Awakening according to AI

      I recently heard Rick Archer - of Batgap (Buddha at the Gas Pump https://batgap.com/) - describe his website's unique Bots. Unlike most, which scan 'horizontally' ie broadly, all data on the web, his site's Bots scan 'vertically' ie deeply into only selected respected / trusted data. He has 3 different Bots, each loaded with appropriate resources:
    "Compassion Bot" - https://www.awakin.ai/compassion/thread?t=about 
    "Interfaith Bot" - https://www.awakin.ai/interfaith/thread?t=about  and 
    "Batgap Bot" - https://www.awakin.ai/batgap/ask

    So I posed the question, "What are definitions of Awakening?" not to a wise human being, but to Batgap's "Compassion Bot" which quickly provided a surprisingly decent, fairly nuanced, nonsense-free answer - mercifully the opposite of the old database admonition, "garbage in, garbage out!" :

"Awakening is a profound and transformative shift in one's sense of identity and perception. Here are a few perspectives that capture its essence:

• Identity Shift: Awakening involves moving from a self-oriented perspective, where a personal "self" is at the center, to an expansive identity that includes everything. It's a movement to a broader worldview that influences how you view, experience, and relate to the world and others.

• Awake Awareness: It is the transition from a thought-focused consciousness to an awareness-based knowing, allowing a deeper connection to the present moment. This state of being is often associated with feelings of being in flow, selfless service, or deep love, where you 'forget yourself.'

• Direct Knowing of True Nature: Awakening is also described as a direct recognition of a deeper, true nature, often experienced as a profound absence of self. This state is characterized by a unity experience where all is perceived as interconnected oneness.

• Timeless Ground of Being: Awake awareness is seen as the formless, boundless, and timeless essence that serves as the foundation of our being. This awareness brings clarity, presence, and freedom of choice.

In essence, awakening is not about changing beliefs or external circumstances but rather about shifting how we organize our minds and identities. It's about embodying an awareness-based way of knowing that deeply connects us to our true self and the world.

Follow-up questions you might consider:

• How can I start my journey towards awakening?
• Are there specific practices that can facilitate awakening?
• What role does service to others play in the process of awakening?
• How do different spiritual traditions view awakening?
• Can an awakening experience be sustained over time, and how?

As actionable next steps:

• Reflect on moments when you've experienced feelings of connectedness or presence.
• Explore meditation or mindfulness practices to cultivate awareness.
• Engage in acts of service to deepen your connection with others.
• Seek conversations or literature on various spiritual paths to broaden understanding."

Stone Jizo Statue - SangkalaArt - www.etsy.com