Since we last met…
(musings) with Karen Abi-Karam, Issue 5
As Kate mentioned, we’re both in a place of creative unknowing and, no surprise, it’s got me thinking! Specifically, for today, about how ceremony and ritual fit into my life and work.
As a celebrant this may seem obvious. However, this month I had the privilege of helping a family create a funeral for their loved one. And whilst I did officiate the service, on this occasion, my task was more about creating the space for their farewell. It was not an event laden with symbolic gesture or a ceremony that required lots of creative writing on my side. It was a simple send-off, centred around heartfelt words from three generations. My role was one of deep listening, offering guidance – mainly to give them the confidence to follow their instincts – and providing a thread to link each of their individual contributions.
So, if as a celebrant, the ‘ceremony and ritual’ is less obvious to pin-point, I am left wondering how I might weave it more deeply into my life and work. Increasingly, this is what I am craving – to have more sense of the sacred in more of my activities. For example, is it possible to do this when I’m on duty as a non-exec director or, even, as a communications consultant? I have managed it – to some extent – with my academic study. Simple things like lighting a candle to signify the start of the working day and extinguishing it, with thanks, at the end. Also, by taking time to include Spirit in my endeavours (Curry & Wells, 2006), by sitting in quiet contemplation at my simple altar or asking for input from the other-than-human world.
But what of ‘business’ – if the work itself is not to officiate a ceremony or hold a group or one-to-one mentoring session?
If you feel a sense of déjà vu, you’re not alone. I am circling back on themes from Issue 1 and Issue 2. Given life is far from linear, I trust you won’t need me to clarify this meander in any detail ;-). And, spoiler alert, I don’t have a clear answer – yet! If, indeed, there is one to find!! What I offer, instead, are the current inspirations that are helping me explore the integration of ceremony and ritual into more of my work.
Firstly, the divine synchronicity of my holiday reading – I’m in Crete, as I write…yasas! – in particular, Sacred Business (Trott, 2025). I say synchronicity as, despite having transitioned, for the most part, to a digital notebook – apart from ‘big dreaming’ and journaling – I still travel with physical books and the curation is a whole thing, so it could easily have been left behind! Anyway, based on many of the teachings I have come across over the last 20 years of my holistic journey, the book eloquently lays out an approach to tackling my exact question. One I’ve not fully engaged with until now.
It feels like there is a lot of unlearning to do when it comes to finding a way for my business pursuits to be fully aligned with my personal beliefs and values. You see, I’m a product of the time between the 1960s and the 21st century. A time when spiritually infusing anything – in the UK, at least – was rare. Somehow, this book is unlocking a ‘permission’ to bring my whole self to the table. Every table, not just the ones in the ‘alternative’ sphere. Sparks are flying about how I might – finally – create a way of integrating all of my experience into fulfilling and valuable work that sustains my life (read: not funded by mis-aligned, income-only contracts) and contributes to the greater good. As I say, nothing clear enough to share but ideas bubbling away!
Secondly, I have been reflecting on the daily offerings I saw the Balinese people make when I was there nearly 20 years ago. It has been a long time, so the timing of these memories re-surfacing is not lost on me. The Canag Sari ritual – of placing laden baskets, woven from coconut leaves – infuses the sacred into homes, businesses and public spaces. As I understand it, the beautifully curated gifts are placed in gratitude, to maintain balance and/or appease negative spirits at the beginning and end of each day.
Surely, there are versions of this practice that could be introduced to our workplaces. I like the thought of marking the start and end with intention and gratitude. The question, then, would be how to take inspiration without cultural appropriation? As an aside, how do we delineate between spiritual and sacred acts – to safeguard against reductionist play-acting? Or rather, might we see sacredness as separate from religious practice without losing any of the reverence or intention? Meaningful without necessarily being devotional?
Back to my original question, and it seems to me that bringing the sacred into business – whether through ceremony and ritual or other intentional acts – is as much about how we approach our work as it is about what we are doing for work. In both cases, the impacts on people, planet and beyond have ripple effects that can make a lasting and meaningful difference.
As I say, no definitive answer, but time well spent, I hope. And until we meet again – in whatever guise that is – go well…
References:
Curry, D., & Wells, S. J. (2006). An organic inquiry primer for the novice researcher: A sacred approach to disciplined knowing. Infinity Publishing.
Trott, N. (2025). Sacred Business: Nine principles to transform yourself, redesign business & impact the world. Bloomsbury Publishing.
