Congruence in Context

Vajrayana and AI in conversation

In a few weeks Andrew Shade Blevins and I will host the first in a series of conversations between Vajrayana practitioners and researchers in AI and cognitive science.

This newsletter is to let you know that the event is happening on Friday 31st July, at 11:00 ET, and that you can read more here and buy a ticket to attend. We’ll post more later about how the series emerged and what to expect.

Our speakers will be Tim O’Donnell and Sasha Vezhnevets.

In this first conversation, we’re not expecting to resolve conflicting ideas or to reach conclusions. We will set the frame, surface the most generative questions, and establish the ground to build on.

For a Vajrayana practitioner, how to be congruent is a live and relevant question. The end activity, lhundrup (rigpa in action) can be understood as fluid responsiveness across changing contexts.

Now I’ve begun to ask: What does it mean for any agent, human or artificial, to come into congruence with its context? What’s the same about how you or I experience congruence in the world, and how do we differ from AI agents?

I’ve been delighted and fascinated by some of the discussions that have come from asking that question with my clients, friends, and collaborators. If you’re curious too, I’d love to see you there.

Charlie