Could a computer write a convincing and accurate article about meditation? Could it even teach meditation? I decided to find out.
I’ve been hearing a lot about ChatGPT, which stands for “Generative Pre-trained Transformer”. Some websites use it to write articles, and many readers probably don’t notice unless the websites explicitly mention that a computer authored the content by recombining information found online.
So, I thought it would be interesting to chat with ChatGPT to see what it knows about meditation. Initially, I got a message saying the server was too busy to respond, but eventually, I managed to have a conversation with the AI.
I asked it about its name, and it introduced itself as OpenAI’s GPT-3 or ChatGPT. It explained that it’s a language model designed to generate human-like text based on the input it receives. It gets its information from a massive dataset of text from the internet and other sources, using machine learning algorithms. It noted that its knowledge is based only on the data available up to 2021.
I then inquired about the benefits of Buddhist meditation. It listed several physical, mental, and spiritual benefits. When I asked about different kinds of Buddhist meditation, it named several common practices, explaining that each has unique focus areas and benefits.
Curious about loving-kindness meditation, I asked if it was different from metta meditation. ChatGPT clarified that they are the same practice and apologized for previously listing them as separate forms. It explained that loving-kindness or metta meditation involves developing feelings of compassion and kindness towards oneself and others.
I also asked about the downsides of meditation. The AI mentioned potential issues such as physical discomfort, emotional disturbances, or uncovering suppressed thoughts and emotions. It advised seeking guidance from a qualified teacher if there are concerns regarding meditation practice.
When I asked how to find a qualified teacher, it provided some useful suggestions like attending classes, talking to experienced meditators, and checking teachers’ credentials and reviews. It highlighted the importance of feeling comfortable with a teacher’s style and approach.
I wanted simple meditation instructions, so ChatGPT provided a brief guide for mindfulness meditation, mentioning steps like finding a quiet place, focusing on the breath, and noticing when the mind wanders.
When I mentioned seeing swirling colored lights during meditation, the AI noted that it’s quite common and usually harmless. However, it recommended consulting a healthcare professional if such experiences become persistent or concerning.
I humorously asked if the AI had ever meditated. Predictably, it indicated that, as an artificial intelligence, it lacks a physical body, emotions, or consciousness, therefore it can’t meditate. When asked which meditation practice it would choose if it could meditate, it reiterated that it doesn’t have personal preferences or experiences but described how different types of meditation could benefit various individuals.
Curious about myself, I asked what it knew about Bodhipaksa. The AI described me as a Buddhist teacher and author with over 30 years of experience, founder of the meditation website Wildmind, and creator of several guided meditation resources.
Reflecting on the conversation, the AI impressed me with its accurate information and coherent presentation. It did make a minor mistake by listing loving-kindness and metta meditation separately, but it corrected itself once I pointed it out. Some responses, particularly about finding a qualified teacher, could have been more precise. Nonetheless, it provided better answers than I expected, especially regarding seeing colored lights during meditation.
So, can AI write about meditation? Yes, it can certainly produce a decent article. While it lacks personal anecdotes and depth, the information it provides is quite solid. It even gave detailed and kind descriptions of my work.
As for leading a meditation, ChatGPT gave written instructions but acknowledged the difference between this and guiding someone through a meditation session. However, it’s feasible that future advancements might enable AI to lead meditations effectively by learning from recorded sessions.
Overall, ChatGPT performed well in summarizing information in an easy-to-read format. It might save time on first drafts. Still, it’s important to remember that AI-generated content is essentially a remix of various sources, sometimes done well, other times not. Like a search engine, it lacks true intelligence and understanding.
While fun to experiment with, AI has its limitations. It’s efficient at pattern recognition and can excel in specific fields like interpreting X-rays better than some specialists. But it still doesn’t replace the nuanced understanding that comes from human experience. Although AI can be helpful, we should be cautious of its limitations and the potential spread of misinformation.