Is Technology Harmful for You? Take the Quiz and Detox!

How many people are engaged more with their phones than with other people, nature, and yes, even their Inner Source? Technology keeps us busy so we don't have time for stillness and silence. 

by Lola Jones

Technology allowed seekers in over 140 countries to find Divine Openings. Then those people generously shared it with their friends and family.

You may be reading this because you were blessed to find us on the Internet, or someone who found us online then shared with you or gave you the book.

Around 2006 The Presence gave me a technical genius I never had (I was super resistant to technology before that) and I've embraced it, using it to touch and teach people I'll never meet, all over the world. I am grateful for that gift and glad I released the resistance. But there was a period when I spent way too much time in front of this computer. I was addicted to it.

Technology is a mixed blessing.

Driving along one day, long after the computer addiction phase was over, I was surprised to feel a twisting in my stomach as I realized I'd left my phone at home! I don't even use my phone much--mostly for navigation--I prefer live humans. I don't even text much.

Few people, if asked, will admit, "Yes, I'm addicted to my phone, texting, social media, or email, and it's preventing me from connecting within more." Blindness and denial are classic defenses to keep "habits" in place.

Look around. Or look in the mirror.

Tech magazine Fast Company summarized a study: a woman took a group of young techies to a remote desert location with no technology, no internet, and no phone for just five days. They relaxed, did simple non-tech activities, sat out in nature, and talked. Afterward, they reported less stress and anxiety, more calm, more efficient thinking, more human empathy and understanding, and better communication skills.

And that's even with no spiritual component!

Unplugging the Selfie Generation, an article in National Geographic's October 2016 issue suggests that the National Parks could be in trouble if a current trend continues: park visitors and people passionate about preserving the parks are mostly older Baby Boomers like me. Younger Americans in general are less interested in nature. They occupy themselves more with technology, and after a quick selfie over the Grand Canyon, many are eager to head back to web surfing, Instagram, or video games.

It's obvious that technology is an outer focus, and that spiritual depth grows from inner focus. Nature enhances inner focus as it inspires a sense of stillness, awe, wonder, and oneness with all.

meditation or retreat is the supreme inner focus.

But technology, including popular media and the Internet, is not helping us do that--it has instead created the 8-second attention span and a voracious appetite for a constant feeding of over-stimulation, drama, entertainment, distraction--at dizzying speed. You never have to confront boredom or conquer the fear of going within when there are billions of videos on YouTube, endless video game levels, and unlimited social media feeds to entertain and entrain your mind to forever hop from one thing to the next. It becomes either like a stimulating or numbing drug.

Bliss is cleverly hidden inside us, behind boredom, stillness, and silence.

Now, most of you know Divine Openings has made it possible to go very deep within quite quickly, without years of long, boring meditation--but you do have to slow down, unplug, tune in, and be still a bit and get past the boredom. Some people will never slow down and be still long enough to find it, but will frantically seek it, fruitlessly.

In the 5-Day Bliss Retreats people turn off their phones and computers, and focus only within, aided by the big energy, pleasurable activities, music, and movement that point them blissfully within, over and over.

In that powerful field of resonance, people slow down, light up, and awaken, astonished to discover a brighter, clearer world that was there all along, but unseen, unheard, unfelt.

Someone described it so beautifully after the last retreat:

"It was done FOR me. I was just willing. Some things were turned on in me, and   others were turned off. Some things were added and some were taken away. I cannot really explain it in words, but my entire being was changed, and I was given a direct knowing that it would play out in my life over time."

After leading 36 such retreats, I still feel more elevated each time, and in a unique, new way each time. After this last retreat the whole world felt still and quiet, then I realized that was not the outer world, it was a reflection of MY inner silence and stillness. After the previous retreat I felt like I was gliding around on soft wheels. Before that one, I was in love with everyone.

Many of us give this gift of unplugging and retreat to ourselves regularly.

The Europeans really understand the value of holidays and retreats, and many Germans come to our retreats once a year. Americans aren't as familiar with this concept, but they get it once they try it.

Take the Quiz!

Find out where you are now, then do the 30-Day Detox Challenge:

Do you at least twice a year go without phone, email, computer, Internet, TV, news, or reading for at least one whole week? (Taking emergency calls is okay.) YES   NO

Do you fully unplug while on vacation? Yes or no--why's don't count!  YES   NO

When "nothing" is happening, can you savor the stillness rather than looking for distraction or something to entertain your mind with? YES   NO

Do you take weekend or other short breaks from Internet, email, and computer? YES   NO

Have you experienced the increase in happiness, efficiency, and productivity, and the reduction in stress you get from unplugging? YES   NO

Do you spend more time with spiritual pleasure practices than you do with technology, media, spiritual seeking surfing or reading, or social media? YES   NO

Is more of your social interaction and/or dating live than digital? YES   NO

Do you spend at least half as much time moving your body, being with friends and family in non-tech or TV activities, mindful chores, gardening, being in nature, etc. as you do sitting with technology? YES   NO

Do you still your mind daily and go within for 15 minutes or more? YES   NO

Do you enjoy being alone, still and quiet? YES   NO

At least once a week do you turn off your mind, stop thinking for a few hours? YES   NO

KEY: Of course the yes's are ideal, the more the better. If you have only a few no's you will experience an elevated quality of life and spiritual depth by enjoying the 30 Day Detox Challenge below...

Now Ace the 30 Day Tech Detox Challenge!

For 30 days, use these easy, practical ways to spend less time with technology. Spend a little more time each day in these joyful, pleasurable ways:

~ Sit in your yard for fifteen minutes a day, doing and saying nothing.

~ Leave your phone or pad at home for a day. Witness and dive into how you feel.

~ Observe what's around you more: listen, look, feel and touch mindfully.

~ Take a 15 minute break at work, and walk outside while you quietly chant. Some of my favorite chants are on Deva Premal and Miten's CD, A Deeper Light, and Bethel Choir's song, It Is Well. The Gayatri Mantra is a good one to learn. You can sing or speak the Gayatri.

~ Try a new activity outdoors, alone or with friends.

~ Visit people rather than phoning or texting them, and warmly tell them how much you appreciate them.

~ Daily, focus on your appreciation of silence and stillness.

~ Witness and question what the media tells you pleasure and entertainment is.

~ If you're a course member, share on the Member Forums.

Love from Lola and our team