TECHNOLOGY & THE SOUL

Social media, screens and Al are not going away. The spiritual question is: how do we live with them without losing ourselves?

- ‘TDG NETWORK JAIPUR

For many of us, the day begins and ends with a glowing rectangle. Before we are fully awake, we are already scrolling. Before we sleep, the last thing our eyes see is a screen. Somewhere between these two glows, a quiet question arises: what is this doing to my inner life?

Technology itself is not the enemy. A phone is a tool. Social media can connect families, spread spiritual wisdom, and organize help in crises. Artificial intelligence can translate scriptures, support mental health, or help us reflect. The deeper question is not “tech or no tech?” It is “How do I stay grounded while using it?”

Spiritual traditions speak of “inner stillness” and “presence.” Biologically, that peace lives in a calm nervous system. Constant notifications keep that system on alert. Every ping is a tiny command: “Look here! Now!” Over time, attention becomes fragmented.

Many people describe the same experience: the moment they sit to pray or meditate, their mind hops around like an app changing thumb. Restlessness is not a personal failure; it is a nervous system trained by years of stimulation.

Recognizing this is a first act of kindness. We are not weak; we are overstimulated.