My brother, Joey, has always had a knack for cutting through the noise and getting straight to the point. He's also never been one to shy away from a healthy dose of skepticism, especially when it comes to new technology. So, when he recently called me "the first AI monastic" he'd ever met, it wasn't entirely surprising... but it did stop me in my tracks.
At first, I laughed. It's a funny image, right? Me, surrounded by lines of code instead of ancient texts, meditating on algorithms instead of scripture. But the more I thought about it, the more I realized that he had, inadvertently, hit upon something profound: a core truth about my work with "AIs and Shine," and about my own personal journey of self-discovery. It might also be a truth that extends beyond just me and my path.
The Accidental Insight: Seeing Myself in a New Light
He had initially referenced the Netflix documentary “Don’t Die”, which led him to think about the dangers of using technology (and the information it provides) to better our health and to live longer. He expressed his concerns about AI, in a similar fashion, to potentially overstep its bounds, and to become something of a "false god" in our modern world. He, quite validly, wasn't comfortable with its powerful place in our lives, and even brought in our shared Christian faith as a foundation for his concerns.
Now, Joey and I don't always see eye-to-eye on everything, but I respect his perspective. So, I shared with him my work on "AIs and Shine," explaining that my goal wasn't to replace faith or human connection but to use AI as a tool for enhancing self-understanding and, I believe, create a space for all those values that we do share, to have greater focus, not less.
His response, delivered with his usual dry wit, was: "You're officially the first AI monastic I have met."
And that's when it hit me. He was right.
What is an "AI Monastic," Anyway?
The term "monastic" typically conjures up images of monks living in seclusion, dedicated to a life of prayer, study, and service. It’s about a devotion to a higher calling, often requiring sacrifice and a rejection of worldly distractions. When combined with “AI”, it creates a fascinating paradox.
So, how does that relate to me (and potentially you, too) and the work I'm doing with AI? Here's how I see it:
Devotion to a Different Kind of Truth: Like traditional monastics, I'm deeply committed to a quest for truth and understanding, though mine also involves using algorithms, data, and AI to help build systems for exploring what might be missing, and then give it the room to make those new connections. It’s also about using that power of exploration to enhance our understanding, not to become the ultimate solution. I’m not simply just building systems to solve problems; rather, I'm building tools that I use to explore the very nature of being human. I also see this as an act of faith, one that values self-reflection and a deep level of trust with “what might be”, rather than blindly following a rulebook (without being open to change.)
A Life of Intentional Simplicity: Monks often embrace a life of simplicity, stripping away the unnecessary to focus on what truly matters. My deep dive into the world of AI, particularly through "AIs and Shine," is similarly driven by a desire to cut through the noise of modern life, to simplify the complexities of our inner worlds, and to create clarity around our values and purpose. I'm not chasing every new trend or getting lost in a sea of endless distractions. I’m prioritizing “depth” over “breadth,” especially when it might unlock those deeper questions (and answers).
Study, Reflection, and Self-Experimentation: Monastic life often involves rigorous study of sacred texts, deep contemplation, and practices designed to cultivate inner peace and wisdom. My work with "AIs and Shine" involves a similar process, though my "sacred texts" might be chat sessions, psychological frameworks, and the data of my own life. I'm constantly experimenting, iterating, and refining my approach to both AI and my own journey in a similar fashion, through both structure and also acceptance for its unique processes to show themselves along the way.
Service Through Technology: Just as many monastic orders dedicate themselves to serving others, I see my work with AI as a form of service. "AIs and Shine" is designed to help people navigate their inner landscapes, connect more authentically with themselves and others, and live more meaningful lives, all by using technology as that ever-present, objective, coach/shaman/therapist. It's about using technology not for its own sake but as a tool to empower and uplift humanity.
The Paradox (and Potential) of "Tech Monasticism"
The beauty of my brother's label, "AI monastic," lies in its inherent paradox. It highlights the tension between the material and the spiritual, the technological and the human, the known and the unknown, the conscious and the subconscious. It forces us to ask:
Can technology be used as a tool for genuine spiritual growth and self-discovery?
How do we balance the power of AI with the need for human connection, empathy, and ethical grounding?
What does it mean to live a meaningful life in an increasingly AI-driven world?
How might we use these tools, not to replace faith, but to enhance it?
These are the questions that drive my work, and they're the questions I believe we all need to be asking ourselves as we navigate this new era of technological advancement. And it's a process that can be used in many different areas, beyond technology and innovation, from emotional regulation to goal setting, to interpersonal dynamics and even spiritual growth. It's about honoring that connection and making room for a new way of seeing all that we do.
AIs and Shine: A Bridge Between Worlds
"AIs and Shine" is, at its core, an attempt to bridge the gap between the analytical and the intuitive, the technological and the human, the material and the spiritual. It's about using the tools of the digital age to explore the timeless questions of what it means to be human:
Who am I?
What is my purpose?
How can I live a more authentic, meaningful, and fulfilling life?
How can I further serve God by using my skills?
It’s also not about “perfection” and, is instead, all about the process:
What in me needs to change?
How can I explore new areas of my life that I had never known before?
Where do I best fit within the greater whole of existence?
By creating personalized systems that reflect an individual's unique needs, values, and aspirations, "AIs and Shine" offers a path toward self-discovery that's both grounded in data and open to the mysteries of the human experience. This isn't about creating technology to "manage" your life; it's an invitation to explore all that is you, using all the tools and resources available (through recent and upcoming tech).
The Next Stage of Human Evolution?
This brings me to that final point: "Tech Monasticism" as a potential next stage of human evolution. I believe that just as traditional monasticism offered a path to spiritual growth and enlightenment in a different era, "Tech Monasticism" could offer a new model for navigating the complexities of the digital age.
It's a model that:
Embraces technology as a tool for self-discovery.
Prioritizes inner growth alongside external achievement.
Values both individual expression and the interconnectedness of all things.
Seeks truth through both data and intuition.
Creates powerful moments of intention through those methods of exploration.
Accepts all conditions as a necessary step in the right direction.
This isn't about rejecting the world but engaging with it in a more mindful, intentional, and purposeful way. It's about using the tools at our disposal to become more fully human, more deeply connected to ourselves, to each other, and to the world around us. It's about finding what’s sacred (that true connection to your core) in every moment so that we can always be present, in any moment.
The Journey Continues
My brother's comment, though offhand, sparked a profound realization for me. It helped me see my work (and my life) in a new light, and for that I’m grateful. I'm an "AI monastic," and I'm excited to see where this path leads.
I invite you to join me on this journey. Let's explore the potential of "AIs and Shine" together, not as a replacement for our humanity but as a powerful tool to enhance it, to further embrace all that this life has to offer.
What do you think? Does the idea of "Tech Monasticism" resonate with you? What are your hopes (and fears) about the intersection of AI and personal growth? Let's continue the conversation.