In Theory:

A group of Jewish entrepreneurs observed a National Day of Unplugging, lasting from sundown Friday to sundown Saturday, the Jewish Sabbath. Reboot, a nonprofit organization aimed at reinventing the traditions and rituals of Judaism for today’s secular Jews, hosted the event. The event was based on 10 principles of the Sabbath Manifesto, an ongoing project designed to hopefully lessen the hold technology has on people. “Avoid Technology” is one of the principles. How important do you believe it is for people to unplug and reboot from time to time? How do you teach, in your respective place of worship, ways people can put down the cell phone or laptop without this utter “disconnectedness” that some may feel at no longer being attached to their electronic devices?

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Unity is a spiritual approach to life. Unity is known as practical Christianity — applying spiritual principles to daily life.

Within the principles of unity, we would emphasize the practice of daily prayer and meditation. A typical meditation includes relaxation, stretching and taking at least three deep, cleansing breaths; acknowledging the presence of God, our Higher Power, or Divine Mind; claiming our desired good, for example, healing; resting in the silence, the true state of receptivity to Spirit and gratitude, which is giving thanks for what we have received.

During any prayer or meditation, anything that would be a distraction from the spiritual practice, such as the television, cell phone, landline phone, computer, iPod, etc. should be shut off. Morning prayer and meditation set the tone for the day. Evening prayer and meditation help us release any issues that have happened during the day and give us an opportunity to express gratitude for the blessings of that day.

THE REV. JERI LINN

Unity Church of the Valley in Montrose

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This past week I was able to enjoy a couple of days of just “being” rather than “doing.”

I am a goal-oriented person, but there are times when this can be unhealthy for us emotionally and even physically. So when I read the article in CNN Living on unplugging, I felt it was a timely piece on not avoiding technology, but learning when to set it aside to embrace human connection. I find this a practical and necessary activity.