Driving, Texting, Eating — all at once, requires some real skill, .. and a fair share of insanity. If you are reading this from here in America, driving is probably an integral part of your life (unless you are fortunate to live in those rare places where public transportation is, well, bearable). And increasingly around the world driving is becoming more and more prevalent.
Driving, as with anything else, has its pros and some major cons. In Texas about 5000 people die each year texting and driving. That’s more than what 9/11 consumed, and this is just Texas. Its quite interesting that most people are quite sobered (I dont claim to be holier than thou, I am definitely one of those) when some numbers are put in perspective. Does that stop us.. no. We might step back a little bit, but statistically more people are texting and driving, and its a growing clan.
So why? I have been introspecting, looking for answers to why we continue to do something inspite of knowing its going to cause harm to ourselves and others. We do not want it but still we are impelled by an unknown force (interestingly Arjuna asks a similar question to Sri Krishna in Indias Epic text, the Bhagavad Gita). Ding! A text or is it a response to a Facebook post or someone on WhatsApp.. I need to know. I need to know now! The road is clear and there’s no kids, no ones watching. You’ve done it before, its no biggie..
My mind gets me every time. EVERY time! I eventually stopped even feeling guilty about it, the body’s natural response to a seemingly unethical act, instead delving into a realm of supposedly logical excuses.
Mistakes happen once, there may not a second time.
Experiments abound on curbing this unstoppable force. How, can I stop? Tried various apps that do not allow doing anything with the phone. Switch off the phone, take a pledge. Tried a bunch of these and more. But then its just a matter of time and the habits return like the returning of the seasons.
I have seen that being conscious is a majority of the battle and I am not giving up hope. Two things seem to be the forerunners in helping to slow down this habit, and am seeing some good results with myself and a few others that I shared this with.
a. Compassion. No not the “I am better then you and so I will help you to show how great I am” type. Nope. With my luck I will probably crash and kill a multi billionaire (which may not be a bad thing, but there are a few of those that are still relatively good). Its a genuine feeling of not causing harm to others (at least starting with the humans). Its the expression of feeling the pain of the people who’s lives we might adversely affect, and specifically of those that are the near and dear ones. There could be a new born in the car. Or a newly wed. I don’t think I would be able to reconcile with this. Hurts even thinking about it. A vivid reminder handy, around the phone, reminds us that there is a higher cause.
b. Regulation. The constant distractions (my spiritual preceptor calls it the Weapons of mass Distraction), are received through the senses. The Ding or buzz of the phone. Or maybe the screen turning on. (Maybe they will come up with a smell that the phone emanates with a text). Keep them at bay. Not to react, but respond. Between react and respond there is think, evaluate and reason. Reacting may have its advantages in other situations.. not when the phone buzzes. Regulate more than resist. Train the mind to stop and think. Slow down the car, get on the curb and answer whatever needs attention. Life’s not going away anytime soon.
This C-R cycle I have found is a powerful tool not just while driving, but otherwise too. Whether its a pointed comment from the better half or a half witted act by your son or just the call of the mighty phone, this helps.
Try it, may just save a life. Drop me a line if it helps.