Ritual can take over if the essence of your true self is forgotten. Our outward appearances can come to be more important than our inner experience when ritual reigns and dominates the spiritual practice. For instance, if you practice meditation in the hope of enlightenment, how much time, and with whom you meditate, should not be the driving imperative. It is actually more important how your meditation or spiritual practise has allowed you to reach within to your inner self. The greatest value is understanding how your spiritual practice has enabled you to change your heart and transform your thoughts and feelings to those people around you. Always strive to reconnect to your inner self in your spiritual endeavours, allowing you to transform your thoughts and bring to light authentic awakening