My friend Alan and I were talking on the phone the other day, and were discussing the amount of time many of us spend on social media networks like Facebook and Twitter. Alan made a remark along the lines of "For us being an earth-based religion, we sure spend a lot of time inside and online." And, I couldn't disagree. It was a provocative statement, and it leads me to question where we're going as a "society" under the umbrella of Paganism.
If nature is my religion, where am I spending most of my time? If the earth is my temple, how many times do I attend services? Christians (for the most part) go to church at least once per week and on their holy days. Jews go to shul (or temple, as some call it) the same, Muslims go to mosque regularly... what about us Pagans? Many of us follow a solitary path, rather than join with a coven or circle or group of some sort. We're not monocentric (we don't have a centralized leader or canon of faith) like the big three, but do we practice what we preach? How much of our time is spent practicing our "religion" per the meme above?
The first time I heard the term "techno-pagan" was on Buffy the Vampire Slayer... is that what we've become? We talk a good game. We electronically sign petitions to protect the earth, create websites and pages to educate people on fracking, GMOs, et al... we create blogs and websites and YouTube channels to educate those within and outside our beliefs in the spirit of teaching and tolerance... we commune with those of like mind (and sometimes argue purposefully with those that aren't) through these social platforms, but how much of our beliefs are we actually putting into practice?
I'm not blaming Facebook and Twitter for this problem. We're all big boys and girls. We make our own decisions, and each small decision made takes us further down a certain path. Another 15 minutes and then I'll go read that book, clean the house, make dinner, mow the lawn, take the dog out, go to the river, etc... OK another 5 minutes since this online discussion is getting good. Wait, that b*tch did NOT just post that statement directed at ME did she?? Oh she is SO not going to get away with that one. Screw the dishes, she's going to find out what it's like to mess with this witch!...or playing "Candy Crush, Words with Friends, Farmville, etc.." and the list goes on... those little choices accumulate, and before we know it, we don't know recognize the green things or the little magics anymore.
It reminds me of Neil Gaiman's American Gods. "The central premise of the novel is that gods and mythological creatures exist because people believe in them (a form of thoughtform). Immigrants to the United States brought with them dwarves, elves, leprechauns, and other spirits and gods. However, the power of these mythological beings has diminished as people's beliefs wane. New gods have arisen, reflecting America's obsessions with media, celebrity, technology, and drugs, among others." (wikipedia description) I have to wonder if there isn't a grain or two of truth in that. Many mystics and scholars have said that we live in a symbiotic relationship of belief with the gods/deithe and spirits of the earth. Are we being true to ourselves and our tenets if in reality we are technologically tethered?
I'm not saying we should all throw away our computers, iphones, iPads, and the like and go live in the woods. We live in the 21st century, and there is a lot to be said for communicating with people from all over the world- people with whom we would never otherwise encounter if not for the internet and social media. I'm simply asking that we examine ourselves and determine that we can live honorably by the words, "Nature is my religion. The earth is my temple."
So, where is your practice? How much of your day is spent on the frivolities of electronic socialization in comparison with spending time consorting with the earth and your kin in nature? Are you working toward a healthy balance of mind, body and spirit? Our minds are definitely bombarded online.. but, at what cost to the spirit or body? Studies are showing that the longer we sit, the more we hurt our physical health. Is our spirit fulfilled by reading memes that disparage one party's politics, someone else's belief system, or the latest grumpy cat poster?
Your time here is yours to spend however you choose. I'm not here to play mommy or tell you how to live your life, nor am I above reproach. In fact, most of the time, when I write something like this, I'm talking to myself more than anyone else. I've been limiting my online time lately, and have found I'm happier and much more productive. I spent two hours yesterday "at church" in the woods behind my house. It was a lovely sermon, and the choir beats any human one I've ever heard. It's home- where I belong. I always feel safer alone in the woods than in any area where humans are congregating.
I'm a geek/nerd (whatever you want to call me), but I will always be a wild witch above all things, and I don't want to lose my magic or the connection I have to nature, the earth and the green things. A computer screen can never substitute for a walk in the woods.