Spiritual Technology
My current goal is to spend as much time in my Clay and Light On the two modes of being — driven by desire or moved by something inexplicable. Read post as possible.
But how do you do this? The higher self seems intractable, sometimes elusive.
In almost every avenue of life, we have systematic tools for achieving outcomes, what I often think of as ‘technology’. For example, social technologies include things like democracy, contracts and corporations that help define our social contract and encourage pro-social behavior.
Reading Disciplining the Soul By Imam Al-Ghazali. A treatise on self-discipline and breaking the two desires. View was the first time I truly internalized the idea of spiritual technologies. Systematized ways of improving ones character and soul.
He lists 4 in particular: solitude, silence, hunger and sleeplessness.
Although the actual methods followed in self-discipline varied considerably, most of the early ascetics stressed four practices: ‘solitude, silence, hunger, and sleeplessness.’ Solitude (‘uzla), even if pursued only on occasion, distances the seeker from worldly distractions. ‘Shun people as you would shun a lion.‘
Through most of my life, I have thought of these as problems to be solved, but what if instead they were tools to be wielded?
Why be hungry, when you could eat? Why stay awake tired, when you could sleep?
Because, it does not make sense. It is not for your lower self. It is in search of the euphoria of the higher self.
I think of these tools, the only ones I feel comfortable wielding are solitude and silence. I have rarely achieved the euphoria of fasting or of sleeplessness.
But I love to try new technology.