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 (short for “Generative Pre-trained Transformer”). Some websites use it to write articles without informing readers that a computer was behind the creation, relying on information it’s found elsewhere on the internet. Curious about what it could tell me about meditation, I decided to have a conversation with ChatGPT. It took some time, with delays saying the server was too busy, but eventually, I managed to get responses.
I introduced myself as Bodhipaksa and asked what it was called. ChatGPT introduced itself as OpenAI’s GPT-3, or simply ChatGPT, explaining it was a language model designed to generate human-like text based on its training data.
I asked where it got its information, and ChatGPT explained that it was trained on a large corpus of text data using machine learning algorithms. This training allows it to generate human-like responses, though its knowledge is limited to information available up to 2021.
When I asked about the benefits of Buddhist meditation, it listed various physical, mental, and spiritual benefits such as reduced stress, improved concentration, greater self-awareness, and an increased sense of well-being. It made clear these benefits could vary depending on the individual and the specific meditation practice.
I was then curious about the different kinds of meditation in Buddhism. ChatGPT described several forms, including mindfulness meditation, loving-kindness meditation (also known as Metta), Vipassana (insight meditation), and Samatha (calm-abiding meditation).
When I inquired about the difference between loving-kindness meditation and Metta meditation, ChatGPT initially listed them separately but then clarified they are the same practice. The goal is to develop feelings of kindness and compassion toward oneself and others by repeating phrases like “may I be happy” and extending those wishes to others.
I asked if there were any downsides to practicing meditation. ChatGPT explained that while meditation has many benefits, it can sometimes lead to discomfort, emotional distress, or even exacerbate mental health issues if not practiced correctly or without guidance from a qualified teacher.
For finding a qualified teacher, ChatGPT suggested looking for recommendations from friends or reputable sources, checking credentials, and attending a few classes to see if the teacher’s approach suits your needs.
I asked for simple meditation instructions, and ChatGPT offered guidelines for mindfulness meditation, suggesting to sit quietly, focus on your breath, and gently return your attention to your breathing whenever your mind wanders.
When I mentioned seeing swirling colored lights during meditation, it attributed such experiences to factors like relaxation or shifts in perception and mentioned they are generally normal, but advised consulting a healthcare professional if symptoms persist.
Curious if ChatGPT had ever meditated, I learned that it doesn’t have a physical body or consciousness to meditate in the traditional sense. When asked which type of practice it would choose if it could meditate, it reiterated that it has no personal preferences but acknowledged that different forms of meditation serve different purposes.
I inquired about myself, Bodhipaksa, and ChatGPT provided a kind description, mentioning my background as a Buddhist teacher and author, founder of Wildmind, and my contributions to mindfulness and meditation teachings.
From my conversation with ChatGPT, it seems the AI has the capability to put together a coherent and accurate article on meditation based on reliable data. While it correctly conveyed a lot of useful information, it did make a minor mistake by listing loving-kindness meditation and Metta meditation separately, but it promptly corrected itself.
However, the AI’s responses about how to find a qualified teacher were somewhat generic, though it did provide some helpful points on what to look for in a teacher. Its answer about meditation-induced colored lights was unexpectedly detailed and insightful.
Overall, ChatGPT could indeed write a decent article on meditation. Although it lacks the depth and personal anecdotes a human might provide, the information is solid. The idea of AI leading a meditation session seems feasible only with further development.
In conclusion, while AI like ChatGPT might be useful for generating initial drafts or providing basic information, it still lacks the nuanced understanding and lived experience that come from being human.