Why is Modern Spirituality So Anti-Tech?
Why don’t we see the use of AI, computers, tablets, apps, software, etc. utilized more in esoteric, wellness, witchcraft, and spirituality spaces?
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$HMEDIUM Mag houses diverse articles, media, strategies, readings, etc. for those looking to incorporate mindset, esoteric or spiritual alignment into their work. Alongside proven marketing and business strategies, this individual and community tool supports those of us who work for ourselves as part of our soul’s path. We feature both professionals in and out of spirituality and wellness, to provide info from those of all walks of life, views, and expertise. Something desperately needed by entrepreneurs-who aren’t down for the joy sucking grind.
We are getting into the application of tech world tools for personal and professional evolution. This topic could be fifty million individual posts, today this is what I’ll be sprinkling my wisdom over the points below:
The benefits of incorporating technology in spirituality and wellness spaces
The historical and evolving definition of technology
Inclusivity and accessibility through technology
The ethical use of AI and technology as assistants rather than replacements
The potential for technology to enhance individual practice and creativity
Why is modern spirituality so Anti-Tech and electronics?
Why don’t we see the use of AI, computers, tablets, apps, software, etc. utilized more in esoteric, wellness, witchcraft, and spirituality spaces? Why are we letting that view influence the way we create and work?
Personally, the little beeps boops of my electric machines or virtual tools support my work as a spiritual entity and business witch in ways “touching grass,” or physical tools can’t. That’s not to say that (what I’m calling) “traditional physically based” spirituality; or, in person events/offerings don’t have their perfect applications. They do. But to acknowledge the validity of tools and tech that are-in a numbers and history sense- “outdated”, we then have to admit the validity of what this period in time also has to offer us.
Basically: if we believe the old stuff works, we have to believe new will too-especially when they help us create or build in tandem with old tools and methods.
What is old tech now, was once groundbreaking. What’s groundbreaking now, will be outdated tech eventually.
Before I lose anyone to the thought that I am a bit-coin tech bitch, I am not, lol. Not in the Silicon Valley way. I do however believe in using what I have around me; and, in 2023 we can’t act like what’s “around us” hasn’t evolved to be deeply entwined with electronic technology.
For this article, I reference technology-applied to what we work on, as spiritual entities living a human capitalist existence- meaning electronic and virtual tech. Mainly this would be anything that has circuitry, requires electricity to run, or is housed/used virtually. It’s still important to know the roots of the word for context.
When I was in 7th grade, a lesson we learned was that “technology” is a word that doesn’t only encompass computers, phones, tvs, or electrical stuff.
It includes simpler things. Locking doors, candles, ink, pencils, woven fabric, etc. In away, realizing the true definition of “technology” is ancestor work. We can reflect on the fact that what we would call “primitive tech” today, was cutting edge and absolutely mind bending for our ancestors recent and long dead.
At the risk of sounding like a badly written romcom wedding speech, Webster’s dictionary defines technology as “the practical application of knowledge especially in a particular area”; a capability given by the practical application of knowledge. Notice “practical.” My Capricorn heart loves that word.
It was once practical for those who practiced esoteric and entrepreneurship before us to use local resources. This is why so many spiritual methods use natural resources like herbs, water, minerals and gemstones, the elements, community spaces, etc. It’s only recently that the practicality of using an electronic device has rivaled the practicality of “touching grass,” in person marketing/networking, services and methods that don’t involve tech. OR IS HAS IT?! Perhaps tech has always been a tool to make all of those things more accessible; but, we’re just noticing now-something we really can thank the internet for.
“If it ain’t broke don’t fix it.”
A phrase many of us have grown up with. At first glance, this makes sense as a rule; however when we look at the phrase a bit closer we’ll find some pretty obvious issues.
This phrase links improvement and evolution, with inadequacy or “brokenness”. Evolution requires self knowledge. It requires the ability to be honest with ones self, about where something can change; and, not everyone knows how to separate that concept from the concept of “needing to change themselves.”
What’s not broken to someone, might be VERY broken to another.
Can we really say that business, spirituality and wellness are whole without technology?
I might argue to say that we can’t.
“In person yoga classes aren’t broken.” To YOU.
“Using physical tools like crystals, pendulums, tarot isn’t broken.” To YOU.
“Old rituals, spells, manifestation methods with specific processes aren’t broken.” To YOU.
“Historically proven marketing and sales strategies aren’t broken.” TO YOU.
Inclusivity comes with technology-especially now that we have so many tools that open the door to inclusivity we’ve never seen before.
In spaces where we assume everyone is working with “what’s best for everyone in mind,” we forget that goal isn’t actually a priority for some-or even a thought. Especially in spirituality which has a lot of history of appropriation, misinformation, ableism, ignorance around gender, and cultural erasure. Of course we can tie pretty much all of that back to white, Christian colonialism. We can add patriarchy if we consider that women of seasoning (aka not white women) in both business and spirituality are underpaid, underrepresented, and underestimated.
With tech, we open ourselves to be able to accommodate or work with so many other people with so much value that aren’t being embraced.
It’s not surprising that able bodied people are generally the only ones who go to wellness classes; yoga workshops; esoteric trainings; spiritual retreats; witchy markets. Companies that create software like Zoom, Discord, IG, etc. allow for community connection that is much more comfortable for those who can’t afford to get somewhere; or have to ask for accommodations that a lot of people aren’t equipped or willing to provide. Disabled people also have their own views, stories, experiences that deserve to be shared-and sometimes virtually is the only way to do so.
Many in person spaces can be hard for those of us who are neurodivergent. I’m autistic, and the thought of networking with other local healers I don’t know can affect me beyond just nervousness. Sensory, social, emotional conditions are things we now are able to better understand and navigate with technology as an ally. Not to mention in cases where people have certain diets or disordered eating; those who require healthcare equipment/medication on their person; compromised immune systems; or unique medical needs require more hands-on mindfulness.
Even individual practice outside of public gatherings can benefit from tech.
Traditional spiritual methods of connection or manifestation require visualization; or, the use of a sensory tactile tool. These can be helpful to some; and scientifically we know that involving sensory affirmation with intention is more effective to making things happen.
Incorporating new tech allows for us to cater to every sense, not just those of touch or feeling. Not everyone has the ability to touch, hold feel something. Not everyone can visualize a green forest. I have a blind client, who literally has never seen green. How will a meditation centered around what you SEE help them? A colleague of mine who’s disabled requires a wheel chair to get around. Most yoga classes are not going to accommodate them. A spiritual practice than involves calling all the corners, and sitting up/standing constantly, or feel energy move from the earth to their crown chakra? That’s not going to do anything but emphasize a difference in a negative way.
Neurodivergent minds find a lot more support with technology available today, that can allow for more connection to self and spirit than even 5 years ago. Not everyone finds it easy to learn visually. Analytical thinking might help someone believe in spirituality, more than someone who thinks emotionally or with mostly “vibes.” The more we diversify our services and content, the easier it will be for us to help those who we’re actually meant to help.
That’s why I utilize systems like Notion for both work and witchcraft. I save a lot of stress and time being able to see a digital table of the research I’ve done, as opposed to having a bunch of different notebooks. This encourages me (and my clients with brains like me) to actually track or engage with my spirituality and work tasks more. Not everyone likes creating videos, buying billboard ads, creating crystal grids, having a podcast, writing long pieces like this. That doesn’t mean what they do like to create isn’t valid, or can’t help us evolve.
Economically there are a lot of standards, tools, and systems in spirituality or wellness that are more than broken.
Our industries are, in some ways, operating as if a global pandemic hasn’t lead to an already tenuous economic crisis. Jobs are hard to get. Cost of living is going up due to inflation; and, people requiring more to stay health or alive. Many people have other areas where money could be spent, and in ways that would help them a lot more than some retreat, deck of cards, or crystal. I believe spirituality and magickal work have the ability to change lives in wild ways; however, we shouldn’t be encouraging or creating situations where someone has to sacrifice their immediate wellbeing and safety to do so. I’ll cover a bit more on retreats specifically in the next zine issue.
That doesn’t mean tech makes things free, obviously. I’m just saying, if someone is already paying for their phone or internet bill, downloading LinkdIn; using emojis as sigils; and having a wallpaper of rose quartz with an affirmation is going to help them manifest dream clients or collabs…..why not? Remember how I love when things are practical? Ignoring very clear resources and tools that can get you more bang for your buck seems pretty impractical to me.
It’s also really impractical to assume that technology and the internet itself aren’t cosmic in nature as well.
For an industry that wants to connect with spirit; the Gods; aliens; guides; etc. so badly, we really do disconnect and disrespect them by minimalizing them to their historically normalized forms. Especially if we want the money gods to bless us.
If I’ve learned anything from 10+ years of working with Loki, it’s that chaos and change are the only two “structures” that will stand forever. He is a god of fire; alchemy; and chaos...can you tell? As anxiety inducing as that sounds, it is the truth. The nature of the universe, life, humans is to evolve and change. When we try to ignore the evolutions in spiritual tools or methods, we’re trying to tell the natural order of existence that it can’t do what it does. It’s the same ignorance that causes people to hold onto tradition in favor of being a good human. In that way, we play into the reputation humans have for “ignoring what’s right in front of us to do things the hard way, because we think we know better.” At least, that’s what I think the aliens say when they talk shit.
My relationship with Loki has really hammered home the benefits of tech-integrated craft (professional, magickal, spiritual). Like many deities, Loki has more than one domain of authority. He’s also a god of lightning. Maybe it’s me being a little bilingual, but it makes sense he would be a god of fire that comes from the sky, no? Guess what was used to discover electricity? THAT’S RIGHT. Those big bad bolts from the sky. Technology runs on electrical currents the same way that the human nervous system responds to synapses in the brain. Both are sent as energetic signals. Both are also all electronic. Human beings are biological machines, yes, but machines none the less.
I can’t invest in the belief that Loki would directly go against his own historical nature to spark changes and transformation for the sake of tradition. Quite the opposite. The sooner we recognize that our gods, ancestors, entities can use candles-or bird feathers, clouds in the sky, pictures on paper-to send us messages as effectively as ai or autocorrect, the sooner we’d all actually feel connected the way we want to.
It is with this view that I approach tech-magick, and yes, business.
At the end of my super popular Intentional Gaming Workshop I did a demo during which Loki literally turned my whole computer off. There is a direct intelligent response to me saying “can you just work now”. All caught on the recording. That is a great selling point for the class-even though it’s free. It also has opened me up to a lot of opportunities, just because I started using my video games for manifestation; devotion or divination. I even made a whole Gaming for Magick Notion guide for it.
I’ve already discussed this in a few places, but I am one of the only people right now who will tell you that Artificial Intelligence (AI) isn’t unethical in all cases.
Like any tool, it can be used responsibly or irresponsibly based on who uses it. Specifically when it comes to technology and electronics of any type, I find that distrust of the thing is actually a distrust of self. IF one can trust themselves to use discernment, self standards, and ability to learn more then there’s pretty much nothing to fear. AI shouldn’t be used to replace work, but it can be used to support work. Unethical use of AI would be to have it write entire pieces for you; create images for marketing or content; or as the only bit of research that’s done.
AI can be used ethically to edit what we write-something I forget I can do all the time. I hate typos, but I’ll be damned if I don’t have one in every bit of writing I put out. I don’t have a full team of people to edit writing, nor can I afford that. As an autistic person, sometimes letters and spelling get weird. People who don’t have particular talents with punctuation, grammar, spelling for visual or mental can save a lot of self confidence, time, and money letting an AI tool do that. I love asking Notion for lists of resources for research. If I know that AI will comb every social media comment, research paper, entry in blogs, and search engine results for “Top 10 Books on TCM” to then drop that reading list on me to review for myself: why would I waste my time and effort doing that? My job isn’t to be an editor, it’s to put my thoughts out.
When we use AI as an assistant, and not a replacement, what we can actually do-and who we can help-can be a lot more enjoyable and cost efficient.
Not everyone wants to learn the ins and outs of SEO. AI can analyze my writing to see if the words search engines pick up from it, will send me to the right readers. If I write a piece with a recipe for an energetic body scrub, and the AI indicates search engines will pick up words like “cinnamon,” “food processor,” “mason jar”, I can use the info from AI to edit my piece to ensure it’s sent to witches instead of wine moms looking for a Bunko night recipe.
Esoteric research can be done the exact same way. We can ask AI to collate a list of deities associated to a symbol-so we know where to start our own research. AI can tell us common tools, herbs, and steps for rituals or spells so we can decide what we do and don’t want as part of our practice. OR tell us the first origin of certain practices so we know whether or not we can even ancestrally work with them.
We wouldn’t pick a rowboat over motor to get across the ocean.
We wouldn’t tell a pop-star that they have to sing, play every instrument, know music theory, have engineering knowledge, and understand/have the programs too would we? Not really. We shouldn’t at least.
As professionals and practitioners of mystical arts or theories, the more tools we allow ourselves to use, the more we can find ways of working that fit us. We can actually make the changes we want to make; support the people we want to support; understand ourselves as individuals and souls. Technology provides another layer of involvement, creativity, meaning too sometimes.
We can still be “of the people,” “aligned,” “soul led” even if we use our email to send manifestation letters instead of paper and pens; or, talk to the gods through virtual versions of themselves; keep track of our astrology via an app; and manifest with spells on wallpapers. We can still do our work “professionally” by asking for help from The Machines. It doesn’t make us broken, or less than. It doesn’t make us “sell-outs” or “too of the world”. It actually makes us more aware of who we are in the great expanse of the universe, time, history.
Technology allows us to embrace all of our magick as entrepreneurs, creators, and also human beings; but only if we get over ourselves enough to let it.
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