In a world where screens constantly demand our attention and technology evolves faster than we can keep up, it’s easy to feel disconnected from ourselves, from others, and from life itself. We scroll, we swipe, we click, but rarely do we stop to ask a fundamental question: Are we using technology, or is it using us?
Alan Watts, the legendary philosopher and interpreter of Eastern thought for Western audiences, offers a perspective that pierces this modern anxiety:
“Technology is destructive only in the hands of people who do not realize that they are one and the same process as the universe.”
This idea is profound and transformative. At its core, Watts is reminding us that we are not separate from the world we inhabit; we are not separate from the tools we create. Every piece of technology is an extension of our consciousness. The real problem arises only when we forget this connection — when we treat life as something external to us, something to be manipulated, controlled, or consumed.
Technology as a Mirror, Not a Threat
Most people approach technology as a threat. Social media, smartphones, and the internet are painted as enemies of focus, productivity, and even happiness. But Watts flips this narrative: technology itself is neutral. It is merely a mirror, reflecting the state of the mind that wields it.
If your attention is scattered, technology multiplies that chaos. If your thoughts are anxious, it amplifies them. But if you are grounded, aware, and conscious, technology can become a tool of profound expression, learning, and connection.
Think of your devices not as objects outside yourself, but as part of a larger continuum — an extension of your curiosity, your creativity, and your presence in the world. When viewed through this lens, technology transforms from a threat into an ally, a vehicle to explore and enhance the universe already within you.
Remembering You Are Part of the Same Process
Watts often emphasized the illusion of separation. We are taught to see ourselves as isolated entities — bodies contained in skin, minds enclosed in skulls — navigating a world outside of us. But in truth, we are inseparable from the universe, inseparable from the flow of existence itself.
To live consciously, especially in a technological age, we must remember this essential truth: we are not separate from the processes we observe; we are the processes themselves. Your thoughts, your actions, your creativity, and your attention are not just private experiences — they are threads woven into the fabric of the universe.
This perspective fundamentally changes how we relate to technology. A smartphone is not a distraction; it is a channel of your intention. A social media feed is not a source of anxiety; it is a reflection of collective consciousness. Recognizing this shifts the focus from blame to awareness, from resistance to participation.
Using Technology Mindfully
The key question becomes: How do we integrate technology into our lives without losing ourselves? Here are practical approaches inspired by Watts’ philosophy:
- Set Conscious Boundaries: Instead of mindless scrolling, schedule intentional use of devices. Use tech for growth, learning, or connection — not for passive consumption.
- Observe Your Relationship With Technology: Notice how certain apps, notifications, or platforms make you feel. Are they energizing you, or draining your life force?
- Use Tech as a Tool, Not a Crutch: When used consciously, technology amplifies your creativity and productivity. When used unconsciously, it fragments attention and diminishes presence.
- Reconnect With the Physical World: Take walks, feel textures, listen to sounds — these sensory experiences anchor you in the same universe you inhabit with your devices.
- Practice Digital Mindfulness: Short, intentional pauses during tech use — even five seconds to notice your breath or posture — can shift you from autopilot to presence.
By seeing technology as part of the natural flow of life, rather than an external force, you regain mastery over your attention, your energy, and your mind.
Living with Presence in a Digital Era
Ultimately, the challenge is not technological but spiritual and psychological. Modern life tempts us to multitask, fragment attention, and measure worth in notifications and likes. But Watts reminds us that the real measure of life is presence — the quality of our awareness and participation in the moment.
Being present does not mean rejecting technology. It means integrating it consciously, understanding that you and your devices are part of the same ongoing process of the universe. You are not outside looking in; you are inside, actively shaping reality with every thought, action, and click.
Imagine approaching every interaction with technology as if it were a meditation. Every message you send, every article you read, every video you watch — it becomes a reflection of your awareness, a participation in the universe itself.
Conclusion: You Are Not Separate From the Universe
Alan Watts’ wisdom invites us to reframe our relationship with both life and technology. The universe is not something “out there” to be feared, controlled, or manipulated. Technology is not something “out there” to be blamed, avoided, or over-consumed. Both are extensions of yourself. Both are part of the same ongoing process.
When we see this clearly, our anxiety diminishes. Our distractions lose their power. Our energy becomes focused. Our presence deepens. Life becomes less about surviving in a digital storm and more about participating fully in the unfolding of the universe — here, now, through every mindful click, breath, and action.
So, the next time your phone buzzes or the world demands your attention, pause. Remember: you are not separate from this process; you are it. Live consciously, act intentionally, and allow technology to serve your presence — not the other way around.
Because when you understand this, you are no longer a passive consumer of life. You are the universe in motion, fully awake, fully aware, fully alive.
TheSpiritualExplorer 