Craftsmanship in an Automated Age

4 April 20225

By Alex The Builder Philosopher

As I crafted these doors, I couldn’t help but reflect on where society is heading—toward automation, speed, and total integration. Everything must be done faster, cheaper. Market rules, after all. But as we move further down that path, I wonder: Will there still be a place for genuine human intellect and craftsmanship?

In my industry, I see the older generation retiring without passing down their knowledge. We're losing skills that took generations to refine—sacrificed at the altar of convenience, laziness, and our obsession with cheap trinkets and instant gratification.

A while ago, I had a vision during meditation inside the A-frame by the river. I saw these doors—beautiful, strange, and symbolic—and I knew I had to bring them into the world. My first plan was to carve them using a CNC machine—let an algorithm do the work. Fast, clean, efficient. The Grand Design.

But just before I began, I had a dream. And I chose to listen.

So I walked into the forest and searched for fallen branches. Dead trees. I studied their shapes and used them as templates.

Now, those trees will live again—their spirit embedded in these works of art.

As I shaped the wood, I kept thinking about us humans—about our hands, our stories, and the fading art of doing things that take time. Are we really choosing to outsource our minds to algorithms? Or have we already been doing it for years—with social media, TV, radio, and long before that… priests and kings?

It cost me thousands to try this. I had no idea if it would work. But I did it anyway. Because I had to.

Will there still be space in this world for people like me—those willing to risk for beauty and meaning, without knowing if it’ll “pay off”? Will anyone care? Will anyone value the skill, or will our knowledge vanish like all things eventually do?

Our society avoids risk at all costs. But is that really the right path?

Order brings safety, yes—but too much of it brings stagnation. Only chaos gives birth to life.

For those curious about opening this channel, you'll find a 3 steps practice below the pictures.

For those curious about opening this channel

To this day, I meditate every day, usually for about an hour. Over time, I’ve developed a complex practice that combines mindfulness, energy work, purification, and prayer.

Do I know for sure if it’s all real? Not really. Maybe I’m just playing elaborate mind games with myself and getting lucky. But what I do know is that I feel much better than I did before. My state of being is clearer, more grounded—so I keep going.

If you feel drawn to explore this path, here’s a simple beginner’s practice to start building that inner connection. You don’t need fancy tools—just a quiet, clean place where you won’t be disturbed.

1. Gentle Energy Breathing & Visualization

This simple breathwork helps strengthen your energetic system—like a muscle—and sharpens your visualization ability.

• Inhale for 4 seconds, visualizing energy entering your body (light, warmth, breath—whatever feels right).

• Hold for 4 seconds.

• Exhale for 4 seconds, visualizing the energy leaving or circulating within you.

• Hold for 4 seconds again.

• Repeat 5–10 times, once or twice daily (mornings or before bed work best).

2. Dialogue With the Deeper Self

Think of your mind as having two voices. One is the conscious self—the part of you that lives the day-to-day, desires things, worries, reacts. The other is the subconscious—quiet, timeless, and often ignored.

They don’t always get along. As one grows louder, the other quiets. That’s the essence of inner duality.

After your breathwork, sit quietly with a journal. Ask questions like:

• Who am I, really?

• What do I truly want?

• What am I here to do?

If the answer appears immediately, or even before the question is fully formed, that’s likely your subconscious. If there’s a delay and your mind starts constructing answers, that’s your conscious mind jumping in.

It’s tricky at first—but the more you practice, the clearer the difference becomes.

3. Give Thanks

End each session with gratitude. Thank the higher power you resonate with—the Universe, God, Yahweh, Allah… or Master Yoda if that speaks to you.

It doesn’t really matter what name you give it. What matters is that you acknowledge something greater than yourself. Gratitude is what opens the channel.

It doesn’t have to be complicated. Just consistent. Your soul remembers the way home—you just need to listen.

You don’t need to meditate for hours or reach for enlightenment in a week. It’s not about doing it perfectly—it’s about showing up. The practice builds you slowly, quietly, like water carving stone.

Let me know if you want more of these exercises.