The Intersection of AI, Mindfulness, and Education: A Powerful Essential Partnership
What if I were to tell you that the landscape of teaching and learning is on the cusp of completely transforming in ways that are far beyond our current comprehension?
Just like the caterpillar transforming into the butterfly.
School’s purpose is evolving from being filled with content and knowledge to developing socially and emotionally aware, language-rich, critical thinkers, and creators. While basic skills must continue to be taught, the rest becomes a partnership of learning with Artificial Intelligence (AI), mindfully. Schools must embrace their true purpose as social communities for children to explore and create, especially through Mindfulness-Based Social and Emotional Learning (MBSEL).
The success and impact of our unfolding transformation are grounded in the interconnected intersection of AI, Mindfulness, and Education.
We find ourselves at a Proactive Pivotal Point, urging us to embrace this intersection simultaneously. By doing so, we can create a world of possibility rather than succumbing to the destruction many currently perceive. Surprisingly, through this intersectionality, the very thing that has disconnected us—technology—can become the very force that connects us at an even deeper level.
As courageous Heart-CenterED Changemakers, we must be timely in navigating this shift and embracing the Proactive Pivotal Point. Waiting leaves us in an amplified space of reactivity and reparation. We are not merely "reimagining" education; we are disrupting a broken system, creating a new heart-centered approach to education through the partnership of AI and mindfulness.
Before delving further, let's address our mindsets and start from a place of possibility.
How do you feel about technology in general?
What phrases, beliefs, and emotions do you associate with technology and AI?
What comes up for you when thinking about the intersection of AI, mindfulness, and education?
Take a moment to pause and reflect on your observations.
A powerful practice I share with Heart-CenterED Changemakers is "Catch It, Check It, Change It." Catch the thoughts and beliefs around technology, check if they serve from a heart-centered place of purpose, and then choose to change them into something that propels this work forward.
Reality Check #1: Artificial Intelligence (AI) is not a fad; it is among us and is expanding with velocity. We can either resist or embrace it. Resisting it perpetuates negativity, while embracing it as an essential co-creator can lead to positive outcomes. The intention behind something is what becomes our reality–Which of these intentions do you want AI to embody?
Reality Check #2: You cannot avoid AI, and you do not need to be an expert. Release fear and approach it with a beginner's mind—a perspective of a Heart-CenterED Changemaker. After all, how can anyone be an expert in something that is an expert in everything? Even AI itself is learning, so let’s learn together and create our reality together.
Reality Check #3: Recognize the essential difference between AI and humans. Humans possess real, authentic emotions, a heart, and the ability to adapt to various conditions—qualities AI lacks. AI can create and mirror really powerful suggestions, but it still has a predictable algorithm to follow, even with generative AI. We need all forms of data to transform our world and elevate our humanity.
How do we create our new generation of Heart-CenterED Changemakers?
It is through blending the worlds in education, ensuring our society has AI Literacy (UNESCO guide for schools) and Mental Health Literacy (CDC/DASH guide for schools) through mindfulness.
Additional Resources: Reflection around the CDC recommendations and the Coalition of Schools Educating Mindfully recommendation crosswalk
Our new formula is through Authentic Intelligence–a reframed “AI”–by using our HEART, at the intersection of AI, Mindfulness, and Education:
Human Intelligence + Emotional Intelligence + Artificial Intelligence =
Authentic Intelligence
HOW? Using our HEART:
Health = Being aware of your body, breath, emotions, and thoughts (mindfulness)
Environment = Setting the conditions for success based on the internal and external data
Affirmation = Fostering the mindset for the experience in the moment
Response = Making a choice and taking aligned action
Transform = Reflecting how using your HEART transformed you or the experience
(Explore my children’s book, The Superpower of Your HEART, and the companion Teacher’s Guide)
It all leads back to the heart, always.
AI, at its core, is a tool awaiting human action. It opens avenues for solutions, but it is the human touch that brings these solutions to life. We live in a time where the solutions to our world's problems are at our fingertips, technology is available to implement them, our hearts infuse the intention, and human action is the catalyst for change. Our students and society need to believe, be empowered, and become Heart-CenterED Changemakers.
Essential questions for courageous, calm, and connected classrooms:
Courageous: What courageous steps are needed to explore outside of your comfort zone confidently?
Calm: How can we tap into our inner awareness to reduce reactivity in the transformation?
Connected: How can we reimagine connection and elevate compassion?
