When an idea attracts us we move toward it. That movement isritual. Imagine the early idea that some tribesmen came up with, that they could influence the weather with a gesture. A silly idea, perhaps, but it seemed to work, so they did it again, and over the generations the ritual became a tradition. Democracy, too, started out as a silly idea, but it has become a tradition. Same with Rock & Roll.
Since ritual is at the very heart of all traditions, giving them their form and meaning, sometimes the minor alteration of a ritual can give new life to an old tradition – much in the way the alteration of a single note in a melody can make it come alive for us. Despite the change of a note we still have melody; we still have music – and it still brings us joy.
Our traditions and our cultures, just like our melodies, are living. We can play with them, and give them new life. We can even change them if we have to. Conscious ritualing lets us make music from the heart of our communities.
— Tony Brussat