We arrived back from Winnipeg on Friday to find that our wireless router had died while we were gone. Did I panic? Of course not but I did go straight to Best Buy to get a new one in spite of the fact that I was still feeling spaced out because of lack of sleep. It made me aware of how dependent I have become on the internet, email and believe it or not even the blogosphere. Is out use of the internet good or bad? That I think deserves a long discussion in itself. Does it improve or detract from our connectedness to God? For some is definitely distracts – a friend of ours is currently struggling with the fact that his son is definitely addicted to the internet and his marriage is breaking up as a result.
I would certainly like to know what you think. Here is a great modern day Celtic style prayer that I came across in a book called Blessings for the Fast Paced and Cyberspaced, that at least connects the two and maybe helps us think about the ways that the internet can enhance rather than destroy our spiritual life.
O God, make my tools of technology into instruments of your peace today.
May my cell phone connect me to blessings but disconnect me from trivia.
May my car move me to safety past road rage and road rush.
May my e-mail enrich me with connectedness
May the internet open up the world to me but not snare me into addictions.
When day is done, may I come home again out of stress into peace and joy
Filed under: Celtic spirituality, Christianity, Religion, Rhythms of life, spirituality, technology | Tagged: Celtic prayer, internet addiction, spirituality
[...] Sine shares a prayer from the book “Blessings for the Fast Paced and Cyberspaced”. It is a prayer that technology [...]
I think this is a critical question that needs to be dealt with carefully. Historically Christians have responded to this kind of issue by locating the problem outside of themselves and into technology (i.e. the internet is addictive and should be used with caution), rather than see the problem within themselves (i.e. we are addictive people and so the internet- as with any medium, tool, etc.- should be used carefully). Perhaps only a minor shift, but I think a significant one.
Used responsibly, the internet is truly a gift. In our inner city community (plus have a wife whose family lives in Australia, as you would understand, Christine), it provides connection to relationships, support and resources that are critical to us.
Great thoughts, Christine!
Peace,
Jamie
Jamie,
Great ideas. I think that you are correct. It is so much easier to blame something outside of ourselves – but we are definitely all addictive prone people. And so many of our addictions are sanctioned by society – compulsive shopping, and busyness are two that immediately come to mind. Though I have noticed that even good things can become addictions – hobbies, creative talents, even my garden can all become addictive. No wonder we need the spirit of God to lead us down that straight and narrow pathway of God’s will
Blessings
Christine
I have been increasingly troubled by my internet addiction. At first it didn’t seem so much as an addiction as an enjoyable pastime then slowly but surely I began to see even the most menial task on the Net as having way too much importance in my life. While spending more than 10 hours a day on the Internet I began to realise that actually I could only get less than half the things done that I used to. Productivity and work are all suffering not to mention my relationship with my wife.
Trouble is I know I need some sort of help but am at a loss for what to do? I tried looking at professional psychiatric help for addictions but I don’t know if I am using a sledgehammer to crack a nut. And it takes way too much time and costs way above my means. I have also tried scouring the net and managed to pick up a lot of reading material such as Dr Young work on the subject which has been quite helpful and detailed. I also came across a neat piece of software which automatically stops you from surfing too long on specific sites which has been rather good at stopping me being addicted for too long you can find this product at http://www.internetandaddiction.com well worth a try. But the fact remains that this problem has not been taken seriously enough by the people who really matter i.e. the ISP and Major Internet players for obvious reasons you might think but isn’t it about time they did ??
Would love to know how others cope with the same issues and what people think of Dr Kimberly Young suggestions and the software mentioned above.
Thank you for your openness and for the resources you have listed. I will be exploring them in the next couple of weeks. (after the Celtic prayer retreat). In fact that brings up an interesting suggestion for me. I find that when I am spending lots of time in reflective and contemplative prayer that I am less prone to wander the internet. I know it may sound a little trite but I do think that prayer (of the right type) helps relax us so that we do not crave these pursuits.