How do I translate tradition?

It’s natural for traditions to evolve or look different across time and space. Some spiritual communities actively embrace this variety and others are eager to preserve particular forms of ritual and theology, so you’ll find a variety of approaches to this question. 

As spiritual innovators, many of us draw inspiration from a wide range of traditions, stories, and practices to inspire our work—but this comes with responsibility. Laura Geller was one of the first women to be ordained as a Reform Jewish Rabbi and found that there were important life moments that her tradition had not yet created a blessing for, such as a young woman’s first menstruation and, later, the coming of menopause. So she created new blessings. But before doing so, she steeped herself in Jewish scholarship to do it with care and precision.

Particularly when we draw from spiritual or cultural traditions that aren’t native to us, we risk unintentionally crossing the line into appropriation—namely, using sacred practices without understanding their full meaning, separating them from the communities that hold them with care, and sometimes even benefiting financially from this extraction. This can cause real harm, especially to communities whose traditions have been marginalized, exploited, or commodified through colonization. Even when intentions are good, reinterpreting or remixing someone else’s sacred practice without context, relationship, acknowledgement, reciprocity, financial reward, or accountability can deepen wounds rather than foster healing.

Being mindful of appropriation doesn’t mean we can’t learn from or engage in traditions outside our own—it means doing so with humility, respect, and relationship. Explore the reflection questions below to hone your own perspective and practice of translating tradition with integrity.

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Invitation to reflect

Consider the burgeoning field of plant medicine and psychedelics. First read this short essay by Cristine Takuá, a founder and counsellor of the Maracá Institute in Brazil, which protects and publicizes the historical, environmental, and cultural heritage of indigenous peoples. Then notice the different approach to translating tradition offered by North Star in their ethics pledge and Homecoming Health in their tech platform.

Next, take the example of sacred text study. Compare this introduction to the Ignatian practice of Lectio Divina with a religious interpretation from Practicing the Way versus a secular one from Harry Potter and The Sacred Text. 

• What do you notice are the differences in approach in each case? 
• Which do you see as ethical? Which do you see as unethical? And how do you decide?
• Do you think that tradition-translators should be doing their work at all? If not, how would you address the question of how to serve people who might benefit spiritually from these practices?

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Further reflection

If you’re engaged in translating a tradition, ask yourself these questions:

• Am I connected to the community this tradition comes from? Do I have trusted relationships with people who are inviting me to learn more and share?
• Do I understand its deeper meaning? Have I actively learned and listened to tradition-holders and sources of wisdom about this practice?
• Am I giving credit, sharing financial benefit, and pointing people toward those who have carried this wisdom forward?