Tech, To-do Lists, and Quietude in the Desert
Photo “Yucca in Desert” by Alfo Medeiros, Pexels
In the Community of the Incarnation, we hold two often-overlooked practices close to our hearts: the Nightly Examen and the Desert Day. While the Examen is a beautiful daily reflection you can listen to on SoundCloud (it’s such a grounding way to end the day), today, let’s focus on the less straightforward but profoundly transformative Desert Day.
Screens, Silence, and Some Honest Truths
Let’s face it: most of us spend more time with our screens than with our families, friends, or even ourselves. Technology, for all its benefits, has a sneaky way of filling every crack of our day with noise and distraction. During the pandemic, I stumbled upon Digital Minimalism by Cal Newport—a tech detox manifesto written by, ironically, a computer science professor. It inspired me to rethink my relationship with technology, but the real zinger came from a podcast where Newport claimed we humans need four hours a day without external input.
Four hours?! Just us and our thoughts (and, of course, God, if we notice). Be honest—when was the last time you spent even one hour without talking, scrolling, or listening to something? When I walk around my neighborhood, I see people watching videos while walking their dogs. Even the dogs seem over it. And don’t get me started on airplanes—once my sacred cocoon of movie-watching, now a cacophony of “loudcasters” playing videos on their phones without headphones. Is nowhere quiet anymore? Why are people (myself included) so uncomfortable being undistracted?
More is Less, Less is More
All this external noise feeds an insatiable craving for more. More info. More stuff. More scrolling. Yet, paradoxically, the more we consume, the emptier we feel. It’s what Buddhists call the plight of the “Hungry Ghost”—always wanting, never satisfied.
What’s the antidote? Less. A lot less. A chance to remember who we are beyond our constant need to consume. Enter: Desert Days.
What is a Desert Day?
A Desert Day is our Community’s version of a Sabbath—a sacred pause to strip away distractions and be with ourselves and with God. Once a month, we “go into the desert” alone, carrying nothing but a Bible, a journal, and a willingness to be present to whatever arises. We fast—not necessarily from food (though some do) but from the noise of daily life. Maybe that means no news for 24 hours, no social media, or even a simple bread-and-water fast. While complete aloneness isn’t accessible to everyone, partners and/ or children can be invited into silence where possible.
Desert Days aren’t about being productive or catching up on spiritual reading. They’re about doing nothing. And, yes, that might bring up discomfort—frustration, boredom, or the nagging voice whispering, “You’re wasting time!” But think about it: will you ever feel truly “caught up”? (Spoiler: You won’t. None of us will.)
What Happens During a Desert Day?
In our Community, we’ve started hosting Community Desert Days every third Sunday of the month. Here’s how it works:
We begin with a prayer on Signal (a low-tech app for a high-purpose community).
For 6.5 hours, we retreat into silence. No talking. No tech. Just you and God.
We close with a short Zoom call to share the fruits of our solitude.
Wherever we are—at home or a quiet outdoor spot—we create a space to be undisturbed. It’s a fast from productivity, noise, and the relentless need to do.
Letting Go of Productivity
Let’s be real: not being productive is hard. Our culture glorifies busyness, and stepping away from the to-do list feels, well, wrong. But taking a Desert Day is a gentle rebellion against the tyranny of productivity. It’s a chance to rest in the presence of God, to face our finite nature, and to remember that our worth isn’t measured by our accomplishments.
As someone addicted to doing and achieving (hello, overachievers, I see you), I know how tough this can be. But here’s the gift: in letting go, we make space for something deeper—true rest, renewal, and a clearer connection with God, and therefore our deepest selves.
Remember, this is just one day a month—a practice that holds the potential to transform you. Once it’s over, you can return to your usual productive rhythm, but the seeds of stillness and fasting will have been planted within you. Be kind to yourself as you navigate this practice; it’s not meant to be another item on your to-do list. At the same time, honor the boundaries of what a Desert Day truly is. Compassion doesn’t mean giving yourself permission to tackle your chores just because sitting in silence feels challenging—it means gently staying with the discomfort and trusting the process.
An Invitation
Whether or not you’re a member of our Community, I invite you to join us in spirit. Mark your calendar for the third Sunday of each month, 10 am to 5 pm ET, and take a few hours—or the whole day—to unplug. Bring a journal. Be still. Let the surface noise settle and allow God’s loving presence to meet you—messy, beautiful, broken, and beloved as you are.
Let’s dare to step into silence together. Who knows what treasures of peace, clarity, or grace you might find waiting in the vastness of the desert?
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Meli Schneider is the Organizational Development Manager and Novitiate Associate for the Center for Spiritual Imagination, contributing to the strategic vision and implementation of the development of the Community of the Incarnation. With a Master’s in Psychology from Columbia University’s Spirit Mind Body Institute, and a passion for Integral coaching and entrepreneurship, she looks to help people in spiritual communities take a “both, and” perspective. In 2023, Meli was a youth speaker at the United Nations World Interfaith Harmony Week. Having grown up in a multicultural, multireligious family and environment, Meli has a deep love and respect for the mystical heart of all faith traditions.