What We Are that AI Isn’t
or
Presence through Music-Making
When we gather to play and sing together, we access a sacred space.
Our human sacred space.
Our connection to the cosmos.
The fact is, nothing is really missing, but when we’re not present in the moment thatThe Premise:
I realized that there is a very important human element that we keep talking about that can’t really be replicated by AI. That element is presence.
I have been with various spiritual teachers over the years, and one of the big attractions was their ability to stop my mind! Sometimes this was just being in their presence. Hearing their voice and reading their words can also have that effect.
Osho, Om C. Parkin, Ramesh Balsekar, Eckhart tolle, Issac Shapiro and Shantimayi to name a few: we are in, it can feel like something is missing.
I would like to address this “presence” phenomena. It’s an aura of energy that we can feel, and that Kirlian photography can even record!
For years I watched people sit in line to ask a question to the spiritual master Sohamji. As they got closer to his calm presence, they would often forget their question when it was finally their turn! I also noticed a distinct feeling of peace when I was in his physical proximity.
This isn’t limited to living people. I also felt it when I “accidentally” visited the crypt of St. Francis of Assisi on a rainy day. I was suddenly overwhelmed with the loving energy coming from it! There was also some energy coming from the crypts of his disciples on either side of him, but much weaker than his.
As I’m not generally a “woo woo” type, I was completely surprised by this!
I had a similar experience when I was in Jerusalem and visited the wailing wall. I expected it to have a nothing special, or if anything, a complaining kind of energy. I mean, everyone dumps their worries and concerns there, right? I was instead almost bowled over by the overwhelming sacred energy that enveloped me as I neared the wall. I was moved to tears, and when it was time to leave, like the others, I too backed away humbly.
I also felt this when I visited the Samadhi of my Indian guru, Osho. I was overtaken with such a holy feeling that I felt I wanted to never leave! (Obviously, I did leave, but I was surprised at the strength of the feeling.)
I would venture to say that this is what we used to experience in our religions and in our spiritual rituals. In our intellectual age, these have become discredited and ignored. By me too! I was completely for science until I realized that just because we can’t test it with our limited senses and measure it with scientific instruments that our eyes can see, doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist.
Many of us have become disillusioned with religion and are perhaps not ready to be considered completely“woo woo” – yet at least. But here is an easy out:
I found that this sacred state was easily accessible simply by playing meditative music! This is something that is available to anyone, anytime. Singing, humming, playing your instrument or just listening, music has been a part of almost all spirituality. It can serve as a portal to that holy aspect in us. We can experience a state of presence and oneness simply by making harmonious sounds! In my estimation, that is very specific to humans.
AI might be able to evoke a response, but the actual energetic experience of presence is beyond intellect, beyond the mind. That would indicate that it is probably not in the scope of AI, at least not as we know AI today. (However, never say never!!! LOL!)
That is why human connection is so important. We actually feel the energetic frequency of others. They feel our energy as well. Music can bring our frequencies into harmony.The result is that we can often feel presence more strongly in an intentional group of musicians or meditators. It is also true of athletes, dancers, and others who work/play together.
Jesus is recorded as having said “When two or more are gathered in my name, there am I among them.” Although I’m not religious in the traditional sense, I have experienced this over and over when playing meditative music. I am somehow deeply touched.
That is where the power lies. When we gather to play and sing together, we access a sacred space. Our human sacred space. Our connection to the cosmos.
That is where the power lies. When we gather to play and sing together, we access a sacred space. Our human sacred space. Our connection to the cosmos.
Send me an email and let me know how it is for you!
Meditatively yours,
Nandin
P.S. If you don’t have “The Beginner’s Guide To Meditative Music Making” yet, get it here!
P.P.S. If you know someone who might benefit from this, thanks for passing it on!
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