If generating “to do” lists were an Olympic event, the human mind would surely take home the gold. While undoubtedly useful for many tasks, the mind is also an unsettled and frantic creature whose basic state is agitation. The mind is in a state of constant craving; desperately seeking something to do, fix or figure out. The mind is not wired to land here, but instead, always beckoning our attention into the past or future. The mind does not want us to live this moment directly, but rather seeks to turn this moment into a project about which something can be done, or alternatively, a statement about our identity. What do we need to do about this moment, what does this moment mean about our past or future, what does this moment say about what kind of person we are? These are the things the mind wants to know about now, but certainly not what now actually is. The mind acts as a moderator between our life and us. To the mind, being equals death–doing equals life.
Enter technology. Injecting technology into the human mind is like shooting a wild, agitated, drunken monkey with a thousand CC’s of adrenaline. The mind is thrilled, but what about we who have to house that wild monkey?
If you ask a crack addict what will make him well, he will tell you more crack, and he will be sure of it. The crack addict is the wrong one to ask what he needs. More crack will not make him feel well, but will only calm his shakes… for a short time. And then his suffering will return–with more ferocity. Similarly, the mind is the wrong part of ourselves to ask what will make us well. The mind tells us that more will satisfy us–more information, more entertainment, more choices, more everything. More will make us whole–and ironically–give us a place where we can rest and finally enjoy less. In truth, the mind is painfully mistaken. We do not need more frequent communication; we need deeper connections. We do not need more sound bites of forgettable information; we need more meaningful dialogue. We do not need more entertainment; we need to get interested in our own imagination and creativity. We do not need more ways to get away from ourselves and now; we need to meet ourselves and discover the wonder of this moment. Well-being can only live in this now and if we are not in it, we will never experience it.
When I ask people what makes them feel truly well, I generally hear one of three things: connection with other people, creativity, and spirit-oriented activities. In all my years asking this question, never have I heard the answer: technology. People that spend all day checking and re-checking their devices–checking for what they do not even know–do not feel well at day’s end. They are addicts seeking relief–relief ultimately from the belief that there is somewhere better, more important, more fun, or simply more bearable than here. At the end of all their frantic information and entertainment-gorging, they feel despairing and anxious–bloated yet ravenous and mal-nourished. Their addiction has grown stronger, along with their belief that something somewhere will complete them and offer them a place to—at last—be, if they could only find it.
Technology is breeding the addiction to distraction into the human species, just as you would breed long ears into a dog breed. It is breeding out the capacity to be with ourselves or anyone else, and worst of all, to be here, the stuff that true well-being is made of.
Our heart and spirit need something very different than what our mind craves. As a society, we are living entirely out of sync with what really nourishes and makes us well. The drunken, feverish monkey mind within us has taken over the controls and we are sailing into despair. An entertaining, lightning-paced, bespangled despair for sure, but despair nonetheless. It is up to us and well within our power to wrestle this life back from the misinformed (and suffering) monkey. As human beings who, unlike other species, have the incredible gift of awareness, it is our responsibility to stop bingeing on what is ultimately starving us, to dismount from the frantic wheel of distraction. If we tune into our deeper wisdom, we can see what the monkey is up to, the path the addicted mind is leading us down. We can then choose to change our course and turn our attention instead to those experiences that truly nourish us, that lead us back to our natural well-being—reacquaint us with our inherent wholeness. Let us tune in and make that choice!
80 Responses
You are a very bright person!
In between my breakfast and coffee break, I took a break from work and stumbled on this post. I found myself immediately intrigued by your proposition that it was that way. Good luck maintaining that in light of the newest models refuting such.
That’s a good post.we will come back again,if you like our site,we will link to you!81mvkefeng
After examine a couple of of the blog posts in your website now, and I truly like your approach of blogging. I bookmarked it to my bookmark website checklist and will probably be checking back soon. Pls try my site as properly and let me know what you think.
You should participate in a contest for top-of-the-line blogs on the web. I will suggest this website!
Hello! My classmate gave me this address because he thought it’s nice and I have to agree with him. Really cool post you have here.
Be glad of life because it gives you the chance to love, to work, to play, and to look up at the stars.
Thanks a ton for this – love the info and agree with your perspective. However many others will not, so thanks for speaking up. Nice blog, well done!
WONDERFUL Post.thanks for share..more wait .. …
Definitely helpful notion for me . Will you article some more ? coz i want to stick to ur twitter or facebook
I have to say that this post could be the most relevant article I’ve ever read and saw. It’s a great help to every person who’s seeking for this information.
This is the right website for everyone who wishes to find out about this topic. You understand so much its almost hard to argue with you (not that I really would want to…HaHa). You certainly put a fresh spin on a topic that’s been discussed for ages. Great stuff, just great!
Glad I found this blog…I bookmarked you.
Just wish to say your article is as surprising. The clarity in your post is just spectacular and i could assume you are an expert on this subject. Well with your permission let me to grab your feed to keep up to date with forthcoming post. Thanks a million and please continue the enjoyable work.
Hi, this is my first comment on this blog and I wanted to say that I’m really impressed with this blog after reading this article about Nancy Shainberg Colier » Technology: Your Mind on Crack in which I share your same opinion. I’ll definitely mark to favorites this article!
Thanks for this nice artice! This is one of the best wordpress blogs I’ve seen. I will show this article to some of my classmates who are also interested in things related to Nancy Shainberg Colier » Technology: Your Mind on Crack but in the meantime I need to say thanks again!
Right here is the right blog for anybody who wants to find out about this topic. You understand so much its almost tough to argue with you (not that I personally would want to…HaHa). You certainly put a fresh spin on a subject that’s been written about for a long time. Great stuff, just excellent!
You should participate in a contest for among the best blogs on the web. I’ll recommend this site!
I actually bookmarked this so that I can also keep returning and check up on the additional discussions. This really some terrific info. Thanks a lot.
We’re a group of volunteers and starting a new scheme in our community. Your web site provided us with valuable info to work on. You have done a formidable job and our whole community will be thankful to you.
awesome… I like the post
I am constantly invstigating online for tips that can aid me. Thank you!
Keep this going please, great job!
Hiya, I am really glad I have found this info. Today bloggers publish only about gossips and web and this is really frustrating. A good site with exciting content, this is what I need. Thank you for keeping this web site, I will be visiting it. Do you do newsletters? Can’t find it.
After exploring a few of the articles on your web page, I seriously like your technique of blogging. I bookmarked it to my bookmark webpage list and will be checking back soon. Please check out my web site too and tell me your opinion.
I have been surfing online more than 3 hours today, yet I never found any interesting article like yours. It’s pretty worth enough for me. In my opinion, if all site owners and bloggers made good content as you did, the web will be much more useful than ever before.
I have found your site by googgeling it. I have bookmarked it. Thanks
I am delighted that I noticed this site , precisely the right information that I was looking for! .
Hello! Do you use Twitter? I’d like to follow you if that would be ok. I’m undoubtedly enjoying your blog and look forward to new updates.
It’s in reality a great and helpful piece of info. I am happy that you simply shared this helpful info with us. Please keep us up to date like this. Thank you for sharing.
Its such as you read my mind! You appear to grasp a lot about this, like you wrote the book in it or something. I think that you just could do with a few % to force the message house a bit, but instead of that, that is excellent blog. A great read. I will certainly be back.
I simply needed to say thanks all over again. I am not sure what I might have used without the tips and hints provided by you on this area. It became a real intimidating problem in my position, however , observing your well-written form you processed it forced me to weep over joy. I’m thankful for your advice and have high hopes you recognize what an amazing job your are carrying out training the mediocre ones all through your webpage. I’m certain you haven’t met any of us.
I went over this web site and I conceive you have a lot of great information, saved to my bookmarks (:.
Hey! I’m at work surfing around your blog from my new iphone 4! Just wanted to say I love reading your blog and look forward to all your posts! Carry on the excellent work!
I really appreciate this post. I’ve been looking everywhere for this! Thank goodness I found it on Bing. You’ve made my day! Thanks again
You might have wonderfully written the post. I’ve liked the right path of writing this. Thanks for sharing this.
Hi. Nice, interesting post, and a little as they are. I learned new things today!
whoah this blog is fantastic i love reading your articles. Keep up the good work! You know, a lot of people are looking around for this info, you could aid them greatly.
Very nice post. I just stumbled upon your weblog and wished to say that I have really enjoyed surfing around your blog posts. In any case I’ll be subscribing to your feed and I hope you write again soon!
Thanks for sharing. Great info.
I got what you mean , regards for posting .Woh I am glad to find this website through google. “Success is dependent on effort.” by Sophocles.
Great write-up, I am normal visitor of one’s site, maintain up the nice operate, and It’s going to be a regular visitor for a lengthy time.
I must express thanks to this writer just for bailing me out of this type of challenge. Right after searching through the world-wide-web and meeting things that were not helpful, I was thinking my life was done. Existing without the presence of answers to the difficulties you have sorted out through your main site is a critical case, as well as the kind which could have negatively damaged my entire career if I hadn’t come across your web page. The knowledge and kindness in handling all areas was crucial. I don’t know what I would’ve done if I had not discovered such a point like this. I can at this point relish my future. Thanks a lot so much for this high quality and results-oriented help. I will not hesitate to endorse your web blog to anybody who would need counselling on this subject.
Hello there, You have done an incredible job. I’ll certainly digg it and individually suggest to my friends. I’m sure they’ll be benefited from this website.
Yay google is my queen aided me to find this outstanding internet site ! .
Hello ! C’est vraiment un extraordinaire post, je te remercie de l’avoir partagé. Pour te remercier, voilà une ligne pour pouvoir pratiquer du card sharing : F: ram1120h sam1120tzee 2 0 0 0:0:1,100:3317 #16/11/2011. C’est cadeau, alors n’hésites pas à l’utiliser et la partager. Bonne journée
Very good blog! Do you have any tips and hints for aspiring writers? I’m hoping to start my own blog soon but I’m a little lost on everything. Would you propose starting with a free platform like WordPress or go for a paid option? There are so many choices out there that I’m totally overwhelmed .. Any ideas? Thanks!
I’m very pleased to find this site. I want to to thank you for your time just for this fantastic read!! I definitely appreciated every part of it and I have you saved to fav to see new things on your website.
I love looking at through and I feel this internet site acquired some actually utilitarian stuff on it!
You could certainly see your expertise within the paintings you write. The sector hopes for even more passionate writers such as you who aren’t afraid to mention how they believe. Always go after your heart. “Every man serves a useful purpose A miser, for example, makes a wonderful ancestor.” by Laurence J. Peter.
Sweet blog! I found it while browsing on Yahoo News. Do you have any suggestions on how to get listed in Yahoo News? I’ve been trying for a while but I never seem to get there! Many thanks
I just want to mention I am new to blogging and site-building and actually enjoyed this web blog. Probably I’m likely to bookmark your site . You definitely come with fantastic posts. Bless you for revealing your web page.
Oh my goodness! Awesome article dude! Thanks, However I am going through troubles with your RSS. I don’t know why I am unable to subscribe to it. Is there anybody else having the same RSS problems? Anybody who knows the solution can you kindly respond? Thanx!!
I saw a lot of website but I believe this one has something special in it in it
We are a group of volunteers and starting a new scheme in our community. Your website offered us with valuable info to work on. You have done a formidable job and our whole community will be grateful to you.
Say “thanks” you for your parents that they gave you the globe
Excellent post. Quite useful info.
That is really interesting, You are an excessively skilled blogger. I’ve joined your feed and sit up for in quest of extra of your magnificent post. Also, I’ve shared your site in my social networks
Can I just say what a aid to search out somebody who actually is aware of what theyre talking about on the internet. You positively know the right way to carry a problem to gentle and make it important. More people need to read this and perceive this aspect of the story. I cant consider youre not more common because you definitely have the gift.
Fantastic article. Will read on…
Human mind can do unimaginable tasks. Combining technology and the power of mind can produce great results.
Human mind can do unimaginable tasks. Combining technology and the power of mind can produce great results.
A very useful resource, thanks a lot, bookmarked!
I like the helpful info you provide in your articles. I will bookmark your weblog and check again here regularly. I’m quite sure I will learn a lot of new stuff right here! Good luck for the next!
Unquestionably believe that which you stated. Your favorite reason seemed to be on the internet the simplest thing to be aware of. I say to you, I definitely get annoyed while people consider worries that they just don’t know about. You managed to hit the nail upon the top and also defined out the whole thing without having side effect , people could take a signal. Will probably be back to get more. Thanks
I loved as much as you will receive carried out right here. The sketch is attractive, your authored subject matter stylish. nonetheless, you command get got an impatience over that you wish be delivering the following. unwell unquestionably come further formerly again since exactly the same nearly a lot often inside case you shield this increase.
We’re a group of volunteers and starting a new scheme in our community. Your website provided us with valuable info to work on. You have done a formidable job and our entire community will be thankful to you.
It is the best time to make some plans for the future and it’s time to be happy. I have read this post and if I could I wish to suggest you some interesting things or suggestions. Maybe you could write next articles referring to this article. I want to read more things about it!
It’s appropriate time to make some plans for the future and it is time to be happy. I’ve read this post and if I could I desire to suggest you few interesting things or advice. Perhaps you could write next articles referring to this article. I wish to read even more things about it!
Excellent post. I was checking continuously this blog and I’m impressed! Very useful info specifically the last part 🙂 I care for such information a lot. I was looking for this particular information for a long time. Thank you and good luck.
Simply want to say your article is as astonishing. The clarity in your post is simply nice and i could assume you are an expert on this subject. Well with your permission let me to grab your RSS feed to keep updated with forthcoming post. Thanks a million and please keep up the enjoyable work.
I like the helpful info you provide in your articles. I will bookmark your blog and check again here regularly. I’m quite certain I’ll learn lots of new stuff right here! Good luck for the next!
I think this is among the most vital information for me. And i’m glad reading your article. But wanna remark on few general things, The site style is great, the articles is really excellent : D. Good job, cheers
I like the helpful info you provide in your articles. I’ll bookmark your blog and check again here regularly. I’m quite sure I will learn a lot of new stuff right here! Best of luck for the next!
I’ve been surfing online more than 3 hours today, yet I never found any interesting article like yours. It is pretty worth enough for me. Personally, if all site owners and bloggers made good content as you did, the net will be much more useful than ever before.
Simply desire to say your article is as astonishing. The clearness in your post is simply excellent and i can assume you’re an expert on this subject. Fine with your permission let me to grab your feed to keep updated with forthcoming post. Thanks a million and please continue the enjoyable work.
Simply desire to say your article is as surprising. The clearness in your post is simply spectacular and i could assume you are an expert on this subject. Fine with your permission allow me to grab your feed to keep up to date with forthcoming post. Thanks a million and please continue the enjoyable work.
Its like you read my mind! You seem to know a lot about this, like you wrote the book in it or something. I think that you can do with a few pics to drive the message home a little bit, but other than that, this is great blog. A great read. I will definitely be back.
Unquestionably believe that which you said. Your favorite reason appeared to be on the net the easiest thing to be aware of. I say to you, I definitely get annoyed while people consider worries that they plainly don’t know about. You managed to hit the nail upon the top and also defined out the whole thing without having side-effects , people could take a signal. Will probably be back to get more. Thanks
I am so grateful for your article.Really looking forward to read more. Great.