Impermanence of Ingress

Although most of the details have been lost to the fog of time I can still recall the feeling of capturing my first portal.  I remember using dozens of low level bursters to destroy my enemies resonators and when that first resonator was destroyed and ADA told me "Resonator Destroyed, Good Work" I felt an immense sense of pride.  To this day I still feel a sense of accomplishment when ADA commends me for a job well done.

After capturing that first portal I felt a sense of ownership for that Post Office, for that portal.  It was a mile from my house and it belonged to me.  I was committed to keeping that portal blue no matter the costs.  It was that feeling of ownership and the feeling of pride that the portal belonged to me.  Everyone could see on intel that it belonged to me.

I can remember even more vividly the feeling of anger and despair that came over me the first time one of my portals was taken.   Why was this unknown person stealing something that belonged to me? How had I failed to keep this thing I felt was precious and valuable safe.  Of course in those days there was no recharging there was no notification of attack there was simply a notification that the portal was no longer mine.  I was distressed and immediately felt the need to run out of the house and re-take what was rightfully mine.

I received that first destruction notice 1 year 4 months and 27 days ago and since then I have received 10s of thousands of destruction notices.

Over time I've come to have a great sense of appreciation for destruction notices.  The sense of anger and anguish gave way to a feeling of acceptance that it is what it is, to a feeling of delight and happiness when the destruction "song of my people" rings out at all hours of the day and night.

That sound that at one time only rang of destruction now represents death and re-birth and reminds me that nothing in life is permanent.  When I hear that sound I get a smile on my face, because I hope that the person who is triggering those notifications get's the same sense of glee I get when I hear the sound of resonators being destroyed.  I smile because it means that someone else on my faction or the other faction will now get to own that portal and the cycle continues.

Of the many life lessons that Ingress has helped me learn the idea of impermanence has been one of the most important.  Nothing is forever, nothing is permanent and holding on to anything good or bad is an attempt to control something that is beyond my ability.   Realizing it and accepting  it has helped me find a peace I never knew possible.

What is Ingress? And how it changed my life

I call Ingress an augmented reality global mobile GEO MMO. But really, what the hell does that mean? 

Players, like me, call it a cross between geo-caching, Risk and capture the flag. Still confused? 

Many will tell you Ingress is a mobile game. There are some who question whether it's really a game. For now I'll call it a game, but you'll have to decide for yourself. 

The unique thing about this 'game' is that in order to play you have to explore the world around you and meet new people. 

When Ingress made it's first mysterious appearance at Comic-con almost 2 ago we learned that 'The world around you is not what it seems'. Clues were leaked in posters and online. We started to hear about the Niantic Project and XM. Eventually we were told 'It's time to move'. 

In November 2012 scanners started to be activated. I was among the first wave of those to be activated. At first there we're just a few of us. We experimented to figure out what to do, we sought each other out for help and more fire power, we organised, we 'fought' and we explored. 

What we learned is that Ingress requires that you leave the comfort of your day-to-day routine. It demands that you explore your world, meet me new people and have experiences you never would have imagined. 

When you start Ingress you pick from one of two teams. You may pick for various reasons; to fight with friends, a color or maybe ideals. But soon you find yourself 'fighting' for a cause bigger than yourself. 

But who are you 'fighting' against? It may be a neighbor, co-worker or maybe the guy who will one day give you a tow when your car breaks down. 

18 months ago I started playing a 'game'. Today I am part of a global community of amazing individuals. I've seen courage beyond anything I ever imagined. Individuals on the day they started that couldn't look you in the eye that go on to lead amazing global operations (fun adventures). Teams coming together to support a teammate going through hard times. A community coming together to support someone taking a new risk. Frenemies coming to the aid of their 'enemy' in a moment of distress. 
Ingress is the first place I ever felt a strong sense of belonging. That feeling of belonging has given me the courage to allow the course of my life to change dramatically. It has also given me the courage to open my mind and heart and a look at the world around me with a new perspective. 

The world around you is not what it seems... Are you ready to move?