Week 66: Unplugging - Leave the Virtual World of Technology

We often operate under the false assumption that being technological savvy means being a good communicator and that being in control over technology tools means being ‘interacted’ with one another. We sometime neglect the important of face-to-face communication with one another as a human being.

Virtual World of Technology

Phone calls, sms’es and hundreds of e-mails demand for your attention. In the midst of conversation, you wonder if there anyone writes comments on your Facebook status this morning. While doing a project, your mind anxious about dozen of unchecked e-mails for the past 3 hours. Your friends came to chat with you, but text messages bombard your inbox, so you ‘interact’ without even looking into anyone’s eyes.

For most of us, our normal life consists of hours of staring at a computer screen doing works, playing games and/or surfing the Internet. Today, people use the Internet an average of 30 hours a week and keep the TV or radio on 7.9 hours a day…  we need to get unplugged… you and I need to get unplugged from virtual reality and get out from these addiction of technology from our lives. I said about get rid of addiction from technology NOT get rid from technology. Unplug, and look into the eyes of another human face – see the beauty of God’s creation!*

Unplugging 

Adele Ahlberg Calhoun defines Unplugging as a ‘call to leave the virtual world of technology (computers, e-mail, Blackberries, cell phones, PDAs, iPods, etc.) in order become present to God and others.’ It is a practice that requires us to be fully present to and in the uninterrupted quiet with God. It intentionally seek to create space for face-to-face encounters with people and above all, it gives us freedom from addictions – to cell phones, video games, the Internet (especially from Facebook, YouTube and Twitters etc.)

Here are some practices of Unplugging that you may want to consider doing;

·        Unplugging electronic devices that interrupt relationships

·        Refraining from the use of e-mail or not checking e-mail on the weekend or have a no-e-mail workday (Saturday and Sunday are my no-e-mail days)

·        Abstaining from social networking for a day or two (or even a week)

·        If possible, communicating face-to-face rather than virtually

·        Devoting time and attention to others without interruption (Stop any electronic interruptions and look them in the eyes)

Personal Interaction by a Personal God

Unplugging recognizes that personal beings are created for personal interaction by a personal God. We need to be in the presence of each other… We need to be touched… We need nonverbal signals… We need uninterrupted spaces in our lives for the presence of God and the presence of others.

Do you want to unplug?

Do you long to be in full present with God?

Do you want to restore uninterrupted interactions with others?

Can you cut one hour a week from using your computer or any other digital connections and use that time to be in the presence of God or others?

I hope you do… I pray you will, and you know; all of us need to Unplugging sometime.

THINK BIG As a human being, we need a face-to-face interaction

START SMALL Choose to Unplug

GO DEEP Enjoy, touch and see the beauty of God’s creation!

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*I’m in dept with Adele Ahlberg Calhoun for his insights in Spiritual Disciplines Handbook: Practices that Transform Us. Most of my materials for today’s article are from this book. Sell your bed and buy this book!