Are you a Boss or Employee?
I'm exploring this idea in reference to Mobile Devices.
Does the device tell us what to do and when, does it own our time with meaningless distractions? Does it control the way we feel, depending on what appears on its display? Has it got more perceived power because it makes the decisions? Does it ping and make annoying sounds to enslave attention, sometimes causing embarrassment at inconvenient times? Is it an addictive pleasure that is 'outside'? Does it make people feel SAFE?
Then the mobile is the Boss.
In a world of balance this powerful technology is our Employee. When we are the boss, we understand its talents and benefits and respect its gifts, whilst still directing the energy it holds into useful tasks. We know when to put its demands for attention on Silent Mode. We know when to have a truly nourishing holiday away from it.
It taunts us with the notion of connection, but its promise of mimicking the deep, loving connection each of us truly longs for can never, ever compare.
Sadly, it has now become a dysfunctional parent, to many of this present generation.
I had the interesting experience of spending 7 years without using a mobile phone, (we had a landline still) at a time when many were immersing themselves in the dubious 'pleasures' of Facebook and Twitter - I was in my own little world, dreaming of what might be, talking to myself a lot, walking and staring at Nature as she dressed herself in the seasons of change and contemplating what my life was about.
During that 7 year period I once was fortunate enough to go away on a healing beach retreat, I didn't take a just-in-case phone with me, there were no chores, no family responsibilities for a few days. A very simple room of my own, pure water to drink and lovely healing food already prepared, Qi Gong sessions and learning a body therapy in the afternoon. For me it was pure bliss.
In that wonderful environment, one poor soul literally went mad and after 24 hours abruptly left. They were unable to cope without coffee. In all of that sweet simplicity, dependencies and addictions quickly revealed themselves. We all have them. The more we challenge ourselves to practice going without, the stronger we become within. You come to rely on yourself and your own capabilities, more and more, or recognise where exercise is needed to strengthen the different types of muscle within, To sum up, you develop Trust in yourself and not the machinery of life.
The deep realisation when we choose to deny ourselves (even for 24 hour practice periods) is that something outside holds a power over our own Being and it's not a pleasant feeling to be confronted with that reality - it shatters our self-delusions and false self-control. The emotional aspect of our own Being, the 'child' within, quickly let's its demanding presence be known and felt.
At Elemental, as we build our retreat spaces over the coming years we will be offering "Unplugged Retreats" to give people an opportunity to identify any imbalances that have crept into their own lives and rewire themselves. A technology fast and other types of 'going without' experiences, whatever someone chooses to experience when they step into a simpler world. It will be interesting to see how twitchy people get. I regularly put myself on enforced retreats from the world to see what areas of my own life need a polish up.
Then I know that the sense of loving power within is one that has grown from an authentic source and is not dependent on anyone or anything else. It is truly mine to learn to direct as wisely as I can.
So, what are you plugged into on a regular basis? Where are you drawing your energy supply from? Do you feel it? Who's in charge of it?
You are.
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