Ritual as the mechanism to concentration

There are two ways of seeing religious rituals. At first sight there is a view of the mind being switched off and the people behaving in the robot-like programs. On second sight the rituals are psychological tools to develop concentration and attention. When concentration is developed and normal human emotional reaction is overcome a way to empathy and compassion develops. This is also a route to insights and when these ignite the soul - one can see that prior to this practice of ritual concentration ones mind was switched off.