Science & Technology: General Approach
Resonance
Introduction
Scientific knowledge about nature, ecology, and the universe can inform spiritual perspectives and inspire awe/reverence for the natural world among practitioners of nature-based spiritualities like Resonance.
The overall emphasis is on re-enchanting nature and finding ways to live more closely connected to the natural world.
Integration of scientific knowledge into Resonance provides a way for practitioners to deepen their spiritual connection to nature by enhancing their understanding of its workings, while also informing ethical and practical aspects of their spirituality. This approach seeks to find harmony between scientific and spiritual ways of relating to the natural world.
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Re-enchantment
Expanding understanding of nature's complexity:
As scientific knowledge reveals more about the intricate workings of ecosystems, the diversity of life, and the vastness of the cosmos, it can deepen practitioners' sense of wonder and reverence for the natural world. This is evident in the way Resonance practitioners integrate scientific understandings into their worldviews and use scientific data about environmental problems to inform practice.
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​Science and spirituality are seen as compatible ways of understanding nature. Inspiration is taken from scientific discoveries.
Scientific exploration of the universe can produce profound experiences of awe and reverence. This suggests that scientific knowledge itself can be a source of spiritual inspiration.
Psychology
Resonance will include the Integration of psychological concepts, particularly from transpersonal psychology and ecopsychology, to understand human consciousness and the human-nature relationship.
There is a belief in multiple realities or ways of perceiving reality beyond the dominant scientific materialist paradigm and an interest in expanding human consciousness through various practices and experiences.
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​Resonance explores the use of imagination, play, and ritual to create meaningful spiritual experiences and alternate ways of relating to nature.​
Transpersonal psychology posits a self-identity that transcends the individual, which aligns with Resonance's views of humans as part of a larger natural whole, honoring both human science and spirituality, bridging rational and intuitive ways of knowing in a holistic approach.
Resonance focuses on studying altered states of consciousness, including mystical and transcendent experiences reported in nature-based spiritual practices.
Transpersonal psychology values direct experience as a valid form of knowledge, similar to how Resonance practitioners emphasise personal encounters with nature spirits or deities. By treating transcendent experiences as worthy of scientific study, a framework for understanding phenomena like encounters with faeries or nature spirits can be created.
Ecopsychology proposes that the psychological health of individuals is intrinsically linked to the health of the Earth, mirroring Resonance beliefs about human-nature interdependence.
It presents images of nature as home and its inhabitants as family, or nature as self, aligning with animistic and pantheistic views in nature-based spiritualities.
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It suggests that environmental problems stem from a psychological disconnection from nature, offering a perspective on why re-enchantment of nature might be psychologically beneficial. Therefore, Ecopsychology encourages broadening self-identity to include other beings and the natural world, recognizing the natural world as a social and psychological space, much like how many Pagans view nature as filled with conscious, interacting entities.
Resonance validates non-ordinary experiences, providing frameworks for understanding mystical or spiritual experiences in nature as psychologically meaningful.
By bridging science and spirituality:, Resonance offers ways to understand personal spiritual experiences and beliefs about nature through a psychological lens.
Resonance followers believe that consciousness extends beyond individual humans and that the psychological, spiritual, and ecological are interconnected.
AI has significant potential to facilitate transpersonal experiences—those that transcend individual consciousness—by helping individuals connect deeply with nature and participate in healing the planet. Transpersonal experiences are often associated with feelings of unity with the cosmos, nature, and the collective human experience, making them crucial for fostering ecological consciousness and environmental healing. The use of AI in Resonance can assist by providing tools, environments, and practices that foster these connections in deeply personal and global ways.
Sacred Knowledge from the Past
Resonance explores reviving ancient practices through careful integration of academic research, personal gnosis, and community wisdom - aiming to create authentic yet living traditions suitable for modern practice while maintaining transparency about sources and methods.
The focus is on responsible reconstruction rather than rigid recreation or pure innovation, reconstructing core principles and worldview while adapting for modern context, weaving together historical documentation with living tradition.
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Resonance uses records of archaeological findings, textual analysis, and historical anthropology to reconstruct what practices may have existed, whilst acknowledging limitations of historical records due to Christian suppression/prohibition of pagan practices​.
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Where gaps exist in the scholarly record that cannot be filled with certainty, personal gnosis and experiences are used after passing a community verification process which uses feedback and consensus to validate personal experiences.
Practitioners are encouraged to share experiences while maintaining healthy skepticism and discuss practices and experiences within established cosmological/theological frameworks while giving value to both individual insight and collective wisdom.
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​Resonance practitioners see modern ecological understanding as compatible with and supportive of animist beliefs that view all of nature as alive and conscious. Scientific insights into the interconnectedness of ecosystems can reinforce these spiritual perspectives.
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This synthesis is part of a larger effort to develop spiritual practices that are both authentic to ancient traditions and relevant to modern understanding, incorporating contemporary scientific knowledge while maintaining connection to older ways of knowing. The goal is to find ways to honor both rational and mystical approaches to understanding reality.
Technological Consciousness-Altering Experiences
Any use of technology for consciousness alteration needs to be approached carefully, with consideration for safety, ethics, and the potential for technology to distance people from rather than connect them to nature.
Resonance practitioners believe expanded awareness comes from reconnecting with nature and ancient wisdom. Therefore, the technological approach is designed to enhance rather than replace direct engagement with the natural world.
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Virtual and augmented reality experiences are used to simulate immersive natural environments or visualize spiritual concepts, inducing altered states of consciousness.
Biofeedback and neurofeedback technologies that monitor physiological states are used to guide meditation or trance-like states, helping practitioners achieve desired mental states.
Advanced audio-visual technologies like infrasound generators are used to create sensory experiences that induce altered states, similar to how some traditional practices use drumming or chanting.
AI guides personalized meditation and visualization exercises aimed at expanding consciousness.
While still largely theoretical, direct neural interfaces and sensory augmentation devices will allow for new forms of consciousness exploration by Resonance practitioners in the future.
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Creative use of Technology
Resonance uses technology in many ways in its creative approaches:
1. Performance Art & Digital Media
- Technology is used capture and share ephemeral performances
- Digital and mechanical tools enhance live performances.
- Multimedia is used to create immersive natural experiences
2. Audio-Visual Art
- Digital art tools and generative AI are used to create representations of nature spirits and energies.
- Photography and film making is used to capture and share natural beauty, for example in creating time-lapse of plant growth cycles.
- Virtual reality is used to recreate nature-based environments and augmented reality is used to enhance them, for example with AR nature guides.
- Generative AI and TTS models are used to develop AV works such as digital nature meditation tools and are useful in creating large volumes of work fast and effectively.
- Animation brings nature stories and Resonance mythology to life.
3. Storytelling & Documentation
- Technology is used to record and share traditional nature stories and capture oral histories and traditional knowledge, community rituals and celebrations.
- Digital interactive storytelling experiences such as this website are created. Online sacred spaces become a new place to explore the human-nature connection as well as being digital spaces for sharing nature art, creating collaborative creative projects, facilitating artistic dialogue and supporting artistic community.
- Computer systems are used to document, analyse and understand natural cycles and seasonal changes and generate fables and mythology to explain these phenomena.
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Key Principles:
1. Make It Real
- Art should embody natural energies, not just represent them
- Focus on creating genuine connection, not just aesthetic experience
- As one artist said about faeries: "whether they're real creatures or not, they're totally real in our psychology and in our everyday lives"
- Use technology to enhance rather than replace direct experience
2. Bridge Multiple Realities
- Create spaces where imagination and reality meet
- Help people access enchanted views of nature
- Provide "safe spaces for non-believers to become acquainted with the world of faery"
- Use art as gateway to deeper nature connection
3. Maintain Authenticity
- Keep focus on genuine nature connection
- Use technology mindfully and intentionally
- Balance digital tools with direct experience
- Honor traditional practices while innovating
4. Support Community
- Create shareable experiences
- Build connections between practitioners
- Document community practices
- Facilitate collaboration
The Environmental Impact Debate
We are all aware that there is an environmental impact related to a project such as Resonance. Whether it is considering the energy usage of AI models used to create Resonance, the carbon consumption of travelling performers and crew or the trees used in the printing of artworks.
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Whilst every effort practically possible has been made to reduce environmental impact, it is unavoidable until technology allows for greener methods of energy generation and smart materials. In a way, technology has created the problem, but also contains the means to solve it in the future.
Technology often requires resource extraction that damages ecosystems, but technology can also help protect nature through education, documentation, connection. The challenge is weighing immediate environmental impact against potential long-term benefits
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More than anything, as artists and technologists, we hope that our work will serve to highlight issues of environmental sustainability in the Art world and spark debate and discussion with the end goal of catalysing change.
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There's no perfect solution, but conscientious engagement with the below questions can help practitioners find appropriate ways to integrate technology while honouring spiritual principles and environmental ethics:
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Framework for Evaluation:
1. Necessity Assessment
- Is the technology truly needed?
- What purpose does it serve?
- Are there less resource-intensive alternatives?
- Does benefit outweigh environmental cost?
2. Impact Analysis
- Direct environmental impacts of manufacture/use
- Indirect effects on ecosystems and spirits
- Social/community benefits
- Long-term sustainability
3. Sacred Considerations
- Effects on spiritual practice
- Impact on nature spirits and sacred spaces
- Balance with traditional methods
- Preservation of core values
Principles for Ethical Technology Use:
1. Mindful Consumption
- Use technology intentionally and sparingly
- Choose durable, repairable options
- Share resources when possible
- Dispose of technology responsibly
2. Reciprocity
- Give back to nature when taking resources
- Support conservation efforts
- Restore damaged areas
- Honor spirits of materials used
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Practical Guidelines:
1. Choose Wisely
- Research ethical sourcing
- Select durable products
- Consider full lifecycle
- Prioritize repairability
2. Use Mindfully
- Have clear purpose
- Limit unnecessary use
- Maintain properly
- Update responsibly
3. Share Resources
- Pool community resources
- Create lending libraries
- Share knowledge
- Build collective capacity
4. Offset Impact
- Support conservation
- Restore ecosystems
- Make offerings
- Give back to nature
