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Politics & Society

For Small Creatures Such as We

Politics & Society

For Small Creatures Such as We

Politics & Society

For Small Creatures Such as We

Sasha Sagan

People naturally seek connection and community through rituals. It can be challenging for secular individuals to create non-religious, meaningful rituals. However, tracing the roots of traditions such as weekly communion or marriage shows that most don't stem from a particular culture or faith. Nature's wonders and humanity's connection inspire them. As humans, we have the freedom to participate in these rituals to commemorate our important moments in life - tweaking them as we see fit.

spirituality

philosophy

memoir

religion

19 min

8 Bite

Einblick

Worum geht es?

For Small Creatures Such as We (2019) offers guidance for acknowledging life's joys and sorrows without religious ties. The author invites secular people to create their own meaningful rituals that arouse curiosity and provide comfort by discovering traditional ceremonies from a scientific perspective.

Buchzusammenfassung

Sasha Sagan is an American author, television producer, filmmaker, and podcaster. She is recognized for her exploration of cultural rituals from a scientific perspective, and her essays have been featured in various publications, including New York Magazine and O, The Oprah Magazine.

“The ideas that "everything happens for a reason" or that certain things are "meant to be" are often offered as reassurances. But, to me, they are not as astounding or awe-inspiring as the idea that, in all this chaos, somehow you are you.”

“It’s dangerous to believe things just because you want them to be true.”

“We needn’t resort to myth to get that spine-chilling thrill of being part of something grander than ourselves. Our vast universe provides us with enough profound and beautiful truths to live a spiritually fulfilling life.”

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Alle Bissen

8 Bites

The celebration of birth is a way to admit the remote chances of our existence.

Regular social rituals strengthen your relationships and create community.

Changing seasons helps us figure out life's cyclical nature.

Not only is it religious to confess and seek atonement, but also an opportunity to grow and connect with others.

Our relationships with our loved ones and the universe are strengthened by annual celebrations, such as birthdays.

Weddings can be considered social rituals, which allows you to develop your own traditions.

Social and religious mores determine many of our sex rituals.

We can deal with grief and express our sorrow by ritualizing death.

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