Points: 7

This extra credit is not for everyone, but a recent post on ReadWriteWeb got me thinking because it explored the idea of turning tech off sometimes. See Open Thread: Should Tech Get a Turn-Off?

Despite my obsession with social media and my constant posting, I still take between 20-40 days off each year. Completely. No internet. No phone. No virtual networking. It is an interesting experience. Last year I wrote 24 Days on Retreat Begins Friday on misc.joy preparing and discussing ideas on this theme.

This extra credit assignment gives you the opportunity for a similar experience. Have you ever turned off completely? The idea may seem scary to some but it allows for perspective to the technology environment we usually live in day after day.

In order to receive the points, you will attend and participate in the Meditation and Education Retreat – Lazy Meditating? at Deer Park Monastery in Escondido, CA from dinner on Friday April 23 through lunch on Sunday, April 25. You will join about 100-150 other college students from the Southern California region to learn about mindfulness practice and being a college student in the 21st century. Though the sponsoring monastery is a Zen Buddhist monastery in the tradition of Thich Nhat Hanh, people of all faiths or no faith are welcome to attend and participate. Most activities have no religious connotations.

Questions. Discussion. Arrangements. Etc. will be made through the Meditation and Education Group.