Re: RAT restating the obvious

[Ahoodwink@aol.com]

In a message dated 4/26/01 8:19:02 PM, alfredvitale@yahoo.com writes:

<< assemble a large group of people who
have no idea what they are about to witness (vague
title, but lots of hype, hoax, solipsisms, the promise
of spiritual experiences). encircle them. present the
ritual. blast drums, spontaneously dance. have many
rituals all at once. be proud of even the awkward
moments...when nobody is sure what is happening and
nothing seems to be going on at that moment...this is
the space where the mind can bungee jump. 
 >>

OK - I'm sure I'm going to sound like a crusty old coot here - but I've been 
to "performances" like this, and I LOATHE them.  Good theater is craft.  Good 
ritual is craft, too.  Neither just "happens."  There's a lot of thought and 
planning and structure involved in taking an audience or ritual participants 
on a journey.  Ritual isn't usually general.  It's to celebrate something in 
particular, bring closure, take the group on a SPECIFIC transformational 
journey.  Plays are, hopefully, also about something specific.  So both 
events have to be laid out with care.  In my experience, the more care one 
takes in the planning, the more the event itself is likely to be take on a 
larger significance than you ever dreamed of - but it doesn't happen by 
accident, and it isn't random.

In good rituals, also, people go into vulnerable states.  A responsible 
ritual leader must be alert and aware, not lost in "I'm a God" ego bullshit.  
That's when people get hurt - esp. if you're using fire, etc.  (No domme 
worth her salt stops paying attention to her sub.)  If the leader has worked 
well, the participant may have the feeling that the ritual was spontaneous, 
just as the best theater SEEMS unplanned.  But come on, folks, you all know 
how much work goes into effective and specific - as opposed to random and 
vague - theater.

Yours in craft,
Amy Ludwig



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