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We’ve lost something critical to our mental, physical, and societal health: the rite of passage.

Keith and Luke will talk about the necessity of reintroducing formal rites of passage for our children, not as a fun thing to do with your kid but as something vital for their development – a piece most of us missed and have had to make up for throughout our lives.

Structured rites not only mark the transition to adulthood ceremonially but also require young individuals to demonstrate maturity and readiness for adult responsibilities. The rite of passage isn’t just an event, like a Confirmation or Sweet 16th birthday, but an actual challenge they must face and overcome.

Successfully navigating these rites creates the experience of maturity withing the child, granting them greater autonomy. It sets the stage for parents to better help their kids navigate complex challenges like peer pressure, digital addiction, sex and hormones, interpersonal relationships, staying safe and making good choices, and finding a deeper sense of life purpose.

This episode highlights why we must revive these rites to support the healthy development of the most important people in the world – the generation of leaders, parents, and citizens to come.

Keith Martin-Smith is an ordained Zen priest, and the author of When the Buddha Needs Therapy, released by Integral Life Press in 2022. Ken Wilber said it was, “a terrific book, fully embracing a truly integral perspective and highly recommended.”