Dear Khaj,
No Phone Time
One of the things that impressed me from what you shared with us about your 'Leadership in Training' experience at Camp Huron this past summer (2023) was the fact that you profitted a lot from the camp requirement of not having your phone for most of the time you were there. I recall you reflecting that not being on your phone allowed you to do other wholesome and fun activities that you would not have otherwise done if you had the device with you.
Of course! All of us in today's "connected 24/7 society" really need to "fast" from our devices and from the internet. Yes, being constantly online, often jumping from one interesting update to another, has some advantages to it. For example, it makes us feel that we're "in the know" about the latest "trends" and about what's going on in the world. Having that knowledge--we think--will make us "cool." However, there is an increasing amount of data that shows the negative effects of being always online on all of us, especially on young people.
From Internet to "Inner-Net"
So, here's the thing I wanted to tell you: I recently came across an encouragement from a lifecoach who said that we really need to switch off the "internet" in order to dwell more on the "inner net." That really hit me!
In connection with all that, I read a book on Buddhism years ago (Habito, Experiencing Buddhism, p. 62) and was struck by the following observation: Upon having his enlightenment experience, the Buddha relished his experience for 49 days! What impressed me was not so much the Buddha’s “enlightenment experience” itself but instead his attitude of “relishing” the experience!
Savour, then Cherish-Treasure
This is--what I sometimes call--the spirit of "savour, cherish, and treasure." We need this skill badly in today's world where we are constantly encouraged to "consume" not only things but even experiences, without deeply relishing (savouring) and cherishing/treasuring them. In our consumerism-driven culture, these three words "savour", "cherish", "treasure" seem to have, sadly, little or no place in people's lifestyles. Instead, we are continually pressured to check out the latest interesting and exciting trends, literally always "scrolling down" our social media feeds to check out something new without savouring anything! In short, we've acquired the vice of being so accustomed to "consuming" something--be it a thing, an event, a person, an experience--and moving thoughtlessly and unmindfully to the next interesting thing on our "feeds."
In the past when people had fewer "things" and fewer "stimulants," a person could in principle better "savour," "cherish," and "treasure" each and every experience (both positive and negative), learn what needed to be learned from it, and emerge a richer, more whole, more mature person.
This is why these three words could potentially be some of the most important keywords for a lifestyle that leads to inner peace and happiness, especially today in our crazy, consumeristic, and frenetic world. Let me describe briefly what I mean when I use these three words.
Savouring is the mindful attitude of slowly and intentionally experiencing, “tasting,” "relishing," and appreciating something--be it a thing like food, an experience such as a wonderful concert, a person, etc. In its most practical and concrete level, it is the mindful and grateful attitude we take toward food.
'Cherishing and Treasuring' can be taken as two words that convey an attitude that is the opposite of mindlessly consuming things, persons, and experiences. When we encounter someone, something, or an event that is meaningful, we [1] savour it, by being mindful of it at the moment of encounter. We don't stop there however. Afterwards, we also [2] cherish and treasure them/it. We put, better, enshrine the person, the thing, the event carefully in our heart like a treasure, so that we could retrieve the memory and make it remind us to be grateful. "Remember" is a verb that carries importance in the Bible, especially with regard to the great things God had done in the past. That would be the spirit of "cherish and treasure" that I mean here.
Learn these skills! Plut them into practice! They are keys to being a truly happy person! And truly happy people can change the world!
-Daddy (originally written September 17, 2023)
