Relating with More-than-Humans: Interbeing Rituality and Spiritual Practices in a Living World—An Introduction

Abstract

Over the last twenty years, the rejection of singular or unique concepts of nature has given rise to a multiplicity of notions which are not limited to the “living” or “the visible”. Better than “non-humans” or “other-than-humans”, which characterize by opposition to the humans, that remain at the centre, the expression “more-than-humans” provides a framework that accommodates a broader definition of animated being by recognizing the possibility of liveliness, or at least agency or personality, to any entities with whom humans interact. Rituality can be seen as an important component of relationships between humans and more-than-humans in different cultural contexts across the globe. Three main issues related to ritual relationships with more-than-humans are discussed: how relationships are constructed and maintained through rituality; how ritual creativity and innovation transform and produce values, behaviours, and practices concerning more-than-humans; and how ritualized interactions with more-than-humans shape our day-to-day life.