals for every day. Written in concise, empowering and enlightening manner to invoke your spirit to take actions. Impressive condensation of such complex subject.

[Książkoloszka · Rating 3 out of 5]

Niektóre rytuały to nawet ciekawe propozycje ale większość do mnie nie przemówiła. Nie sądzę żebym zapamiętała wiele z niej. To raczej taka książka po którą można sięgnąć w gorszych chwilach szukając sposobu na rozluźnienie.

[Caroline · Rating 5 out of 5]

Audible

[Wisudantari · Rating 5 out of 5]

Always find something simple & beautiful to try for daily basis

[Harper Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found some useful information to add to my daily rituals. A pleasant and quick read if you’re looking to up your self-care game.

[Nawel · Rating 4 out of 5]

So relaxing! I enjoyed every single ritual

[Mitali · Rating 1 out of 5]

It’s not really my kind of book- don’t know what I expected picking it up.

[Reader01]

I had a guess it would be good book. Just started reading yesterday. So far, found it easy to follow. Will update the review in full once I will finish it.

[Sarah Bultitude · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this full of great practical advice on how to introduce rituals into your life in more of a spiritual than denominational way.

[Peta · Rating 5 out of 5]

A nice simple book of rituals for everyday life. Nothing too religious or woo woo. A nice quick read 😊

[Toke · Rating 4 out of 5]

Helder, overzichtelijk en makkelijk toepasbaar.

[Gayathri Venkat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a light breezy read, helps me to figure out my rituals and I hope I remember to do it daily 😆

[Lane · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not what I was looking for

[Peri · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed it! There are a lot of tips given in this book and most are interesting. I even noted down some to start implementing in my life!

[Nithya De · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful curation. Each page was an aesthetic delight of enlightening ways to appreciate, enjoy and cherish the little things in life. Most of the practices are very simple and integrated with such mindfulness to be incorporated into your daily life with ease.

[frances_loves_writing · Rating 3 out of 5]

A mini coffee table book, a mini reference book - I was gifted this book. It has many interesting pages. Like other reviewers have mentioned, it does not need to be read cover-to-cover (which I did).