Last week, as part of our series on young adults online, we discussed whether it is possible to abide by the third principle of Unitarian Universalism on the web: can we be truly accepting of others on the internet? Can we help people on their journey to spiritual growth? (That post can be found here. Our post on the first principle, which focuses on human dignity, is here; our post on the second principle, about compassion, is here.)
This week, and on each of the next three Wednesdays, we'll be examining how to use technology to deepen one's spiritual practice and whether it's possible to live out the seven principles on the web.
Principle IV: We the member congregations of the Unitarian Universalist Association covenant to affirm and promote a free and responsible search for truth and meaning.
The internet is a community of seekers: everyone who uses it is searching for something. Mostly they're in need of facts: yesterday, the top 25 Google searches included the questions "How old is Pamela Anderson?" and "What's in the health care bill?" Sometimes, they're looking for insight: on Yahoo! Answers, it's possible to ask strangers for the answer to everything from "What is the difference between solitude and loneliness?" to "How should I get inspired to write? How do you?"
Some aren't looking for answers at all: they're using the internet as another venue in which to continue the search for meaning in their lives and are hoping for a little companionship along the way. All over the web, seekers are collaborating to inspire each other to listen closely, explore further, do more, and (over time) discover their purposes for being here in the world.
LISTEN -- HEAR OTHERS TALK ABOUT THEIR SEARCH FOR TRUTH AND MEANING
1. At This I Believe, people from all walks of life are able to "describ[e] the core values that guide their daily lives."
2. Through the StoryCorps project, people are encouraged to "talk about the questions that matter" with their loved ones and to record their conversations for posterity.
3. TED talks---short video lectures by fascinating people about why they do the work they do---provide insight into how curiosity makes the world go 'round.
EXPLORE -- PLACES TO LEARN ABOUT VARIOUS POINTS OF VIEW (OR TO BENEFIT FROM THE COLLECTED WISDOM OF THE AGES)
1. The Meaning of Life considers, in 44 different ways, what it means to be human.
2. MeaningS of Life allows philosophers to explain who human beings are and why we're here.
3. At the Internet Sacred Text Archive, we can discover how different faith traditions tackle the "big questions."
DO -- WAYS TO THINK DIFFERENTLY ABOUT YOUR OWN LIFE
1. Wish Jar, the online home of writer and artist Keri Smith, suggests hundreds of ways to live a fuller, more creative life. If you're looking for small ways to change your perspective, start with this list.
2. Learning To Love You More is a project curated by the writer, artist and filmmaker Miranda July. It consists of assignments intended to help people interact with their neighbors (and with themselves) in ways they otherwise might not. Though the project has concluded, it's still possible to complete assignments on your own.
3. At MISSion Amy K.R., writer and filmmaker Amy Krouse Rosenthal provides "adventurers" with ways to "stretch [their] legs (and mind[s.])"
Does the internet help you in your search for truth and/or meaning? Are there sites you turn to when you're feeling lost or in need of insight?
Note: To comment, please click the "comments" speech bubble on the left.
This week, and on each of the next three Wednesdays, we'll be examining how to use technology to deepen one's spiritual practice and whether it's possible to live out the seven principles on the web.
Principle IV: We the member congregations of the Unitarian Universalist Association covenant to affirm and promote a free and responsible search for truth and meaning.
The internet is a community of seekers: everyone who uses it is searching for something. Mostly they're in need of facts: yesterday, the top 25 Google searches included the questions "How old is Pamela Anderson?" and "What's in the health care bill?" Sometimes, they're looking for insight: on Yahoo! Answers, it's possible to ask strangers for the answer to everything from "What is the difference between solitude and loneliness?" to "How should I get inspired to write? How do you?"
Some aren't looking for answers at all: they're using the internet as another venue in which to continue the search for meaning in their lives and are hoping for a little companionship along the way. All over the web, seekers are collaborating to inspire each other to listen closely, explore further, do more, and (over time) discover their purposes for being here in the world.
LISTEN -- HEAR OTHERS TALK ABOUT THEIR SEARCH FOR TRUTH AND MEANING
1. At This I Believe, people from all walks of life are able to "describ[e] the core values that guide their daily lives."
2. Through the StoryCorps project, people are encouraged to "talk about the questions that matter" with their loved ones and to record their conversations for posterity.
3. TED talks---short video lectures by fascinating people about why they do the work they do---provide insight into how curiosity makes the world go 'round.
EXPLORE -- PLACES TO LEARN ABOUT VARIOUS POINTS OF VIEW (OR TO BENEFIT FROM THE COLLECTED WISDOM OF THE AGES)
1. The Meaning of Life considers, in 44 different ways, what it means to be human.
2. MeaningS of Life allows philosophers to explain who human beings are and why we're here.
3. At the Internet Sacred Text Archive, we can discover how different faith traditions tackle the "big questions."
DO -- WAYS TO THINK DIFFERENTLY ABOUT YOUR OWN LIFE
1. Wish Jar, the online home of writer and artist Keri Smith, suggests hundreds of ways to live a fuller, more creative life. If you're looking for small ways to change your perspective, start with this list.
2. Learning To Love You More is a project curated by the writer, artist and filmmaker Miranda July. It consists of assignments intended to help people interact with their neighbors (and with themselves) in ways they otherwise might not. Though the project has concluded, it's still possible to complete assignments on your own.
3. At MISSion Amy K.R., writer and filmmaker Amy Krouse Rosenthal provides "adventurers" with ways to "stretch [their] legs (and mind[s.])"
Does the internet help you in your search for truth and/or meaning? Are there sites you turn to when you're feeling lost or in need of insight?
Note: To comment, please click the "comments" speech bubble on the left.
