Transforming Minds with AI Meditation

AI in Action

Patricia McAlernon

“The mind is definitely something that can be transformed, and meditation is a means to transform it.” Dalai Lama, Spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism

Recently I visited Jampa Ling Tibetan Buddhist Meditation Centre in Bawnboy. Jampa Ling means 'Place of Loving Kindness' and this was reflected in a warm greeting received from a Tibetan monk who appeared at the front door of the main house. He politely informed me of a meditation session in progress and silence was required. I was only there to enjoy a walk through the forest down to the lake with my two dogs. I also met with a student who advised me to avoid interacting with persons who may be meditating while walking. I just wasn’t sure if the dogs would be able to resist greeting anyone we happened to meet on our way.

Currently, AI technology is being used to transform minds through the development of chatbots to encourage reflection. AI meditation tools are significantly different from traditional approaches. AI technology is capable of examining human behaviour and emotions to create personalised devices. Sophisticated systems can monitor brain activity, heart rate, and breathing patterns during meditation sessions. Traditional meditation methods of course have benefits over those based on AI technology to include the human connection in a teacher-student or group session.

Meditative practices may involve walking in nature, for example, through a forest without the need for a phone. Different religions have their own meditative ways of contemplation, reflection and deep thought. The Bahai Faith focus on Holy Words and recite their prayers morning and evening which is a form of meditation.

Lotus flowers

My visit to Jampa Ling reminded me of the spiritual experience I encountered earlier in the year at the Lotus Temple, the Bahai House of Worship, in Delhi. The lotus is India’s national flower and symbolizes spirituality and knowledge. Lotus flowers are known to start growing and flourishing in dark and muddy environments. To grow and survive in the murky waters of a world swamped with AI technology we need to adapt a lotus survival mode.

Despite the absence of a lotus-shaped temple in the Cavan-based meditation centre there was a spiritual ambience created by the trees and lake.

On my walk through the forest in Jampa Ling I tried to avoid some of the flooded pathways and swamped areas caused by the recent rainfall. The dogs on the otherhand were quite happy to trudge through the deep soft mud present in the pools of water on the pathways.

This reminded me of ‘AI slop’ which is what we find ourselves exposed to when we search the internet and use social media.

It is the terminology used to describe content which has been generated by AI which is meaningless, fake and full of hallucinations or errors. I had a choice of pathways on my walk through the forest in Jampa Ling. Unfortunately as we journey through modern life we are restricted to pathways which lead us to use AI technology sometimes without our knowledge.

Catalyst

It is thought that AI technology may operate as a catalyst to transform our mind through meditation. It may enhance human enlightenment that cannot be achieved with conventional meditation and in turn increase our spiritual intelligence.

In conjunction with traditional meditative practices, such as reciting prayers, AI may help us find the key to opening the doors of spiritual mysteries. AI meditation should be used with caution and in conjunction with advice from qualified meditation teachers since anything which is capable of transforming our minds may have serious consequences.