The contemplative life should liberate and purify the imagination which passively absorbs all kinds of things without our realizing it; liberate and purify it from the influence of so much violence done by the bombardment of social images. There is a kind of contagion that affects the imagination unconsciously much more than we realize. It emanates from things like advertisements and from all the spurious fantasies that are thrown at us by our commercial society. These fantasies are deliberately intended to exercise a powerful effect on our conscious and subconscious minds. They are directed right at our instincts and appetites and there is no question but that they exercise a real transforming power on our whole psychic structures. The contemplative life should liberate us from that kind of pressure, which is really a form of tyranny.
Thomas Merton
Yes, I am a very much aware how affected I am by consumerism and advertising. Show me an image of a fine fountain pen and the lust for it begins to grow. I am easily enticed. Over the past few years, through the practice of a contemplative life and simplifying my life I feel the lust is being curtailed. At least until Pelikan comes out with another marbled fountain pen color and in my price range. 😳
What is interesting to me in Merton’s quote is his use of the phrase ‘spurious fantasies.’ We all have watched how the power of our social media/news can affect people, stirring up anger, hate and rage in some, while drawing others to an awareness of our societal and world issues. For some it has meant making a healthy self-examination of ourselves then coming up with ways to change the unhealthy aspects we find, nurture them and sharing the healthy ones. But, for some it means pointing fingers and accusing rather than any self-examination.
For the past few weeks I have reduced my time on social media while staying as distant as I can from the news. This has allowed me to consciously spend more time in my journal, more reading, walks in nature and more prayer/meditation. The biggest impact has been the reduction of unhealthy images in my mind, both words and photographs. I much prefer reading words that nudge me to explore their meaning and to liberate and purify my imagination to create healthy vibes in the universe.
8 Comments
Mark
I feel similarly but have not been as successful in breaking all ties. In many ways, social media has become junk food. I know it isn’t good for me, but now and then you just have those cravings. I also recognize that is exactly what the SM companies are counting on. I am rather tired of being bombarded constantly with ads everywhere.
Hopefully all of this will push us more to reach into good ol’ fashioned books. Just words, no ads, no images. Some of our connections may suffer, but perhaps for the better in personal growth.
Monte Stevens
“Junk food” is a good name to call it, in my opinion. I also include television with that. I have not broken all ties. I do get on twitter every other day and for short periods of time. I know what I’m looking for and keep watch for any black holes. I still read but have discovered poetry and finding it interesting. Short and to the point. I have a friend who is a writer and does not like haiku. His complaint is it doesn’t have enough words, and that’s the point.
Tom Dills
I sincerely believe you are on the right track with your reduced use of “(anti?) social media.” Most of us don’t realize how much the overload of information impacts our personal outlook and well being. Advertising is an easy target, but media of all type and source contributes to this. We have way too many sources competing for our limited attention, and far too many of us are unable – for a variety of reasons – to discern the factual from the false.
Junk food is a very appropriate analogy, as the idea of calories with little or no nutritional benefit runs parallel to the idea of words with little or no meaning. As others have noted, salt, sugar and fat – along with the idea of quantity (more is better) – have overtaken our recognition of quality in food. The same holds true with information. Say something loudly, confidently and repeatedly, and a lot of people will believe it to be true. Scary, but recent events seem to confirm that.
Love the photo! How do you decide which pen to use? Is it like choosing a prime lens? 😉
Monte Stevens
You are so right and I like your use of quality. In reference to what people see and believe you might want to check out this video. It’s short, humorous and sad.
As for the pen use. I normally pick one pen, usually with a matching colored ink, and use it a couple days, then pick another for whatever reason. I do have favorites in how the pen writes and how the ink color looks to me today. I usually carry three pens with me and sometimes use a different color when writing a quote in my journal. It then stands out when I reread through my journal.
As for the pen use. I normally pick one pen, usually with a matching colored ink, and use it a couple days, then pick another for whatever reason. I do have favorites in how the pen writes and how the ink color looks to me today. I usually carry three pens with me and sometimes use a different color when writing a quote in my journal. It then stands out when I reread through my journal.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0HXMYm4k6w0
Tom Dills
Great video! Sad, but so true….
Cedric
That is a lovely set of pens Monte, especially seeing them in that light.
I suspect that for me, my complete withdrawal from social media, news media, and television was born out of pure cynicism and scepticism rather than contemplation, but of course, it is always possible that those two traits came about because of the contemplative practice. Who knows?
However, it is probably worth noting that the decision to separate myself from the troublesome negativity of the world is not in itself, a straight-out good thing. It is not a bad thing either of course, but an argument could be made to say that avoiding these negative impacts on one’s psyche stems from a desire to avoid life’s hard lessons. In other words, perhaps avoiding the tumultuous world and all its noisy, intrusive complexities, is merely a case of active truancy.
To avoid the absurdities and toxicity of social media or the brain-washing and pernicious assault of a news industry whose business model is to stir and divide, is to ignore those who are intolerant, vindictive, aggressive, manipulative, greedy, pessimistic, judgemental, and unforgiving. But those types make the best teachers, do they not? I have found that just as a positive trait can be learned by example, they can sometimes be learned more effectively by seeing their opposites and their impacts they have on us. They can open our minds, teach us to adapt, teach us the importance of kindness, calmness, understanding, and gratitude. They can make us look inward are our own failings, our own worst traits and help us decide to become better. I have found that they can even teach us forgiveness and compassion.
Isn’t it strange that we never stop to thank these people? 🙂
Anyway, sorry for my lack of visits of late Monte. Stay well, stay warm and keep journaling.
Monte Stevens
Thank you for your comments and know that I agree with you all say! I consider you one of my best teachers, not to put any pressure on you, but I also have learned from those who see with a different lens, due to their life experiences, culture, family life and more. I consider it true that when I see something in someone that bothers me then there is something going on inside of me also. They have been the key teachers in my growth. My life is much more serene and peaceful without the social and news media in my life. I stay distant just as I do the virus, maybe more so.
I am reading a book called Beauty by John O’Donohue and wanted to reread your post on beauty but discovered your website is no longer available. 😩
Cedric
Apologies for the belated reply, I didn’t get a notification that you had replied Monte.
Yes, Plop’s time has come and gone. I have suspected this might happen for some time and after completing the last four posts, I knew that was it. I appreciate that some will miss it and I’m glad that some, including yourself Monte, found value in it. But, all things have their time I suppose.
I’ll still visit here every now and then, so I won’t completely disappear just yet 🙂