NextScribe
Encyclopedia
NextScribe is a non-profit organization that conducts research and development in the field of Computer Supported Spiritual Development (CSSD). The founder of NextScribe pioneered CSSD at the Monastery of Christ in the Desert
in 1994, and NextScribe continues to conduct research in the field in partnership with both Catholic and Protestant organizations.
as it applies to spiritual life and spiritual community.
CSSD includes spiritual formation
, but it is not limited to formation. Digital networks will increasingly enable communication in richly human forms, including complex, high bandwidth forms of presence information, and these networks will enable not only wise practices of spiritual formation but also the direct activity of the Holy Spirit among persons. The field of CSSD therefore encompasses both formation of souls and support of the direct action of the Holy Spirit among people.
Some feel that "Spiritual Computing" is a term so fraught with philosophical and theological error (typically Christians who believe the Holy Spirit by its nature is not treated by mathematics, numerical methods or computation) that usage of the term "Spiritual Computing" impedes acceptance of the field in the religious world. For many who believe Spirit infuses all matter and energy, this doesn't pose as much of a roadblock. However, a majority will agree that in a role of communication and spiritual formation, computers can support persons and communities of persons in whom Spirit dwells and acts. Therefore "Computer Supported Spiritual Development" (CSSD) is more generally accepted both in the worlds of traditional religion and non-traditional spiritual paths.
in New Mexico, which established a web design studio in 1995 and produced one of the first web sites on the topic of spirituality. The site was beautifully illustrated with fine art produced in watercolor by one of the monks. As a result of extensive international publicity over the period 1995–1997, the web site was one of the most heavily visited on the Internet. In terms of the percentage of worldwide Internet traffic garnered during those years, christdesert.org remains the most successful religious web site in history.
In 1996 the founder and director of the monastery's web project was called to Vatican City
, where he served as a consultant to the Holy See
. While there he clarified his mission to pursue the development of advanced technologies of CSSD that would enable the Church to reform its structure according to classical spiritual practices in the tradition of St. Benedict (see Benedict of Nursia
). NextScribe was founded in Vatican City in 1997 to pursue this objective.
Some of NextScribe's most important research was conducted in 2002–2003 in partnership with the multi-denominational Youth Ministry and Spirituality Project (YMSP), funded by the Lily Endowment.
and includes an emphasis on wireless Presence information
. The spiritual practices supported are adapted from the Christian Monastic tradition. The Divine Office
is being developed in cooperation with the Monastery of Christ in the Desert
.
Monastery of Christ in the Desert
The Monastery of Christ in the Desert is a Roman Catholic Benedictine monastery belonging to the English Province of the Subiaco Congregation of Benedictine monasteries....
in 1994, and NextScribe continues to conduct research in the field in partnership with both Catholic and Protestant organizations.
Computer Supported Spiritual Development (CSSD)
CSSD is a multidisciplinary study that can span research in multiuser gaming environments, sociology, psychology, spiritual life, AI and other topics, but current research is most closely related to Computer-supported collaborationComputer-supported collaboration
Computer-supported collaboration research focuses on technology that affects groups, organizations, communities and societies, e.g., voice mail and text chat. It grew from cooperative work study of supporting people's work activities and working relationships...
as it applies to spiritual life and spiritual community.
CSSD includes spiritual formation
Spiritual formation
Spiritual formation is the growth and development of the whole person by an intentional focus on one’s* spiritual and interior life* interactions with others in ordinary life...
, but it is not limited to formation. Digital networks will increasingly enable communication in richly human forms, including complex, high bandwidth forms of presence information, and these networks will enable not only wise practices of spiritual formation but also the direct activity of the Holy Spirit among persons. The field of CSSD therefore encompasses both formation of souls and support of the direct action of the Holy Spirit among people.
Some feel that "Spiritual Computing" is a term so fraught with philosophical and theological error (typically Christians who believe the Holy Spirit by its nature is not treated by mathematics, numerical methods or computation) that usage of the term "Spiritual Computing" impedes acceptance of the field in the religious world. For many who believe Spirit infuses all matter and energy, this doesn't pose as much of a roadblock. However, a majority will agree that in a role of communication and spiritual formation, computers can support persons and communities of persons in whom Spirit dwells and acts. Therefore "Computer Supported Spiritual Development" (CSSD) is more generally accepted both in the worlds of traditional religion and non-traditional spiritual paths.
History
NextScribe has its roots at the Monastery of Christ in the DesertMonastery of Christ in the Desert
The Monastery of Christ in the Desert is a Roman Catholic Benedictine monastery belonging to the English Province of the Subiaco Congregation of Benedictine monasteries....
in New Mexico, which established a web design studio in 1995 and produced one of the first web sites on the topic of spirituality. The site was beautifully illustrated with fine art produced in watercolor by one of the monks. As a result of extensive international publicity over the period 1995–1997, the web site was one of the most heavily visited on the Internet. In terms of the percentage of worldwide Internet traffic garnered during those years, christdesert.org remains the most successful religious web site in history.
In 1996 the founder and director of the monastery's web project was called to Vatican City
Vatican City
Vatican City , or Vatican City State, in Italian officially Stato della Città del Vaticano , which translates literally as State of the City of the Vatican, is a landlocked sovereign city-state whose territory consists of a walled enclave within the city of Rome, Italy. It has an area of...
, where he served as a consultant to the Holy See
Holy See
The Holy See is the episcopal jurisdiction of the Catholic Church in Rome, in which its Bishop is commonly known as the Pope. It is the preeminent episcopal see of the Catholic Church, forming the central government of the Church. As such, diplomatically, and in other spheres the Holy See acts and...
. While there he clarified his mission to pursue the development of advanced technologies of CSSD that would enable the Church to reform its structure according to classical spiritual practices in the tradition of St. Benedict (see Benedict of Nursia
Benedict of Nursia
Saint Benedict of Nursia is a Christian saint, honored by the Roman Catholic Church as the patron saint of Europe and students.Benedict founded twelve communities for monks at Subiaco, about to the east of Rome, before moving to Monte Cassino in the mountains of southern Italy. There is no...
). NextScribe was founded in Vatican City in 1997 to pursue this objective.
Research
Since its founding in 1997, NextScribe has conducted seminal research in CSSD in association with both Catholic and Protestant organizations.Some of NextScribe's most important research was conducted in 2002–2003 in partnership with the multi-denominational Youth Ministry and Spirituality Project (YMSP), funded by the Lily Endowment.
Prayerbuddy
NextScribe's current research includes Prayerbuddy, an implementation of CSSD applied to the formation of self-organizing lay spiritual community. The technology used is primarily related to the field of Computer-supported collaborationComputer-supported collaboration
Computer-supported collaboration research focuses on technology that affects groups, organizations, communities and societies, e.g., voice mail and text chat. It grew from cooperative work study of supporting people's work activities and working relationships...
and includes an emphasis on wireless Presence information
Presence information
In computer and telecommunications networks, presence information is a status indicator that conveys ability and willingness of a potential communication partner—for example a user--to communicate...
. The spiritual practices supported are adapted from the Christian Monastic tradition. The Divine Office
Liturgy of the hours
The Liturgy of the Hours or Divine Office is the official set of daily prayers prescribed by the Catholic Church to be recited at the canonical hours by the clergy, religious orders, and laity. The Liturgy of the Hours consists primarily of psalms supplemented by hymns and readings...
is being developed in cooperation with the Monastery of Christ in the Desert
Monastery of Christ in the Desert
The Monastery of Christ in the Desert is a Roman Catholic Benedictine monastery belonging to the English Province of the Subiaco Congregation of Benedictine monasteries....
.
Theology of Work
Within the Benedictine tradition of ora et labora (prayer and work), NextScribe's mission was established upon a Theology of Work that was composed for the project in 1997. Accordingly, NextScribe conceives creative technological development as a process of union with God as Creator. As an integral companion to Prayerbuddy, therefore, NextScribe established the Industrial Theology project in order to explore the theological basis for work and creativity, the right disposition of organizations that support work, and spiritual practices that might complete the union of a worker with God as Creator.External links
- NextScribe The project's web site.
- Monastery of Christ in the Desert The birthplace of NextScribe.
- Prayerbuddy A current NextScribe CSSD research project.
- Industrial Theology A project to explore work as an integral, sanctifying companion of prayer.