“True belonging is the spiritual practice of believing in and belonging to yourself so deeply that you can share your most authentic self with the world and find sacredness in both being a part of something and standing alone in the wilderness. True belonging doesn’t require you to change who you are; it requires you to be who you are.” – Brene Brown
Few wedding traditions are as famed, and as famously elaborate as those of India and I remember so well nearly 30 years ago watching a movie about Mahatma Gandhi’s life and hurriedly scribbling down his wedding vows to his wife Kasturba on a piece of paper. At that moment I was mesmerised and in awe of something not felt before. I connected with the meaning of ceremony. I was witness to ritual for the first time and I remember it like it was yesterday. I discovered that these wedding vows and rituals are based on a Hindu Wedding and the seven vows of marriage. And when you look at the many religions and traditions that form the basis of our wedding ceremonies, these seven vows are very present.
Whatever your beautiful beliefs are, whether you are religious or not – there is something truly stunning as we connect into these seven vows. Rituals, customs and ceremonies form the essence of a Hindu wedding and the seven vows of marriage symbolise seven promises. During the ceremony, a sacred fire is created to evoke the fire god, Agni, which serves as the witness to the ritual of the seven vows. The priest, who conducts the wedding, chants sacred mantras and as the bride and the groom walk around the fire they pledge their commitment to each other and their lifetime together.
These vows ground with each of these 7 words – Nourishment; Strength; Prosperity; Family; Togetherness; Health and Wisdom.
The first step towards love is friendship and so is the last. Only the steps in between remain.
While taking the sacred steps around the fire:
“Let us take the first step to provide a prosperous living for our household or the family, a nourishing and pure diet, avoiding those foods injurious to healthy living.”
“Let us take the second step to develop physical, mental, and spiritual powers in order to lead a lifestyle that would be healthy.”
“Let us take the third step to increase our wealth by righteous means and proper means so that our material wealth increases manifold.”
“Let us take the fourth step to acquire knowledge, happiness, and harmony by mutual love, respect, understanding, faith and trust.”
“Let us take the fifth step so that we are blessed with strong, healthy, honest virtuous and brave children.”
“Let us take the sixth step for self-control of the mind, body and soul and longevity of this marriage.”
“Finally, let us take the seventh step and be true and loyal companions and remain lifelong partners and best of friends by this marriage.”
As you take your life steps with your ‘love’ remember the words spoken to each other and know that the seven marriage vows carry great significance and sacredness and offer a beautiful duality of peace and well-being for the entire universe. With love and grace xo
Words written by Robyn Bull