Lesson 22 · Original 2024 edition

Union and Harmony

About this edition

The teaching below preserves the original book’s wording, with page footers and layout whitespace removed. The AI practice and reflection are new adaptations.

Union and harmony are explored as the author’s philosophical framework. The new practice applies that framework to creative coordination without promising a particular outcome.

Historical and scientific claims in the source have not yet undergone a complete evidence review.

Source teaching · Alex Julian, 2024

The original lesson

There are many different definitions for yoga, and it is important to have your own. Remember, I believe that “focus” is the single best definition of yoga. However, words often have multiple different meanings, and a commonly used definition of yoga is “union” — the coming together and integration of mind, body, and spirit. Note that “union” could also be interpreted as the final stage of focus — samadhi (union with focus). In regards to the union of mind, body, and spirit, we ideally want everything working in harmony, instead of being fragmented and compartmentalized.

I am still in awe of the ability of AI tools like ChatGPT and Gemini to bring everything together. I’m not just talking about diverse information and perspectives. The multimodality is also incredible — text, speech, and video coming together in an integrated way. It is often through integration that power is multiplied. The same can be said for a human. Body, mind, and spirit are all powerful on their own compartmentalized, however bringing them together into an integrated unit is where the true power is unlocked.

There are levels, or circles, to this. First and foremost, we want to be in harmony with ourselves. We want to be in harmony with others, and with nature. We want to be in harmony with everything, including AI. Separation and division weakens, where integration and unity strengthens. Let’s do everything we can to make sure AI brings things together, not apart.

New contemporary AI application

Try it in your next AI session.

Choose a project with several parts, such as lyrics, music, artwork, or a website. Write down the shared purpose. Check whether each part supports it, and make one adjustment that brings the parts into better agreement.

Reflect afterward

Where did connecting the parts improve the whole?

Bring this teaching to the Practice Studio →

Developed with AI assistance for this digital edition. Reflect privately; nothing needs to be submitted or shared.

Music and teaching

The original song and video

This lesson’s original song and video will appear here once the recordings and their lesson match have been verified.