I've talked on GamerThink about the potential of using video game play as a spiritual practice. I wanted to provide a simple guide to those of you interested in actually trying this out.
First I think I should clarify what I mean by 'spiritual practice'. I want to relieve you of any fear that that this exercise has anything to do with religion or god. It does not, at least not inherently. When I say spiritual practice, what I have in mind is a any activity that, through repetition, brings an individual greater objectivity, equanimity, and love. Countless such practices have been formalized by spiritual teachers for thousands of years. Shinzen Young is a meditation teacher whose recordings I highly recommend. He makes this important distinction about spiritual/meditative practice:
"Formal sitting is to meditation as playing scales is to music. Even great musicians still play scales, but scales are not the purpose of music. In the same way, even experienced meditators still do formal sitting practice, but formal sitting practice is not the goal of meditation. The concert is the goal of music practice; living one's life fully is the goal of the meditation practice."
I believe this should be true of any spiritual practice - the goal is simple to live as fully as possible. Simple enough.
Background
I'm basing this experimental practice on my relatively superficial knowledge of meditation techniques (yogic and zen) as well as some first hand experience with dream yoga (lucid dreaming practice) as it's approached in Bon Buddhism. This is the beta version for lack of better terminology.
This practice is intended for gamers - if you're new to video games, it'd be especially challenging because much of your mental energy will be dedicated to processing and controlling the game. You should be past the point of checking which is the 'X' button, and ideally choose a game you have some familiarity with.
The primary goal of the practice is to maintain a heightened awareness of two things, the idea that the game is an illusion, and of yourself the feelings you are experiencing while playing.
Let's discuss each in a little more detail.
Awareness of Game as Illusion
The first awareness is a purely mental recognition of the game as purely an illusion. Imagine being in a dream, and then recognizing, for whatever reason that you are dreaming. It's an 'Ah ha' moment, a mental understanding. You can reinforce this idea through an internal dialog, something like "This is a game, it is an illusion". It will be challenging to hold only this thought in your mind while playing. Don't punish yourself if you realize you've become distracted. Rather, take a moment, breath deeply, and refocus your mind on that recognition. In fact, each time you lose touch with the awareness it is an opportunity to experience how easily we lose ourselves in the virtual world.
Awareness of Your Thoughts and Feelings
The second awareness is a a sense of what feelings (physical and emotional) and thoughts are arising in your body. You should play in a comfortable position, but try to let the awareness of your physical body promote an energized rather than sleepy feeling in the body. If you're too tired to hold yourself up, try the practice when you have more energy. As you play take notice if your body tenses or reacts to events in the game. Notice if you experience any internal dialog or thoughts. Notice what emotions arise. This part of the practice is simply an exercise in observation, you should not try to control or limit how you react to the game physically, mentally, or emotionally. Rather just observe and continue playing.
The Practice
- Find a comfortable place to play, ideally somewhere without any other distractions. Turn off background music, lower the lights. Attempt to make the game as immersive as possible. Plan on playing for at least 30 minutes.
- Choose a game that you know well, that you can play 'on auto pilot'. I've been using MF2 multiplayer in my own practice and it seems like a good choice. Likely though, any game could work.
- Before you start playing, try to gain some somatic (bodily) awareness. Take a few deep breaths through your nose, feeling your torso expand and contract. Roll your shoulders and neck. Shake out your arms and hands. Take a few moments to simply observe how your body feels.
- Now set an intention to remain fully present and aware while playing. Say it to yourself: "I will remain present and aware of myself and of the illusion of the game"
- If you are new to the practice it can be helpful to use a timer to remind yourself to refocus. You can vary the delay but I recommend 5 minutes. If you are using a timer, set it.
- Begin playing, first maintaining only an awareness of your body, thoughts, and emotions.
- As your mind begins to shift from the thoughts and stress of the day into the game world, keep a gentle awareness on the recognition of the game as a game.
- When the timer goes off check yourself, did you get lost in the game? If so, observe that, and re-establish both the awareness of your self and of the game.
- You can continue to reset the timer for 5-10 minutes if you find it helpful. Otherwise simply self monitor. Take note of how challenging it is to hold the first awareness in your mind.
- It's helpful to set a stop time - 30 minutes is good to start. If I don't use a timer, I have a tendancy to play to a point where I am mentally fatigued and the practice is no longer effective. It's much better to end the practice while you are still sharp and then go back to playing like normal if you still want more later.
- When the stop timer goes off, quickly shut down, or pause the game. If you can lie down on the floor, or in a comfortable seated position with your eyes closed. One last time observe how your body feels, what your mind is focused on. Lie still and let your mind relax. There is nothing to focus on now, no effort.
- Stay in that relaxed place for 5 or 10 minutes, letting the effects of your practice settle.
- When you feel ready slowly wake your body up and return to the 'real' world.
- Try the practice everyday for a week, and take note if you experience any change in your day to day experience.
Goals
The practice is certainly an end in itself. And because I am still initially experimenting with it, it's hard to say what the long term effects will be. My hope would be a general increase in awareness of one's feelings and thoughts, and potentially a greater sense of objectivity - the ability to look at all things as separate and virtual in a way. Philosophically, I personally resonate with the idea of looking at real world as a game that is designed by me to challenge and reward myself. A game that I am choosing to take part in, similarly to playing a video game.
And please keep me posted if you're trying this out!
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