The Power of Ritual

[rdomfoto]

A few weeks ago, my wife asked me why I was getting into cigars. One of the reasons I told her was because I enjoy the ritual of lighting and smoking one. From the storage of them, to the cut, to the toasting and lighting, each step (for me) involves a bit of ritual. Much like opening a bottle of wine, mixing a decent cocktail, or shooting art in the studio.

Then I came across this article on the Art of Manliness called The Power of Ritual. It's a pretty decent article of ritual and am curious about your thoughts on it and the role of ritual in cigars.

Here is the link to the article.

 

[D Quintero]

smoking in general has religious vibe overtones all over it - the smoke rising to the heavens , Celebrating Mass , purification - killing bateria ,
helping you sleep, to even connecting your whole being with Gods earth , Ganja ....

 

[Tag9485]

I find the same thing to be true, its had negative effects as well though. I get so into my pre-smoke ritual that sometimes if something interrupts (wife, daughter, life etc..) it ruins the entire smoke. I have to make a conscious effort to not let it ruin my smoke. I would hate to have a FFP ruined because I'm a stubborn ass. I can be a little high strung though so this might just be me.

 

[rdomfoto]

I often end up following rituals for a lot of my hobbies. I don't follow them religiously but when I have time, I find it actually helps with my enjoyment. For example, when I make coffee in my French Press, my wife often rolls her eyes because I have to do certain steps at precise times. But, when I need a cup of coffee, we have a Kurig machine (okay, I have a permanent/reusable k-cup that I use my own ground coffee in for freshness).

When I make photographic prints, I have certain rituals and processes that I follow. Eating sushi? Damn right!

And I do so for a few reasons:
* It forces me to slow down and think about what I am doing and enjoy what I am doing.
* Ritual almost guarantees a predictable result. In a lot of ways, ritual is the same as an automated process but with emotion added in.
* It helps me learn more about my hobby (and my profession).

But you're absolutely right in that, if I am not careful, it can actually hinder my appreciation of a cigar, a glass of wine, food, photography, etc. To combat that (at least professionally) I give myself some unstructured time when I force myself to "just go and do it". Pour a glass of wine and just enjoy it, or grab my kit and go shoot, or...

 

[Cigary43]

I often end up following rituals for a lot of my hobbies. I don't follow them religiously but when I have time, I find it actually helps with my enjoyment. For example, when I make coffee in my French Press, my wife often rolls her eyes because I have to do certain steps at precise times. But, when I need a cup of coffee, we have a Kurig machine (okay, I have a permanent/reusable k-cup that I use my own ground coffee in for freshness).

When I make photographic prints, I have certain rituals and processes that I follow. Eating sushi? Damn right!

And I do so for a few reasons:
* It forces me to slow down and think about what I am doing and enjoy what I am doing.
* Ritual almost guarantees a predictable result. In a lot of ways, ritual is the same as an automated process but with emotion added in.
* It helps me learn more about my hobby (and my profession).

But you're absolutely right in that, if I am not careful, it can actually hinder my appreciation of a cigar, a glass of wine, food, photography, etc. To combat that (at least professionally) I give myself some unstructured time when I force myself to "just go and do it". Pour a glass of wine and just enjoy it, or grab my kit and go shoot, or...

I had to check the ID on here as to who wrote this.....I thought it was me for a second. Rituals do a couple of things...it ensures that you do it the same way every time for enjoyment so you get it right everytime and it takes out the mystery of what happens if I don't follow the ritual. Does it take away spontaneity....kind of but I'd rather know the end result and can live with it rather than screw it up and do it over again and again.

 

[thejavaman]

I'm OCD too. Rituals add to the satisfaction of whatever you're doing/preparing.

 

[rdomfoto]

There are a lot of ways that I justify (or try to) the use of ritual in everyday life but it really comes down to just one thing: I like it. And, because of that, I've stopped trying to explain it to others.

In the biker community there's a saying: If I have to explain it, you wouldn't understand. I feel the same way about this.

 

[MUNKY]

I'm OCD too. Rituals add to the satisfaction of whatever you're doing/preparing.

exactly, I enjoy the hunt, the preparation, the care, the maintaining of em almost as much as the actual killing of em. but i am learning though there not trophies they are plants lol and are meant to be consumed.

 

[Cigar_Benz_Daddy]

I'm OCD too. Rituals add to the satisfaction of whatever you're doing/preparing.

exactly, I enjoy the hunt, the preparation, the care, the maintaining of em almost as much as the actual killing of em. but i am learning though there not trophies they are plants lol and are meant to be consumed.

What crazy bastard told you they aren't trophies? ohhhhh, that's right... I forgot. LOL

 

[sofc]

No rules, no rituals.

I simply take one, two or a few and smoke them.

 

[cmhicksusmc]

my life i just a long series of random rituals inacted every day of the week (Smoke...Drink...Smoke...Drink......)