The true intent of a spiritual practice is not about mechanically obeying rules but developing an awareness of the sacred. Keeping kosher, for example, is partly about respecting and honoring the food we eat and how it comes to us. Making the sign of the cross is a way to physically express a connection with the suffering of Jesus. Blessing someone when he or she sneezes shows sympathy and concern. These are not just empty rituals. They have the potential to change us inside, to develop our character and make us more aware of our larger responsibility to ourselves, to others, and to God.

Lewis Richmond, Work as a Spiritual Practice