Read
- The chapter on Disconnection
- Extension: The Reading (part 1 / part 2), Commonplace and Music for Disconnection
Do
- CONTINUE YOUR WALKING PRACTICE
- CONTINUE YOUR READING PRACTICE
- Commit to a regular Disconnection practice. Put it in your calendar. I recommend one Disconnected Day per week, plus a smaller daily habit/commitment
- Re-read the Disconnection booklet throughout the week
- Extension: learn about Mindfulness, especially techniques which focus on the senses. Cautiously, employ them at times when you are practising Disconnection.
- Extension: I recommend Cal Newport's technique of taking 30 days away from the internet entirely, and then returning to what you value one at a time.
Reflect
- This chapter considers the internet. What are the online things you like and which add value to your life? What about it would you like less of?
- What emotions and worries come up for you around being offline? What physical and emotional states tend to prompt time online you view as harmful, and how could you redirect yourself?
- The Practices teach our values. What lessons and values have you discovered in Disconnection?
- The booklet discusses ways that the three Practices interact. Can you think of any others?
Test
Attempt by memory, then look up if you found remembering it difficult. If you like writing, answer in your own words in your Mirror Book or blog. You have passed the test when you can answer these questions by memory (unless memory is a particular challenge for you, in which case set a test you can meet)
- What is Disconnection?
- Make a list of keywords associated with the Stellar
- List 10 ways of “Disconnecting” which don’t include the web
- What are the purpose(s) of Disconnection?
Pass Out
As an absolute minimum, you must have successfully spent one entire day offline.
If you are not yet Disconnected to your satisfaction, but you are ready to take in new information; or if you prefer to take the course at a slower pace and spend a longer time on each part, you can move sideways to the Stellar chapters.