06-15-2011, 12:39 PM
lol,
I thoroughly enjoy reading this thread. I've spend the majority of my free time (i'm 28 atm) throughout my life playing games. I still play a lot (especially EVE Online) and unfortunately it has depraved me of much opportunity of spiritual growth. Its an addiction that takes attention away from relationships (3d / 3rd chakra stuff rite?) and definitely does more harm than good.
In addition to that, I can't deny the benefits and opportunities it has created for me as individual and for others i do interact with in multiplayer games. Please bear in mind I'm currently an avid believer in reincarnation, ETs, the Law of One, etc. which was traditionally in direct conflict with my beliefs as a christian. Here's some of my positive experiences which are more the exception than the rule;
1. Building a spiritually centered relationship with a seeker when playing Starcraft 1 around 1999, we got to a point where I invited the person to ask Jesus for the baptism of the Holy Spirit. I shared that they might experience some weird things like praying in tongues, possibly, but that its a normal occurence if so. I proceeded to type as the person followed the simple prayer and suddenly he didn't respond for about 10 minutes. I thought the guy lost internet connection, but he came back and told me he literally fell off his chair due to the intensity of the experience and was on the floor and praying in tongues. Just moments before he barely believed in any of it being real. He experienced an intense positive spiritual event in his life and that wouldn't have happened (at least at that time) if we didn't build a relationship through online gaming. This example was one of many, but they are the exception to the rule.
2. In general I've been a really arrogant person most of my life. This was especially bad in my online gaming as I would critisize people for any and every small thing in my competitive notions, especially in teamgames where I felt teammates were messing up. These interactions and the feedback I got from them mostly fueled themselves in a viscious circle, but occasionally I would be confronted by someone with patience or wisdom that pointed out things in a perspective that allowed me to consider what was going on from another point of view. This played a catalytic part in my seeking spiritual improvement as I saw the bad effects I was having on others around me mostly.
3. I've had some really insightful conversations with people I've met in online gaming. Things that inspire, things that educate. Countless things. Mutually too, most of the time.
So in general, the relationship-building opportunities that online gaming offers, have huge potential for connecting seekers with each other, but the actual activity of gaming itself, in my opinion, is not an optimal way to relax.
Yes I still play games, certain ones, and according to some it makes me a hypocrite. Perhaps I am one. I can just share my experience and let you be the judge of what of it is useful to you
Love n light
I thoroughly enjoy reading this thread. I've spend the majority of my free time (i'm 28 atm) throughout my life playing games. I still play a lot (especially EVE Online) and unfortunately it has depraved me of much opportunity of spiritual growth. Its an addiction that takes attention away from relationships (3d / 3rd chakra stuff rite?) and definitely does more harm than good.
In addition to that, I can't deny the benefits and opportunities it has created for me as individual and for others i do interact with in multiplayer games. Please bear in mind I'm currently an avid believer in reincarnation, ETs, the Law of One, etc. which was traditionally in direct conflict with my beliefs as a christian. Here's some of my positive experiences which are more the exception than the rule;
1. Building a spiritually centered relationship with a seeker when playing Starcraft 1 around 1999, we got to a point where I invited the person to ask Jesus for the baptism of the Holy Spirit. I shared that they might experience some weird things like praying in tongues, possibly, but that its a normal occurence if so. I proceeded to type as the person followed the simple prayer and suddenly he didn't respond for about 10 minutes. I thought the guy lost internet connection, but he came back and told me he literally fell off his chair due to the intensity of the experience and was on the floor and praying in tongues. Just moments before he barely believed in any of it being real. He experienced an intense positive spiritual event in his life and that wouldn't have happened (at least at that time) if we didn't build a relationship through online gaming. This example was one of many, but they are the exception to the rule.
2. In general I've been a really arrogant person most of my life. This was especially bad in my online gaming as I would critisize people for any and every small thing in my competitive notions, especially in teamgames where I felt teammates were messing up. These interactions and the feedback I got from them mostly fueled themselves in a viscious circle, but occasionally I would be confronted by someone with patience or wisdom that pointed out things in a perspective that allowed me to consider what was going on from another point of view. This played a catalytic part in my seeking spiritual improvement as I saw the bad effects I was having on others around me mostly.
3. I've had some really insightful conversations with people I've met in online gaming. Things that inspire, things that educate. Countless things. Mutually too, most of the time.
So in general, the relationship-building opportunities that online gaming offers, have huge potential for connecting seekers with each other, but the actual activity of gaming itself, in my opinion, is not an optimal way to relax.
Yes I still play games, certain ones, and according to some it makes me a hypocrite. Perhaps I am one. I can just share my experience and let you be the judge of what of it is useful to you
Love n light
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