Seite - 169 - in JRFM - Journal Religion Film Media, Band 03/01

Bridging Real and Virtual: A Spiritual Challenge | 169www.jrfm.eu 2017, 3/1, 159–181 no pause to ask, What does the given world contribute? What features of the primary world appear also in the virtual? how is balance possible? What handles can be grasped inside the transition chamber that connect real and virtual? Any answer would have to take into account the fact that any definition of “real world” would be highly contentious among philosophical people. We might, for example, settle on something as abstract as geometrical figures like triangles, squares, and circles appearing in both real and virtual worlds. Computer graph- ics and animation, in fact, hang on the framework of geometry. But an abstract grid does not offer a range of qualitative elements to mix and balance. Mixing and balancing is a requirement. As will be addressed later, the art of mixing and balancing goes back millennia and has flourished in underground traditions like alchemy. the ancient art of balance also resembles the Asian skill of feng shui, the adjustment of subtle energy flows in a living environment or ecology. What Western culture calls “workflow” is not simply ergonomics or healthy habits of posture alignment and frequent breaks. Moreover, workflow is to remove blocks when the work process stagnates. Effective workflow pro- motes efficiency and a more engaging experience. So, too, with mixing and balancing. The entry into and exit from different worlds need not be jolting or Fig. 1: Bird avatar landing on platform in low-gravity environment.