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Techno-Spirituality

Written by Elizabeth Lecavalier

May 26, 2014

Techno Spirituality Image courtesy of courosa via photopin cc

I just read an article on the spirituality of social media.

Technology has definitely transformed the way we interact with each other in society. After all, when we meet someone new at a party, a friend request on Facebook faithfully follows. The same phenomenon happens in the business world (just replace Facebook with LinkedIn!). Yet, can we say that there is truly a link between social media and spirituality? Aren’t they two completely different things? Maybe they aren’t.

SEARCHING FOR MEANING ON SOCIAL MEDIA

there is one thing that technology does not change—our deepest desires that must be filled.

Some time ago, I attended a conference in Waterloo on how to increase social engagement through digital media. I remember that one of the keynote speakers mentioned that certain themes connected the most with people from the online community. Meaningful things. Being dynamically unique. Growing relationships. Controversies. Likeability. Being focused. Having a lasting impact. You can do the test yourself: each media that goes viral hits at least one of these nerves. There is something deep in these themes that pushes us to dream, ponder, feel, discover… to come face-to-face with what matters the most in the cosmos.

They are passion points that resonate with our soul. A soul that craves.

REWIRING OUR BRAINS

It’s interesting to note that technology has created many changes in our brains. Apparently, now we are more likely to dream in colour than our grandparents. We experience a new fear called FOMO (fear of missing out). We can’t sleep. Our brains are programmed to assume that our phone is ringing even when it’s not.

But there is one thing that technology does not change—our deepest desires that must be filled. And we gave technology the mandate to fill this gap within us. We open up Google and cry out “Entertain me!” “Inform me!” “Answer me!” “Solve this!” “Help me find meaning in my life!”

Except that technology does not fulfill this mandate. More content does not translate into more meaning. I always have the impression that I’m missing something. Maybe if I spend more time online, I’ll discover the thing that will make my day. Maybe If I spend more time on Facebook, I’ll find the love of my life (who knows??). Maybe if I buy the latest gadget, my life will get better. Even if most people today would not consider themselves as “religious,” that word describes the way we interact with the Web pretty well.

So what is spirituality’s relevance in all of this? Maybe it’s not so far off given that you are currently checking out a blog on spirituality!

THE MEDIUM IS THE METAPHOR

There is nothing in this world that can fill this void within me; technology just proves it even more. My life had no meaning until the day I met God.

The goal of technology is to bring things closer together, to facilitate them, especially with regards to relationships. Now, what if I’m not talking about human relationship but rather a divine one?

I have the most profound conviction that there is a God and that He’s at work in our lives. He desires to draw you to Himself more than anything else. Yet, there’s something blocking the way between you and God. A firewall caused by our sinful condition separating a totally perfect being from really imperfect ones. But God so longed to be in relationship with you that He sent his only Son, Jesus, to pay for your sins and establish a connection between you and God, bypassing the firewall. Jesus is your access to God. He connects you to the source of life just like a cable linking your laptop to a power outlet. Jesus brought Himself close to us like no technology would ever accomplish. Jesus also facilitates things—He simplifies religion.

There is nothing in this world that can fill this void within me; technology just proves it even more. My life had no meaning until the day I met God.

Alright, I’ve demonstrated the link between technology and spirituality in my opinion… now it’s your turn!
– How do you see the link between spirituality and technology?
– What would you like to see more of in social media? What would you like to see less of?
– How do you use social media to deepen relationships? Do you think you can deepen your relationship with God online?


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