Today i am going to talk about "poverty of spirit" from two different perspectives: (1) a layman's view (i.e., me); and (2) from an early form of AI (i.e., a 2-page summary from ChatGPT, thanking my Georgetown lawyer friend for obtaining it for me).

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Now here is my part of today's sermon.

If i was to write my own sermon on the first beatitude: "blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of heaven", i would summarize it in one word: Detachment.  Detachment in everything--all of your actions, all of your thoughts--even detachment from the God that I have created in my own human mind.  It would mean to return to the state of the soul--one's essence--a state of grace and goodness--where one can find ultimate happiness just from the way things are.  A point where you are what you wanted, and you want what you are.

The primary source for "my understanding" of the first beatitude comes from Meister Eckhart's sermon on the subject.  There are many other sources from which i am sure Chat examined to write a two-page summary of the first beatitude.

The first beatitude is important for several different reasons, one of which is the fact that it is: (1) the "first beatitude"; (2) the first words we hear Jesus speak in the New Testament; and (3) the first words in the Sermon on the Mount.  For those reasons alone, out of pure curiosity, one should wonder what "poverty of spirit" means and/or what it means to be part of the "kingdom of heaven."

Another reason the first beatitude is important is because it links an eastern way of thinking with a western way of thinking about spirituality.  Detachment, detachment, detachment--that is the secret to enlightenment.  Detachment, however, is a very, very difficult thing to come by.  Just understanding what "real detachment" means is extremely difficult, and then, even if you do come to that understanding--it still does not make you detached.  

The thing is this: if you ever do become detached, you supposedly will never again leave the kingdom of heaven--in this life or thereafter.  Detachment, poverty of spirit, therefore is something worth pursuing.

There is only one other beatitude that mentions "the kingdom of heaven:" and that is for those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake.  There are a couple of other beatitudes in my opinion that kind of border on the same feeling: (blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God, and blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called children of God), but i think the first beatitude stands above them all.

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Now here is the second part of today's sermon, the view of the first beatitude from ChatGPT's summary viewpoint.   

The first beatitude, "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 5:3), is a statement that has puzzled many people throughout history. On the surface, it seems to be a call to poverty and meekness, but it is much more than that. In fact, it is a call to a deep and profound spiritual attitude that is essential for anyone who wants to enter the kingdom of heaven.

To fully understand the meaning of the first beatitude, we must first understand the meaning of the term "poor in spirit." This term does not refer to material poverty or physical need, but rather to a spiritual poverty that is characterized by a deep sense of humility and dependence on God. It is a recognition that we are not self-sufficient, that we need God's grace and mercy to sustain us, and that our true riches are found in Him.

This spiritual poverty is in direct contrast to the pride and self-sufficiency that are so often valued in our culture. The world tells us that we should be strong, independent, and self-reliant, but the first beatitude calls us to a different way of living. It calls us to embrace our weakness and acknowledge our need for God's help. Only when we are poor in spirit can we truly receive the kingdom of heaven.

The kingdom of heaven is not a physical place, but rather a state of being in which we are fully united with God. It is a state of perfect peace, joy, and love that is available to us even in this life, but is fully realized in the next. The first beatitude promises that the poor in spirit will inherit this kingdom, not because of anything they have done, but because of their humble dependence on God.

The first beatitude is also closely connected to the idea of repentance. To be poor in spirit is to recognize our own sinfulness and need for forgiveness. It is to turn away from our own selfish desires and seek God's will instead. This repentance is the first step on the path to the kingdom of heaven.

In addition, the first beatitude also speaks to the idea of detachment. To be poor in spirit is to let go of our attachment to worldly things and to focus instead on the things of God. It is to recognize that our true happiness and fulfillment do not come from material possessions, but from a relationship with God.

Finally, the first beatitude is a call to discipleship. To be poor in spirit is to follow in the footsteps of Jesus, who himself was meek and humble of heart (Matthew 11:29). It is to take up our cross and follow him, even if it means suffering and persecution. It is to live a life that is not focused on our own comfort and security, but on the service of others and the advancement of God's kingdom.

In conclusion, the first beatitude is a profound call to a deep and humble spirituality that is characterized by repentance, detachment, and discipleship. It is a call to let go of our pride and self-sufficiency and to embrace our need for God's grace and mercy. It is a call to enter into the kingdom of heaven, not through our own efforts, but through our dependence on God.

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In the end, my feeling is this: I think one could still learn more from Meister Eckhart's 3-page sermon on "poverty of spirit" than one can from ChatGPT's 2-page summary on the same subject.  For example, Meister Eckhart would tell you that "poverty of spirit" means to be "empty of God" altogether, especially the God we have created in our minds.  Meister Eckharts says we should never try to do "God's will"; instead we should be empty of God altogether, such that if God is going to work within oneself, then it is God alone that has to do the doing--not you.

I felt the same way when i read Chat's summarization of "globanomics".  I will not debate the fact that Chat is very, very good because i think it is a wonderful tool that can be used by the smart and the not so smart alike (to get smarter).  The trouble that i am finding in this early stage of AI is this: summarization is good, but sometimes it muddles things over what one can learn from "the" or "a primary source".  For example, think how Donald Trump's take on democracy could screw up that term if combined with the view of democracy envisioned by the founding fathers of the United States of America.  In fact, I don't think Chat has read my book called, Globanomics--the primary source, as slight and humble as that might sound.