Interactive activity #1 asks you to close your eyes and meditate on the word ‘spirituality’. Then, do an online sketch of your vision of spirituality using Odosketch.

I tried to demonstrate that when I think of spirituality I think of something bigger than earth… something universal.   The lines are meant to show the connectedness of spirituality.   In my opinion regardless of the religion or “God” we choose to believe in, there are universal values/truths in spirituality that enframe us all.   

In reference to a classmates comment “Contrarily, I do not believe one can have a soulful relationship with people via technology” I likely would have agreed with you a year ago but since then my view has changed.   I began following a blog of a mother and teacher.    Through her post I felt that I came to know her.   She began following my blog and we often would comment on each other’s entries.    This led to an exchange of email and a budding friendship.   We realized that we were both educators, mothers, and had similar interests.  Generally we continue to connect in an online format but have met a couple of time face-to-face for coffee.   With both of our busy schedules I find online formats have allowed us to connect with each other at times when we wouldn’t be able to meet face-to-face.    I would argue that we do have a “soulful” relationship that needed technology to begin and continue.   Based on my experience I think that whether or not humanity can develop soulful connections via technology is real dependent on the context.   That said, I understand where you are coming from as I used to share your views.

In response another classmate added:

A fascinating discussion.  It has been interesting to read all of the replies.  Many valid points have been made and various perspectives have been shared.

xxxxx and Jennifer: the comment and discussion surrounding xxxxx comment of: “I do not believe one can have a soulful relationship with people via technology,” reminds me of Turkle.  Turkle was concerned with the relationships that were being eroded and altered as a result of technology. She also discussed how our definition of community was changing and I would imagine that to include spirituality.

An interesting quote from Turkle’s, “Alone Together” pg. 280

“The ties we form through the Internet are not, in the end, the ties that bind. But they are the ties that preoccupy. We text each other at family dinners, while we jog, while we drive, as we push our children on swings in the park. We don’t want to intrude on each other, so instead we constantly intrude on each other, but not in ‘real time.’ When we misplace our mobile devices, we become anxious — impossible really. We have heard teenagers insist that even when their cell phones are not on their person, they can feel them vibrate. ‘I know when I’m being called,’ says a sixteen-year-old. ‘I just do.’ Sentiments of dependency echo across generations. ‘I never am without my cell phone,’ says a fifty-two-year-old father. ‘It is my protection.’

“In the evening, when sensibilities such as these come together, they are likely to form what have been called ‘postfamilial families.’ Their members are alone together, each in their own rooms, each on a networked computer or mobile device. We go online because we are busy but end up spending more time with technology and less with each other. We defend connectivity as a way to be close, even as we effectively hide from each other. At the limit, we will settle for the inanimate, if that’s what it takes.”