|
Spiritual explorers are increasingly looking to
cyberspace to meet the needs of the soul. Many
neopagans, occultists, and New Agers deem the
technologies of cyberspace as fitting media for
their magical experiments and rituals and view the
Internet as a mystical plane of being. For some in
this movement, which has roots in the counterculture
of the sixties, both hallucinogenic drugs and
computers help to demonstrate that reality is
strictly a matter of our own perception and
therefore can be manipulated and even created.
However, this enthusiasm for the mystical potential
of human technology is misplaced, illogical, and
spiritually dangerous. It vainly attempts to build a
spiritual reality on the faulty foundation of
silicon, instead of on Jesus Christ.
Technoshamanism is a term used to describe
various methods of integrating modern technology
into shamanic practice (see shamanism). Methods of
doing this include such diverse disciplines as
synthetic drug use, modern psychotherapy, and
raving.
Technoshamans generally embrace the view that
mystical experiences are at least partially
biological in nature; as such, they find the use of
biological and mechanical means to influence and
even induce mystical states and experiences
perfectly acceptable. Technoshamanism is strongly
related to the modern primitive movement.
Examples of specific technologies used in
technoshamanism include sensory deprivation
chambers, transcranial magnetic stimulation devices,
neurofeedback machines, music, and synthetic drugs,
and may one day include cybernetic technology.[1]
These devices may be used in isolation or in
conjunction with each other, in order to facilitate
breakthrough or transcendent experiences or allow
shamanic journeying.
In my view CyberShamanism (Technoshamanism) is the
intelligent use of any material phenomena in order
to influence the more subtle realms of existence.
This includes low tech "devices" such as colored
candles and cave wall painting at one end of the
spectrum. At the other end of the spectrum the
CyberShaman utilizes the most modern technology such
as brain scanning bio feedback devices etc.
CyberShamanism is also interested in studying modern
terminology and concepts that are usually applied to
computers and the internet and applying them to the
inner world. |
