  Spiritual
This week: Unplugged Edited by: Sophy  
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Hi, I'm Sophy ~ your editor for this edition of the Spiritual Newsletter.
The Rev. Scotty McLennan, author of the book Finding Your Religion, compares humanity's innate need for spiritual searching to climbing a mountain. In his view, we are all endeavoring to climb the same figurative mountain in our search for the divine, we just may take different ways to get there. In other words, there is one "God," but many paths. I honor whatever path or paths you have chosen to climb that mountain in your quest for the Sacred.  |
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"UnPlugged"
Donald Altman in The Mindfulness Code
"Unplug yourself. Devote time each day to turning down the volume on electronic devices in order to be present with what is. Let yourself sit for a few minutes with no agenda. Listen for the silence that is present between your thoughts. Let your mind take a rest and be blessed in its true nature."
I recently experienced the most horrible 24 hours of my life. No, I am not going to tell you, AGAIN, about my double knee replacement surgery. This was much worse, and happened a couple of weeks ago, when the landscapers we hired to work on our backyard cut the cable line. I came home from running errands to find Landscaper Lance standing in the driveway as I pulled into the garage, asking if I wouldn’t mind checking to see if we had phone and TV. Now, he asked me that several times during the couple of days they had been working, (apparently our backyard has more cable running underneath the grass than any yard in town, according to Lance anyway, and they managed to cut most of them). Yes, the guys with the red, orange, and yellow spray paint cans came out and marked – but these were cut where it was not marked. So I was always grateful to tell him we still had phone and TV and Internet.
Thursday they accidentally cut a cable near where an orange line was painted on our grass. I entered the house with a mixture of trepidation and hope, only to have those hopes dashed by discovering that the cable was in fact out. They called a guy who knows how to repair cable lines (I am guessing they do this a lot) who came and did his best to restore the cable by splicing the line back together in all three places where the line had been cut. Yes, three places. But all to no avail. I was on my cell phone to the cable company before he even finished telling me he could not fix it. After shouting my way through the frustrating automated phone system – my theory is that the crazier and louder you answer the automated voice’s questions, the sooner it connects you to an actual person – I finally got a rep who told me they could have someone out to fix it on Friday afternoon. I begged, pleaded, cajoled her to see if there was any chance someone could come sooner, but Friday was the soonest (which, in retrospect, was pretty quick – only 24 hours from my call). Which meant no phone, no Internet, and no Cable Television, since all three are connected to our cable service.
I posted about my tribulations on Facebook – intentionally poking fun at myself for being so upset about my now inhibited connection to the world and main source of entertainment (Internet and TV – I was actually okay with the phone not ringing). My post read, “Landscapers cut our cable line, so no TV, Internet, or phone until at least tomorrow afternoon. I feel like Laura Ingalls Wilder – except I have electricity, air-conditioning, and indoor plumbing. And a comfy bed. And a fridge. And an iPhone. But other than all of that I’m totally Little House on the Prairie’ing it tonight!” I ended the post with the hashtag “#firstworldproblems,” and then set about to try and survive the next 24 hours, unplugged from everything I enjoy being plugged into. After finishing some chores I sat in the recliner in the living room, ready to switch on the evening news – and remembered there was no evening news, not for me anyway. I comforted myself with the fact that I could watch something on Netflix streaming – and remembered there was no Internet to stream from. I decided to try the DVR and see if I could at least watch something I recorded, and at first I could. I was comforted by the sights and sounds coming from my TV screen and thought to myself, “I can do this! I will survive this hellish existence!” And then after an hour the screen went black and the DVR went kaput right in the middle of the movie I was watching. Mr. Sophy came home and found me sitting in the dark in front of the TV. Friday morning dawned with new hope – the cable guy was coming, the cable guy was coming! Not until the afternoon, but I could make it. I would rewrite a poem. Maybe I’d even find time to play with the dog, or have an actual conversation with Mr. Sophy. Fortunately, the sky did not fall, the world did not end, I made it through the day and and we were reconnected with the world by 4pm Friday afternoon.
My dramatic outbursts were intended to be funny, to poke fun at myself for how overly connected to technology I have become. My inner stand-up comedian was having a blast. During a texting session with friends Thursday evening, the irony was not missed on me when I ended the electronic conversation we were having on my iPhone – my IPHONE! – with, “Oh well, I will guess I will go churn some butter.” I knew I was being ridiculous – I wasn’t living on the Prairie with Pa and Ma. I was in my beautiful home, with electricity, running water, comfy furniture, and an operating iPhone, for goodness sake! My sister texted me after seeing my Facebook post and said, “Maybe you can do a little mending by the firelight – maybe darn some socks.” We all got the joke. I got the joke. So I couldn’t watch the latest episode of “Property Brothers” or whatever it was I missed Thursday night. So I couldn’t refresh my Facebook page a thousand times to see who liked or commented on my “Little House on the Prairie” post. I was alive, I was living better than most of the rest of the people on our planet, and yet, there I was complaining about being partially unplugged for 24 hours.
Whether or not you are as attached to being as plugged in as I am, we are all way more plugged in than we ever used to be. Most of us have cell phones – some of us even wear them on our wrists! Most of us have multiple televisions, Smart TV’s, and computers and tablets. When we are away from home some of us can turn the lights on, or set our DVR to record a show we forgot to set, or watch what our dog is doing – all with our cell phones. Technology is great – it connects us in ways we have never connected before. I can SKYPE with friends who live far away – see their faces in addition to hearing their voices. I can Facetime with my sister and open presents together on our birthdays. I can reconnect with a high school friend on Facebook. You can log onto WDC, while at the same time checking the weather radar and ordering paper towels on amazon.com. Literally everything is at our fingertips now. Isn’t that great?
Well it is, and it isn’t great. We are more connected than ever before – and we are more disconnected than ever before. I remember as a kid, when we were at the dinner table there were a few rules. No reading at the table, no answering the phone at the table (and by phone, I mean the rotary phone attached to the wall in the kitchen), and no singing at the table – to this day I have no idea why we weren’t allowed to sing at the table. We were all expected to sit down to dinner together, almost every night, and for that brief period, have conversations with each other – about our day, about school, about whatever came up. I cannot even imagine a family dinner today, if there even is still such a thing. The rare occasion Mr. Sophy and I have dinner together at an actual table, there is usually an iPhone or iPad within reach, or both. We have to officially declare a “technology-free” meal if we want to be intentional about conversing with each other. Our technological connection abilities are amazing, miraculous even. You can Facetime with the grandparents on Christmas morning if you cannot be together in person – that’s wonderful! But it also means you can be sitting across the table from someone you love, all the while poking away at some app or watching a YouTube video of kittens on your phone. That is not so wonderful, and it is only going to get worse.
A few days ago, Mark Zuckerberg announced on Facebook an update on their Occulus Rift project, a virtual reality head-mounted display. He wrote, “When you put on the Rift, you’ll be able to experience immersive virtual environments that create the feeling of ‘presence’ – like you’re actually there. You’ll be able to play games, watch movies and connect with your friends, all in ways that you’ve never experienced before. We developed state-of-the-art custom display technology to create immersive visuals, and precise head tracking, so you can move naturally in virtual environments. We integrated high quality VR audio into the Rift to convince your ears that you’re really there. And we invested a lot of effort in making the headset light, comfortable and easy to wear. Putting on the Rift is as easy as putting on a baseball cap. We’ve also been innovating in input, and today we presented Oculus Touch – a ground-breaking pair of wireless controllers designed for virtual reality that let you reach out and interact naturally with objects in the virtual world.” As cool as it sounds on one level, on another level I can’t help but ask why one wouldn’t rather reach out and interact naturally with objects in the natural world? Why wouldn’t one prefer to connect with friends in person, rather than in a virtual world? When it comes out next year, we can pretty much say goodbye to any more face-to-face conversations and contact with anyone under what, 20? 30? 40? 50?
So what do we do? Do we throw away all of our devices and go back to the olden days, where when you wanted to speak to someone you sought them out, face-to-face, and had a chat; and when you wanted to write to someone you mailed a letter? No, I am not suggesting that – technology IS pretty wonderful and does have some aspects to it that are a blessing in many ways. As with anything that has the possibility of fitting the mantra “too much of a good thing,” I am suggesting balance. Here are some suggestions from the web site “tinybuddha.com” to help get you on the road to that balance –
How to Give Yourself a Break from Technology
(http://tinybuddha.com/blog/40-ways-to-give-yourself-a-break/)
Make a conscious decision to spend the first portion of your morning tech-free. Don’t power up your computer or turn on the TV.
Take a completely tech-free hour. Turn your cell phone off, shut down your computer, and put your iPad in a drawer.
Plan unproductive downtime, by taking a walk, for example. Research shows this type of disconnected time is crucial to learning and forming memories.
Identify what you’re really seeking from technology—whether it’s acceptance, acknowledgment, or stimulation—and then look for ways to get that without logging on.
Store gadgets in a place where you can’t see them when you’re not using them so they don’t in any way consume your energy or thoughts.
Technology fast on a weekend day. This probably isn’t an option during the week—and I’ll admit this is challenging for me even on the weekend—but it’s worth trying: a day without any gadgets. Or maybe half a day? Baby steps …
Give your technology a bedtime. I know from experience how pre-bed web surfing can negatively impact sleep. (Photoreceptors in the retina sense light and dark, signaling our brain about the status of the outside world and aligning our circadian rhythmsto the external day-night cycle. This signaling of light and dark helps us to be alert in the morning and be able to fall asleep at the appropriate time at night. Studies now show that the light from our small electronic devices emit sufficient light to miscue the brain and promote wakefulness.) So an hour or two before bed, put all your gadgets away, and choose other relaxing activities before you head to sleep.
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Below you'll find some spiritual offerings from other WDC members. Please let the folks know if you read their piece by leaving a thoughtful comment or review. I realize I post mostly poems, but that is because it is tough to find other types of spiritual writing on the site (most are poems). If you have something you would like me to highlight, please do share it with me, thanks!
| |  | True happiness (ASR)
A man is robbed of all technolgy causing him to rethink what it means to truly be happy.
#2046226 by brom21  |
| | | Purpose (E)
To differ from my seldom positive outlook, I decided to write about everyone's purpose.
#2043055 by The Philosopher  |
| |  | Invalid Item
This item number is not valid.
#2045421 by Not Available. |
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Here is a response to my last newsletter "Spiritual Newsletter (May 27, 2015)" about "Choosing Joy:"
From karenjo9
Hi Sophy -
Thank you for the article on choosing joy! I especially liked how you emphasized the present tense... choose, rather than chose. I will keep reminding myself that joy is a choice I can make over and over again. It's similar to what Thich Nhat Hahn says... to water seeds of joy. -Kenny
Yes, exactly - thank you!
     
From Being Diane
I love The Prophet – by Khalil Gibran and have read his books from the early 1970’s. I went to the thrift store not too long ago and how great was that feeling because this was a leather bound edition from like 1929. I felt it in my hands and felt history in modern form in my hard. I wish I was one and may still go back to school and remember what I am put on this earth for. Thanks so much for sharing.
Diane
So glad you enjoyed it, thank you for letting me know.
From Quick-Quill 
How odd you posted Gibran's joy and sorrow. I read the book when I was 20. I don't think I understood it like I do today. When writing my novel I wanted to use this portion as a reading at the "funeral" but was told I couldn't even though I mentioned the title and author. I hated having to cut that part. I believe without pain there is no joy, without sorrow there can be no real understanding of love. This is life.
Amen, well said.
From JennyHeart
This poem is one of great truth for ones searching for answers on how to cope with the death of a loved one, or just any type of tragedy.
JennyHeart
From Just an Ordinary Boo!
I found this out for myself, that joy comes from within us and is not a product to be found outside, which comes from any possession. I had a long period where I could have chosen to be 'why-me' whiny miserable (to be honest I was stuck at that stage for a while), or I could smile at the little joys of life.
It was a long tunnel and my attitude helped me through the long struggles of financial constraint, repeated illness and loneliness. The pluses? When that tunnel ended, I no longer feel lonely, although I am often alone. I need very little as to make me happy and every day is joyous!
Thanks for sharing your experience, we all need tough love at times to make us aware of what we do have! Enjoy your new mobility!
Thank you for your kind words, and for sharing of your own experience as well.
From ANN Counselor, Lesbian & Happy
Truly inspirational. Thank you for the message about joy and sorrow, highs and lows, with or without, good or bad, and all the things we seek or do not seek, choose or not choose, since one balances the other giving us many places along the continuum of life and emotions to have, share, experience. A great newsletter.
ann
Thanks Ann! 
From Joto-Kai
Excellent thoughts. Interesting how the hard view can be more freeing than "warm, empathetic and genuine."
Per the famous hypnotist, Richard Bandler. Why exchange sympathy for problems you're gonna get rid of? "If I believe in your problems," he opined, "You're pretty much screwed."
I see you're also wise enough to admit that it bothers you. In helping one of my friends, I realized I'd hit a wall. I could make her feel a bit better, by giving her perspective and hope. But the fact was that I was expecting her to abolish the dislike. I hope that she forgives me!
Hopefully she knows your intention was kind and caring - if so, she will.
From Apondia 
Cool! The Old and New Testament exhort us to be balanced people as we flow through life. In the June issue of "Prevention" magazine there is a small insert that says when we experience awe it gives us a jolt of physical benefit to our health. Joy can be closely related to the awe we feel as we see beautiful scenery or experience something new and wonderful. The Poetry in this newsletter is so expressive and rightly balanced.
Thanks for writing in - and I agree that joy and awe are close sisters.
From Seshat
What a beautiful newsletter subject, JOY. I have learned to be Joyful for each day that I wake due to my Heart, physically, emotionally and spiritually, This newsletter touched me, thank you.
So glad it touched you!
44special and katesthename reminded us that -
Remember, "the joy of the Lord is your strength." It is a special joy and holds a special place in our lives.
From embe posted a couple of poems:
Always a joy to read your fine newsletter, by embe with my poem of healing attached.
"Born Anew In Faith"
Our child born anew in remembrance
this strain of rareness with grief,
just before her first birthday
in sadness for her death,
my wife lonely in tears.
Weeping souls sorrow
now by her tiny grave,
her snow white coffin
in this bed of roses,
our remembrance.
We prayed to God
for her comfort,
dressed in silk
for her purity,
in this miracle.
Now I have cancer
diagnosed today,
by this surgeon
we can heal you,
my wife still crying.
There in the theater
with this operation
under glaring lights.
I must be confused
the bulbs now fading.
With my memories
married that day,
in our local church
seagulls swooping,
circling all around us.
Like a merry go round
with promises for her,
the red and blue dolly.
Then my memory fades
my wife fainting in tears.
Don’t take life for granted
boasting I don’t need help.
God cannot save your soul
embe is my writing name,
the author at writing.com.
AND
"Choose joy and love will follow,"
And on my brow I feel the dampness
on dreadful days of nights and death
lying crying still confused in thought,
down that long and silent road I go
with shadows whirling in the wind.
There someone took me by the hand
and in my joy forgot my tortured past
in the circling mist of dawn my home,
the shades passing by have fled away
clear chords reaching the ears of God.
Not alone anymore to die with fear
taking new steps and applying it,
lots of folk gathered in prayer
I can see their smiling faces,
no stumbling on the way.
God’s rule is boundless
with his love immense
patient in supplication,
like me a lonely veteran
praying mercy every day.
These treasures I have gained
pardoning grace to heal my soul,
humbly I bow each day in prayer
under rose trees scented flowers,
in rippling waters from a fountain.
The sky is laced with rainbows
below the mist the shadows flee,
for a new dawning of life in prayer
in reverent silence on the misty hill,
bowing before my dear Savior Jesus.
Thank you for sharing your poems with us! Glad my newsletter was so inspirational.
Please keep your comments and suggestions coming! Until next time! Sophy |
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Spiritual: June 24, 2015 Issue [#7061]
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