Phone Fasts and Modern Monsters
“As long as you are trying to become, trying to get somewhere, trying to attain something, you are quite literally moving away from the Truth itself.”
— Adyashanti
Helllllloooo Practitioners,
I've been fasting from my phone. And it's harder than it sounds.
Last weekend I was having a real battle. My mind wanted to look up a recipe, check the weather, see if someone called... The impulse to turn on the phone was getting so overwhelming that I threw it into the back top shelf of my closet. A stool was required to retrieve it.
I was simultaneously proud of myself and horrified that that was what it took. Which got me thinking... again... what are we doing to ourselves? Because things don’t seem quite right with modern humans. Do you agree? For example:
We have more stuff than ever, but are plagued by discontent…
There are endless appliances and technology to make life easier, more efficient, and convenient, but most of us feel stuck in a hamster wheel of survival…
Despite being “connected” and accessible at any time and place, loneliness, depression and suicide are through the roof…
It’s just doesn't add up…
That’s why I’m wrestling with the phone fast and test-driving new spiritual disciplines. To push against the modern malaise.
I'm encouraged by spiritual luminaries who propose radical and rebellious things like developing spiritual rhythms, dedicating time to rest, cultivating joy through simplicity, and seeking diverse community (aka have relationships with people who don’t think like you… and why is that suddenly so difficult?)
If you’re thinking, "those are nice ideas”. Try them. They're revolutionary if you do them. I'm trying and it's taking every ounce of skill developed during 20 years of spiritual seeking. It feels like going to battle with 3 beasts of modern society. I've come to call them the Monster of More, the Hound of Hurry, and the Specter of Not-Enough. Here’s how I see them show up:
The Monster of More lives off the belief that more is automatically better. The Monster is always-hungry never-satisfied. Mine craves clicking instagram ads for bamboo sheets, 60% off sweaters, and boho bags. It salivates for stuff, whatever that stuff is… just more, more, more.
The Hound of Hurry nips at heels, bays about productivity, and spurs everyone onwards… to.... what exactly?... no one know! But we’ve got to go, go, go, faster, faster, faster. And if you slow down, even for just a minute, the hound has got your scent. And the anxiety of slowing (not to mention stopping!) can feel overwhelming.
The Specter of Not-Enough is the haunting feeling of behind-ness, not-enough-as-I-am-ness, let-me-prove-my-worth-ness. This ghost spooks you into people-pleasing or power-seeking. It’s the hollowness that comes from being assessed by status, possessions, wealth, beauty.
These creatures of modern culture drive despair, overwhelm, and burnout. They generate relentless, aggressive self-talk. Erode dignity, autonomy, and soul-level satisfaction. They make meditation “hard” and turn “self-care” into self-beating. They thrive in the soil of distraction, competition and isolation.
You go head to head and toe-to-toe with these beasts when you slow down through movement, meditation, breathwork or inner-awareness. But isn’t that kind of exciting? or motivating? That you’re practicing not just for you, not just to feel a little bit better, but you’re engaging in a radical and rebellious act against the soul-rot of modern society?
Maybe that sounds a little dramatic. And yes, I’m using a lot of battle language. Because the forces that feed these monsters are Goliaths. Enormous entities. I feel tiny against them but I also believe these practices are powerful enough to turn the tide. Seriously. We just need enough courageous souls actually doing them.
Over the next few weeks, I’ll write more about these modern monsters and the practices we have to beat them back. Let me know which creature of culture you’re contending with, questions you have, or practices you’re currently using.
May your practice bring courage,
Alison
