| Many people these days believe that | | | | |
| technology, and in particular Information | | | | Bill Gates is an excellent example of a |
| Technology, is the key to attaining a future | | | | tech-head who has crossed over (unless his |
| world that is both ecologically and | | | | intentions by building software were always |
| environmentally sustainable. | | | | altruistic, were they?) into a more spiritual |
| | | | world of compassion and generosity. The |
| Many people these days believe that | | | | world's richest man and his wife now run an |
| technology, and in particular Information | | | | organization ( that invests huge amounts of |
| Technology, is the key to attaining a future | | | | money into medical research so that human |
| world that is both ecologically and | | | | children of the future needn't die of |
| environmentally sustainable, as well as being | | | | disease. They are focusing in particular on |
| socially stable. Are they right? Others | | | | helping poor children in developing nations. |
| believe that a balanced spirituality, one | | | | Strangely enough, Bill has been strongly |
| that focuses on generosity, peace, and | | | | criticized by colleagues who don't see these |
| compassion will have to be the main | | | | ventures as being profitable. However, many |
| ingredient in a recipe for true human | | | | others have been inspired by such generosity |
| evolution. What do you think? Is this a black | | | | and so have invested billions in the same |
| and white issue? It seems that most | | | | schemes. |
| challenges that humanity comes across these | | | | |
| days are solved by thinking laterally, often | | | | On the other hand, a friend of mine told me |
| with multiple answers and solutions being | | | | the other day about how one of the most |
| utilized. This diverse approach to solving | | | | famous spiritual leaders in the world, |
| problems may be the 'angle' that we need to | | | | Tibet's 14th Dalai Lama, has just put a |
| take in order to become the safe, healthy, | | | | website on the Internet at Now people |
| happy world that we have always dreamt about. | | | | interested in Buddhism all over the world can |
| Could technology and spirituality one day | | | | read about and even communicate with this |
| combine to form one mighty force? Some might | | | | renowned peaceful human being. On the |
| even ask, "Is it already happening now, right | | | | Internet: and he's not the only one sharing |
| beneath our noses?" | | | | wisdom on the web, let me tell you. Do you |
| | | | see the picture slowly materializing in your |
| Working for an Internet company I am pretty | | | | frontal lobe? There's something going on |
| much surrounded by 'technical' people; | | | | here. |
| analytical people, problem solvers. When I | | | | |
| first arrived in the office I was shocked by | | | | Some people think that technology will 'save' |
| the complete lack of biological and aesthetic | | | | us. Others think we need to go back in time, |
| life here. No plants, no photos or paintings | | | | back to tribal ways of living in order to |
| on the wall. It was definitely not a place | | | | create the social cohesion necessary for our |
| one would think of when contemplating | | | | species to grow together and survive as one. |
| spirituality. Spiritual places are forests, | | | | The answer could be more simplistic than we |
| oceans, ancient temples, art | | | | ever may have imagined. Building software is |
| galleries-definitely not I.T. offices. I | | | | great, but if the maker's sole intention is |
| wondered how my fellow species could survive | | | | for personal gain and immense wealth, well, |
| in an environment so devoid of beauty, | | | | be careful if you're investing. I've read |
| nature, and creativity-ironically the one | | | | that if one builds a fence with anger and |
| power we need to develop new technologies. | | | | suffering (yelling at the planks of wood when |
| They all looked so content staring into their | | | | they don't line up properly), relations with |
| blue computer monitors, fingers ticking | | | | neighbors may deteriorate. If one cooks a |
| softly and speedily on their keyboards. It | | | | meal with love and enjoyment through the |
| was actually frightening; a horror film where | | | | meal-making process, your family and friends |
| the soft, constant, monotonous ticking is the | | | | will enjoy the flavors more, and show more |
| only sound filtering through the empty | | | | gratitude for your efforts. |
| silence. | | | | |
| | | | Sound like superstition? Attitude is |
| After studying and reading about many | | | | everything. Technology may be a major factor |
| different religions and cultures one gets a | | | | in our world's survival, but only if it walks |
| pretty good picture of what a spiritual | | | | hand-in-hand with an attitude that is truly |
| person looks like. Or do you? Are people that | | | | focused on the betterment of humankind. What |
| transparent that you can tell what their | | | | better thing to work for? We all spend a |
| intentions are just by observing their | | | | lifetime chipping away at our goals and |
| material/physical self? Are all priests | | | | dreams. Why not build your next program with |
| generous? Are all tech-heads oblivious to the | | | | the intention of evolving our species to the |
| larger pictures of the Earth and the infinite | | | | next level? Or, is that what you've been |
| Universe that we are part of? The answers are | | | | doing from the start? |
| starting to reveal themselves. | | | | |