Down the rabbit hole
I am putting myself to the fullest possible use, which is all I think that any conscious entity can ever hope to do
(HAL 9000) from ‘2001: A Space Odyssey’
Plugging in
I remember the night I first hooked up the internet in my home. I was living in Haberfield, Sydney and it must have been the early 2000’s. The blue ethernet cable snaked its way from the phone socket in the middle of the house to my office in the front room. As someone who valued privacy and isolation to an unhealthy extreme, I felt some fear at the sense of opening up this direct channel to the outside world.
Awakening consciousness
In the twenty years since then we’ve entered a new world. The internet and it’s capacity has expanded exponentially. It has become a powerful force in the world. And it has led, I believe, to an awakening of consciousness on the planet, with an ever expanding amount of people, ideas, information and connections.
Expanding unconsciousness
And at the same time, if you’ve watched The Social Dilemma on Netflix or even just observed your own experience, you will know that the internet, via the programs that use it, has also expanded the human capacity for unconsciousness. Because while humans are accessing and sharing information via the internet, so too computers are collecting copious amounts of data on our usage patterns, interests and connections, which is then used to manage the types and ways that information comes to us. And in this way, Artificial Intelligence is becoming more conscious and is in turn deepening our unconsciousness.
Knowledge is power.
As a 5 on the Enneagram, seeking out endless amounts of information is how I have tended to pursue a sense of competence and confidence. The internet has been a drug like no other in this regard. And I have definitely benefited from the information and teachings available 24/7. But along with that has also come a sense of overwhelm given the infinite supply.
Yes, knowledge is power. But I’m starting to think that consciousness is a superpower.
The Awakening
2020 has been a year that has shaken up, activated or affected almost every human on this planet thanks to the impacts of coronavirus. The planet has experienced an awakening of consciousness.
And the internet has come into its own during this time as a tool for connection and finding and sharing information – as well as a source of comfort, disconnection and misinformation.
At the start of the year I was already on determinedly turning my life around. And I’ve taken many bold actions and learnt many valuable lessons. But I’ve also been lulled by the endless streams of information. And while I generally endeavour to follow a wide range of people and ideas, I’ve no doubt also been influenced by the networks of people and information I have been consuming.
It’s less than eleven weeks till the end of 2020. Are there any dreams or desires you had at the start of the year that you’ve lost focus of? There is still time! Or maybe your whole life got tipped upside down and your priorities have changed? Now is a great time to look at the goals your wrote down, and set some intentions for harnessing the power of this year and finishing strong.
Embrace discomfort
Comfort comes into your house first as guest, then as a host, then finally as the master. – Kahlil Gibran
The internet offers so much .. connection, clarity, comfort .. but it can also suck your time and your life force if you aren’t careful.
I invite you to join me in taking actions outside your comfort zone in order to consciously create your life. For me this involves putting offers out there and practicing being with the feelings that come up.
Make 2020 a year to up-level your life. You are the master of your destiny.
With love,
Orly
PS If you’d like some help seeing and shifting your unconscious patterns, I’m currently offering 1 hour ‘Pattern interrupter sessions’ for $55.
Book your sessions HERE. Let’s up-level together!