Education & Career Trends: November 4, 2024
Curated by the Knowledge Team of ICS Career GPS
Article by Deepak Chopra, published on medium.com.
The concept of “Digital Dharma” explores how modern individuals can align with the ancient Indian principle of Dharma in today’s digital age, particularly through tools like Artificial Intelligence (AI). Dharma, in its traditional sense, refers to the inherent support and guidance that comes from aligning with life’s natural order.
In this book, the concept is revisited in light of AI as a tool for achieving self-awareness, trust, and alignment with one’s purpose.
Dharma: The Foundation of Trust
A significant theme in “Digital Dharma” is trust—specifically, trusting oneself, a quality essential on the spiritual path. Trusting oneself involves more than a basic sense of self-confidence; it requires an expanded awareness that goes beyond ego limitations. The idea of “Trust the Process,” a core strategy in the book, encourages readers to cultivate a trust in their inner guidance, which can lead to more life-affirming, positive choices. This process aligns with Dharma by allowing one’s deeper consciousness to inform and support life decisions, bringing light to aspects of oneself that may otherwise remain hidden or neglected.
Cultivating Self-Trust Through Awareness
Self-trust begins with a trusting attitude instead of a sceptical one. This runs counter to the trend of public attitudes, which are highly distrustful, as revealed by asking AI.
Author: We live in untrustworthy times. Name the top 10 things people say they distrust the most.
ChatGPT
Distrust in various aspects of life can vary from person to person, but here are ten common things that people may express distrust in:
1. Politicians and government officials
2. News and media outlets
3. Big corporations and businesses
4. Social media platforms and online privacy
5. Financial institutions and banks
6. Healthcare system and pharmaceutical companies
7. Internet security and data protection
8. Foreign governments and international relations
9. Religious institutions and leaders
10. Lawyers and the justice system
This touches on a contemporary reality: a pervasive mistrust in society, exacerbated by the digital age. People are increasingly wary of institutions, corporations, and even personal relationships, affecting their self-trust capacity. AI provides an illustrative view of this, identifying the top entities people distrust, from politicians to social media platforms, reflecting a collective scepticism. This distrust can feel isolating, creating barriers that hinder open, trusting relationships.
Author: If a person cannot trust, what does that feel like? Tell me simply and briefly.
ChatGPT
When a person cannot trust, they often feel anxious, uncertain, and guarded. They may struggle to rely on others, worry about being deceived or hurt, and find it challenging to form close relationships. This lack of trust can lead to emotional distance and difficulty in feeling secure in their interactions and connections with others.
Despite the pressure to join the prevailing distrust and scepticism, nobody is forced to process their experiences the same way as everyone else. The way out is through enlightened processing. Only then can you truly trust your judgments, beliefs, and choices.
We need a starting point for such a major change, which AI can instantly provide in the form of a quiz to show you how trusting you are.
Author: Give me a quiz so that I can find out if I am a trusting person. Limit it to 10 questions.
ChatGPT
Sure. For each question, choose the option that best describes your typical behaviour or feelings:
- When meeting someone new, do you tend to: a) Approach them with an open and friendly attitude? b) Remain cautious until you get to know them better.
- If a friend asks to borrow a significant amount of money, would you: a) Lend it to them without hesitation? b) Be hesitant and ask more questions before deciding.
- How often do you believe people have good intentions? a) Most people are generally well-intentioned. b) People often have hidden agendas.
- If someone you know makes a promise, do you usually: a) Trust that they will follow through. b) Doubt their commitment until they prove themselves.
- When sharing personal information or secrets, do you: a) Feel comfortable sharing with close friends and family. b) Tend to be more guarded and selective about what you share.
- If a stranger asks for assistance or directions, do you: a) Offer help willingly. b) Feel cautious and may hesitate before helping.
- In a work or team setting, do you trust your colleagues to: a) Do their part and contribute effectively. b) Doubt their abilities and monitor their work closely.
- When faced with a decision that requires trust, do you: a) Generally lean towards trusting others. b) Often need concrete evidence before trusting.
- How often do you worry about being deceived or taken advantage of? a) Rarely or almost never. b) Fairly often or occasionally.
- In romantic relationships, do you tend to: a) Trust your partner fully until they give you a reason not to? b) Have trust issues and find it challenging to fully trust someone.
Calculate Your Score
- Count the number of “a” answers you selected.
- Count the number of “b” answers you selected.
If you mostly answered “a”: You are likely a trusting person who tends to give others the benefit of the doubt and believes in the goodness of people. If you mostly answered “b”: You may have trust issues or be more cautious when it comes to trusting others. You likely prefer to verify intentions or gather evidence before fully trusting someone.
Rediscovering Freedom Through Dharma
“Digital Dharma” proposes an alternative—a journey toward what the author calls “enlightened processing.” Through this, individuals can achieve clarity, allowing their judgments, beliefs, and choices to be based on a more profound, self-trusting awareness rather than external scepticism.
Building self-trust begins with a conscious decision to trust rather than adopt a sceptical mindset. This choice, while counter to societal trends, is essential for personal growth and spiritual fulfilment. Throughout “Digital Dharma,” readers are invited to connect with their deeper consciousness, which offers insights and messages that can soften past impressions and guide future decisions. This awareness is crucial, as it not only supports personal evolution but also reflects timeless spiritual teachings that advocate for a connection to one’s higher self.
Ultimately, “Digital Dharma” suggests that the most meaningful relationship one can foster is with Dharma itself. Aligning with Dharma—accessing that higher awareness—frees individuals from the constraints of time, place, ego, and past conditioning. The process of cultivating Dharma is, at its heart, about rediscovering one’s inherent freedom and achieving a life of purpose and alignment. This book serves as a guide for anyone seeking to navigate their spiritual path in a modern world shaped by technology and changing societal values.
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Have you checked out yesterday’s blog yet?
Difficult Interview Questions and How to Answer Them
(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in the article mentioned above are those of the author(s). They do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of ICS Career GPS or its staff.)
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