The subject of Spiritual Gaming is as simple as it is complex

Discussion of the how, what, where, why, and when of Spiritual Gaming is easy -- when it is framed in a practical, problem-solving context.

It is only when pressed to define "gaming" and "spiritual" in the abstract that the wicket get sicky. Every direction one begins leads to painting the discussion in a corner. Thus, unless there are cogent reasons that dictate otherwise I say "gaming" and "spiritual" to be taken in the widest possible terms.

For example, here is a short list of games which I've experienced first hand as spiritual tools: "Bardo Safari, Black Jack, Black Box, Chess, Craps, Capture the Flag, Dungeon & Dragons, Diablo LOD, Bridge, Poker, Fish, Dungeon Party, Ghost, Go, ManKala, Monotony, Zelda I, Zelda III, Non-competitive sports, Perquacky, Quake, Super Game, Team Fortress, Monopoly, Rise of the Triad, Wolfenstein, and UnReal." Are there more examples that work for "Spiritual Gaming?" You betcha. The list is large – very large.

Are there games that are not on this list? Yes. tens of thousands of games have been found to be unsuitable. We won't mention them at the moment since nothing would be served by pointing a finger at a few games. It would be unfair if taken out of context.

What about this "spiritual" stuff? What kinds of activities and goals would fall into the domain of spiritual? Not gonna say. If you have zero notion of what spiritual means now would be a good time for you to do a little home work.

What do we mean by "spiritual?"  What limited perspective of the definition of spiritual do we adhere to? Not gonna say. I have zero interest in converting you to anything. Have zero interest in a spiritual pissing contest about whose is more valid or big or can beat the other's dad up.

So why using gaming to explore the spiritual thing that you won't define?

Because it works.

Why use gaming?

An understanding of what works about a game can be very useful when trying to extend a games breadth and reach. But to do this requires a specific game and a specific discussion.

Without such focus the discussion is complex beyond belief. With the focus of practical questions about a particular game the discussion becomes much simpler to explore.

This is yet another example of how practical application can provide a forum of exploration.

From Yoyodyne's Gaming Diary #3

A third installment from Yoyodyne's Gaming Diary. If you appreciate these, let me know. I will bug her for more contributions.

Invisible Work And Other Things We Can't See

There is a great mirror effect that works in the Bardo Safari environment when working with the group. I think without the group the mirror itself is invisible. The mirror is part of the reflection.

Isn't it? Or is it? What I noticed is that tendencies that are invisible to me in this realm are visible and undeniable in the Bardo Safari realm.

There is no time to forget what happened because you have a present and very visible view the 3 Vs) of the whole situation. It is true that seasoned voyagers will have a better knowledge of what they are looking at on the screen than a noob and noobs will be more or less knowledgeable of what they are seeing depending on the degree of attention but no matter how much you see or don't see, exposure to the space gradually sharpens, strengthens and focuses the attention and, other things as well. It seems to happen as if by magic but we know it took many, many BTUs of heat to get that little kernel to pop. When the motivation to change is for the benefit of the group and not for oneself it becomes a whole new bowl of cherries.

Yoyodyne

From Yoyodyne's Gaming Diary #2

This is a second installment from Yoyodyne's Gaming Diary.

Aloha,

...sometimes the solution to a problem is simply a sacrifice.

We saw this lesson in the Bardo Safari game yesterday.

We were having a hard time getting to the Throne Room in Hell. Our telesoc was really having to work.

Just want to say that the transformation fwas tangable.

I am sure there are many verbally past down analogous stories that would describe this event and, in EJ's case, it would be a number of different jokes. Like the time...just kidding.

But, yeah, so any, our telesorc seemingly (on my pixel screen, anyway) transformed out of the catapillar mode, spread those teleporting wings and flew to the destination and although I could not see the movement from my post at the time I hold an image of a very quick but gentle vertical ebb and flow of rainbow colored light, well, with lots of bright white mixed in. When a gateway of such magnitude is opened for the group to witness,who cares where your experience bar registers. I am very grateful to have partaken in such an experiment and experience.

gg's all,
Yoyodyne

From Yoyodyne's Gaming Diary #1

Below is an extract from a friend's Gaming Diary. We thought her comments my be of interest to our readers. Hence, they have been included for your reading pleasure.

Although, compared to some, I have not worked in Bardo Safaris much at all, however, each time I do, I notice how much the Bardo Safari situations are a mirror to life in this realm where I now sit.. I wanted to share this, most recent observation with you, today. Today, as I was entering a game with a plan to hunt for runes in the Tower (Countess Quest), where runes are guaranteed, it came to my attention that in the Bardo Safaris one is able to observe how "different characters" handle the same situations-differently depending on what kind of "character" type they are. One can choose a number (7) different characters to operate and learn to "voluntarily" operate each one.

In "the game" the NPCs (non player characters, like Akara, Charsi, Flavie ... are programed to do what they do, without variation. They respond in a constant to the "character's'" prompting.achievements...They always say the same things...They will sell pots, weapons, armor, anything the character wants can be had, as long as the character has the gold. The characters (sorc, druid, necro...) are not programed in exactly the way but they do have to abide the rules/laws of that particular environment that were developed by the "game designers" and their actions and behaviors are completely tied to the directions given by "the player/operator" ( you, me, Joe Smith...). If the player/operator directs a level one character into a situation it has not been properly prepared for, it will die, likewise, if the character has been sufficiently prepared it will succeed perhaps in accomplishing one or another of the quests/obstacles on the path toward the shared goals. The player/operator cannot change the laws of the game universe for the character but can assist the character by playing him/her/it. They, the character and player/operator have a relationship in which they "learn" the game together, do the Bardo Run together. The more the operator plays the character and understands the game, the better the character will perform in the game. This is one area where practice, practice, practice makes a big difference, like playing an instrument.The more the player/character "operates the character, the more likely she/he/it will learn how "to play" "the game".

The character is programed to do certain number actions only. With the vigilance of the operator it can come to perform these actions incredibly well. The operator will learn what skills the character has at his/her/it's disposal and exploit them in the most advantageous ways. The operator will outfit the character to protect it, make it fast, make it strong or whatever is needed to achieve the aim at hand. The character and the player/operator learn the game together as they play. This brings to mind the ventriloquist act. A good act will convince the audience that there are two entites operating.even though there is the only one.

The character serves the operator in that it is through the character that it is possible for the operator to participate in this particular environment for whatever reason the operator has in mind. It appears to quite a pleasant symbiotic situation since it is my supposition that the character does not have a life without the possession of the operator but I have no proof. I can see it like the "spirit/essence" giving life to a material form/machine. The operator/essence can work on "this" particular plane by taking possession of a character/machine/material form. The player will try to keep the character alive during the given situation in the order to further the mission.

It turned out to be much longer than anticipated but if you care to add to, comment on, with any thoughts or inspirations you have had along these or other lines related to the Bardo Safaris I would be interested to know them.
Yoyodyne

Effects of Video Games on the Dead #3

This blog is from my (that's right my) original posting on DeadElvis.com over a decade ago. It was tempting to re-edit the content to fix typos, spelling, etc. But alas, I was concerned that the etc. would include updating the content to incorporate my new perspectives. I thought it best to leave these as they are.

Wednesday, Jun 17, 1998:

Now for the second event of the two events mentioned in the previous letter. As the second installment on this topic we alluded to two events which occurred in flat 2-dimensional graphic chat environments. One event, previous detailed, was the palpable experience of being-to-being contact through the vehicle of the pixel graphics interface. The second event, which we'll address in this third installment, relates to group work.

The importance of "group" work has been brought forth by many individuals from many different disciplines. Psychology, recovery, think tanks, and esoteric studies; the value of work as a group is acknowledged in each of these arenas.

Anyone that has worked with others in a group situation knows the value of such work. Unfortunately some of us haven't the good fortune to be geographically situated in proximity with others sharing our particular interest. Especially true for folks, like us dead guys and gals, with an interest in Labyrinth voyaging.

As an experiment, a group of voyagers were assembled online for a series of weekend excursions into the realm of group voyaging.

There is a binary effect that happens to a group when they have put in enough time as a group -- paid their respective dues. This binary effect is a dramatic before and after. Before the group "clicks" it is an assembled collect of relatively polite individuals able to cope with each other in a more or less hiding behind a mask of civility. After the group has "clicked" people are who they are only more so. Each member is brought into sharp comic-book relief exposed to any in the group willing to just look. This is when the group dynamic takes hold and now the work begins.

This is what happened to our weekend labyrinth warriors group. Some of the folks in this group have known each other for decades. During that time they were able to hide from themselves behind a mask of social convention -- I won't call you on your shit if you don't call me on my shit. Well, in this online adventure folks were put into a situation in which they were not willing to just sit around allowing this standard routine to continue.

The first stage was marked by each members trip being brought into high relieve. If someone was passive it became very apparent to others in the group they were passive. If someone was a bossy s.o.b. it became very apparent to others in the group they were a bossy s.o.b. If someone was total incapable of making a decision it became very apparent to others in the group they were incapable of making a decision. Etc.

The second stage was marked by each member starting to glimpse themselves in the mirror of the group. If someone was being viewed by the group as passive they started to see hints of themselves as passive reflected in the eyes of the group. If someone was being viewed by the group as a bossy s.o.b. they started to see hints of themselves as a bossy s.o.b reflected in the eyes of the group. Etc.

The third stage was marked by trumpets and the singing of angels as miracle of miracles occurred -- the group started to experiment with ways of coping. Individuals looked at themselves in terms of possibly modifying their behavior. Group members looked at themselves in terms of possibly finding ways to compensate for the behavior of others. The machine was engaged they were in the process of working as a group rather than an accidentally assembled collection of individuals. "The game was a foot" as my favorite detective is apt to say.

Many of the folks coming through this experiment in online group dynamics were changed fundamentally by the events. Some folks gave us a great belly laugh by confessing to observation of a habit in themselves that others have been trying to tell them about for years.

Those of us in the experiment were completely satisfied that real group work can be accomplished in an online setting. The results were as profound as any we have seen in decades.

Before leaving you in a haze of optimistic wonder let me assure you that we did introduced some very specific elements into the group. The group was lead by a 40 year veteran of group work and assisted by a 15 year veteran. So before rushing out to join an online group keep in mind that somewhere between 99% and 100% of online groups are dedicated to sex, pickups, titillation, sex, meeting people, and.... did I mention sex?.

It is possible to experience group work online. But don't expect it to happen automatically in the normal course of endeavor. Leastwise not until water runs uphill and dentist stop bitching about flossing.

Effects of Video Games on the Dead #2

This blog is from my (that's right my) original posting on DeadElvis.com over a decade ago. It was tempting to re-edit the content to fix typos, spelling, etc. But alas, I was concerned that the etc. would include updating the content to incorporate my new perspectives. I thought it best to leave these as they are.

Monday, June 15, 1998:

Let's take a short break from traditional video gaming and look at two other venues of online interaction -- both of which can be viewed as another form of gaming. Both of these events occurred in a two-dimensional graphic chat space.

In one case we were "just sitting around" engaged in discussion about a topic. The topic being discussed was related to the question of being and essence. Contrary to 98% of all online discussion, we were not involved in the topic of sex. The last time (I don't mean the most recent, I really mean the 'last' time) I went into a public forum was a physics discussion group. I was looking for a heated discussion about the new views of aether. Much to my surprise this "physics" discussion group was being used as just another pickup bar.

Since then I have been involved in the production, distribution and support of private discussion groups. And, believe me it has been very rewarding to have the space to discourse on a subject such as "zen mind" without seeing the question "are you a boy or girl" flash (pun intended) on the screen.

During one of these discussions -- specifically one related to "being and essence" it struck all of us, in the same moment as it turned out, there was a being just on the other side of the flat screen pixel graphic avatar. When I put my attention on the sprite that represented "TM" I could feel "TM". When I put my attention on the sprite that represented "SF2" I could feel "SF2".

I suppose if one pauses to consider that these hamburger meat and bone fleshy-sprites we think of as ourselves are no more us then a pixel graphic, then it should not come as a surprise. We expect as normal the experience of being-to-being contact when two fleshy-lumps are put into proximity. The fleshy-lumps are not the being. The fleshy-lumps are sprites, avatars, or waldos that we use while playing the big video game called Urth -- except for those Sumerians, Earth is the common misspelling.

It is the process of identification that fools us into believing ourselves to be the lumps. This is good. Without some identification it would not be possible to use the waldo effect for Work. However, too much of a good thing is not a good thing. When the being falls so far into identification that the lump is taken as one's self (you actually believe yourself to be a body) then that is definitely too much -- tres` gauche.

Back to the online discussion and this sudden group realization.

Well, that's what it was. Doesn't seem like much sitting here now, typing these notes at my keyboard. At the time, it was much. We confirmed for ourselves experimentally in the context of a real-life situation that the theory of being was not theory -- that the theory of avatars was not theory -- that the theory of direct being-to-being contact through vehicles other than physical proximity was not theory. All of this was practical, experiential data for each and all of us in that moment.

Granted it is not true that during every succeeding moment has the realization been as strong -- it ebbs and flows. Like first love, a first realization of something is that little bit extra special. Perhaps because of the sharp contrast between the before and after. In any case the potentiality looms ever present. Now whenever I enter into a chat space, whether it be an online chat space or a physical meat and bones chat space, the potential for true being-to-being contact is there and known to be there. Perhaps in some respects I more aware of the potential during an online chat. maybe there is something about the ritual of logging on and entering with will and intention that has been lost in normal interactions. Perhaps there is something to be drawn from one to the other.

Something that is not a perhaps, something that is a certainty for a small group of online participants is the fact of being-to-being contact through online graphic interface.

If you are interesting in setting up a private chat environment, or participating in on-going chat environments, let me know. I'll put you in touch with someone that can help.

Effects of Video Games on the Dead #1

This blog is from my (that's right my) original posting on DeadElvis.com over a decade ago. It was tempting to re-edit the content to fix typos, spelling, etc. But alas, I was concerned that the etc. would include updating the content to incorporate my new perspectives. I thought it best to leave these as they are.

Friday, June 5, 1998:

It should come as no surprise to folks that E.J. Gold is using video games as tools in spiritual teaching.

The first time I noticed in a way that was clear and unmistakable the power of video games to effect behavior was with the game Zelda.

One of the very first characters that one must learn to contend with in Zelda are rock throwers -- little guys that shoot rocks from their snouts hitting and killing you, the player. One method to deal with these guys is to hit back. You will die. They have more powerful rocks and shoot from a distance. Hence the better method of dealing with these guys is to keep a bush between them and your little cyberspace body. Circle around the bush in a direction opposite from the rock shooting villains. In this way the bush absorbs the hit from the rock and you are free to progress in the game without being killed and reborn back at the start.

This is all well and good. Nice story. But it is just a story. And even if I somehow "groked" the moral of the story and chuckled with the cosmic allegory it is still a story. However that is not what happened. I thought I was just playing a video game. I figured since my spiritual guide suggested it that there must be some spiritual benefit. So I played on faith that some good would come from the game. But in the heat of battle and in the moment of passion playing the darn game, I was just playing a video game.

Then much to my surprise when I set aside the controller to venture into the world for a cappuccino I found my body automatically circling around a car as if it were a bush to keep myself and someone that I took to be a threat on opposite sides of the parked vehicle.

Somehow in the short time of playing the game a small habit was imprinted in my body of habits. Or perhaps a habit that was already there long ago imprinted was activated into my conscious awareness. Whatever the means and process the fact is the video game had struck deep.

This was the moment of my first realizing the power of video games and the direct effect they can have on higher bodies and deep patterns.