I read a lot about how connected we are. The Internet, cell phones, texting, and whatever Apple comes up with next is supposed to make us “more connected.” I am not a curmudgeon about technology. If anything this blog is evidence of my belief that we can reach out to people through use of technology. But when we talk about real connection we aren’t talking about Facebook, we’re really talking about soul. The soul wants us to become deep like a river or ocean. The real connections aren’t surface connections. You can friend someone on Facebook, but real friends are those who know and support your deep self and will remind you when you are losing touch with your own soul.
What is often missing in modern mass culture is the depth of connection. When you see a culture dividing into simplistic polarities – which is all of our politics – what is going on is loss of soul. People who are in touch with their soul know what they’re supposed to be doing in the world and what their way of contributing to life is, in the same way that people know what music and food they enjoy.
As I approach Advent I need to ask — is my Advent season mired in spiritual materialism. Am I substituting material possessions for things my soul loves. I need to fill my advent with music, food that makes me feel inspired, good and meaningful speech not cocktail party chatter, and all those other gifts out there that help me become “connected” with my true self.
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