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Crossing the Threshold
A Guide to Creating Rites of Passage for Youth, Families, and Communities
By Josette Luvmour and Ba Luvmour
Published by Linden House Books
Distributed by Simon & Schuster
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Table of Contents
About the Book
What if the antidote to modern disconnection is not more therapy, medication, or information, but instead returning to our ancestral ways of marking life's thresholds through nature-based Rites of Passage?
Across cultures and throughout history, people have paused at pivotal moments of human development to honor transformation. From birth to adolescence and into elderhood, transitions have been respected with rituals that recognize change and guide the individual into a new stage of life. These are Rites of Passage—timeless, communal acknowledgments that helped us understand who we are and gave shape to the larger mystery of life itself.
Yet in our modern world, most of these practices have vanished. In an age of unprecedented technological connection, we face deepening isolation and disconnection from one another, from nature, and from the developmental processes that once guided us. Without intentional pathways into maturity, many young people are left searching for meaning, identity, and belonging without the support of caring community. Crossing the Threshold argues that our collective disconnection stems from the disappearance of transformative ceremony. Josette Luvmour, PhD, and Ba Luvmour, MA—pioneers in wisdom-based education who have facilitated rites of passage across four continents, from Kenyan villages to Tibetan monasteries to their home state of Oregon—offer an adaptable, contemporary framework for restoring these essential practices in our families, schools, and communities. Through their unique framework, readers will rediscover their innate humanity, resilience and wildness, and claim greater presence and well-being in an increasingly fragmented world.
Across cultures and throughout history, people have paused at pivotal moments of human development to honor transformation. From birth to adolescence and into elderhood, transitions have been respected with rituals that recognize change and guide the individual into a new stage of life. These are Rites of Passage—timeless, communal acknowledgments that helped us understand who we are and gave shape to the larger mystery of life itself.
Yet in our modern world, most of these practices have vanished. In an age of unprecedented technological connection, we face deepening isolation and disconnection from one another, from nature, and from the developmental processes that once guided us. Without intentional pathways into maturity, many young people are left searching for meaning, identity, and belonging without the support of caring community. Crossing the Threshold argues that our collective disconnection stems from the disappearance of transformative ceremony. Josette Luvmour, PhD, and Ba Luvmour, MA—pioneers in wisdom-based education who have facilitated rites of passage across four continents, from Kenyan villages to Tibetan monasteries to their home state of Oregon—offer an adaptable, contemporary framework for restoring these essential practices in our families, schools, and communities. Through their unique framework, readers will rediscover their innate humanity, resilience and wildness, and claim greater presence and well-being in an increasingly fragmented world.
Excerpt
Across cultures and centuries, people have paused at life’s turning points to mark transformation. From birth to adolescence, from marriage to elderhood, each transition has been honored with rituals that recognize change and guide the individual into a new stage of life. These are Rites of Passage—timeless, communal acknowledgments that give shape to the mystery of human growth.
In our modern world, however, most of these practices have vanished. Children move into adolescence without acknowledgment. Adults face divorce, career changes, or loss without the support of community. Families yearn for meaning yet lack the structures to honor change. Too often, the absence of authentic Rites of Passage leaves people searching for belonging in destructive ways—through risk-taking, addictive behaviors, and other shallow substitutes for true initiation.
This book begins with a simple conviction: we can remember what we have forgotten. Rites of Passage are not antiquated traditions—they are essential human experiences. To advocate for them is not to invent something new, but to restore what is fundamental. When families, schools, and communities reclaim these practices, transformation becomes visible. We begin to see one another not just for who we have been, but for who we are becoming.
Drawing on four decades of guiding children, adults, and families through thresholds of growth, we offer here both the wisdom of tradition and the clarity of contemporary developmental science. As educators and facilitators, we have witnessed firsthand how Rites of Passage open doors to resilience, self-knowledge, and connection. Our backgrounds in psychology, education, and spirituality—combined with thousands of hours in the field—have taught us that meaningful Rites of Passage can be created in any context, when guided by developmental insight and care.
In our modern world, however, most of these practices have vanished. Children move into adolescence without acknowledgment. Adults face divorce, career changes, or loss without the support of community. Families yearn for meaning yet lack the structures to honor change. Too often, the absence of authentic Rites of Passage leaves people searching for belonging in destructive ways—through risk-taking, addictive behaviors, and other shallow substitutes for true initiation.
This book begins with a simple conviction: we can remember what we have forgotten. Rites of Passage are not antiquated traditions—they are essential human experiences. To advocate for them is not to invent something new, but to restore what is fundamental. When families, schools, and communities reclaim these practices, transformation becomes visible. We begin to see one another not just for who we have been, but for who we are becoming.
Drawing on four decades of guiding children, adults, and families through thresholds of growth, we offer here both the wisdom of tradition and the clarity of contemporary developmental science. As educators and facilitators, we have witnessed firsthand how Rites of Passage open doors to resilience, self-knowledge, and connection. Our backgrounds in psychology, education, and spirituality—combined with thousands of hours in the field—have taught us that meaningful Rites of Passage can be created in any context, when guided by developmental insight and care.
Product Details
- Publisher: Linden House Books (February 23, 2027)
- Length: 250 pages
- ISBN13: 9781591813859
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Raves and Reviews
In these times of great change and uncertainty, Crossing the Threshold is a wonderful reminder of the importance of healthy, genuine human experiences through the creation of meaningful Rites of Passage. I strongly recommend this book to all parents, teachers, and indeed anyone passionate about supporting others who are Crossing the Threshold.
– Dr. Arne Rubenstein, Rites of Passage Institute, Australia
Finally, a definitive guide for parents to create their own family rite of passage for their growing child! After following these steps and principles at the right timing, with both my children and youth within our community, I have experienced these ancient technologies as a catalyst to bring families closer together and catapult youth into their emergent wellbeing.
– Alison DeLong, S.E.P., M.A., Co-Founder of Rites of Passage Sandpoint
The Luvmours have distilled the power of Rites of Passage into an easy to understand and implement process that preserves their timeless meaning and purpose while allowing us to adapt them to our modern context. This is essential reading for our time of desperately-needed transformation.
– Albee Kara, IT at Faster Connections, Board Member at Transformative Learning Foundation
I have used Natural Learning Relationships within my family for over 20 years now and have had the wonderful experience of accessing a deeper relationship with my children and all children. I have found Natural Learning Relationships to reveal the inherent spiritual nature of children. I'm very grateful for the difference it has made in my family and in my life.
– Tim Riley MBA, MDiv, Financial Advisor, TX
Through the wisdom and guidance of Josette and Ba Luvmour, we have experienced firsthand the power of meaningful rites of passage to strengthen relationships, foster a deeper sense of belonging, and support growth through life’s important transitions.
Their understanding of how to create Rites of Passage that honor each person’s unique journey while connecting them to family, community, and purpose has been invaluable to our family. We have seen how these experiences help both young people and adults develop greater responsibility, confidence, and a deeper sense of purpose.
The wisdom reflected in this book has enriched our lives for decades, and we are grateful to Josette for sharing it with a wider audience.
– Dr. Rod Newton and Brooks Newton, co-founders of Hidden Springs Wellness Center
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