When Technology, Spirituality, and Religion Each Call
Sometimes we feel a call from technology, spirituality, and religion at the same time. Religions, as well as spiritual practices, are not right for everyone. I didn’t always believe this because, as one raised in the church, I was taught that there was only one way to get to heaven and, by golly, I planned to take that road!
The problem I discovered along the way, however, was I had insufficient inner growth to experience the depth of all the Universe has to offer. So I allowed myself to peer down side-trails and around roadblocks. In that process of self-discovery in its context of divine presence, I found a depth of soul I was missing.
This journey is important if we are to live into the fullness of our values, whether based on organized religion or, more commonly, the desire to love and serve without institutional dogma.
Organized religion depends on a belief system that may or may not encourage a spiritual practice. Spiritual practices may or may not include the tenets of a particular religion.
Is there a third approach? I wonder if there isn’t a road into divine Mystery labeled technology.
Where does technology fit with spirituality?
With devices becoming more and more prevalent in all aspects of our lives, many people are looking for a balance between their spirituality and technology.
The internet can feel kind of ‘out there’ in a universe of little understanding, not unlike heaven and hell. How do we embrace the mysteries of cyberspace with the Mystery of the divine?
There are times when I get so lost in the land of computer codes, hacking bots, and confusing passwords that I am sure I know what hell is.
Spirituality and Religion
Spirituality is not rooted in religious beliefs. It’s the other way around. Religions are rooted in our spirituality. I have studied many different religions, each with its own tenets and doctrines.
There are some similarities in practices, often including prayers, service to the poor, rituals for birthing, marriage, and funerals, and doctrines that go back thousands of years. Yet, we don’t need to espouse any particular religion to engage in rituals, prayer, or charity.
I see spirituality as the essence of our very being, as integral to our humanity as our bones and organs, our thinking and behavior.
Spirituality is an expression of personal experience of something beyond ourselves that some call God or a Higher Power, and others call Universe or Nature.
I call it Mystery.
When we have a spiritual awakening, we have a life-transforming realization about our destiny or place in the universe.
When that happens we often turn to religion to find community and support as we explore what it means to be spirit as well as body.
That may be Christianity, Judaism, Buddhism, Islam, and even Paganism. Even an atheist will express awe at a sunrise! And some may leave formal religion to discover what it means to be spiritual.
How to balance spirituality with technology
So in an age of technology how do we balance spirituality with computers, cell phones, the internet, and the mysteries of cyberspace?
I would suggest several simple practices the next time you sit down at your computer or find yourself playing video games on your cell phone.
1. Gratitude – Give thanks for what technology opens up for us, even beyond information and connection to others.
I was totally lost last year as I sat by the bedside of my critically ill son when I suddenly remembered that in this 6 oz piece of equipment were all the psalms (in all translations) and I could read them aloud to give his comatose brain the sound of my voice.
2. Patience – Before pulling out your hair when the server crashes or no password will open the file you just have to have at that moment, take a moment to inhale.
And exhale.
And feel the pause in between, for I have heard it said that God resides in the pause between our breaths.
3. Forgiveness – How many times have I hit a delete button and lost something I considered critical to my progress at that moment? Instead of calling myself a doofus which is my immediate response, I stop and remind myself everything is going to be all right, and that no matter what I have done, things have a way of working out.
4. Generosity – Sometimes I can get caught up doing my own thing for my own pleasure until I remember that it only takes a moment to donate to something I believe in. I can write an email of encouragement to someone who is feeling lonely, or I can teach an elderly neighbor how to access their email.
5. Creativity – Technology gives me the opportunity to take photos, write, and journal, as well as draw and design with many apps designed for such purposes.
6. Self-care – I have used the apps on my phone to motivate myself to walk more, meditate and improve my sleep.
What other spiritual practices does your phone or computer offer you? Leave a comment below and let’s see how many ways people have found to grow spiritually using the technology in their pocket.
