A few months ago, my father-in-law (or FIL, as the Brits over here like to call him) told me rather sheepishly that he just can't 'get into the Internet'. He doesn't understand how people could spend hours surfing and all that.
My initial reaction to this was defensive, since I'm a bit of a computer-addict myself. And then I thought about what FIL does with his free time: several nights a week are spent in choir practice, band practice, or playing gigs.
Mmmm.
I thought back to Andy Fisher's words in Radical Ecopsychology:
I suggest that most people in a technological society suffer from a form of "violent lack" or experiential starvation...
He suggests using 'counterpractice' to
engage the world in a manner that lies outside the pattern of technology, thereby winning both a freer relation to technology and a more satisfying or contactful relation to reality. ... [C]ountering technology does not mean somehow eliminating it, but rather contesting its current pattern and reclaiming it as an artful serving of all life.
And one type of counterpractice he introduces is called 'Focal Practice'.
It is ... a freely chosen commitment to a form of regular practice that is of felt benefit, even if it may involve some difficulty. ... Focal practices, therefore, would include joining a theatre group, meeting weekly with friends to play music, or taking up a concrete spiritual practice. These would counter the pattern of technology to the extent that they call for acquisition of skill, fidelity to discipline, the broadening of sensibility, the making of good, bodily felt contact with others, and the preservation and development of life-giving tradition.
Should FIL being feeling sheepish?? Um, no. I'm the one humbled by his sheepishness and the fact that I don't have much bodily felt contact to brag about. ... Although I am trying! (she writes onto a screen for computers to receive in cyberspace...)
ahem.
*****
The Reconnecting Tip: Head in the Clouds Again
I can't very well tell you to go out and join a group or something. It's not as simple as that, is it? It takes a lot of planning and re-arranging to add something of that type of commitment to your life.
However. Andy Fisher does go on to quote Paul Shepard as saying that "regular dialogue on dream experience" is one other possible area for the "practical recollection of our nature." So I'm going to make another plug for the dream blog and suggest we open it up a bit to allow for comments and exploration.
When you submit a dream, perhaps you could add a little section at the bottom exploring it, trying to understand why you may have dreamt what you did.
Of course, if you have people at work, or friends or whomever that you can talk to about your dreams, and "dialogue" on them... well, even better!
Hey: but don't let me discourage you from joining in in-person groups! Engagement is the goal. :)
*****
I've just sent off the Full Moon moonsters for 26 December. I encourage people to not just purchase Full Moon moonsters on their own, but rather get them in conjunction with the New Moon ones. Why? The New Moon sets the tone for the month and helps you determine what your 'project' or area of focus will be for the month. The Full Moon moonster, to be opened two weeks later, is a check-in on your project's progress and hopefully offers some clues as to why you may be struggling a bit. Of course, it also serves as a reminder to stay on track with the positive aspects you've discovered the last couple of weeks.
As always, if something in this MoonLetter gave you an idea for a moonster, for you or someone else, let me know!
peace&love
heather of millstream-river severn-bristol channel-atlantic ocean
My Moonster
...uncover your connection to Nature's rhythms...
www.mymoonster.com
Good point that is made about regular human contact - but I get enough interaction with people at work (even if these are mostly interactions with little people), so I don't feel too bad!
Posted by: Kirsty | 19 December 2004 at 07:56