Motivation to use technology can also point to ways to develop healthier relationships. In today’s practice, Jay Vidyalty leads us to identify motivations and ways of establishing more balance and intentions in our use of technology without feeling guilty.
Recent research has confirmed that the constant presence and use of technology in our lives is dangerous to happiness at multiple levels. But it doesn’t go anywhere. So how do we maintain that tension and balance our relationship with technology?
“They’re a great way to help others understand how they are,” said Javidyalty, a meditation teacher, mindful technology designer and self-identifying technology enthusiast. “It’s okay to enjoy technology. Technology becomes a problem when our lives are out of balance.
In today’s practice, Jay guides us through contemplative practices that help us dig deeper and understand motivations for using technology, and also helps us identify ways of becoming more intentional about why, how we are, and when to be more intentional about.
Meditation to clarify motivations for using technology
Read and practice the guided meditation script below and pause after each paragraph. Or listen to audio practice.
This will be a consideration. So choose whether you want to meditate with your eyes closed in a specific posture or position, or rather journal. If you need a little more space to resolve it, pause it with audio. You never have to hurry up with this kind of thing, so find a quiet, perhaps inspiring place for your thoughts and diaries. When you’re ready, start by thinking and writing about whether you’re personally interested in a better relationship with technology. Are you motivating you here? Is that a general feeling? Is there a specific pattern you are trying to change? Is there anything specific that you felt that could have influenced this idea that you need to work on your relationship with technology? Have you heard of technology in the media and the media about what it does to us? Do you want to get more, or are there any positive experiences you have with technology that finds joy, meaning and purpose that you want to return to? Maybe they are memories from previous incarnations of technology that feel lost.
Do you want to get more, or are there any positive experiences you have with technology that finds joy, meaning and purpose that you want to return to?
Think about how a more mindful relationship with technology will positively impact you and the people around you, whether it’s family, friends, or colleagues, or a coffee shop or grocery store clerk. If you are struggling with a deeper answer, try asking it over and over again, like young children. That’s a very powerful word. You first said, why am I interested in a better relationship with technology? Your mind might answer that with something I don’t want to be too stressed. From there you might ask, why do I want to reduce stress? Maybe your answer is because you want to be more present for the people you care about. I might ask again, why do I want to be more present for the people I care about? Continue with this and you will eventually find yourself in some deeper personal truths. Now, be aware that doing this will bring about judgment and shame. If you are journaling, you can look back at the page, but if you are thinking, you can reflect it. If there is a judgment, do it. For example, why might you hear your inner voice become self-critical. For example, why do we need a healthy relationship with technology? Ah, well, because I can’t control myself and I’m addicted and destroying my life with this technology. As you know, our inner voice can go everywhere. If that happens, you don’t need to resist it, but don’t give it more energy. Try to inspire curiosity and focus on their motivations, their intentions, and those answers that you feel are driving positive growth. Now approaching the end of the session, see if you can distill what comes up in this practice into simple words and phrases. If you are journaling, you can draw large lines on the pages. If you are thinking, you can clean your palate. Find what motivates you, and captures the essence of what is meant to form a more mindful, healthier and better relationship with the technology of your life. Be very specific and concise. If you do anything, either commit it to memory or write it down. Then let go of all the effort we put into this practice and take a little time to be like us. There’s nothing more to this, but we haven’t moved on to the next one yet. We enjoy this transition, emptiness and non-do moment. Once ready, you can gradually open your eyes if closed. Take a little stretch or sip of whatever you need. And if you don’t have it yet, write down the words or phrases you come up with and place them in a visible place, which can remind you of your intentions, your motivations, and your commitment to improving your relationship with technology.
It is important to remember that this does not necessarily mean setting boundaries around problematic usage patterns. It also means fully enjoying the technology part you enjoy, find authentic connections online, and setting yourself up to make the meaning and purpose you gain from technology fully thrive in your life. I hope this was helpful. I’ll see you next time.
