In 2026, everywhere I go, peoples eyes glued to their phones. Phones have become a way to entering a world that is void of phsyciallity of the moment. However, I don’t believe the phones socially isolate in the way many scholars argue, because the phone allows for the world to be at your fingertips. Globalization of the self occurs through the use of phones. There is this inherit inter connectedness that occurs when you realize that you are apart of the 100k likes on a TikTok, or you are one of the hundreds of comments on your friends instagram post.
I do understand why phones may pose a complicated risk to us as humans. It is because of our possessive nature we often operate from. We assume these phones are this permanent tool that will help us with anything. We give it our personal information and watch videos that make us laugh or cry. These are things that a physical human friend would do for another human, no? But we feel this secrecy with our phones. It is ours, it is not yours. While the general understanding is factual through- buying the phone is the legal binding for you to own this phone, BUT the phone doesn’t own you.
In Buddhism, there is this concept called No-Self. Buddha teaches that nothing is permanent, including ourselves. One day, we will drop this body and our “I” will be no longer. This applies to all our possessions not just the “I” we create. Our phone will die, we will lose all that is dear to us. This sounds crazy pessimistic but it actually is extremely freeing. It enables us to remember that the present is truly a gift. One day, everything will cease in our personal realities. That doesn’t mean life wont continue once our bodies have dropped through, the production and advancement of phones will continue on for centuries after everyone reading this has dropped their bodies. But, this invites us to be mindful with our objects.
The phone is a key to another world. It’s where you can meet new friends, see things you would never see without it, however only if we give it the agency to do that.
I feel this branches outside of phones. We are addicted to this notion of “me” and “I” and it is so intertwined in our socialization patterns we know nothing different. I believe the development of the self is a key as well to be able to navigate the world around you. However, this doesn’t make it static and fixed. The self is ever evolving and becoming and dying and rebirthing. How lucky are we! We get to be whatever we want!
So I invite the readers to do this!
Notice your own attachments to the things you feel are “yours” and not keys. For example, a car. You can use it as a key, to make your life easier by getting you from Point A to Point B without extreme suffering! It helps you remember how to be grateful and present.
Notice the attachments you hold about how you “should” be. Let go of the static sense of self and allow yourself to remember your dynamicness and awesomeness. It is truly freeing
HAVE FUN. Remember that because everything is impermanent, every moment counts. Take that nap, drink that coffee, text that friend. Have fun.
BYE