Over-dependence on online behaviour is counter productive

 

In the era of democratisation of technology, innovation, smartphones, the internet, and social media, we are becoming more and more dependent on these tools, I'm one of them. 

They are as important today as food, water, breath, and air. Are we human beings becoming stupid, or are we, slaves? Isn't this the modern life, modern life slavery for you 

But I don't see it that way, even if you are a caveman, you would carry a stick in your hand. You would never keep the stick down because it is necessary, maybe there was a snake. Maybe there was an animal, maybe something else, always a stick. R

Today you carry a cell phone, this makes no difference. That stick was useful at that time, the phone is useful now. Now, this is technology, which has enabled us to do so many things.

I can remember 20-25 years ago, when my father was getting our house constructed, he had to go to that phone booth for everything he needed to be ordered in the construction of our house. Today if I just think of his phone calls, it's perfectly alright. If I say a word it will call who I want and it's done. 

Life has become so much better because of the phone. 

How do people use a smartphone

Now people are in a state of compulsiveness, anything you give, they are so compulsive, they make it into suffering.

Compulsive eating, compulsive drinking and compulsive everything. So the problem is not the phone, the problem is not something else, the problem is compulsiveness.

Should we control ourselves 

No, there's no need to control yourself, become conscious. If you become conscious, you are liberated, not controlled.

 

How to stop being the slave of technology

After millions of years of evolution, we give you an intellect. When something sharp is given to you, you must learn how to hold it. This has become a problem because we gave you a very complex machine, and you are bothered to read user's manual

 

What kind of dependencies on online behaviour is counterproductive

They are addictions and compulsive behaviours, being addicted to substances, alcohol, nicotine, caffeine and various other aspects of life. 

Smartphones are very useful these days. Doctors are available online, in emergencies. We can order any medication, eatables, clothing, each and everything, through smartphones. 

This becomes addictive when we start playing games on it and start using it for getting likes, comments & other things. Some people go insane and develop some or the other ailment, some develop major and chronic neurological disorders.

So these addictions and compulsive behaviours, which can lead to psychological pits like depression and manic depression.

Why is all this happening 

All this is taking place because, in some way, we are not able to make use of the discretionary dimension of who we are. 

To be human essentially means, that though we have our instincts, though we have our needs, a human being is capable of employing his discretionary mind, in such a way that, he can go beyond his needs, he can go beyond his compulsive behaviour. 

Unlike other creatures, a human being can employ his discretionary mind, in such powerful ways, that he can even go beyond his fundamental needs of life.

What can be done to reduce our over-dependence on online gadgets, drugs and even relationships 

The whole system of yoga or what we're calling today Inner Engineering is essentially about gaining the ability, having the ability to employ the discretionary dimension of who you are. Discretion means that we can conduct our life the way we want them.

Not the way we are compelled by the situations in which we exist or the chemistry of our body or the other kinds of influences upon us.  

Going beyond our chemistry, going beyond our genetics, going beyond the situations in which we exist. 

A human being can still craft his own life the way he wants it. The basic process of yoga is to empower a human being, to be able to employ the discretionary dimension, in such a way so that he can move his life, to a dimension beyond his present level of existence.

Coming to the facts 

Computer/Internet Addiction 

The Internet has made life a lot easier by making information more accessible to all and creating connections with different people around the world. However, it has also led a lot of people to spend too much time in front of the computer, so much so that it becomes the centre of their lives. This can lead to an Internet or computer addiction.

Computer/Internet Addiction Symptoms, Causes and Effects 

Internet or computer addictions manifest in several ways that cover various degrees and areas of Internet usage. They are the following:-

•Information overload. Too much online surfing leads to decreased productivity at work and fewer interactions with family members.

•Compulsions. Excessive time spent in online activities such as gaming, trading of stocks, gambling and even auctions often leads to overspending and problems at work.

•Cybersex addiction. Too much surfing of porn sites often affects real-life relationships.

•Cyber-relationship addiction. Excessive use of social networking sites to create relationships rather than spending time with family or friends may destroy real-life relationships 

Conclusion

These are the most commonly observed types of Online addiction. If you or someone you know is suffering from this kind of addiction, you don’t have to face it on your own. We can help you. Just call at any time to speak to one of our trained advisors.