B
Big_Chris
Guest
My mind is troubled. I don’t know what to think about technology such as the iPad and its ability to function as an innovative resource for praying the Divine Office, studying the Bible, containing spiritual reading, and even apps for timing meditation and taking notes/journaling - not to mention the wealth of information available through the Internet. I especially don’t know what to think about the iPad’s ability to do all of this (plus more) when it comes to attempting to lead a life as a contemplative.
My problem is that I’ve unfortunately stereotyped all contemplatives as hermits and all hermits as traditional paper-and-pen men/women. According to this stereotype, technology such as the iPad belongs to the specific category of “profane” - even though I recognize this categorization as inexact and unfair. Earlier today I was reading the Russian Orthodox classic “Way of a Pilgrim” and was struck by the pilgrim’s possessions: a knap sack of dried bread and a Bible in his pocket. And then I think of more modern day contemplatives like Thomas Merton and even more modern ones…and it’s hard to imagine any of them owning and utilizing something like an iPad to enrich their spirituality. The reason why may have less to do with the expense and complications of the technology but with the fact that something like an iPad breeds a certain, subtle arrogance. Yet, would they have been impressed with how easy and convenient it is to carry one’s Bibles (plural) (with notes!), Catechism, Liturgy of the Hours, etc. all in one place? Would they have marveled at how the iPad allows one to pray the Divine Office anywhere at anytime without having to trouble with the book? Would they have marveled or merely seen in such a device something demonic, something that claimed possession of the owner?
So, I am left wondering if this is all strictly a matter of preference or if, in fact, there really isn’t something objective rooted in the notion that the iPad’s ability to enrich spirituality can only extend so far and that good ol’ books and journals will forever and always continue to enliven the faith of the contemplative?
I don’t know if this question can be answered. There would need to be some sort of scientific evidence, I guess - but how could you measure the results?
For the record, though, I typed this whole message on my iPad.
My problem is that I’ve unfortunately stereotyped all contemplatives as hermits and all hermits as traditional paper-and-pen men/women. According to this stereotype, technology such as the iPad belongs to the specific category of “profane” - even though I recognize this categorization as inexact and unfair. Earlier today I was reading the Russian Orthodox classic “Way of a Pilgrim” and was struck by the pilgrim’s possessions: a knap sack of dried bread and a Bible in his pocket. And then I think of more modern day contemplatives like Thomas Merton and even more modern ones…and it’s hard to imagine any of them owning and utilizing something like an iPad to enrich their spirituality. The reason why may have less to do with the expense and complications of the technology but with the fact that something like an iPad breeds a certain, subtle arrogance. Yet, would they have been impressed with how easy and convenient it is to carry one’s Bibles (plural) (with notes!), Catechism, Liturgy of the Hours, etc. all in one place? Would they have marveled at how the iPad allows one to pray the Divine Office anywhere at anytime without having to trouble with the book? Would they have marveled or merely seen in such a device something demonic, something that claimed possession of the owner?
So, I am left wondering if this is all strictly a matter of preference or if, in fact, there really isn’t something objective rooted in the notion that the iPad’s ability to enrich spirituality can only extend so far and that good ol’ books and journals will forever and always continue to enliven the faith of the contemplative?
I don’t know if this question can be answered. There would need to be some sort of scientific evidence, I guess - but how could you measure the results?
For the record, though, I typed this whole message on my iPad.
