"The groundwork of all happiness is health." - Leigh Hunt

Why AI eyes-open meditation apps can do more harm than good in your mental health.

Simple, portable and convenient. The latest AI-powered wellness and meditation apps may look like the best solution for those in search of peace in a chaotic world, but can an AI app really replace the expertise of a human meditation guide? ? Not easily.

Meditation goals to enhance focus and self-awareness. Academic trainingImproving self-regulation and Bring an oath Physical and psychological advantages, from stress reduction to raised sleep and lower blood pressure.

Open-eye meditation has recently attracted media interest, because of celebrity wellness influencers, e.g. Gwyneth Paltrowdescribing the virtues of the practice. It involves keeping a relaxed, open gaze while being fully present within the moment. If practiced properly, open-eye meditation can offer. A sense of connection Increased awareness of environment and surroundings.

A up to date meditation expert and Buddhist monk, Bhikkhu Samadhikousala, explained to us that within the Buddha's teachings, “meditation”, or “” translates as “that which is to be developed”. Therefore, meditation involves repeated training to develop and achieve a positive cognitive, emotional or reflective state.

If meditation is practiced incorrectly (without proper guidance or clear focus) it will probably have negative effects, resembling negative emotions, increased self-criticism, or hypersensitivity – Even in standing meditation.

Anytime, Anywhere?

Some apps suggest that open-eye meditation could be practiced in any setting, resembling a bus or a gathering, but this approach could be dangerous.

One of the psychological advantages of meditation and mindfulness practice. Introspection and self-awareness. Meditation is commonly done with the eyes closed, in a quiet place, to permit leisure without distraction. This is very necessary for many who are recent to meditation.

Although types of open-eye meditation have been described. Sati Pathan Suttathe Buddha's teachings on mindfulness, setting is significant when trained teachers usually are not present.

Bhikkhu Samadhikusala explains that beginners or untrained individuals who attempt to meditate in a busy, overstimulating environment can develop into detached, zone out, or develop an aversion to those distractions. The exact opposite of nonjudgmental attention to the current moment.

AI-powered eye-opening meditation apps are gaining popularity.

What works for you?

Mindfulness interventions have been designed for a wide range of settings and have shown improvements in the final workplace. Goodness and supporting recovery for serious mental illnesses, e.g Psychology.

Modern meditation practices have ways to suit busy and varied lifestyles, making it easy to include mindfulness and positive states into on a regular basis activities, e.g. food, running And even to color.

However, these methods are scientifically developed and don't blur the lines with concentration-based meditation. They also don't require the identical level of guidance and supervision.

There is danger in that. Following new trends Can lead in meditation Negative emotional experiencesresembling anxiety or depression. Meditation needs to be addressed individually. ObjectivesSo it's necessary to be sure you already know what you need to achieve. Choosing the correct variety of meditation ensures that the practice meets your abilities and health needs.

Balancing AI and human influence

Meditation apps should properly support the practice, relatively than leaving users to do it alone. This is very necessary when assistance is provided by AI relatively than a human.

It is unclear how meditation experts have been involved in developing the emerging eye-opening meditation apps. Moments of Space — an app that Paltrow promotes — for instance, has a meditation the creator quotes and the background relies on. Dzogchen WisdomFrom the Buddhist and Bon traditions of Tibet.

While space moments are well-known, It highlights This content is “not endorsed by, and no formal relationship or partnership exists with, these teachers”. We could find no clear explanation that the app – or its AI – used Buddhist source texts or scientifically validated methods, e.g. Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy. The only explanation provided is a press release that the AI ​​is “trained on the modern psychology of habit properties and emotional states, as well as ancient mindfulness teachings”.

While the usage of AI in such apps could seem advanced, the standard of AI support Source data which has been used to organize it. With AI, if it's not clear what source material has been used to create a meditation guide, it's equally unclear how much it should help its users.

It is actually possible to meditate along with your eyes open, but AI meditation apps currently don't provide enough support to offer the specified positive impact on health.

Without a trained human to guide users away from negative situations, eye-opening meditation can have psychological effects. Developing apps to support meditation in an accessible way makes good sense, nevertheless it's critical that they involve recognized experts in meditation. This ensures that apps effectively promote wellness.