All spiritual growth is internal, based upon prayer, meditation, self-observation, as well as the effort that changes our behavior, thoughts and feelings. So, in some sense, ritual does not serve any purpose. Yet, rituals crop up in every culture because they are effective as reminders and as an invitation, to think about "reality" and life's inner meaning.

The goal then, is to look beyond the ritual for the deeper meaning. With recognition of the real power of rituals, we begin to approach them with deeper devotion. Holiness is not a random event; it is a choice we make. A Passover Seder is a powerful reminder to pay attention to the things that matter most: within ourselves and within the world in which we live.

There are two common reactions to religious ritual. Some participants follow rituals in a very rigid way, seeking an imaginary sense of safety. They think that by following the proscribed steps of the ritual, the "benefits" (including a strong Jewish identity) will automatically follow. This implies a laziness of thinking, and a wishful hope that with minimum effort, maximum effect can be had.

At the other extreme, some people experience a ritual as meaningless words and actions. The ritual means nothing in their worldview. But these people have also come to the wrong conclusion, because it does not occur to them that something wise, true, flexible and alive may be behind the ritual. Although they would deny it, they are just as rigid in their thinking as those described above. They have another form of lazy thinking, the result of shallow listening.

The way we receive God's messages determines in large part what they are. Met superficially, rituals are superficial. But myths are more than they appear: The stories are coded messages, heard by whatever part of our consciousness is open to receive them. Met with genuine devotion, a ritual can be transformative. They are as relevant to our lives as we allow them to be.

So, why Passover? Because the slavery of the ancient Jews in Egypt is a symbol with which we can all identity. The Pharaoh of our ego would bind us to the meaninglessness, suffering and fear through attachment. Passover reminds us of the Jewish people's journey from slavery to freedom, from despair to hope, from lack of insight into praise for the Divine - the same path as our own personal psychological and spiritual growth. Everyone feels the whip of Pharaoh, and we all cry out for escape from suffering. Our bondage might be an addiction, a dysfunctional relationship, or a self-defeating pattern.

In addition, unlike most religious rituals, in Passover we gather with friends and family in our homes. Together we share prayer, laughter and ideas over a meal of unleavened bread. This group then becomes an important community in our lives with whom we share our struggles and successes. By jointly articulating our ideals we strengthen them. When you share ideas, they remain yours even as they are "given away." If others accept them, they strengthen the ideas on both sides.

In this context, MHD Co. is our attempt to share some of our ideas with the world at large.

Many Jews see Eastern Religions as spiritual and Judaism as a religion. We invite you to revisit those assumptions. As we have written and rewritten our personal Haggadahs over the past two decades, we have attempted to create spirit-filled rituals that deepen our experience of ageless truths.

Thank you for reading this Haggadah and including any of our ideas in your Pesach celebration.