2025.04.02

Spiritual Awakening and Media Influence

vibration

In today's society, media such as television and social media have become an indispensable part of our lives. Its convenience in information gathering, communication, entertainment, etc. is immeasurable. However, on the other hand, as the words "TV is a brainwashing device" and "SNS is a demagogue" indicate, the negative aspects of the media also exist as a reality that cannot be ignored. In this article, we will delve deeply into the problems presented by these expressions, and consider how we should perceive spiritual "awakening" and how we should deal with the media.

Article Contents

The Power of Media and the Spiritual Awakening

The Power of Media and the Spiritual Awakening

I.. The Power of the Media: Mechanisms of Brainwashing and Incitement

The phrases "television is a brainwashing device" and "social media is a demagogue" are critical captures of the enormous influence of the media. These expressions suggest that the media may be able to control people's thoughts and behaviors to some extent, and the mechanisms are wide-ranging.

1. Aspects of television as a brainwashing device

Television has been at the center of many people's lives for many years. Its influence is enormous, and it is sometimes criticized as a "brainwashing device" from the following aspects.

One-sided information dissemination and biased reporting・Television tends to edit information and transmit it unilaterally depending on the intentions and convenience of broadcasters and program producers. This can lead to viewers being exposed to information that is biased towards certain perspectives and values, making it difficult to make objective decisions. In particular, it has been pointed out that there is a danger that viewers' emotions and opinions can be manipulated by the content of news reports and the way they are expressed.
Emotional Appeal and Entertainment – TV shows often use staging and expressions that appeal to the emotions of viewers. Regardless of the genre, whether it's drama, variety, or documentary, there is a tendency to try to capture viewers' attention and improve viewership by creating emotional ups and downs. However, this can cloud the viewer's rational judgment and make them more susceptible to emotional reactions.
Passive viewing and thought-stopping: Television is a medium that makes it easy for viewers to become passive because it provides information in a visual and easy-to-understand manner. If you don't have the habit of critically examining information, you run the risk of swallowing the information you hear from the TV and falling into a state of suspended thinking.
Repetitive imprinting: Television may imprint on the viewer's subconscious by repeatedly broadcasting the same information. Advertisements and commercials are prime examples, where repeated encounters of a particular brand or product can unintentionally motivate you to buy.
Blind obedience to authority: Television is easily perceived as having social influence and authority, so viewers tend to unconditionally believe what is reported on television or what celebrities say.

2. Aspects of SNS as an agitator

SNS has developed rapidly with the spread of the Internet. Due to its ease of use and high diffusion power, it has come to be used by many people, but on the other hand, it is sometimes criticized as an "incitement device" due to the following aspects.

The power of information to spread and the spread of hoaxes SNS can spread information instantly and widely, so it is easy to spread hoaxes and misinformation. In particular, emotional or shocking content has a very high diffusion power and may be spread without being confirmed to be true or false.
Amplification of emotional reactions, flaming, and social media are highly anonymous and are a space where emotional remarks and offensive words are likely to fly around. This can amplify emotional reactions and cause problems such as flaming.
Peer pressure and polarization of opinions・SNS can easily exert peer pressure on certain opinions and behaviors, creating a situation where it is difficult to express different opinions. In addition, because information is displayed according to the user's interests, opinions can easily become polarized, which can lead to conflicts between people with different opinions.
Algorithmic bias and SNS algorithms screen and display information based on the user's past behavior history and interests. This can lead to users being exposed to only information that is close to their opinion, narrowing their perspective and making it easier for them to be exposed to biased information.
Leakage of personal information and invasion of privacy SNS requires you to register personal information, and there is a risk that that information will be leaked or your privacy will be violated. In addition, what you say and do on social media will remain as a digital tattoo and may affect your future.

II. Spiritual Perspectives: Awakening and Dealing with Media

Awakening in a spiritual perspective means not only receiving information, but also developing the ability to listen to one's inner voice and discern the truth. Knowing the negative aspects of media, how should we face it and achieve true awakening?

1. Listen to your inner voice

Information in the media comes from the outside and is not necessarily true. It is important not to be swayed by the information in the media, but to value your own feelings, intuition, and values. Cultivate the habit of listening to your inner voice through meditation, journaling, and more. In silence, facing oneself can help you discover your true self and gain the strength not to be distracted by the media.

2. Cultivate critical thinking

It is important not to take the information sent out by the media with a grain of salt, but to examine the information from multiple perspectives and cultivate the ability to think critically. Develop the habit of analyzing information from various angles, such as where the information comes from, whether the information is biased, and whether it has emotional expressions, and making objective judgments. You can also get a more multifaceted perspective by referencing multiple sources rather than just one source.

3. Increase information literacy

It is important to develop the habit of checking the source and authenticity of information and improve your ability to detect hoaxes and misinformation. In particular, it is necessary to be careful because there is a lot of information spread on SNS whose authenticity is unknown. Don't neglect your efforts to improve your information literacy, such as corroborating information and listening to the opinions of experts.

4. Establish your own axis

It is important not to be swayed by the information in the media or the opinions of others, but to act on your own values and beliefs. By clarifying what you value and what you are aiming for, and establishing your own axis, you will be able to take the initiative in your life without being misled by the media.

5. Keep your distance from the media

It is important to limit the use of media to a moderate extent and avoid excessive use. Being constantly exposed to information from the media can be a mental burden and prevent you from listening to your inner voice. Consciously taking time away from media, spending time in nature and immersing yourself in your hobbies can help you refresh your mind and body.

6. Expanding Consciousness and Understanding Wholeness

Through spiritual exploration, it is important to expand one's own consciousness and see the world from a larger perspective. Each of us is part of the universe and is interconnected. By understanding this wholeness, we can transcend the divisions and conflicts created by the media and create a world based on love and harmony.

III.. Building a Healthy Relationship with the Media

Media is an indispensable and useful tool in our lives, but we must not forget that it also has the power to control our thoughts and actions. In order to build a healthy relationship with the media, it is important to be aware of the following points:

Understand the purpose of the media: The media operates for a variety of purposes, not only to provide information, but also to increase advertising revenue and viewership. By understanding the purpose of the media, you can see the intent behind the information.

Beware of information overload・Information overload can cause mental fatigue and stress. Choose only the information you need and try not to touch unnecessary information.
Use different media・Each media has its own characteristics. It is important to use the right media for your purposes.
Media is a tool to make our lives convenient, not something we should depend on. Don't rely on the media, stand on your own two feet, think with your own head, and value what you feel with your heart.

Summary

The phrases "television is a brainwashing device" and "social media is a demagogue" express the enormous influence of the media and the need for a critical perspective on it. However, by using the media appropriately, improving information literacy, and being aware of the "awakening" from a spiritual perspective, we can control the influence of the media and live more independently.

In today's world, it is increasingly important to maintain an appropriate distance from the media, listen to one's inner voice, and cultivate the ability to discern the truth. Rather than being at the mercy of the media, we can master it and create a richer and more fulfilling life.

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