The Power of Ritual by Casper ter Kuile Summary
Overview of The Power of Ritual
In a world where 40% of millennials reject religion, "The Power of Ritual" transforms everyday activities into sacred practices. Harvard divinity fellow Casper ter Kuile reveals how massages, reading, and even walking can build profound meaning and community in our increasingly secular lives.
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Key takeaways
Rituals for a Disconnected World
In a lonely English boarding school, a teenage Casper ter Kuile found unexpected solace in the movie "You've Got Mail." Years later, this simple act of watching-complete with specific ice cream and recited lines-has transformed into a personal ritual that brings meaning to his life. This transformation captures the essence of what's happening across modern society: as traditional religious participation plummets (40% of millennials identify as "nones"), we're not becoming less spiritual-we're finding meaning in unexpected places. The crisis is real: Americans have fewer close friends than ever before, with many young adults reporting no confidants at all. Former Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy discovered that loneliness underlies countless health issues, proving more harmful than smoking fifteen cigarettes daily. Yet in this fragmentation, people are creating new forms of connection through CrossFit boxes, yoga studios, and book clubs-what ter Kuile calls "communities of meaning" that perform functions once handled exclusively by religious institutions. "CrossFit is my church" isn't just a casual expression-it's a declaration heard repeatedly during years of research into how people find meaning outside traditional structures. Members prioritize living near their "box" (gym) over convenient commutes because the community becomes central to their lives. These gyms host Friday night gatherings, support groups for new parents, and celebrations of life milestones. The intense workout experiences create shared suffering that mirrors religious rituals of transformation. Though founder Greg Glassman never intended to build a spiritual community, he embraces his role, speaking of "shepherding a flock" and creating "better people" through discipline and accountability. Similarly, yoga studios become sanctuaries of mindfulness, music festivals create transcendent experiences through shared rhythm, and even tarot readings offer the kind of meaning-making traditionally found in religious counseling.
Sacred Reading and Creating Intentional Time
Breaking Bread and Building Community
Sweat, Surrender, and Sacred Connection
Reimagining Prayer for Modern Life
Weaving Rituals Into Everyday Life
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"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
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