Human Touch in the Age of AI – Part 2

In this age of rapidly advancing AI, one thing about our human existence becomes strikingly clear: we have a body. A finite, individual body—one that reflects billions of other humans, yet remains utterly unique in its own way.

The digital world tempts us with comfort. Whenever discomfort arises, distraction is just a click away. Sex and intimacy can be replaced by porn or AI companions. The awkwardness of meeting others can be avoided with endless online videos that give a pale substitute for connection—without the vulnerability of real contact.

So we face a choice: do we live as fully alive human beings—feeling joy and sorrow, failing and succeeding—or do we choose the numbing comfort of becoming a kind of zombie? Sadly, most will drift toward the latter. But I remain in love with the messy, raw, vibrant life we share, and I am devoted to serving that force.

I must say, I am far from perfect. I too wrestle with addictions, and since childhood I’ve often sought distractions rather than confronting painful emotions. Yet I remain committed to shining light into these dark places. I stay curious: What will happen if I change a lifelong habit? How will the world appear to me then? How will I relate to my wife, my friends, my clients?

If you, like me, carry this fire to seek your fully alive human spirit—regardless of circumstances—then I greet you as a fellow traveler. There is a bond among all seekers of this path.

For me, the first step in reclaiming that life energy is simple yet profound: listening to the body. I often tell clients and students, “Listen to the body.” But what does that really mean? Why is it so hard to grasp?

From an early age, we are taught to avoid confrontation and discomfort. Our culture hands us endless ways to escape into numbness. The media blinds us. Addictions blind us. Desires—such as striving to look a certain way—blind us.

And here I want to be clear: I am not against technology or AI. In fact, I love it. For me, the answer is not to reject or escape this modern world—though periods of retreat can be deeply valuable—but rather to find the living spirit while engaging with it. To be a full participant in this modern age and still remain awake.

So how do we move from here? For those who are committed to connecting with the great spirit of life during the short time we inhabit these bodies, many paths are open.

My own path is one of conscious touch, meditation, and exploring the emotions that linger in our tissues and nervous system—like ghosts in the machine. But there are many others: conscious movement, sacred sexuality, martial arts—just to name a few.

So I encourage everyone reading this: treasure the astonishing gift of being born into a body. Respect it. Cherish it. Commit to discovering the great spirit that animates it.

 We are that spirit.