During my years as an engineer developing technologies and growing their presence in the marketplace, I wondered how well humanity’s needs were being met. While technological advances certainly provide some level of improvement in our lives, is there something that can more consistently make us feel safer and more fulfilled?
Christian Science approaches every aspect of life from the standpoint that by starting with God, divine Spirit, we find the surest benefits. In other words, if we want to feel truly fulfilled and safe, this comes through individual spiritual breakthroughs – through discovering more of what God does in consciousness and reaping the good effect this has on our bodies and lives. The more we learn about God, the more we view our lives in terms of the qualities of God, Soul, we express, like wisdom and love.
When asked about inventions, the founder of Christian Science, Mary Baker Eddy, said, “Oh, we cannot oppose them. They all tend to newer, finer, more etherealized ways of living. They seek the finer essences. They light the way to the Church of Christ. We use them, we make them our figures of speech. They are preparing the way for us” (“The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Miscellany,” p. 345).
Technology, used wisely, can free us from certain tasks and save us time so that we can spend it doing what’s more important. For instance, the other day I was not feeling well, emotionally or physically, but I was able to get some needed quiet time for prayer while the dishwasher finished the work in the kitchen and our air conditioner took the edge off the stifling heat. These technological aids freed me to seek the inspiration that moved me past the problem to healing. This resulted in a happy and productive evening.
Yet, it’s the immense qualities of Soul, God, coming forward more and more that will bring to light the contentment that is inherently ours as God’s spiritual creation, and will increasingly move us toward a society in which more of the harmony of God’s kingdom is realized on earth. As the infinite divine Mind of the universe, God enables and governs all consciousness, and so He supplies and maintains the elements of life, joy, and well-being by which we head toward better standards for life.
Of course, inventions are not always constructively used. Benefit or detriment from technology hinges on whether it ultimately facilitates drawing closer to God or tends to distract us from Him. Technology such as artificial intelligence (AI) is impressive, but its promise to enable progress is accompanied by concerns about possible problems. And even in the best scenarios it falls short of the possibilities that come when the focus is on God.
I saw an example of this recently. My parents decided they would write letters they could leave one another for when one of them passed away. My dad got some appropriate ideas to consider from AI, yet the letter it produced would not have spoken to my mom. That was something he had to find within himself. He needed to access and express those spiritual qualities within him that come from God, divine Mind and Soul.
AI may eventually produce many things we want but don’t yet have. But it leaves many unanswered questions. If we let it take the lead, will the results always be positive? Will its creators gain too much influence? If we want our world to have answers in accord with the real, lasting goodness of God, we, too, will need to access those spiritual qualities within each of us that only come from Mind and Soul.
The inventions that come as a result of the ambition and scheming of the human mind can be very detrimental. Energy that goes into controlling others’ experiences risks emptiness and worse. For that which forwards fulfillment and safety, we need to be governed by the meaningful and all-blessing intent which comes from allowing ideas from God, the divine Mind, to more fully fill our consciousness. This activates us toward more good for our lives.
There is something massive in consciousness, reachable by all of us. It’s divine Love, God, the divine Mind of the universe, the intelligence animating all life. Aware of this, we’ll get ideas for using AI and other technology in ways that support positive progress. Moreover, we’ll bring about more meaningful lives. To the degree we focus on divine Love, and on developing our expressions of love, over allowing anything or anyone else undue influence, we’ll see more and more evidence of God as the only power.
