Just the other day, my wife and I were walking along the beach here in Miami. It’s not unlike a boardwalk except that it’s made of concrete. Along the way, we stopped at a Starbucks to hydrate and get out of the heat for a moment.

About half an hour later, we decided to cut through a Hilton hotel to head back toward the beach. As we crossed the lobby, I turned left toward the restroom. Mid-turn, I heard my wife say, “Watch out!” I felt a slight bump, glanced down, and there it was: a little delivery or cleaning robot.

I don’t think these robots are AI, but I’m not sure about that. What I do know is there has been a whole heck of a lot in the news and on TV about AI. All the billionaire tech bros were warning about how, if AI got out of control, it could cause the extinction of humanity.

Bill Gates was on TV saying that AI could kill 1 billion people.

What! AI itself needs data centers, which consist of 10,000 computers all linked up at a cost of billions and the possibility of causing immense environmental damage, not to mention additional costs in water and electricity usage.

No wonder something like 75% of people living in areas where proposed data centers are being built say “NO!” What’s more, did you know that recent research from MIT, Stanford, and elsewhere has found that relying heavily on AI significantly impairs brain function?

While AI can be incredibly useful, as more people use it all the time, we are going to see a global crisis of human attention: escalating cognitive fatigue, digital dementia, and a widespread existential loss of purpose.

As Zen master Matt Furey recently wrote to me, “When people stop using their own brains, they lose their abilities and skills. The brain doesn’t ask your permission when it decides to delete the functions you once had. It just does it.”

He goes on, “When you don’t use your own mind, you run the risk of losing your mind. My daughter told me that people she went to school with (she’s 22), ask AI what they should wear to a party, what to do when they go on vacation and so on. Those who think that people have already lost their ability to think haven’t seen anything yet.”

Of equal importance, however, is that many people are desperately seeking an alternative to the hyper-automated, screen-bound lifestyle that treats the human mind like outdated hardware.

But let’s set AI aside for a moment and focus on developing our own Authentic Intelligence, or AI-2. AI-2 describes the uniquely human capacities for self-awareness, morality, and creativity and places an emphasis on empathy, compassion, and love.

Establishing your authenticity is more important now than ever. After all it seems the world’s gone mad. But we can keep all this fire that we see on the outside from having a horribly negative inflammatory effect on our inside: our mind, body, and soul.

We can soothe the savage beast that may be percolating inside our body, affecting every major system and causing an epigenetic revolt that will accelerate our aging.

By activating your authentic self, we can minimize all this damage. Your authentic self is deeper than your work, possessions, or roles as a parent, sibling, or friend. It is who you are at your core. Authenticity means aligning your thoughts, words, and actions so you remain true to yourself.

From a yogic perspective, this alignment reflects balanced chakras, especially the fifth center, or throat chakra. When the throat chakra is balanced, your inner identity matches what you express outwardly and how others experience you.

While artificial intelligence can process information quickly, Authentic Intelligence gives that information meaning, context, and soul. AI-2 emphasizes the importance of seeking the sacred in life. This helps create a buffer against illness, inflammation, anxiety, depression, and cognitive loss.

One of the most important steps you can take right now to create great health and discover your authenticity is to practice yoga regularly – along with, of course, Kirtan Kriya, our wonderfully effective, scientifically proven 12-minute meditation.

Doing Kirtan Kriya every day will help you save your brain, save your life and save the planet.

It will help your memory, strengthen your immune system and dramatically lower your stress, especially during these insane, chaotic, and difficult times.

The best time for spiritual practice is first thing in the morning before you go headlong into the day. That way, your mind will be sharp and clear, your nervous system strong to resist stress, and your glandular system will be maximally stimulated.

You’ll be healthier, happier, and more in touch with your deepest and most authentic self.

You’ll become your best self and help others become healthier, happier and more authentic human beings as well.

May This World Be Blessed With Peace.

Yours in Brain Health,

Dharma Singh Khalsa, M.D.
President / Medical Director