Are we living a mechanical life?

In today’s technology-driven world, machines have become an inescapable part of our lives. From the moment we open our eyes in the morning till we sleep at night we are surrounded by machines. While science and technology have undeniably improved our lives, our dependency on them has led to a state where we have started living like machines ourselves. The wake-up call, the commute to work, the hurried meals, the return home, and the cycle of sleep are all seemingly choreographed like a machine. Our lives have become so mechanical that the occasional vacation has become so important to feel alive. Pause for a moment and ponder: What makes us different from the machines we have created?

The fundamental distinction between humans and machines lies in our capacity for choice. Machines, by their very nature, lack this freedom. They function solely on programmed instructions. Now, take a moment to reflect on your own life. Are you not, in essence, following a predetermined societal script? Do you feel you have choices, or do you often feel as if someone else holds the remote control, triggering your buttons of anger, insult, or hurt at will, causing you to react mechanically? People or situations in our lives trigger our buttons of positive or negative emotions, compelling us to feel what they desire us to feel. We act in an automatic mode as if we lack authority over ourselves.

REACT TO STIMULI

We forgot that unlike machines, which merely react to stimuli, humans possess the extraordinary capacity to initiate actions. However, we have become so mechanised that we predominantly react to the actions of others. We find ourselves responding like machines as if we are no longer the masters of our own destinies.

The time has come to bring a shift in our perspective. It’s time to break free from this mechanical existence and reclaim our autonomy. We must acknowledge that we do indeed possess choices of what to respond with or how to respond, etc. We are not powerless in the face of external influences. Rather than allowing life’s stimuli to dictate our responses, we can choose to act thoughtfully and authentically. We can harness the power of self-awareness to regain control over our emotional responses.

Let us embrace the qualities that set us apart from machines – our ability to choose our response, to act, and to shape our own destinies. By transcending the confines of mechanical existence, we can lead more fulfilling lives, driven by conscious decisions. It’s time to reclaim our humanity, for in our choices lies the essence of our being, and in our authenticity, we find true liberation.

Courtesy: Rajyoga Meditation Center, Kingston (meditation courses and counselling are offered free of charge). Email: kingston@jm.brahmakumaris.org. Or follow them on Instagram: rajyoga_meditation_jamaica.