I sometimes think about the days before cell phones, laptops and tablets, Instagram, Facebook and Twitter. The world communicated very differently. But there is no looking back. In this new age of technology there is huge benefits and potential as well as convenience
Who doesn’t feel safer having a phone on them in case of an emergency? How much easier is it to find an out-of-the-way business when you have a map that talks and tells you where to turn? How wonderful is it that we can access and learn from information we might not otherwise have had access to?
What’s different is the pace. Before the explosion of the internet, there was less urgency. We had time to think things over before we called someone back—and they didn’t expect us to get back to them right away. We didn’t have as many interruptions. There were no texts or instant messages popping up, dividing our attention, and no one was tempted to read a text instead of paying attention to their driving either.
Socially, there was less pressure on us too.It wasn’t nearly as easy to get sidetracked by what everyone else is doing. We didn’t spend so much time looking at others’ lives and comparing ourselves with them. Today it’s a different story. For many people, social media is not only distracting, but in some cases a source of deep unhappiness.
One of the problems with spending too much time on our devices is we become overly distracted and agitated. And this tends to keep us always on the surface, avoiding the deeper introspection and reflection that is such an important part of the yoga lifestyle.
So if you want to cut back on screen time and be more present in the moment, here are 3 helpful tips:
1. When you are out in public, such as getting on the subway or bus, take a few moments to notice the people you see. Become aware of what’s going on in the world around you. Then take a moment to focus your awareness on your breathing. If you want to use your phone, now is a good time to simply listen to Yoga Sound.
2. When walking, why bother listening to ordinary music or podcasts when you can actually spiritualize your walk by listening to Yoga Sound, or practicing Japa Meditation.
3. Before you go to sleep at night, put your phone on airplane mode and give yourself at least a half hour of device-free time. Then in the morning, wake up device-free and allow yourself some quality time free from distractions, at least until you’ve eaten breakfast.
Through living a yoga lifestyle, we can learn ways to focus on activities which nourish us. We gain focus, clarity, and a deeper sense of who we are. When we discover the natural peacefulness that comes along with that, it’s easier to let go of habits which interfere with us experiencing that peace.
Wishing you well,
Wai Lana
