By Emily, belgium
A spark of consciousness: even in a mechanical world, beauty and wonder remain
Table of Contents
Introduction: embracing progress while preserving autonomy
In today’s world, technology is an undeniable force that shapes nearly every aspect of our lives. From smartphones to AI and automation, these advancements hold the power to make our daily tasks easier and more efficient. However, they also present a growing concern: the potential for us to become enslaved by our own creations, not being able to do things ourselves, relying on technology to do everything for us. As robots can now cook, AI can write, and machines can design, we may eventually lose the ability to engage in these tasks, which may diminish our own creativity, skills, and sense of fulfillment.
Reflecting on my journey in graphic design, I am amazed by the shifts that have occurred in the field. When I began my studies, mastering complex software programs was essential for creative expression.
Today, anyone with a basic sense of harmony can shape the essence of design through intuitive online platforms.
In this article, we explore how technology can support the journey to a peaceful mind and contribute to a stress-free life, even in a world where technology is so dominant. By using technology mindfully, we can transform it from a source of stress into a tool for self-growth and well-being.
The threat of technological enslavement
The more we depend on technology, the more it starts to take over our lives, not just physically but mentally too. It’s easy to fall into a cycle where we let technology handle everything for us, from simple tasks to complex ones, and in doing so, we lose touch with what matters most: our own inner peace and sense of Self.
While technology has certainly made our lives easier, it has also created a disconnect from the deeper aspects of life that help us nurture a peaceful mind and stress-free life. The constant noise, distractions, and pressures from the digital world can easily overwhelm us if we let them. Without mindfulness, technology becomes something that controls us, rather than something we can use to support our growth. It takes away the space we need to pause, reflect, meditate and reconnect with ourselves.
But here’s the thing—this doesn’t have to be the case. Technology doesn’t have to enslave us..
The gift of the technological age
While technology may seem to take away our freedom, it also offers a unique opportunity to be more connected, cultivate a peaceful mind, and embrace a stress-free life, if we approach it with balance. The very tools that can feel like they threaten our autonomy also have the potential to help us reconnect with our inner Selves and live in peace.
While technology may challenge our autonomy, it also opens doors for introspection and spiritual growth, to Know yourself and excel in life and society. As machines take over more of the tasks that once consumed our time and energy, we’re granted the space to dive deeper into ourselves and nurture a richer understanding of who we are. It’s all about how we choose to use technology and what we do with the time it frees up.
Does it push us to run faster, creating an endless cycle of exhaustion, or does it provide room for stillness, calmness, a peaceful mind and meditation? The choice is in our hands—whether we let technology drive us relentlessly or use it as a tool for tranquility, mindfulness, and a stress-free life.
Authentic peaceful mind and a real stress-free life
The time and space we create for inner growth should be used to break free from whatever external forces hold us back. As we find ourselves in a world with increasing restrictions, conflicts, and uncertainty, we must remember that true peace isn’t found in running away to a place where we think it exists.
Instead of searching for a physical escape, we can transcend the idea of war and peace and rise above it. No matter how murky the circumstances are, the lotus continues to bloom in beauty, unaffected by its surroundings. Similarly, peace is within ourselves, always ready to bloom regardless of the chaos outside.
By using our time to free ourselves from the pull of external influence, we discover real freedom. Peace isn’t about finding a place to hide; it’s about freeing ourselves from the outside world’s weight, finding stillness within, and realizing that freedom is something we create inside, no matter where we are.
When we truly inquire into what peace is, we realize it’s when everything stops, when silence reigns and becomes a form of expression. In that silence, there’s no movement, no running; peace is found in stillness. So, are you moving toward more running and distraction, or are you heading toward stillness, a peaceful life, and a stress-free existence.
Three practical tips for a peaceful mind and stress free life
- Stop reacting to external circumstances
- Meditate to understand your true Self
- Bounce back into happiness
Stop reacting to external circumstances
One of the most effective ways to cultivate a peaceful mind and a stress-free life is to stop reacting to everything that happens around you. Having an opinion is natural. The importance lies in how attached we are to those opinions. If we become deeply attached, reactions arise, and the moment we react, we find ourselves stuck in a cycle of resistance. It’s like being trapped in a constant struggle between opposing forces, always choosing one side over the other. While this might feel satisfying or comforting temporarily, it doesn’t bring real peace. True peace lies not in choosing one side over the other, but in transcending this conflict altogether. It’s about stepping away from the constant back-and-forth, moving beyond right and wrong, good and bad, and finding rest beyond the turmoil of life. Think of it like a canvas, where colors and movements come and go, but the constant, unchanging white background remains still, silent, and peaceful, allowing the rich, expressive colors to show their beauty.
If we consider technology, don’t choose to be for or against it. Instead, use it as it’s meant to be used—efficiently and thoughtfully. Recognize its purpose and how it can serve you, rather than letting it control your actions. The time and space it frees up can be a gift for you to explore your inner world, allowing your peace to flourish and guiding you towards more silence and stillness.
Meditate to understand your true Self
Use the space that life and technology gives you to reconnect with your true Self. Stop chasing experiences to define who you are; instead, explore the time and stillness life offers to be within. Align with what is constant: your inner essence. Begin to explore your true identity, not based on the roles you play in the external world, but by connecting with your being at its core. Understand that your true self remains untouched, no matter what happens in the external world. This understanding is the path to inner freedom, to a peaceful mind and a stress-free life.
Meditate… Establish yourself within your own silence, and realize that the peace we are all chasing is already within us. All we need to do is align with the blank canvas of our being and allow the colors of life to move and express themselves. We simply need to stop and see. Meditation is a powerful tool to help you be with yourself, cultivating inner freedom and a peaceful mind. Through this practice, you free yourself from the grip of external distractions, embracing peace and serenity from within.
Bounce back into happiness
Being happy doesn’t mean putting on a constant smile or suppressing your emotions. It’s about harmonizing with a natural state of ease and flow. Just like the birds and the rhythms of nature, happiness is a natural part of life. They don’t need to force it; they simply live, moving through life effortlessly, no matter what comes their way.
Happiness is not about avoiding difficulties or pretending everything is perfect; it’s about choosing to align with your natural state, no matter the external circumstances. Reflecting on your own happiness can be a powerful tool if approached with mindfulness.
One technique we use at Yoga Gita Ashram is called BOUNCE BACK. Practically, it is about being mindful of your feelings in the moment and bouncing back. When you find yourself feeling unhappy or dissatisfied in any situation, try not to over-analyze the emotion. Instead, simply acknowledge that you’re not feeling happy, and then let go of the thought. At the end, look closely, and you will see that it is only a thought, nothing more. In that moment, make the conscious choice to go back to happiness. This practice helps you to break the cycle of attachment and resistance, allowing you to choose peace and contentment instead of staying trapped in emotional reactions.
Happiness, like peace, is always available within us. It’s about tuning into that inner state and remembering that, no matter what happens, you have the power to choose how you respond. Whether you like it or not, life and everything around it keeps flowing, so why should we choose to resist or be unhappy with it? Whether we embrace technology or not, it will continue to evolve, and the movement will not stop. Instead of fighting against it or supporting its expansion by using it to control or be controlled, why not simply flow with it? Just like the current of life, happiness and peace come when we stop resisting and allow ourselves to move with the natural flow, making the best out of anything that arises in front of us. And the best thing we can do is to understand who we truly are, because that is the only true success in life and the one thing that will remain with us forever.
Final Thoughts
In a world where technology is constantly evolving, the key to a peaceful mind and stress-free life is to consciously and mindfully flow with change. Technology can either empower or enslave us. It’s our choice how we engage with it. By breaking the cycle of constant reactions, meditating, and choosing happiness, we create space for inner peace to rise.
True freedom and peace come from within. When we align with our inner being through mediation, we are no longer controlled by the chaos around us. Instead, we become a source of calm and clarity, regardless of the world’s turbulence.
Let’s choose to flow with life, release the need for constant struggle, and use technology as a tool to enhance, not define, our lives.
About the Author
Emily has been learning from Sage ViGo since 2017. After traveling for more than five years, her journey led her to India, where she participated in a Yoga Teacher Training Programme. Sage ViGo’s teaching was deeper and clearer than anything she had experienced before. This had a strong impact and created a deep connection, leading to a long stay in India and full dedication to sadhana at the Yoga Gita Ashram under his guidance. Since then, Emily has been fully committed to this path, bringing these teachings into daily practice and life.
