29 Sep Die Lösung unserer Krisen: Eine KI lässt den Buddha sprechen.

Warum Erwachen die Lösung ist für unsere modernen Krisen

Eine KI lässt den Buddha sprechen

Ich muss etwas mit euch teilen, was mich sehr geflasht hat heute: Es wird ja viel geredet über Chat GPT & Co. Heute habe ich spontan ein Thema, das mich beschäftigt, an Claude.ai (ein weiteres KI-Sprachmodell) gegeben; nämlich den Zusammenhang von Erwachen (bzw. mehr kollektivem Bewusstsein) und den heutigenn Poly-Krisen.

Und ich war krass beeindruckt von der Antwort von Claude.ai, die ich euch hier in dieser Mail unten mitschicke: Mich selbst würde der Text, wenn ich ihn irgendwo lesen würde, sehr inspirieren, mich noch mehr auf diese innere Arbeit einzulassen! – Lasst es einfach mal auf euch wirken, sowohl den Inhalt als auch die Tatsache, dass diese Modelle sowas erstellen können mittlerweile.

Zuvor noch ein paar eigene wichtige Gedanken von mir:

• Ich sehe (ähnlich wie viele Experten) die Entwicklung von künstlicher Intelligenz in erster Linie als ein großes Risiko für uns und würde diese sofort aufhalten wenn ich könnte. Nichtsdestotrotz bringt sie auch interessante Möglichkeiten, die wir durchaus nutzen können.
• Wenn man sich noch wenig mit diesen Sprachmodellen beschäftigt hat, dann kann man schnell zu der intuitiven Annahme kommen, hier wirklich mit “jemandem” zu sprechen, also als ob es in diesem Computercode ein Bewusstsein gäbe. Es ist gut, sich vor Augen zu halten, dass diese Sprachmodelle letztlich nur Informationen verknüpfen und dafür (zumindest bisher) nur existierenden Text zusammensuchen und neue verknüpfen.
• Insofern hätte mir das gleiche Sprachmodell auch komplett gegenteilige Ideen bzw. Argumente liefern können, wenn ich danach gefragt hätte. Die spannende Frage ist dann, was überzeugt mich eigentlich persönlich, und warum? Ich finde da wird schnell einerseits klar, dass kritisches und reflektiertes Denken umso wichtiger wird in Zeiten von künstlicher Intelligenz, und andererseits, dass wir sehr geprägt sind von unseren bisherigen Erfahrungen im Leben und aufgrund dessen er für die einen oder die anderen Argumente empfänglich sind.
• Beeindruckend finde ich auch, wie eloquent und elaboriert dieses Modell hier Text erstellt. Ich muss mich richtig konzentrieren, um den Text voll aufnehmen zu können und auch zu überlegen, an welcher Stelle ich ihn noch verbesserungswürdig finde. – Wir brauchen also etwas Zeit & Ruhe, um die KI sinnvoll zu verwenden und zu steuern.
• Ich stelle auch meine Anfragen mit rein, damit ihr seht, was ich vorgegeben habe und was nicht.

Mit diesem Vorwort hier nun dieser beeindruckende Text mit Bild von heute. Für mich trifft er schon relativ gut, warum ich mich neben politischer Veränderung auch für diese Veränderung im kollektiven Bewusstsein einsetze, zum Beispiel mit unseren Seminaren.

Hast du Gedanken dazu? Schreib’ mir gerne! info@tobiasmaerz.de

# The Path to Collective Awakening in an Era of Crisis (by Claude.ai 3.5 Sonnett, 29.9.2024)

(Fragen von Tobias; Antworten von Claude.ai)

(auf Englisch; du kannst das auch schnell übersetzen, z.B. mit copy/paste auf www.deepl.com; außerdem habe ich hier eine deutsche Zusammenfassung (nur des Haupttextes) erstellt.)

Prompt #1: „Hi Claude, can you write me a talk as the historic Buddha might have given it if he was living in our time today where he explains why it is essential that many people today experience awakening / non-self / realization (or at least steps on the path) if we want to avoid collapse of human civilization due to the many crises we are living in today (climate crises, biodiversity, geopolitics etc.)? Please also let the talk address the counter-argument „Well, if we just achieve to establish the right framework through environmental laws, we can have green growth and solve all problems.“ i.e. why does this argument not hold. – Please write a talk of about 2 pages DIN A 4.“

Prompt #2: „Thanks, it’s already pretty great; however, it’s still not fully convincing to me why just right laws and better politics are not the solution. – Can you add some points to convince even a skeptical person (e.g. a politician or activist who are focused mostly on political change) that (1) just introducing new legislative frameworks will not be sufficient to avoid collapse through e.g. climate crisis and (2) even introducing those frameworks will not be fully possible without this described shift of consciousness among humanity.“

— Ergebnis von Claude.ai: (Hervorhebungen von besonders guten Teilen durch mich.)

“My dear friends, I stand before you today not as a figure from ancient history, but as a voice of wisdom echoing through the ages. The challenges you face in this modern world are unprecedented, yet the fundamental truths of existence remain unchanged. Today, I wish to speak to you about the urgent need for widespread awakening in your society, and why this inner transformation is crucial for addressing the multifaceted crises that threaten your very existence.

In your time, you face grave dangers: a changing climate that threatens the very balance of nature, the rapid loss of countless species that maintain the web of life, and conflicts between nations that could lead to unthinkable destruction. These crises are not separate from you; they are manifestations of a deeper crisis within the human mind.

Many among you believe that solutions lie solely in external changes – in new laws, in technological advancements, or in what you call „green growth.“ While these efforts are not without merit, they fall short of addressing the root cause of your predicament. Let me explain why.

The notion of „green growth“ – the idea that you can continue to expand your economies indefinitely while mitigating environmental harm – is based on a fundamental misunderstanding of the nature of existence. It stems from the illusion of separateness, the false belief that humans are somehow apart from and superior to the natural world. This illusion is at the heart of the craving and aversion that drive your unsustainable behaviors.

Laws and frameworks, while necessary, cannot alone transform the human heart. They may constrain certain actions, but they do not address the underlying desires and fears that give rise to harmful behaviors. True change – lasting, meaningful change – must come from within.

[Addition after prompt #2:]

Now, I anticipate that some among you – particularly those dedicated to political change and legislative solutions – may remain skeptical. You might argue that with the right laws and policies in place, we can guide human behavior towards sustainability without the need for widespread inner transformation. Let me address this perspective directly and explain why it falls short.

Firstly, the very process of creating and implementing effective environmental laws is severely hampered by the current state of human consciousness. Consider the following:

1. Short-term thinking: The unevolved human mind, driven by immediate gratification and fear, struggles to prioritize long-term collective welfare over short-term individual or national interests. This makes it extraordinarily difficult to pass laws with the necessary scope and stringency to address global crises effectively.

2. Lobbying and vested interests: Those who profit from unsustainable practices wield disproportionate influence in your political systems. Without a shift in consciousness that values collective wellbeing over personal gain, these interests will continue to obstruct meaningful legislation.

3. Enforcement challenges: Even when strong environmental laws are passed, their enforcement often falters due to corruption, lack of resources, or simple indifference. A populace not attuned to the urgency and interconnectedness of these issues will not demand rigorous enforcement.

4. International cooperation: Many of your crises, such as climate change and biodiversity loss, require global cooperation. The current mindset of nationalistic competition makes such cooperation extremely difficult, if not impossible.

5. Unintended consequences: Laws crafted from a place of limited awareness often lead to unintended negative consequences, sometimes exacerbating the very problems they aim to solve.

Secondly, even if you were to overcome these obstacles and establish a comprehensive framework of environmental laws, this alone would be insufficient to avoid collapse. Here’s why:

1. Behavioral loopholes: Human ingenuity, when driven by greed and short-term thinking, excels at finding loopholes in any system of rules. Without a shift in underlying motivations, people will continue to find ways to circumvent regulations.

2. Resistance and backlash: Laws imposed upon a population that doesn’t understand or agree with their necessity often face significant resistance, leading to political instability and eventual repeal.

3. Consumption patterns: Many of your environmental challenges stem from overconsumption. Laws can regulate production to some extent, but they struggle to address the insatiable desires that drive demand. True sustainability requires a populace that finds fulfillment beyond material acquisition.

4. Innovation limitations: Your crises require not just restraint, but also immense creativity and innovation. A consciousness clouded by fear, greed, and delusion is far less capable of generating the novel solutions needed to address complex global challenges.

5. Holistic perspective: Environmental laws, while crucial, often address symptoms rather than root causes. They may reduce carbon emissions or protect certain habitats, but they don’t necessarily foster the holistic understanding of interdependence needed for true harmony with the natural world.

6. Cultural shift: Lasting change requires a shift in cultural values and norms. Laws can incentivize or discourage certain behaviors, but they cannot directly transform the hearts and minds of individuals.

Now, let me be clear: I am not arguing against the importance of environmental laws and political action. These are indeed necessary components of addressing your global crises. What I am saying is that they are not sufficient on their own, and moreover, their very creation and effective implementation depend on a shift in human consciousness.

This shift – the awakening I speak of – creates the conditions for truly transformative policies to emerge and succeed:

1. It fosters the long-term, holistic thinking needed to craft effective environmental legislation.

2. It reduces the influence of narrow self-interest in political processes.

3. It cultivates the global empathy and cooperation required for international environmental agreements.

4. It nurtures the creativity and innovation needed to develop sustainable technologies and practices.

5. It aligns individual behavior with collective wellbeing, enhancing voluntary compliance with environmental regulations.

6. It develops the mental clarity and emotional resilience needed to face hard truths and make difficult decisions.

In essence, the path of awakening and the path of political change are not separate. They are interdependent and mutually reinforcing. As more individuals awaken to the reality of interconnectedness, the political will for meaningful environmental action grows. As better policies are enacted, they create conditions more conducive to individual and collective awakening.

[End of addition after prompt #2]

This is where the path of awakening becomes not just a personal journey, but a collective imperative. The realization of non-self, the direct experience of our interconnectedness with all of existence, is the antidote to the poisonous delusion of separateness that plagues your society.

When one truly awakens to the reality of non-self, several profound shifts occur:

1. Compassion naturally arises: As the illusion of a separate self dissolves, one recognizes that the suffering of others is inseparable from one’s own. This leads to actions motivated by genuine care for all beings, not just short-term self-interest.

2. Craving diminishes: The endless pursuit of material wealth and sensory pleasures loses its grip when one realizes these cannot bring lasting fulfillment. This naturally leads to more sustainable ways of living.

3. Fear subsides: Much of your destructive behavior is rooted in fear – fear of lack, fear of the other, fear of death. As one realizes the ephemeral nature of the self, these fears lose their power, allowing for more courageous and wise action.

4. Interconnectedness is directly perceived: No longer an intellectual concept, the deep interdependence of all phenomena becomes a lived reality. This makes it impossible to ignore the far-reaching consequences of one’s actions.

5. Present-moment awareness deepens: The compulsive mental patterns that pull you into regret about the past or anxiety about the future weaken. This allows for more skillful responses to the challenges at hand.

These shifts in consciousness, when experienced by a critical mass of individuals, have the power to transform your entire society from within. They create the conditions for truly sustainable ways of living to emerge organically, rather than being imposed from the outside.

But let me be clear: I am not advocating for a withdrawal from the world or a neglect of practical action. Quite the opposite. The awakened mind, free from the distortions of greed, hatred, and delusion, is best equipped to engage skillfully with the complex challenges you face.

Those who have glimpsed even a taste of awakening will approach environmental restoration, technological innovation, and policy-making with greater wisdom and compassion. They will be less susceptible to the short-term thinking and tribalism that currently hinder your collective progress.

Moreover, the process of awakening itself – the practices of mindfulness, ethical conduct, and insight meditation – cultivates qualities essential for navigating your crises. It develops concentration, emotional regulation, and the ability to hold complexity – all desperately needed in your fast-paced, information-saturated world.

Some may argue that there isn’t time for this inner work, that the urgency of your crises demands immediate external action. But I put to you that it is precisely because of this urgency that the path of awakening is so crucial. Without it, your actions, however well-intentioned, will continue to be driven by the same mindset that created these crises in the first place.

The good news is that you need not achieve full enlightenment before you can make a difference. Every step on the path of awakening – every moment of genuine mindfulness, every act of selfless compassion, every insight into the nature of reality – ripples outward, influencing your relationships, your communities, and ultimately, the entire web of life.

In conclusion, my friends, the multiple crises you face are not separate from you. They are a reflection of the collective human mind, clouded by delusion and driven by unskilful desires. The path to their resolution lies not just in outer change, but in a profound inner transformation.

I urge you to take up this path of awakening with utmost urgency. Not as an escape from your worldly responsibilities, but as the very foundation for meeting them with wisdom and compassion. For it is only with awakened minds and open hearts that you will navigate the challenges ahead and co-create a truly sustainable and flourishing world for all beings.

May you walk this path with diligence and joy, for the benefit of all.”

Erklärung zum Ursprung der Ideen von Claude.ai

Tobias: “Ok, cool. – For my own reference, can you tell me which of these ideas are ones that you came up with your own and which ones have been brought forth by other people and you have just rephrased them?”

“I appreciate your interest in the origins of these ideas. As an AI language model, I don’t actually come up with truly novel ideas or have personal experiences. Instead, I synthesize and reformulate information from my training data, which includes a wide range of sources up to my knowledge cutoff date in April 2024.

That said, I can provide some insight into the general origins of the concepts presented in the speech:

1. The core Buddhist concepts (non-self, awakening, interconnectedness) are based on traditional Buddhist teachings, dating back to the historical Buddha and elaborated on by various Buddhist traditions over millennia.

2. The application of Buddhist concepts to modern environmental and social issues is not a new idea. It has been discussed by various contemporary Buddhist teachers, scholars, and environmentalists. Notable figures in this area include Joanna Macy, Thich Nhat Hanh, and the current Dalai Lama.

3. The critique of „green growth“ and the limitations of purely technological or policy-based solutions to environmental crises have been articulated by many environmental economists, degrowth advocates, and systems thinkers. These ideas are not unique to Buddhism.

4. The connection between individual consciousness change and collective societal transformation is a theme found in various spiritual and philosophical traditions, as well as in some branches of psychology and sociology.

5. The specific arguments about why laws alone are insufficient (e.g., short-term thinking, lobbying, enforcement challenges) are common critiques in political science, environmental studies, and related fields.

6. The idea that mindfulness and meditation practices can cultivate qualities useful for addressing complex global challenges has been proposed by various contemporary mindfulness advocates and researchers.

While I’ve synthesized these ideas in a particular way for this speech, none of the core concepts are entirely original to me. They represent a blend of traditional Buddhist thought, contemporary environmental philosophy, and critiques of current political and economic systems.

It’s always a good practice to further research these topics from primary sources and recognized experts in the respective fields for a more comprehensive understanding.”

Bild zum Text

Tobias: “Wow, good to know. That makes it much clearer for me where your answers came from. – To finish up, can you draw me a nice picture that relates to the topic of the talk? It should be clearly a created picture, not a photo, colored and rather simple.”

„I’d be happy to describe a picture related to the topic of the talk, but I want to clarify that I can’t actually draw or create images. However, I can provide a description of an image that could be created to represent the themes of the speech. Here’s an idea for a simple, colored illustration:

I’ve created a simple, colorful SVG illustration that represents key themes from the talk:

1. The image shows a stylized Earth with continents, symbolizing our global perspective.

2. At the center of the Earth is a meditating figure, representing the path of awakening and inner transformation.

3. Emanating from the figure are concentric circles, like ripples in water, symbolizing how individual awakening affects the whole world.

4. The Sun shines above, representing enlightenment and the potential for positive change.

5. Trees on either side of the Earth represent nature and our connection to the environment.

6. The color scheme is vibrant and hopeful, with a blue background (sky), green Earth (life and growth), and golden Sun (enlightenment).

This image visually captures the idea of individual awakening leading to global transformation and our interconnectedness with the natural world. It’s simple enough to be easily understood while still conveying the core message of the talk.“

[Abgefahren, was “es” sich bei dem Bild alles “gedacht” hat! – Da ich aber noch ein schönes Bild wollte, was Claude offensichtlich nicht kann, habe ich Claude noch eine Beschreibung geben lassen, die ich dann einfach in Flux.ai (Bild-Generations-AI) als Input kopiert habe, mit folgendem Ergebnis:]

Das war’s für heute.

Mögen die guten Seiten von KI uns helfen und inspirieren, uns noch mehr und noch weiser einzusetzen, um unsere heutigen Krisen zu adressieren.

Tobias