For FULL YouTube video: MINDFULNESS, AI & PRAYER: A NEW AREA OF STRESS RELIEF

Monday, July 29, 2024 

Are you S-T-R-E-S-S-E-D?

How are you feeling today?

Instead of solely focusing on the isolated aspects of stress, let us adopt a comprehensive strategy that encompasses the mind, body, and spirit. This can be achieved through self-regulation techniques, including the utilization of tools such as artificial intelligence, prayer, and meditation. The power of prayer constitutes a deeper look into the study of stress relief as discussed in the Vishkin et al. (2019) experiment and study regarding prayer and emotion regulation.

The application of the Christian Psychological method is more imperative in addressing the challenges and problems encountered in life. Indeed, through the practice of mindfulness training, we have the ability to regulate our own breathing, which in turn has an impact on our physical well-being. Indeed, while it is true that cultivating positive ideas and engaging in daily affirmations can have an impact on the mind; however, we must also consider the well-being of the soul. As trinitarian beings of mind, body and soul, we must address the body holistically in the interconnectedness that it itself creates.

As stated in Scripture, we are composed of both our mental, physical, and spiritual aspects. Every day, we engage in a constant struggle with our inner selves. Attempting to use a Tesla vehicle without a battery or access to a charging station is futile, as both components are essential for its functionality. Energy is essential for both the soul and your Tesla. The energy derives from an essential source. Similar to the comparison, it is necessary for us to have a superior entity that occupies the central position as the primary energy source.

In 1 Thessalonians 5:33, the Scripture declares, "May the God of peace himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be kept sound and blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ"(New American Standard Bible, 1960/2021). As a Christian, the central attention is on God for all matters. We grapple with internal fears known as sin. The sin originated at the core of The Fall of Man in the initial book of the Bible, Genesis, when Eve was beguiled by the Great Deceiver and Adam failed to comply with God's instructions.

The battle with the physical form commenced long before, and resolving it at present necessitates more than a mere "self-help" book, although they can be helpful. This necessitates a thorough examination of our inner essence, our internal conflict, and our internal serenity.

Stress is ubiquitous with life. In order to effectively handle this situation, we must delve further into the realms of truth and reality.  That truth comes concomitantly with self-awareness, help from others, help from a God, and using the divinely inspired, living Word of instructions, the Holy Bible. As Scripture proclaims in Hebrews 4:12, "For the word of God is living and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, even penetrating as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart"(New American Standard Bible, 1960/2021). 

We want to live with as little stress as possible. We encourage each other in many ways to accomplish this goal. Through new innovations like artificial intelligence being used as a tool, we can connect, inform, and help each other through innovative devices, solutions, and practices. In a recent college student study by Sturgill et al. (2021), the use of AI and mindfulness can be affective. By combining combing traditional and innovative approaches, we can create a comprehensive tool kit for mental well being.

00:00:00 Seeking Solutions Together

00:02:21 A Path to Awareness

00:02:48 Mastering Your Inner World

00:03:13 Finding Comfort and Strength

00:04:00 A New Frontier

00:04:30 Proving the Power of Combined Therapies

00:05:10 Stories of Success

00:07:32 A Holistic Approach

00:08:07 Embracing a Brighter Tomorrow

Resources:

New American Standard Bible. (2021). Zondervan. (Original work published 1960)

Sturgill, R., Martinasek, M., Schmidt, T., & Goyal, R. (2021). A novel artificial intelligence-powered emotional intelligence and mindfulness app (ajivar) for the college student population during the COVID-19 pandemic: quantitative questionnaire study. JMIR formative research, 5(1), e25372. https://doi.org/10.2196/25372

Vishkin, A., Ben-Nun Bloom, P., Schwartz, S. H., Solak, N., & Tamir, M. (2019). Religiosity and emotion regulation. Journal of Cross-Cultural Psychology, 50(9), 1050–1074. https://doi-org.ezproxy.liberty.edu/10.1177/0022022119880341

Rita Kurtz (Ph.D. in progress) is a Harvard University Scholar and Thought Leader in multidisciplinary and cross-sector concentrations including Artificial Intelligence (AI), technology, writing, law, psychology, neuroscience, neurotheology, ethics, morals, divinity, diversity, anthropology, and the sciences. 

Rita is an interdisciplinary researcher and recent graduate of Harvard University with a master's degree from the Faculty of Arts & Sciences department. Studying under esteemed Harvard Law School Professor Roberto Mangabeira Unger (SJD), Harvard University Law Director of Intellectual Property Allan Ryan, including Dr. Cornel West (Presidential Candidate 2024), and Dr. Arthur Kleinman (Harvard Department of Anthropology and Psychiatry), gave her well-roundedness in the interdisciplinary studies of law, anthropology, philosophy, ethics, morals, media, religiosity, and politics making her a well-prepared Ph.D. candidate. Through the acquisition of a prestigious Cross-Registration Academic Scholarship from Harvard, she gained a broader academic perspective and cultivated a profound curiosity about making scholarly contributions to the discourse surrounding difficult existential inquiries. In light of her Harvard Professor Unger's discussions on ethical, moral, and legal ramifications of utilizing artificial intelligence and the effects of the Knowledge Economy, she further investigated these topics, gaining the implications of the historical Tocquevillian perspective on the underestimation of technology's role. Historical data such as history, religiosity, and technology, piqued her interest in investigating these future issues in an effort to offer deeper research and discussions to grapple with these AI existential issues.

While at Harvard University, Rita combined her professional skills in television and film and took part in several projects, such as being selected out of several candidates, to participate in a research study at the Langer Mindfulness Lab in the Department of Psychology which delved into the intense psychological effects of news medium's impact on the consumption and conveyance of news to the public. As a researcher at Harvard, she wrote two research papers and successfully presented them to a panelist of fellow Ph.D. scientists. The first paper researched Nutraceutical Skin Therapy: Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Ganoderma lucidum, a study on how mushrooms may support youthful skin and aid in patients suffering from the autoimmune disease, sarcoidosis. The second delved into extensive research on Meat Analogues: Are We Making a Positive Political Advancement to Save the Planet? Or A Personal Health Choice that Barely Sustains Ourselves?, uncovering the unnatural ingredients masked in meatless burgers from Beyond Meat and Impossible Burger. She became a published nonfiction writer and a certified digital storyteller while at Harvard. 

In her undergraduate degree, her interdisciplinary studies in law, anthropology and philosophy, makes her a well-rounded research candidate. Her past academia undergraduate BBA studies covered a gamut of disciplines including writing legal briefs and law courses in Constitutional Law, Business Law I &II, Torts, Corporate Finance, Accounting 1 & 2, Human Resources, Business Policy, Political Science, Operations Management, Programming, Economics, Chemistry, Chemistry Lab, and Consumer Behavior. Her studies in computer programming, economics, anthropology, and philosophy, broadened her technical mindset for business.

Rita runs an online e-commerce store and is a digital content creator, gaining some experience with Python Programming language. She stays current on mainstream topics as a blogger, social media influencer, and actress/entertainer. As a world traveler, she divides her time between speaking, performing, and engaging in television, radio, and stage productions. She has covered tech news and innovations as a repeat spokesperson at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES), MacWorld, and for Belkin Components, hence the nickname, “Gadget Girl.” Her past acting appearances aired on Lifetime, History Channel, Fox, and the Paramount Network, landing her on an Emmy-nominated show. Her experience in media, led to a career in television, radio, movies, stage, and writing, gained her the branding of RitaRitaRita.

As a prior executive producer, TV and radio host of a positive side of sports, life and entertainment variety show, her co-hosts included Pro-NFL players and Industry Professionals. The show broadcasted on Warner Brothers Television and Fox. Her position led to interviews with billionaires, millionaires, celebrities, professional athletes, NASCAR drivers, professional medical staff, professional attorneys, musicians, and business owners. As a headline lead singer, she has toured with Grammy-Award winning musicians, and performed the national anthem for several professional sports teams around the United States. Rita is a strong writer, researcher, listener, articulate speaker, and takes direction well. She is most recognized for the national TV commercial in which she belted opera on a bus with a guy dressed like a Scandinavian viking-JG Wentworth (877-CASHNOW).

Rita formerly worked with a private company as a Government Account Executive supplying computer networks to the U.S. military around the globe creating relationships between the civilian sector and the government. She has also worked as a Record-Breaking Executive Technical Recruiter, receiving "Recruiter of the Month" and "Recruiter of the Year," for placing the highest commission received for the company, by placing a CEO into a Fortune 500 Tech Company. Her responsibilities as an Executive Technical Recruiter placed C-level executives into major tech companies and start-ups. Her well roundedness and entrepreneurial mindset led her to running a successful bakery at the Department of Defense (DoD) Air Force Exchange.

Currently pursuing her Doctorate of Philosophy degree, with a Christian Lens on ethics and morals, in Psychology and Law, her current research interests include artificial intelligence (AI), virtual reality (VR), law, ethics, morals, neuroscience, bioethics, aviation, military affairs, divinity and diversity. Her postgraduate studies at Liberty University allows her to research, analyze, test, generate new data, and the application of statistical and analytical data. Setting academic theories in psychology with a Christian worldview, opening deeper theories into more professional values, morals, ethics, behaviors, attitudes, justices, theoretical modeling, evidence-based modeling, culturally diversity standardization, leadership in trends, concepts, and methods. She is currently studying neuroscience, cognitive psychology, social-personality psychology, neurotheology, law, and statistics. Her main focus lies in self-regulation in the discipline of Health Psychology from a holistic-mind, body, spirit, and soul approach.

She is a current member of the American Psychological Association (APA), American Psychology-Law Society (AP-LS), National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ), American Federation of Musicians (AFM), Christian Association for Psychological Studies (CAPS), Harvard Black Alumni Society (HBAS), Harvard Club of NY, Harvard Club of Southern California, and the Harvard Alumni Association. She currently resides in Beverly Hills, California. Her faith in Jesus Christ is the foundation for her life. 

Awards: 

• High Potential Individual Visa(HPI) holder in the United Kingdom from 2024-2026. The HPI Visa provides preferential treatment to academic elite students with a professional degree from a top-ranked Ivy League university within the past five years, expanding horizons and international business in the United Kingdom. In 2022, only 1342 applicants were accepted globally.
• SMARTscholarship 2023 semi-finalist
• Harvard Academic Cross-Registration Scholarship Award 2021
• Top 20 List on Talking Writer 2020
• Record-breaking "Recruiter of the Month" for earning the company's highest single-placement for placing a CEO, as an Executive C-Level recruiter in a Fortune 500 Tech Company.
• SEFMD Science and Engineering Award in Microbiology, (First place (level 1) and second place (level 2)

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