Wednesday, 22 June 2011

a Moment for Wisdom…

DAILY WISDOM:

” ‘God’ is what happens when humanity is connected.”

Jim Gilliam

[NOTE: If you have not seen it, please check out Jim Gilliam’s very moving 12 minute video: “The Internet is My
Religion”. Thanks again to Susie Steffes for passing it along.]

Personal Wisdom:

Do you have an experience of the Internet as a tool for spiritual connection and transcendence?  What is it?

Societal Wisdom:

What would happen in our society if we acted like we were all connected on a profound level?

a Moment with Sharif…

Greetings;

When Susie Steffes first sent this video to me, with its provocative title, I was prepared for either something lightweight or absurdist. It is neither. After watching it, I had a lot of thoughts. I’ll share a few:

Jim’s quote above doesn’t go far enough.  But, considering that he came to these realizations from his life experiences, and considering that he’s talking to a generation that has largely turned its back on “formal” religion, I think it’s a pretty deep, radical and authentic statement.

Jesus said, “Where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them.” (Matthew 18:20 NIV). Well, today we’ve got a lot more than 2 or 3 coming together… we’ve got tens of millions of people, using an instrument that simply didn’t exist a dozen years ago.

Of course, right now, we’re using that instrument for trivial, insipid and venal pursuits. There’s a statistic that says up to 70% of Internet traffic in the US is pornography. That sad fact gives Jesus’ statement of “coming together” a whole new meaning.

Into that insanity, Gilliam’s statement and experiences are a breath of fresh air. Yes, it really is possible that the Internet can join our spirits together, for us to reach a new and unique level of Transcendence – one that has been liberated from obsolescence and hierarchal control.  One that is relatively immune from the influences of big money.

When he says, “The Internet is my religion”, he’s not talking about the water-skiing squirrels, the pornography portals, the violent video games. He’s talking about US… those of us who know that there’s more to the world than what our “leaders” are talking about… including our religious “leaders”.

Yes, “God” IS what happens when humanity is connected. Connected with itself. Connected with all life on this planet (and elsewhere).  Connected to all of Creation.  Connected to the Source.

And, if the Internet helps to facilitate that connection, it will be a powerful “religion” indeed.

Peace,

Sharif

Acknowledgments:

All photos by Sharif Abdullah, unless otherwise noted.