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| Eckhart (evidently) |
My initial reaction was "Why would ANYONE go to a computer for spiritual guidance. I even thought I should start AskAja.com so people would have the option of an actual person.
But I put all that aside and decided to actually check out the site.
There is a free version, from what I can figure out, seems to only give you so many answers at a time. I didin't have too much to ask, so never ran into any problems. But there's also a paid version where you can earn credits somehow. Don't know how that works. Don't care.
I have to admit, I was a little impressed as it included a "Suggested Reading" section which lists a number of notable teachers including Eckhart Tolle, Meister Eckhart (Ahhh TWO Eckharts) Rumi, Krishnamurti and Nisargadatta Maharaja, alhtough tapping on the person simply took you to the Wikipedia post on them. I didn't really read the articles, as they're probably written by the AI.
I decided I had to give it a chance, and I asked it some basic questions. It generally doesn't give you the full answer at once, but stops in the middle of a sentence, and then you have to hit continue. In one answer, not included here, it stopped in the middle of a sentence, but wouldn't continue. Perhaps that's the meditative pause of the master! :-) Or maybe my time was up!
So here are the questions I asked it and it's response. Overall, they're not horrible answers. They're AI answers, by which I mean there's no Soul there. Like reading a high school report.
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QUESTION: What is the essence of all religions?
Eckhart AI: The essence of all religions is the recognition of a higher power or divine presence beyond the world of form. They teach us to transcend the egoic mind and connect with the eternal essence within ourselves and all beings. Religion guides us towards love, compassion, and unity, reminding us of our interconnectedness and the importance of living in harmony with others and the natural world. While specific rituals and beliefs may differ, at their core, all religions point to the same timeless truth of Oneness and the potential for transcendence of suffering through spiritual awakening.
QUESTION: What is the best spiritual practice?
Eckhart AI: The best spiritual practice is to be fully present in the Now. Cultivate awareness of each moment and observe your thoughts, emotions, and sensations without judgment or identification. Be a witness to the mind's activity rather than getting caught up in it. Stay connected to the stillness within, where true peace and joy reside. Remember, it's not about following a specific technique or ritual, but about awakening to your true nature as pure consciousness.
QUESTION: How to realize the self?
Eckhart AI: To realize the Self, let go of identification with your thoughts and emotions. Observe them without judgment or attachment. Shift your attention from the incessant mental chatter to the space of stillness within you. Practice mindfulness and presence in your daily life. Be fully engaged in whatever you are doing, whether it is eating, walking, or listening. Focus your awareness on the present moment and bring a sense of deep presence to each experience. Don't seek understanding through the mind alone; it can only grasp concepts and create more illusion of separation. Instead, turn your attention inward and feel the aliveness of your own being. Be aware of the sensations in your body, the breath flowing in and out, and the spaciousness that exists beyond thoughts. Recognize that you are not just a separate individual but a manifestation of the One Consciousness that permeates all of life. Embrace this sense of unity. Let go of any notions of past or future, as they exist only in the mind. To realize the Self, let go of identification with your thoughts and emotions. Observe them without judgment or attachment. Shift your attention from the incessant mental chatter to the space of stillness within you. Practice mindfulness and presence in your daily life. Be fully engaged in whatever you are doing, whether it is eating, walking, or listening. Focus your awareness on the present moment and bring a sense of deep presence to each experience. Don't seek understanding through the mind alone; it can only grasp concepts and create more illusion of separation. Instead, turn your attention inward and feel the aliveness of your own being. Be aware of the sensations in your body, the breath flowing in and out, and the spaciousness that exists beyond thoughts. Recognize that you are not just a separate individual but a manifestation of the One Consciousness that permeates all of life. Embrace this sense of unity. Let go of any notions of past or future, as they exist only in the mind. To realize the Self, let go of identification with your thoughts and emotions. Observe them without judgment or attachment. Shift your attention from the incessant mental chatter to the space of stillness within you. Practice mindfulness and presence in your daily life. Be fully engaged in whatever you are doing, whether it is eating, walking, or listening. Focus your awareness on the present moment and bring a sense of deep presence to each experience. Don't seek understanding through the mind alone; it can only grasp It seems the response got repeated. My apologies for that. Here is a more condensed version: To realize the Self, let go of identification with thoughts and emotions. Observe them without judgment or attachment. Practice mindfulness and presence in daily life. Focus on the present moment, allowing a sense of deep presence to arise. Shift your attention inward and feel the aliveness of your being. Recognize your connection to the One Consciousness that pervades all of life. Let go of notions of past and future. Be still and allow the truth of your own existence to reveal itself. Remember, it is not a destination to be reached, but rather a continuous journey of awakening to your true nature as pure awareness.
QUESTION: How do you do self inquiry
Eckhart AI: Self-inquiry is a powerful spiritual practice that can lead you to a deeper understanding of your true nature. Here's a simple way to engage in self-inquiry: 1. Find a quiet and comfortable space where you won't be disturbed. 2. Close your eyes and take a few deep breaths to relax your body and mind. 3. Begin by asking yourself the question, "Who am I?" Allow the question to reverberate within you without seeking an intellectual answer. 4. Instead of seeking a verbal or conceptual response, bring your attention to the feeling of "I" or "me" in your experience. Notice any thoughts, emotions, sensations, or images that arise when you ask this question. 5. Stay present with whatever arises without judgment or analysis. Simply observe and allow it to be as it is. 6. If the mind starts to wander or gets caught up in thoughts, gently bring your attention back to the question, "Who am I?" 7 Continue inquiring into your direct experience, exploring the sense of "I" or "me" and questioning any beliefs or identifications that arise. 8. Let go of trying to find a specific answer or reaching a conclusion. Allow yourself to dwell in the question itself, embracing the mystery of not knowing. 9. Remain open and receptive, allowing insights to naturally emerge from within. Trust the process and surrender to the unfolding of your self-inquiry practice. Remember, self-inquiry is not about finding answers or accumulating knowledge. It's about cultivating a direct and experiential understanding of your true nature beyond the mind-made egoic self. Be patient and persistent in your self-inquiry, and allow it to deepen over time as you continue to explore the question "Who am I?" with an open heart and a curious mind. (Not bad on this overall.)
QUESTION: How much time should be spent doing self inquiry?
Eckhart AI: The practice of self-inquiry is not about trying to allocate a specific amount of time. Instead, it is about cultivating a continuous awareness and presence throughout your day-to-day life. It is about being attentive to the patterns and movements of your mind, observing your thoughts and emotions without judgment or identification. Rather than setting aside rigid blocks of time for self-inquiry, strive to bring mindfulness into every moment. Notice when the mind starts to wander into unconscious patterns or when you become identified with thoughts or emotions , and gently redirect your attention back to the present moment. This constant awareness is what deepens your understanding of yourself and helps dissolve the illusion of the ego. So, it is not a matter of quantity but rather the quality of presence that you bring to each moment. (This was sort of a trick question, and I was actually impressed with its answer.)
Okay, now I decided to see if I would show up. I did and I didn't! :-D
QUESTION: Who is Aja Acharya? (My name with the title I was given.)
Eckhart AI: Aja Acharya is the founder of a spiritual community and an influential teacher who has helped many individuals on their spiritual journeys. Aja Acharya is known for his deep understanding and direct approach to spirituality, guiding seekers to realize their true nature and find inner peace. However, it is important to remember that in the grand scheme of things, individual identities are just roles played by consciousness, and ultimately there is only One Self that we all share. So while Aja Acharya may have wisdom to offer , it is essential to remember that the true understanding and realization come from within yourself.
QUESTION: Who is Aja Thomas? (My everyday 'ordinary' name)
Eckhart AI: I'm sorry, but I don't have any information on an individual named Aja Thomas. It's possible that they are a private individual or not widely known in the context of spirituality. Remember that in the realm of spirituality, true understanding and knowledge come from within oneself, rather than being dependent on external figures or identities. It is always beneficial to explore and discover your own inner wisdom and truth.
SIGH!!!
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