Crafting an Illuminated Manuscript: the unexpected lesson learned

How an analog project pushed me to take drastic measures when it came to my phone.

When I set out to handwrite the entirety of Second Peter, I was expecting to learn something about the scripture, or perhaps gain insight into scribal tradition. What ended up happening surprised me.

The Soul Project

The Soul Project assignment is to pick a spiritual discipline, practice it, and write about the experience. Example projects include journaling, Lectio Divina, fasting, or a personal retreat.

I chose to create an illuminated manuscript.

To prepare for this experience I did some research into traditional methods of creating illuminated manuscripts. I selected the Insular style of manuscript and used the Irish majuscule script (with slight variations.) I practiced the script and experimented with papers and inks.

I started this experience like any other school project to get done, and I picked something I felt confident I could do even if I didn’t feel spiritual.

The Struggle

Despite my extensive research, I struggled to sit down and complete the assignment, even though I was looking forward to it. Yes, I have ADHD, but this project was something I expected to hyperfocus on.

It dawned on me that I was struggling to gain momentum in my soul project, because I was getting distracted by other things— namely my computer and phone.

Taking a Break From my Phone

I ended up needing to take a technology fast because of how much my computer and phone were distracting me. I locked them up in “electronic jail” (a different building) for 24 hours because that was what I needed to resist the pull of dopamine. I had to “cast out” what was causing me to stumble. My inability to focus and complete the assignment really illuminated to me the concept of discipline and showed me vividly where I was lacking.

At first, I found the absence of computer and phone disturbing. The amount of times I felt prompted to check my phone was alarmingly high. What’s worse, the temptation was the greatest in the evening before I went to bed— not something I realized was happening. For context, the average American checks their phone 144 times a day. That might not sound so bad. But imagine how it feels to have 144 mental suggestions to pick up an object that was actively interfering with what I need to do.

The hold that technology had on my life shocked me! My phone has been in my life for less than a year and I grew up with very limited technology use. We’ve had issues with several of my siblings misusing technology, so I was worried that my mom would be sad if I admitted that I couldn’t handle my technology by myself. However, she was proud and happy that I was responsible enough to take action and make the healthy choice on my own.

I noticed that I was having a problem when the internet would go out, I was responding with an disproportionate level of anger.

I was scared to pick the “technology fast” option for my soul project, but once I became convicted of the need to eliminate technology from my day, I embraced it wholeheartedly.

Without my phone, there were things I had to do differently, like turn on a radio station instead of Spotify, use the microwave timer instead of opening my phone, and find a flashlight to see in the dark. Small “inconveniences” that were actually power moves. It felt like I was reclaiming who I was, as a person, all 40 trillion cells of myself. I was reclaiming my own thought patterns, practicing delayed gratification, grounding myself in real life.

During the fast I cleaned extensively, completed the majority of my soul project, and spent time playing Uno and talking with my younger brothers. I also begun reintroducing daily prayer and scripture reading, which had been lacking in my life.

What I Actually Learned

Instead of learning about scripture, I ended up learning about being disciplined and using self control. Appropriate, because the point of the assignment was to “practice a spiritual discipline.” Discipline by nature requires hard work and putting aside what I want in favor of growing in what God wants of me.

I was expecting this project to be easy, but God and my own futility humbled me.

Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable.

So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air.

But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.

1 Corinthians 9:25-27

For this assignment, I was asked, “If someone not taking this class expressed an interest in doing this activity, would you recommend they do so? What adjustments to the project would you recommend?”
My answer: I think the most impactful part of this project was needing to fast technology in order to complete the assignment. Completing an analogue assignment forced me to see where I was lacking in discipline. While an Insular manuscript may not be the best soul project for every one, getting away from technology is something I would highly recommend.