Social Learning with BMS

In my last post ‘Don’t settle for the Robot’ I was encouraging learning from person to person. I talked about not settling for passive AI generated courses and concluding that you are not cut out for it. While I am not against AI and agree that it is here to change our world, what I am concerned of is that anyone (potentially someone who does not know anything about the topic) can publish AI generated content and appear to be an expert. My intention is that you will value the distinction between learning from a person who is displaying a quality or way of life that you wish to develop versus passive advise. Why?

As babies, none of us took a class on how to walk. We watched people around us walking and our physical body responded to the desire by mirroring the required development. It is quite a phenomenon, but basic to our nature. Role modelling is all we need to mimic and integrate any development, be it walking or coming to wholeness.

Direct observation, imitation and social learning are necessary conditions for our learning. It is imperative that we have access to people who are doing similar things that match our goal. Through the support of a tribe, we learn to soothe our anxieties and retain motivation. The social bonds we form is a safety net that protects us from regressing or giving up on our goal.

In my opinion, this is why the Buddha recommended a sangha (spiritual community). The three jewels namely, seeking relief from life’s stresses by remembering those before us who have embodied wholeness (buddha), the teachings of those beings (dharma) and the company of other aspirants who are also working on the same goal (sangha), are critical to one’s spiritual fulfilment.

It is my desire that you will take the opportunity of BMS Sangha and embark on a social learning adventure with us. I am a strong believer in the power of collective, together we can do things that none of us can achieve on our own. It is an honour when a group comes together and each of us gets to witness the momentum of its flow. I hope that you will join us.

Love,

Prabha