This summer, my son and I spent an amazing father-son week in Glacier National Park, Montana. It was heartening to share the breathtaking scenery—and the adventure—with my son.
Not only did the journey reinforce our bond, but it also taught me something about three different kinds of intelligence:
Each contributed to the trip in their own wonderful way.
Like most travelers today, we relied on Artificial Intelligence to gather information, solve problems, and help us make decisions about flights, accommodation, weather reports, restaurants, hiking trails, even our e-bike rentals. AI made planning easier.
However, it did have limitations. It didn’t pedal my bike.
I had to do that myself when my son, Nate, and I rode pedal assist e-bikes on the famous Going-to-the-Sun Road—a spectacular climb past glacial lakes, waterfalls, and alpine valleys. Our goal was Logan Pass—32 miles round trip, climbing some 4,000 feet to nearly 7,000 feet in elevation.
As I rode, I had to conserve both the battery and my stamina. The higher we climbed, the harder I breathed. Before long, my legs started sending messages I didn’t want to hear.
Slow down. Take a break. You don’t have to rush to the top. Enjoy the journey!
At first, I ignored those messages. Then something wiser took over. Organic Intelligence. My body knew exactly what I needed—a drink of water, a peanut butter sandwich, a few minutes of rest. When I paused long enough to listen, I became aware of what my body and senses were telling me.
And something remarkable happened. Instead of fighting my organic intelligence and pushing myself relentlessly to the top, I began working with it. My body was already producing what I needed—endorphins to ease discomfort, dopamine to support motivation, and serotonin to help regulate my mood.
The question wasn’t whether I had Organic Intelligence. The question was: “Am I listening to my body?”
Organic Intelligence includes the physical and emotional messages that tell us how we’re doing and what we need. Our minds help us solve problems. Our emotions provide information. Our instincts quietly guide us.
But then something happened that neither Artificial Intelligence nor Organic Intelligence could fully explain.
When Nate and I reached Logan Pass, we stopped and gazed at towering mountains, some still covered with snow. Time seemed to stand still. For a few moments, nothing needed to be accomplished.
No emails. No schedules. No notifications. Simply being there was enough.
Can you recall moments like that? Watching a sunset. Holding a child. Walking through a forest or along a sandy beach. Looking up at a full moon. You probably felt connected to something larger than yourself.
I call that Divine Intelligence.
Divine intelligence reminds us that life is more than staying busy, accomplishing goals, and checking things off a to-do list. It invites us to become still, experience wonder, and remember why the journey matters in the first place.
Standing beside my son at Logan Pass, I realized something. Years from now, I may not remember the AI that helped plan the trip or book the e-bikes. I may not even remember the Organic intelligence that told me to eat my peanut butter sandwich, stop for a rest, and take in the fresh mountain air.
But I know I will remember the conversations we shared along the road. I will remember the quiet among those majestic mountains and the feeling that, for a little while, I was exactly where I was meant to be. Totally at peace with where I was.
The next time you’re facing an important decision, consider drawing upon all three kinds of intelligence:
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