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Blog – WAYN

Blog - WAYN

Excerpt 3 – Who Are You Now?

It is said that 65% of the jobs that the elementary school children of today will work in have not yet been created. 65%. That’s not a typo. And this is according to this U.S. Department of Labor report.

This is because we are evolving and mutating in such rapid time that the future is tricky if not impossible to predict. A currently undefined new industry could (and will) dominate the landscape in 10 years? You bet. See: Uber.

It’s great that we’re able to innovate and create new solutions for temporary problems. We are getting better and better at that. However, at the same, how we’re also going to address our bullshit is also tricky if not impossible to predict. In fact it’s muddy. No one has a real answer to it and those who once did are now scared silent. The election of the dreaded, dumb but clever Orange Man has cast a shadow over our culture that has never before seen the light of day. This is an all new riddle wrapped inside an enigma that is stuck in the damn vending machine.

The good news is that something beautiful is starting to take shape in the very mud that we’re temporarily stuck in. Much like the glorious lotus of the spiritual world. And I know this isn’t just my echo chamber reaffirming my liberal hippie ideals. Something IS happening and a discussion is starting to form that is appearing from all sides of the spectrum. Our collective misfire and dumbing down of the world has reached a tipping point.

For now, all the big solutions and collective ideas aside, let’s talk about our own selves first.

The inter-personal key to success is to live within this mystery and to embrace it. Even if it seems dark and offensive. Don’t shun it. Look at it as a beautiful wave of energy that everyone one of us gets to be part of. It will ebb and flow. And when it ebbs, the key is to step into that unknown bubble and find your own reality that works for you. Be authentic. Don’t let anyone decide what is best for you. Similarity don’t let anyone decide what isn’t best for you.

Naturally, it’s great to get inspired and to take cues from paths previously explored but the choice to morph and adapt that path into your own life is what makes authenticity such an important vehicle for happiness.

Since so many options for realizing our dharma and living in our own happiness are so widely available the only real requirement for any of them is to grab a hold with a grip that is entirely your own, that has is firm entrenched with your own stamp of uniqueness. That’s the wonderful thing about the technological realities of today combined with the non-dogmatic approaches to the many spiritual paths available. They can be blended to fit your personality in a way that also gives you the freedom to leave behind what isn’t serving you. It’s not a take it or leave it proposition. The only real requirement is sincerity. After that you’re free to exist as you wish. The previous gate holders of “the” church or “the” media don’t have to be a part of your trip anymore. It’s up to you.

Robert Anton Wilson once said “Reality is whatever you can get away with.”

Blog - WAYN

Excerpt 2 – Who Are You Now?

Excerpt #2 from my upcoming book “Who Are You Now?”

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When I started to really explore the theory that spirituality and technology are the most dominant wings of change for the 21st century I began to see more and more how the two can live together. The antiquarian idea that man can not be scientific and believe in God at the same time is no longer relevant. Additionally, the idea that the intelligent use of applied technology is a link in spiritual evolution is in step with logic, harmony and even with ancient doctrines. It is then in fact completely logical that Gods plan for us includes our relationship with technology and it’s subsequent mutation of our condition.

Because of the loosening of our cultural morality belts that the 20th century, especially the 1960’s, did for us – it is with that new found social freedom around what God is or isn’t that we can now start to have fun with integrating God into our lives in a way that suits the individual. Rather than the past model of forcing the individual to comply with the institution. The strict, obey or else, rules and regulations that old dogmas put forth in The Church are now dissolving into a patch work of spiritual paths that are adaptable and a whole lot more fun.

In my view it is entirely acceptable to take refuge in Gods new manifestations of ones and zeroes. Cyberspace is essentially another dimension. As John Perry Barlow said “it’s the place you are when you’re on the telephone.” That’s it.

It’s a fifth dimension that allows our consciousness, identity and personality to hang out in. Within that dimension also exists Gods love. It is true that I relate more with the Eastern spiritual traditions that Western ones but it frustrates me that the idea of what God is (as defined by those traditions) feels old, stale and stuck. In these traditions God hasn’t changed much in thousands of years. That feels off to me. If human beings evolve, invent, innovate and mutate then certainly God must too.

That means the following: God is AI, God is VR, God is the fabric of connection found in social media, God is the love that you experienced when connecting with something or someone online, God is the compassion that arose when you took on the suffering of the Syrian refugees you learned about from that YouTube video. These are but a few examples of how God is present in the 21st Century.

I do identify myself as a spiritualist. That of someone who sees the difference between the material world and the spiritual world. I strive to love more even if it pains me to do so. In times of being wronged or angered that limitless well of love and compassion is the only ingredient that can combat these less desirable human emotions. Change comes when my online identity affords me many more opportunities to practice my spiritual ideals. In there, I have more chances to tell someone that I love them and more chances to help and to serve. All thanks to God widening the net of consciousness in cyberspace. And for that I’m grateful.

Blog - WAYN

Excerpt 1: Who Are You Now?

The following is the first of many excerpts from my upcoming book “Who Are You Now? – The fusion of technology, spirituality and the battle for our own identity”

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Additionally it’s worth noting that parts of this book’s inspiration comes from other experiences that I’ve had in life. I’ve had success in business, failure in business, drug addiction, recovery and ultimately a peace and connection with something greater than myself that I’d like to share with others. No, this does not mean that I’m some new age spiritual zealot set on proselytizing the notion that I’ve discovered God Head and so should you! But, I will say with conviction that a key ingredient into the survival of our species is the inclusion of some form of spiritual awareness into ones daily life. It is essential and must be sought after by even the most resistant among us. Until we start having a truly deep meaningful and compassionate outlook towards our fellow man, peace and stability will be impossible. Policy and economic reform won’t get us there alone – the heart needs to be at the forefront of all our decisions.

Blog - WAYN

Blog – Reality and Practice

Real time excerpts from my upcoming book “Who Are You Now? Technology, spirituality and the search for our very own identity”

Whatever you think reality is. That’s not it. That’s why these practices are so important. They are methods which can pierce the veil which then allows us to view things as they really are. Yoga, meditation, kirtan, psychedelics, making art, whatever..they all reveal the same a-ha moment. It’s just that those moments are short and fleeting. That’s why we do them regularly.The true value in any practice is the remembering, the taking it with you in everything you do. The Gita defines it “as remembering Krishna in every action you perform.” When you do that, this thing we call reality has more meaning and can certainly be a lot more fun to play around in.