“I want to talk about ‘rituals versus meditation’ in a global context, and in the Indian context. The West, for instance, is known for its yoga and meditation and they don’t pay attention to rituals at all. But it is the opposite for Indians. The temples are ritual centers and there are clear advantages of practicing one or the other. They are not mutually exclusive, but superficially, there is some kind of competition or segregation between the two. But one cannot be done without the other if you understand the true meaning of the rituals and the true meaning of meditation.

The rituals, in my opinion, and research, are a lot more powerful. Rituals have several advantages, being more efficacious than meditation, more practical, and more emotional so that people can relate to it. On the other hand, with regards to meditation, it is very hard for people to sit down and meditate.” — Dr. Pillai

Dr. Pillai explains that rituals can be even more helpful than meditating or chanting alone. He points out that sometimes, our egos and the way we have been taught to see the world as children can make it hard for us to feel that connection on our own. It’s like there are barriers between us and this deeper, divine experience.

Rituals come into play as a special kind of assistance. Think of them as a shortcut or a special tool that can help us get past those barriers. Rituals were created by wise and spiritually advanced people to help us connect more directly and easily with the Divine.

So, according to Dr. Pillai, these rituals are not just simple actions but powerful steps that can lead us to experience something much bigger than our everyday selves, making it easier for us to reach and experience the miracle-filled realm of the Divine.