New Age Technology And The Abandonment of Higher Reality

The Age of Technology and the Abandonment of Higher Meaning: A Call to Reconnect

In this era of unprecedented technological progress, humanity appears to be reaching outward more than ever before – yet paradoxically, it is also drifting further from its deeper essence. The glow of screens and the lure of digital connectivity have become substitutes for reflection, leaving many searching for meaning in transient pleasures and distractions. As uncertainty looms globally, self-centredness and morally void behaviours take root, threatening the shared fabric that holds communities together.

The human spirit, long anchored by an intrinsic sense of higher purpose, now grapples with disconnection. Soren Kierkegaard, a philosopher of profound insight, described this as “sickness unto death” – a despair stemming from a lost relationship with the core of being. In the present day, this sickness manifests through endless scrolling, digital validation and compulsive consumption, all of which fail to provide the fulfillment they promise. These pursuits mask a deeper longing for connection to something greater, a longing many may not even recognise.

The great mathematician and thinker Blaide Pascal observed that much of human misery stems from our inability to sit quietly with ourselves. In the modern age, that quiet is increasingly rare. The constant hum of the digital world offers an escape from discomfort but also blinds us to the whispers of what we might call the Eternal, the Source or simply the profound mystery of existence. It is here, in this disconnect, that harmful illusions thrive. Philosopher’s, poets and mystics alike have long cautioned against such distractions, which divert us from the inner work necessary for meaning and growth.

As uncertainty unfolds on a global scale with economic disparity, many turn not inwards but outward in search of fleeting solutions. This outward gaze often leads to a moral relativism that justifies selfish actions and disregards collective well-being. Fyodor Dostoevsky, in The Brothers Karamazov, issued a warning that echoes today: if we lose sight of higher principles, “ “everything is permitted”. Without an anchor, societies drift toward chaos, where individual gratification takes precedence over shared purpose.

But even in this disarray, there remains hope. Within each individual resides a spark of timeless wisdom, a connection to what might be described as the Universal Spirit or the Source of Being. This essence transcends labels and doctrines; it is the quiet prescence that has guided humanity for millennia, irrespective of culture or creed. To realign with it is to remember our intrinsic belonging to something greater than ourselves.

Saint Augustine, a seeker in his own right, famously wrote, “ Our heart is restless until it rests in you.” While his words pointed to a specific understanding of the divine, they resonate universally: humans are restless until they reconnect with the profound mystery at the heart of existence. This restlessness, often misinterpreted as dissatisfaction with life, can serve as a powerful reminder to look inward, toward the stillness that modern life often obscures.

Reconnection with this source requires courage. It asks us to step away from the distractions and confront our own fears, weaknesses and questions. C.S.Lewis described this journey as both painful and necessary, a process of spiritual refinement. Regardless of religious or non-religious belief systems, the practice of intentional reflection and seeking meaning has a universal appeal. Whether through prayer meditation or deep contemplation, the result is a wakening to a higher purpose.

The temptation to succumb to escapism is immense, especially in a world designed to keep us distracted. But fulfilment lies not in fleeting pleasures but in engaging with the deeper truths of life. As the poet T.S. Eliot wrote, “ The way up is the way down“. To rise above despair and uncertainty, we must first descend into honest introspection, recognising our need for connection to the timeless, the sacred, or the universal truth – however we define it.

The journey back to this source of higher meaning is open to all, regardless of belief. It begins with small steps: quieting the noise, seeking stillness and listening for the subtle guidance that arises from within. For those who feel alienated from traditional notions of the divine, the invitation remains the same: seek the beauty, wisdom and interconnectedness that point towards something beyond the surface of existence.

In this age of distraction, let us resist the pull of transient pleasures and superficial pursuits. Instead, let us turn inward, rediscover our shared humanity and reconnect with the source of higher meaning. For in this connection lies not only the answers to life’s deepest questions but also the strength, peace and purpose to navigate the uncertainty of our times.

“ When the roots are deep, there is no reason to fear the wind.”