Ritual Ceremony of Change:
Freeing the Spirit
by James Thames

Experience, the composition of matter, the flow of time, and all energy changes from moment to moment. The journey through life consists of passing through doors from one second to the next. And in the passing of each door, we are reconstructed and reborn, over and over.

Yet identity is never lost and the integrity of one's spirit never waivers. There's secure foundation in the knowing and feeling of this belief. Sanctuary. This knowledge, when truly known, abolishes all fear.

Now, we are gathered together to remember these things; to remember Spirit integrity and Spirit freedom. These garments which are wrapped about ourselves symbolize fear. Fear imprisons the inner spirit. With that thought, we watch ourselves change from one moment to the next in the realization that we don't need the fear any more. The inner Spirit is being freed. In this simultaneous instant, we begin removing garments, one article at a time.

With the removal of each item, drop it and say:

"This is the freeing of my inner spirit."

This may be done either in unison or by taking turns. The process continues until all who participate are clothed in only the air about them.

Then say:

"I am still me;
my spirit is free,
far more than I see."