Each year in early February I take time out for a spiritual retreat. It’s a time when I unplug from just about all the external sources of information — news, Internet, email, phone — so that I can plug into the inner sources of wisdom that come from journaling, meditation, prayer, dream work and other spiritual practices, and the rejuvenation that comes from walks in nature.
So much of our life is spent responding to external stimuli, and when we’re constantly attending to what’s coming at us we can’t really listen to what’s already in us.
The plugged-in world is a fabulous source of information, and I learn a lot from what it has to offer. But information and wisdom are two different things, and I know I have to get in touch with my internal bearings on a regular basis so that I can be selective about what I take in from other sources. Otherwise it’s just too easy to get lost in the deluge of trivia that, in spite of its fascination, may not benefit my own development or nurture my own spirit.
How, you might ask, am I posting a blog while I’m unplugged? Well, I wrote it before my retreat and scheduled it to be published automatically. It’s a wonder, isn’t it, what we are able to do these days?
So, during this time of winter, when nature invites us to hibernate and go inward, I wish for you moments when you too can unplug so that you can tap into your inner wisdom, the wisdom of your soul.
There is a little movement stirring about taking a Tech Sabbath one day a week. I find I am loathe to turn on my computer over the weekend. It’s as if my psyche knows it would be a good idea to limit In-coming and move toward In-going. Maybe I should do it a little more formally. Something to ponder over the weekend.
Sara, I think your psyche is offering you a great idea! I look forward to hearing about your experience of doing it.