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William Ayot has worked in personal development and organizational settings, using poetry and the arts to teach worldwide. He speaks about his emotional state at the age of 30, being clinically depressed, not finding any joy in relationships, and he then “fell into a hole.” William was able to climb out of his hole by doing ritual work and discovering the world of personal development.

Working with groups of Shamans who used rituals in a very particular way. “I was fascinated, and this began to help me in my personal process.” After completing a ritual for the atonement of the feminine, William met a woman whom he fell in love with and is still in a relationship with to this day, over two decades later. He then realized that ritual work was also applicable to people in relationships. From here, he found himself working for individuals and groups, teaching them the process and value of ritual.

When working with couples, William will design and create a ritual for the couple to practice. This helps to know people’s spirituality, what they need when interfacing with each other, and the sacred world. He strives to meet people where they are most present and connected in their lives and the world. At this point, he creates rituals that initiate change.

Listen in to find out why rituals are a way of creating an image to send a message to the soul, how rituals are a critical part of our intention-setting and co-creating and why rituals can tie up loose ends with our sense of lack in the current environment.

(Please listen to the podcast episode or read the transcript to hear explanations, stories, and examples.)

Bio: 

William Ayot is an award-winning poet, author, teacher and ritualist. Over three decades, he has worked in personal development and organizational settings, using poetry and the arts to teach around the world. William creates rituals for individuals and groups in his purpose-built ritual garden in Monmouthshire, Wales. He has published four collections of poetry, a prose book on ritual, and is currently writing a book for and about men in a time of epochal change.

In this episode, William and Dr. Jessica Higgins discuss: 

• How to co-create rewarding, lasting relationships
• How rituals can be transformative for both individuals and couples
• Knowing a person’s spirituality before creating or prescribing a ritual for them is important
• How rituals are a way of creating an image to send a message to the soul

“The soul doesn’t deal in data or numbers. It deals in pictures and images.”

William Ayot

• Why we are cutting off from a deep and profound part of ourselves by disregarding ritual in our life
• Why we are giving our partner a gift when we use ritual in our lives
• What William encourages us to do to feel more connected in the world
• How to conduct rituals safely with the intended best effect
• The five basic stages of a ritual and the importance of closing the ritual down before leaving 
• Why ritual is as important for men as it is for women

“Rituals are a unique way for a human being to give a message to their psyche or their soul.”

William Ayot

Poem, by William Ayot

It Turns and Softly Speaks

Night after night the empty road, the home-light diminishing then vanishing as you travel out into the world again, hungry for a love that you can never allow.

If only you could pause for a moment, look down at your feet and not at the horizon, you might spot the small grey pebble of love lying discarded where you flung it as a child.

What was the hurt that made you a loner? How did the wondrous gift become a wound? You’re alone. You’re still giving but you’re giving from an exhausted place. Listen to the call of love: admit, accept, receive.

© William Ayot

Transcript:

ERP 246: How to Deepen Your Connection Through the Power of Ritual, an Interview with William Ayot

Mentioned:

• Shifting Criticism into Connected Communication – Free Guide
• Re Enchanting the Forest: Meaningful Ritual in a Secular World

Connect with William Ayot

Visit William on the web

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