Introduction
As an experiment, I have asked ChatGPT4 to simplify and restate my original blog. The aim to restate the content for a modern audience that is not as tolerant of long blogs.
The rewrite is a little nutty — but it did not fall too far from the tree. And, there are a few approaches that I believe make the concept more accessible.
ChatGPT4: In programming, there’s a concept known as ‘graceful failure’ – when parts of a system break, it doesn’t completely stop but continues operating at a reduced capacity. This concept can be applied to the ‘Four Lines’ from the American Book of the Dead:
All phenomena is illusion,
Neither attracted nor repelled,
Not making any sudden moves,
My habits will carry me through.
Imagine these lines as stages of spiritual growth or fallbacks in case of failure:
‘All phenomena is illusion’ is the highest state, the ultimate realization. If you achieve this, you’re set.
Can’t maintain it? Aim for ‘Neither attracted nor repelled.’ It’s not the best, but it’s still good.
If that fails, try to stick to ‘Not making any sudden moves.’ It’s not ideal, but it’s better than nothing.
Finally, if all else fails, rely on ‘My habits will carry me through.’ It’s the last resort, but it’s better than a complete meltdown.
In other words, these Four Lines act as steps of graceful failure – if you can’t reach the top, don’t worry, there’s always a fallback.
These lines can also be viewed as stepping stones to higher consciousness:
Start with ‘My habits will carry me through.’ Acknowledge this is where you are now.
Next, focus on ‘Not making any sudden moves.’ Master your impulses.
Once you’re there, work on ‘Neither attracted nor repelled.’ This will take practice, so be patient with yourself.
Finally, strive for ‘All phenomena is illusion.’ It’s the hardest to achieve, but it’s the ultimate goal.
So, there you have it – the Four Lines, a guide to graceful failure and growth, from programming to life. Give it a try!