A.I. and Spirituality? - Chinmaya Mission Philippines Talks About It!

 - May 6, 2023, Saturday.

- Artificial intelligence has once again been the talk of the town lately, with intriguing and intimidating features in the latest advancements in technology. More intriguing is what does the latest trends in AI technology say about the being and future of mankind? In a slight diversion from my usual travel posts, let me talk a bit about my recent speaking engagement! It still fits in my general blogging interests since this is related to some extent to my rather cultural posts. This time, I once again go back to Chinmaya Mission Philippines as one of their speakers for their event entitled "Are We Ready for AI?"

- Chinmaya Mission Philippines is a Hindu spiritual organization started by Swami Chinmayananda in the 1950s. It aims to make Hinduism more approachable and understandable to its devotees. In the Philippines, they're based in their new home in Taguig (I've been to Chinmaya events in the past, but this is my first time to visit their new building!) At times, they organize special events such as this talk to as a way to have conversations between spirituality and current trends. This is one of the things I admire about the organization. Chinmaya Mission Philippines is one of the spiritual organizations supported by the local Indian community.

Chinmaya Mission Philippines' new building!

Left: image of Ram and Hanuman. Right: image of Swami Chinmayananda.

Some books for sale. These are meant to help children learn more about their gods and spirituality.

Of course I had to look my best.

- The talk had 6 pairs of speakers that tackle an aspect of AI and spirituality. Some talked about AI and school, AI and fitness and wellbeing, AI and spirituality from both children's and the elderly's perspectives, as well as AI and relationships. I spoke with my partner, yoga instructor Glen, about the implications of AI in our teaching profession. All talks generally provided ways as to how AI can help us with our daily tasks, but also how there are certain things that (as far as we know) cannot be replaced by AI. In my case, I shared that while AI can help in teaching or learning, nuanced and personalized guidance and being a role model are still things that only human teachers can do well. Finally, Brahmacharini Satarupa-ji, the head of Chinmaya Mission Philippines, shared how AI will always be created by humans, who possess "Natural Intelligence" (NI). Natural Intelligence allows people to reflect, discern, question, meditate, among other things that make us human. While there are AI apps, as shared by some speakers, that help people learn more about their religion or beliefs, it is up to people to practice and carry out those lessons in life.

With my partner speaker Glen, who by the way told me that I was a yogi. Maybe not the body-bending kind like him, but in mind and spirit. Long story short, I've been able to meditate and share the art of meditation to others, and apparently, that is yoga according to Glen. Thank you for letting me know Glen!

Thanks to my friend Sharon for getting this awesome shot!

Brahmacharini Satarupa-ji during her talk.

This was during the open forum after the talk. I got this photo from my friend Sharon. 

Photo of the event, from the Chinmaya Mission official Facebook page.

 - I learned so much from all the other speakers, and it was nice hearing where they all come from. Glen and I were the only non-Indian speakers, but I didn't actually feel that we were out of place. As for me, it was nice reconnecting with my Indian friends, and meeting new people as well. The crowd was vibrant, as is has always been in Chinmaya events. 

With Glen, after the talk.

It's an honor to have a photo with Brahmacharini Satarupa-ji.

With Geeta, the main organizer of the talk.

With Jasmine, who invited me to be a speaker for the talk!

- To cap the night, my good friend Jasmine and I had a really filling dinner as a pat on our back for all our hard work - especially for Jasmine! Jasmine was part of the tech crew of the whole event! It was a really long day, but I really enjoyed spending time learning from other people. Who knew that there are fruitful intersections between AI and spirituality, and that they don't have to go against each other?

Books and Roses in Intramuros!

- April 22, 2023, Saturday.

- Books and roses anyone? If you're not familiar with how these two are related, then you're missing out! Dia del Libro or "Day of Books" is an annual book fair in Spain, especially in Catalunya, where men are given books and women were given roses on St. George's Day (Sant Jordi). It is held in April. These days, people often organize book-and-flower markets, and sometimes people get a rose whenever they buy a book dueing Dia del Libro. The tradition of Dia del Libro has been brought to other parts of the world through the Instituto Cervantes, the language and culture arm of Spanish embassies around the world. 

HOLA!!

I AM BACK.

- Who knew it would take me this long to visit Instituto Cervantes Manila? Instituto Cervantes Manila also holds a special place in my heart as I did my internship there when I was in college - and I helped organize Dia del Libro that summer too! I used to blog almost every year about Dia del Libro since I loved going there even before I did my internship. That is, until Instituto Cervantes Manila moved to Makati City. They used to be located near UN Avenue, which was closer to me. Makati was just so hard to reach from Manila especially with all the pre-pandemic traffic. It was then when I wasn't able to attend their cultural events. In 2018, they opened their Manila branch in Intramuros, and this year, they held it here instead of Makati. What joy for me!!

Museum visit.

Flying books.

I bought this because my dad has been disappointed in me in this department since I was young. HAHAHAHA. (Note: the book is more literature and culture based, not grammar based, so good luck to me because I don't understand a word.)

Got my rose for buying a flower!

- This year, they had many vendors from publishing hours that specialized in academic books, language books,  as well as history and culture books. They also had stalls from Embassies that had historical and cultural ties to Spain (Mexico, Colombia, Venezuela, etc.) There were some food stalls selling Spanish food too. I got myself an "enye" bread, a letter that is native to the Spanish language. They also had various activities like a Spanish demo class, diagnostic tests, photo booths, a free visit to their modest art gallery, and some games related to the Spanish language. But most importantly, it was nice to be reunited with some friends who are with Instituto or volunteered as staff for the event. I also met some colleagues as well!

With my former classmate Denzel!

Kuya Allan hasn't aged a day since my internship centuries ago. Kuya Allan is the trusted security personnel of Instituto! I was also twinning with Kuya Allan HAHAHAHA.

With Rio!

My enye bread.

With my amazing collleagues Sir Chas and AC from Ateneo's History Department.

- Instituto Cervantes also had a partnership with Casa Manila, which is located along the book market. Although normally requiring paying for an entrance ticket, entrance to Casa Manila was free on Dia del Libro! If you didn't know, Casa Manila is a museum that was made to look like an aristocratic house during the Spanish Era. I've been to Casa Manila tons and tons and tons of times, but why would I reject anything free right? My friend and colleague AC and I had a blast visiting Casa Manila.

Casa Manila courtyard.

I look like I work in Casa Manila.

Context: AC wanted to take a photo of the room and I tried to step away from the frame. There wasn't much space so I had to squish myself in the corner. I didn't know I was part of the photo....hence....this masterpiece.

- Later that afternoon I brought AC to La Cathedral Cafe behind Manila Cathedral because he hasn't been there and we both wanted to eat and catch up. It was the perfect way to end the day, and I'm really glad it didn't rain PLUS it wasn't scorching hot, because the rooftop dining of the cafe is al fresco and best enjoyed that way.   

The main reason why AC and I wanted to eat at La Cathedral Cafe. I didn't take photos anymore since I had photos during a previous visit.

- Visiting El Dia Libro was the perfect cultural breather I needed from all my work-related headaches these days. It was a reminder of why I always like attending cultural events. I understand that many fancy events are now done in Makati or BGC where the space is perhaps bigger, but I will forever be thankful for events done in (rather congested) Manila!