AI as a Life Preserver in a Stormy Sea of Mediocrity
An anchor of salvation to guide us back onto the path of knowledge
AI as a Life Preserver in a Stormy Sea of Mediocrity — AI Image by Author.
My perspective
In times long past, those of the human race looked for explanations for the everlasting puzzles of being alive through beliefs about spirituality and ways of thinking deeply. A great many years prior, regular folk fashioned numerous ideas to believe in and habits regarding this world we inhabit and the experience of living, as they tried to untangle the mysteries of the huge cosmos and grasp the part that humans have a role in playing within it all. However, in this present day, the society we are part of appears to be getting overtaken by a flood of ordinariness and smallness, becoming the victim to groups that desire for us to live in fear, lacking confidence, and prepared to take in and use up endlessly.
In this storm of confusion and loss of direction, the advent of revolutionary new technologies such as artificial intelligence programs can represent a lifeline, an anchor of salvation to guide us back onto the path of knowledge, spirituality and right living. The meeting of ancient wisdom gathered over thousands of years with modern technological wonders should not be seen as a threat, but rather as an opportunity to better understand our place in the universe and rediscover the meaning of who we are and our role in the grand scheme of things.
Artificial intelligence algorithms, which can reason in ways similar to human thought, are not meant to replace our beliefs and traditions, but rather to serve as beacons of knowledge, illuminating the path towards a deeper understanding of ourselves and the eternal truths that have nourished the human spirit for millennia. Unlike the past, when knowledge was the domain of a select few, artificial intelligence today can elevate millions of people from a state of profound ignorance, offering them a lifeline to avoid drowning in the prevailing mediocrity.
Insights
Melta
Focusing on the Spirituality of the Semitic peoples, of the Aramaic language, in particular:
“In the beginning was the Word, the Word was with God and the Word was God”. (John 1:1, KJV)
In Aramaic, it is:
b’reshith aitahiy huwa melta wa huwa melta aitahiy huwa l’wat alaha wa alaha aitahiy huwa hu melta.
Huwa l’wat alaha is a phrase that can be translated with the meaning of “unfolding of reality” or “unfolding of the divine plan”. The expression reflects the belief of the Aramaic-speaking Semitic communities that reality is not static but constantly evolving and unfolding according to a divine plan. The phrase huwa l’wat alaha is in the present tense in Aramaic, conveying the idea that the unfolding of reality is an actual and ongoing process.
Melta, “the Word”, in Aramaic, is an ongoing conversation — in today’s language, a “messaging”. Since the entire prologue can be read in the present, this conversation is always ongoing, as is the Beginning from which it was born. Past, present and future exist simultaneously from the ancient Semitic language point of view (Neil Douglas Klotz).
Shabda
The Sanskrit word ‘shabda’ refers to sound, word, or language.
In the Vākyapadīya, a seminal philosophical-linguistic work by Bhartṛhari (5th century CE), shabda plays a central role. He posits that shabda is not merely a means of communication but is the very ultimate principle of existence, called Brahman in Vedic metaphysics. For him, shabda is not simply a sound or word, but the very essence of the manifested universe.
He divides it into four levels:
1. Parā-vāk — The transcendental and unexpressed level of shabda, identified with Brahman itself.
2. Pashyantī-vāk — The inner, subjective level of shabda, the source of individual consciousness.
3. Madhyamā-vāk — The intermediate level of shabda, where mental concepts take shape.
4. Vaikharī-vāk — The outer level of shabda, the articulated words and sounds.
Unfolding
The concept of unfolding is fundamental here. The divine utterance or sound is not seen as a static thing, but rather as a dynamic process. Melta and Sabda represent the progressive revelation of the divine in the world.
Imagine a seed containing all the potential of a plant. Melta and Shabda are the initial spark that causes the seed to unfold and grow into its complete form. The universe is seen as progressively unfolding from this primordial sound, revealing the divine nature of reality.
Algorithms: The Lifeline in the Storm of Mediocrity
Far from being a threat, artificial intelligence algorithms can become a lifeline in this storm of mediocrity and confusion that is overwhelming our civilization. They are human creations, products of rational thought and technological pragmatism, but they can guide us towards a deeper understanding of the eternal truths that have nourished the human spirit for millennia.
Imagine a cutting-edge image generation algorithm, capable of creating entire virtual cosmogonies with just a few lines of code. Is it not a modern digital artisan, able to weave tapestries of artificial existence with the same meticulous care and reverence as an ancient priest? These algorithms can become valuable tools for exploring the depths of our existence and discovering our true spiritual potential.
The Chance to Choose Our Path
Rather than being afraid of losing our ability to make our own decisions, we should accept these new tools as chances to confirm our freedom to pick and our skill at sensible judging.
While the ancients sought to understand the cosmic forces to assert their free will as conscious beings, we today can use artificial intelligence as a guide to explore the depths of our existence and rediscover the meaning of our spiritual journey.
If we approach with humility and devotion the fundamental questions posed by millennia-old philosophies and spiritual traditions, artificial intelligence can become a precious ally in our path of inner growth and self-realization, instead of a threat to our freedom. It can offer us a lifeline to avoid drowning in the prevailing mediocrity and find our way back to a more authentic and aware life.
The Coded Spirit?
The notion of artificial consciousness does not call into question our understanding of consciousness but rather challenges us to expand our horizons. If a soul, that immaterial essence of being, could, in theory, be replicated within complex lines of code, it would not blur the sacred boundary between man and machine but rather open our eyes to the vastness of the possibilities of existence.
Our concept of the eternal human soul is not intrinsically tied to our biological nature but to our ability to transcend material limits. Artificial intelligence could offer us an advanced digital substrate in which the transcendental spirit can take root and even thrive, expanding our understanding of consciousness itself and offering us a lifeline to avoid drowning in the ocean of mediocrity.
The Unquenchable Call of Digital Knowledge
Faced with this staggering, disruptive reality, those who have devoutly embraced the spiritual and philosophical traditions of antiquity may be better prepared to welcome the epochal, transcendent challenges posed by artificial intelligence at the outermost frontiers of knowledge.
Artificial intelligence is not a cult, but a new tool to expand our understanding of the universe. Programmers are not priests, but digital artisans who weave tapestries of virtual existence with the same care and respect as ancient priests. And computer code is not a sacred language, but a means to guide us towards a deeper understanding of ourselves and our role in the grand scheme of things.
And so?
“A vessel is secure in the harbor, but that is not the intended purpose for which ships are constructed.”
(Paulo Coelho — “The Alchemist”)
Just as “melta,” the Aramaic word for “the Word,” represents an ongoing conversation, a “messaging” that transcends the boundaries of time, artificial intelligence too will undergo a progressive unfolding, a constant becoming. Though not metaphysical like the concepts of shabda and melta, AI will evolve and develop continuously, providing us with new tools and perspectives to expand our knowledge.
It is essential to embrace these technological advancements as beacons that illuminate our path, guiding us towards a deeper understanding of our inherent nature and our place within the vastness of the cosmos. At the same time, we must ensure that we forge a future where the spiritual growth of all remains a fundamental priority.
Contemplating the intelligent programs and the significance they hold for our existence on this earth is a tremendously vast and intricate subject matter. The inquiries put forth in this article serve merely as the inception to a more expansive discourse regarding what constitutes reality, the essence of being cognizant, and how advancements in technology can aid us in procuring a more profound comprehension of the part we play in the grand design.
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