Faster Monastics
CMK on August 4th, 2008
On an island in Pembrokeshire, Wales sits a small Trappist monastery. Amid the sacred walls, the fifteen
monks participate in a daily rhythm of prayer and work, living a predominantly silent life in community together. Recently, however, the Caldey Abbey added a new member to their community: a broadband internet connection. That’s right. In order to better sell their goods via the internet, the community added the connection, because apparently, even for a monk dial-up is dreadfully slow.
All of this causes me to pause and think about the relationship between technology, the speed of life, and our inner centeredness. We are living busier lives today than ever before in human history, working more and filling what leisure time we have with more and more activities. In fact, busyness seems to have become a symbol of success in our society. And we have any number of time-saving devices, from the internet, to microwaves to the latest iPhone. Do these technologies enhance life or do they tend to detract and distract us from what life is really about?
The monastics — both past and present– have much to teach us about retreating from the ragged pace of our lives. They reveal to us that true life is not simply activity, but the depth with which we approach these activities. Often, this depth is only acquired by spending significant time without activity, in silence, stillness, and solitude. However, these practices are hard to maintain when my cell phone is alerting me to the latest text message. Perhaps the monks of Wales can help us consider how to maintain a balance between the tools of technology and the necessary disciplines for living a centered life.
Personally, I love my laptop and wireless internet. While these tools help me to be more productive and accomplish things which used to take great periods of time, if I’m not careful the sheer power within this box can suck me in and overwhelm me. I log on for “five minutes” and before I know it, I’ve watched 50 videos on YouTube, read 20 blog posts, and checked the soccer scores for the English Third Division! I have found that I have to be very intentional about my time on the computer each day and set aside a day of the week (Sabbath) in which I don’t get on at all. This approach (when I stick to it) helps me keep in balance between technologically driven activities and the myriad of wonder around me.
In other words, it’s okay to not answer your cell phone, to check your Facebook only once a day, and walk away from the television or computer for days at a time. In fact, it just might be the key to the life you’ve always wanted.
What do you think? What do you do to balance technology, busyness, and your inner life? I’d love to hear your thoughts.
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August 4th, 2008 at 4:02 pm
As odd as this sounds, I think my BlackBerry helps me disconnect from technology to a certain extent. I can answer my email on the bus ride home, so I hardly ever feel the need to actually turn my computer on. I don’t take the CrackBerry with me when I run (some might argue that’s a bad idea because I might get hurt, but I’ve limped home before and I have no doubt I’ll do it again.) Running is my sacred time though. It’s just me, the pavement, and the wind in my face. Gives me time to think.
So, that’s what I do!