Connected, but alone? (Part deux)

"Connected, but alone?"

Technology: texting vs. real conversation.  

The power of editing our relationships: not too little, not too much.  Editing. Control what to say, what to hear, when to participate--disconnection, not being present.  

This detachment is avoiding and stealing away the possibility and GREAT power of self reflection. 

Running away? From who? What? Ourselves?

Then there is the actual action of texting...and not calling.  Texting, not speaking, not voicing our thoughts, feelings--and what about grammar? 

Phone surfing the web.  When we are alone, in gathering with friends, co-workers, in the presence (presence, presence, presence) of family members.  

What happens to the child/adolescent that must and should develop communicating skills? Social behavior? 

Makes me wonder: how can we aim for universal bondage, a sense of community amongst us humans and the world, if keyboards, touch-screens, headphones and microphones are now replacing our senses? Diminishing, killing our experiences? 

----that brings me to my constant surprise (i stand in "awe"!) when i see people running along Central Park, or any beautiful natural landscape, hooked into headphones but so hooked-out.  Missing out on the different bird sounds, the magnificent trees in bloom, the sound of water, wind, even creatures (like me!) around them.  It is not my intention to judge, but sincerely communicate my wish for a greater connection.----

What happened to play? in children? in adults? 

What happened to long meaningful conversations? (that are not work related, meetings or some kind of scheduled appointment)

Where have handwritten love letters, poems, gone? 

My question really is: how connected are we--truly--now with this so called "global connectivity"?

How in touch are we with ourselves and what's around us?

Self reflect. Svādhyāya.

How aware are we with each other?

Svādhyāya.

We are designing and using technology that gives us the illusion of companionship without the demands of friendship.  

Let's connect by disconnecting.  How empty will that make you feel? to be off your devices?

Is it a fear of being alone? Is it the desire to belong, to feel like your being listened--is that the reason of "connecting"? posting? texting?

Or is it a fear to actually deal with yourself? Your true inner feelings? Your true existence?

Svādhyāya.

How much of this connection is isolation? Being alone, solitude and isolation are very different things.

Being alone is not necessarily being lonely. 

Let's use our devices, yes, but let them not shape and redefine who we are and our relationships. 

Let's create sacred spaces for ourselves, for each other.

Let's establish and cultivate true live connections.

Let's listen, nourish our senses and their powers to communicate.

Explore.

Discover.

Surprise.

Be alive. 

--Fía.