Games & Spirituality
We often pray, meditate, do yoga, light candles, participate in liturgies and religious (or not so religious) rituals as a way to connect more deeply with ourselves, our community, and the divine (God/Spirit). These practices help us take a "long loving look at the real" by helping us slow down and reflect on the circumstances of our lives. They help us center (and sometimes decenter) ourselves as we navigate life. These practices are designed to help us on our journeys of exploration, and when done with intention can leave us deeply transformed.
Through these practices we gain clarity, learn to let go, find out more about ourselves, and ultimately learn how to reflect rather than react when presented with challenges. This same thing can happen during play, and more specifically in role-playing games where we can explore new worlds, beliefs, and ideas as we face challenges, learn to solve problems and explore deep truths. In role-playing games you take on new personas, try out new beliefs, outlooks, and ideas in a safe and transformative environment.
Sometimes we do not have supportive structures or safe spaces in our lives that allow us to explore our spirituality, beliefs, ideas, and life circumstances. It is difficult to wrestle with our doubts, questions, and curiosities when we feel like we are alone, but this is where spiritual direction comes into play. Regardless of the environment we find ourselves in, spiritual direction shows us that we do not have to go this journey alone. In Spiritual Direction with Roll for Spirituality we use role-playing games as a medium for self discovery and deeper connection in an environment that seeks to cultivate a space of freedom and safety for all those who participate, frequently reminding them that they are not alone on their journey.
The Magic Circle
Rituals, games, and experiences of all kinds can create space for this by allowing us to enter a world where the rules of everyday life no longer apply. This boundary between the “real” world and the world of the ritual, game, or experience is one that is has been referred to as the “magic circle” by historian Johan Huizinga, and can be understood as a space in which we can move, learn, and have experiences in ways that we could not do otherwise in our everyday life.
"All play moves and has its being within a play-ground marked off beforehand either materially or ideally, deliberately or as a matter of course. Just as there is no formal difference between play and ritual, so the 'consecrated spot' cannot be formally distinguished from the play-ground. The arena, the card-table, the magic circle, the temple, the stage, the screen, the tennis court, the court of justice, etc, are all in form and function play-grounds, i.e. forbidden spots, isolated, hedged round, hallowed, within which special rules obtain. All are temporary worlds within the ordinary world, dedicated to the performance of an act apart."
- Johan Huizinga
(In Homo Ludens: A Study of the Play-Element in Culture)
“Ryan listens. Ryan takes the time to understand you and then to respond , not like some know it all guru, but like a friend. I wouldn’t be on the path I am now if Ryan hadn’t helped me see it more clearly.
—Kelly Tague, Directee
There’s no commitment, pressure, or obligation.