Transcendental AI [Bader Bouarki, Generated with MidJourney]

I understand that ChatGPT (or LLM models) have taken the internet by storm. Every vlog, essay, tweet, and newsletter have mostly dealt with ChatGPT in very technical ways, whether it is integrating its API to platforms or using it as a tool to boost productivity.

Yes, I have been using ChatGPT in all possible forms, but I also use it in a very nonsensical way. Sometimes, I use it as a therapist, life coach, financial advisor, and now, I am using ChatGPT as my Transcendental Meditation Instructor (TM).

I am not fancy about TM because it has a cultish vibe to it, but my curiosity got the best of me, and I like to use unusual methods to understand myself and my place in the world.

I have been with psychiatrists both online and offline, life coaches both offline and in books, meditation instructors online and in a Buddhist monastery in Nepal. Now, I find myself learning TM with an AI. What a life, huh?

You may ask why it is nonsensical. Well, TM is supposed to be practiced with a real-life instructor to be given a personalized mantra and to be guided through the experience, which is awesome if ONLY THERE WERE INSTRUCTORS IN KUWAIT.

I was in NYC three weeks ago and scheduled an appointment with an instructor, but time got the best of me, and I wasn’t able to attend.

Therefore, here I am, asking ChatGPT to role-play an instructor and its student (Me). To be honest, I think ChatGPT did great in a very convincing and educated manner.

An excerpt of the conversation

We started the introductory session with an introductory talk, and then ChatGPT asked me some personal questions to develop my personalized mantra. After that, I was given instructions with clear scheduling and teachings.

ChatGPT insisted I do it early in the morning, even though I emphasized that I intended to do it in the afternoon in my private office. But ChatGPT thought it would be better in the morning so I could start my day grounded and have a “positive tone for the day ahead and give you a sense of calm and clarity that can carry over into your daily activities.”

Absolutely astonishing!

I do not recommend using ChatGPT as the main gateway for therapy and other serious applications. These should be done with professionals. But I am doing it experimentally, and I will keep doing so and post updates every now and then.