Rituals Quote by William T. Vollmann
““But on Thursday only the committed regulars are there, and they do what they do on Thursday, delving into pagan rituals of worship to the amber gods that let you see to the lurching anger that spins you round and round at the center of things beyond lines and angles and the very floorboards become crazy under your feet so that the floor goes YAAAWW up again down again and suddenly tunk! it hits you on the forehead and your nose bleeds and you cling to it so that you don’t begin to slip down it and fetch up against the wall where you were dancing before with all the women in your life who have now vanished and left you alone here and the swaying candelabra are like careening galaxies burning into the back of your head; you don’t dare to roll over on your back and look straight into all those stars or you will be blinded; and from the cool floor and the smell of your own puke you gain more and more understanding of the universe.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: The Book of Revelation, 1999
A chaotic, sensory‑rich description of a ritualistic gathering blurs reality and madness, suggesting insight through disorientation.
In simple terms: A wild ritual leads to strange visions and deeper understanding.
Key Takeaway
Embrace disorder to gain new perspectives.
Themes
ritual
madness
perception
cosmos
Mood
intense
surreal
Type
philosophical
poetic
When to use this quote
- artistic performance
- spiritual practice
- intense experiences
Key Concepts
altered states
symbolism
existential insight
Questions to Reflect On
- What can chaos reveal about yourself?
- When does seeking insight become self‑destructive?
A Different Perspective
Such extreme experiences can be dangerous or misinterpreted.
![“Lieux de memoire . . . 'exist because there are no longer any milieux de memoire , settings in which memory is a real part of everyday experience.' And what are lieux de memoire ? [They] are . . . vestiges . . . the rituals of a ritual-less society.” quote by Tony Judt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/e56/tony-judt-1730_memory_lieux-de-memoire-exist-because-there-are_21586.jpg)
