Programming and Spirituality

it might at first seem that there was no connection between spirituality and computer programming, but I find that there are little links here and there, some of them just reflections or analogies.

A central idea is that of being both created and a creator. Reflection on how we feel about our own creative output may be a useful tool for meditation on how our Creator may feel about us. (I wrote an essay on this quite a few years ago.)

I recently had a feeling that I should be seeing my work as vocational, and so have made a list of aims to keep in mind as follows:

Aims

to improve programmers' lives by changing the way they interact with computers, including by providing better software tools (particularly for editing) [this one is specific to my work], and by encouraging/enabling (partly through the improved tools) healthier working practices and attitudes
to introduce and encourage spiritual health through whatever channels are available, including the above where possible
to practise what I preach; and to learn from reflecting on what I practise
to listen to others, including myself; to reflect and to discern all that they are saying. To be humble, but assertive
to love and care for my creations, and to correct them, never settling for the second best; to accept the love and care of my Creator, and to respond to correction, never settling for the second best
to focus on the appropriate, balancing the overview and the detail, in response to circumstances
to understand what I observe, and to apply that understanding
to accept my limitations; to work with them, and to change them
to allow room for inspiration
to accept the irksome tasks; to transform them, and so to transform myself
to teach others what I have learned; to show my knowledge; to encourage others to do likewise
to remember that there is spiritual poverty in those who seem to have it made (the traditional mission fields are not the only ones, not that I regard people as conversion fodder in the way that some seem to)
to take into account as many relevant factors as possible
to take sensible priorities

External links

John C. G. Sturdy

The files in this directory are listed in this index, and the starting point for this section of my web tree is here.

Last modified: Sun Jun 10 22:27:50 GMT Daylight Time 2007