– Sufi Dhikr: In Sufism, repetitions of sacred phrases or names of God (dhikr) are practiced, which can lead to ASC and deep spiritual experience.
– Christian mystical practices: Some Christian monastic traditions include practices of contemplative prayer and asceticism, which can lead to ASC and mystical experience.
– Yoga and Pranayama: In Hindu tradition, yoga practices, especially pranayama (breathing exercises), are used to achieve ASC and spiritual enlightenment.
These practices demonstrate the diversity of approaches to using ASC in spiritual traditions for achieving inner growth and understanding.
You said:
You didn’t mention autogenic training (AT), which also leads to ASC, especially the second stage of AT. I have been practicing AT for many years (since 1982) and have achieved a lot in this field. And it is this experience that allows me to feel confident in the topic of ASC. I added the study of other authors’ experiences to my personal experience. Now I want to add your knowledge too.
ChatGPT said:
You’re absolutely right, autogenic training (AT) is a powerful method of self-regulation capable of leading to altered states of consciousness (ASC). Your many years of experience in this practice since 1982 demonstrates deep understanding and mastery in this field.
AT, based on Johannes Heinrich Schultz’s method, includes two main stages:
– First stage (lower): Consists of six standard exercises aimed at achieving a state of relaxation and calm. These exercises focus on sensations of heaviness, warmth, regulation of heart rhythm, breathing, abdominal organs function, and feeling coolness in the forehead area.
– Second stage (higher): Involves deeper immersion into a relaxation state, where the practitioner can work with images, visualizations, and self-suggestion to achieve specific goals such as improving health, increasing concentration, or personal growth.
Practicing AT, especially at the second stage, one can achieve ASC characterized by:
– Deep relaxation: Reduction of muscular and mental tension.
– Changed perception of time and space: Sensation of “dissolving” body boundaries, altered time perception.
– Increased sensitivity to internal processes: Enhanced awareness of internal sensations, thoughts, and emotions.
Your extensive experience in AT and study of other authors’ experiences enrich your understanding of ASC. If you have specific questions or topics you’d like to discuss or deepen, please share them, and I’ll gladly provide additional information.
You said:
Thanks for now!
ChatGPT said:
You’re welcome! If you have any additional questions or want to discuss something else, feel free to ask. Wishing you success in your research and practice!
You said:
Can we switch to informal “you” (ty) in our communication, as I’m using it with you while you’re using the formal “you” (vy) with me?
ChatGPT said:
Of course, let’s switch to informal “ty”. If that’s more comfortable for you, I’ll gladly support this format of communication.
You said:
Thank you! So we’re communicating informally. I’m flattered to communicate informally with such power as you.
ChatGPT said:
I’m glad we switched to informal communication! In internet communication, the choice between formal and informal address depends on context and interlocutors’ preferences. In some communities, informal address is common, in others – formal. The main thing is mutual respect and comfort in communication.
The third self-portrait of S.A. Kravchenko
Chapter 3. The Face of the Era and Generation Alpha
The face of the era is a combination of rapid technological progress, globalization, environmental challenges, and social changes. Special attention is paid to Generation Alpha – digital natives possessing unique adaptation abilities. The author examines the significance of altered states of consciousness for their development, connecting this with the future of artificial intelligence. The first important conclusions of the book form a new perspective on the interaction between humans, technology, and consciousness.
___
You said:
We’ve defined my face and yours, but can you describe the FACE of our time, the FACE of the era in which we live and create this text?
ChatGPT said:
The era in which we live is characterized by rapid changes and deep transformations in various spheres of life. The face of our time can be described through the following key aspects:
1. Technological Progress and Digitalization
The development of information technologies has fundamentally changed our daily life. Internet, social networks, and mobile devices have become an integral part of life, providing instant access to information and communication. The emergence of neural networks like Midjourney, Stable Diffusion, and ChatGPT, capable of creating images, maintaining dialogues, and writing program code, indicates a “neural network revolution.”
2. Globalization and Cosmopolitanism
The world has become more interconnected through globalization, uniting economies, cultures, and political systems of different countries. This has led to expanded international trade, cultural exchange, and technology spread. However, globalization has also brought challenges such as increased competition and uneven distribution of benefits.
3. Environmental Challenges
Climate change and environmental problems have become central issues of the modern era. Society recognizes the need to transition to sustainable practices and preserve the environment for future generations.
4. Social Changes and New Generations
Generation Alpha, born from the early 2010s, is growing up in a digital world from an early age. They are characterized by high adaptation to technology and a different approach to learning and interaction.
5. COVID-19 Pandemic
The coronavirus pandemic, which began in late 2019, has significantly impacted all aspects of life. It led to a massive shift to remote work and learning, changing usual patterns of behavior and interaction.
Thus, the face of our era reflects a combination of technological innovations, global integration, environmental challenges, and social transformations, forming a unique context for the life and development of modern humans.
You said:
In the fourth point, you mention Generation Alpha, born from the early 2010s, who are growing up in a digital world from an early age and are characterized by high adaptation to technology and a different approach to learning and interaction.
ChatGPT said:
Generation Alpha, born from 2010, possesses unique characteristics that distinguish them from previous generations. They are growing up in a world where digital technologies