Technology As a Spiritual Practice?
Posted by Anna Belle on 27 Jul 2007 at 04:35 am | Tagged as: Web Reflections
PastorHacks has recently had a couple of noteworthy book excerpts on spirituality and technology. The author is focused on how disruptive technology can be, particularly to spirituality.
I don’t disagree with her points. However, I think she’s missing something that’s terribly important to those of us deeply involved in technology.
Technology and spirituality aren’t antithetical. In fact, it’s quite possible to have certain kinds of spiritual experiences when working with computers and the like. Granted, it’s not easy, nor is it commonplace. But I recall times when deep connections have been made that wouldn’t have been possible in a world without technology. And I think in particular of the hours where self is completely lost in coding and designing web pages.
Are these not spiritual experiences? Might not such focus be a mind state similar to that of artists and musicians absorbed in their work? For me it’s not the same as meditation or prayer, but I define spirituality more broadly than those two practices.
And I expect I define technology differently as well. For the author, it’s simply a tool of convenience. For me it’s that, but much more as well. For me it’s not about the machines per se; it’s about how I am in relation to them and the reality they create, be it telephone lines, photo software, etc., etc. Technology is the backbone of the web, and for me the web is a calling.
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Based on the excerpt I don’t think they were saying technology itself is inherently bad, but rather that as a form of “always available” communication it provides a tempting level of constant distraction that has never existed before. If you are getting into a deep coding zen like state I doubt you are popping open the IM client, blogs, e-mail, etc. etc. every 30 seconds. And I think that is the key, you need to learn to set boundaries with the technology, and not let the cell phone, or e-mail, etc. pull you away from anything that is important. If the cell phone, or e-mail, or whatever ruins family time it’s a problem with the person, not the technology.
And you are right, they didn’t mention at all the possible spiritual venues and practices that technology opens up.
UUpdater — I agree with you on all counts. It’s quite rare, though, that I encounter people talking about the spiritual possibilities of technology — rare enough that I’m very grateful that you affirm it. My observation is that this scarcity makes it less likely for people to attempt it or realize it when it does happen to them.
Because of chronic health problems, injuries and pain, I am not able to walk to the nearby Episcopal cathedral to light candles for my concerns.
I learned about the gratefulness.org website where you can light electronic candles for one’s concerns and thanks, etc. I have one or more going for myself all the time.
When I was a little girl I was told about the cumulative energy from many people praying. That’s why old Catholic churches are so alive.
So, because of the hundreds of people lighting candles, even though it is a technology, there is powerful group energy, belief and faith occurring through the website.
I believe lighting the PC candles helps and is comforting.
Dear Pythia Crone, Words can’t express how grateful I am for your sharing the gratefulness.org site. I lit a candle and was deeply touched. I hope many others find this site, and that it brings them solace.