there is no alchemy in artificial intelligence
I’ll be the first to admit that I’ve used ChatGPT as my therapist. I know, I know, as a clinical psychologist myself, I should know better. But that’s not what this post is about.
It’s one thing to use AI as your therapist (which I’m definitely not advocating for), and it’s another to use AI in your creative process. The truth is that AI doesn’t help your creative process. It kills it. It doesn’t enhance or amplify your creativity. It hijacks it, drains it, and keeps you from alchemizing your creative essence into inner gold.
Creativity is a life force, a raw and powerful energy system. When we engage in a creative act, what we’re really engaging in is alchemy. Unlike the practical medieval practice of alchemy that sought to transform base metals into gold, this is an inner alchemy, a transmutation of our innermost thoughts, imagery, and emotions through the act of creative expression. Alchemy is the art of transforming our own inner essence into gold.
Alchemy swept across medieval Europe and Asia (and beyond) like a fever, and was even practiced among the early Muslims and mystics of Islam. While one face of alchemy was concerned with practical chemistry, the other was concerned with personal and spiritual transformation. The early mystics of Islam believed it was the love of God that fueled this inner transformation, leading to complete integration of the psyche and unity with God.
Jungian alchemy similarly emphasizes the transformation of the soul and spiritual transcendence, a movement toward wholeness and unity of the self and with God.
Alchemy is an ancient medicine for the soul. There are many ways to alchemize. Alchemizing through creative expression and experimentation is one of the most powerful methods. This alchemy of our creative life force refines our consciousness and unifies us with our authentic selves and the Divine, including our divine gifts and purpose.
Of course, this all depends on your intentions. I believe that creativity is a form of worship for a myriad of reasons. It is a direct source of connection to the Ultimate Source and Creator. One reason for this is consciousness. Consciousness is our greatest gift from God. Consciousness is the state of awareness. Within the system of consciousness, there are levels of consciousness ranging from low, to high, to the highest level that is God Consciousness.
The fact that human beings have the ability to enhance their consciousness and knowledge, to seek the truth, to seek ourselves and God, is itself revolutionary.
Creative consciousness is the awareness of our creative natures and gifts. Our modern Western civilization has lost connection with and respect for the sacred creative life force. One reason for this is because our modern world is disconnected from the Divine and from the essence of the feminine, which at its core is rooted in spirituality, sensuality, and creativity. You can read more about the relationship between the feminine and creativity here. You can also download my free e-guide, Rituals to Enhance Your Creative Life, to learn more about the power of spirituality, sensuality, and creativity - the Three Pillars of Vitality.
Our patriarchal society operates almost entirely from the space of the masculine. This disconnection and imbalance is reflected both interpersonally and intrapersonally. If we wish to reconnect with this lifeline of our creative essence, we must cultivate our creative consciousness and give our creative nature the respect it deserves. We must once again learn how to alchemize our soul, spirit, and psyche through creative expression. But this disconnection from the Divine and the feminine isn’t the only threat to our inner alchemy.
Another very real threat to this alchemy is artificial intelligence. Nowadays, when I’m reading a book or appreciating artwork, I can’t help wondering if it’s the product of human consciousness or AI. AI is writing books for people, creating art, scripting videos, generating ideas, etc., and people are calling it creativity. It’s not creativity, it’s artificial, which means fake or not natural. Creativity comes from consciousness, which comes from God. No form of AI can ever replace the gift, blessing, and privilege of human consciousness.
It’s no mystery that the world is saturated with artificial products if not for the sole purpose of people wanting to get rich quick. It’s about money, and while wanting money isn’t wrong, being driven primarily by money stems from the desires of the ego, rather than the desires of the soul, which I talk more about here.
People are obsessed with results, and have forgotten that growth and transformation are a part of the process. As a result of this obsession with results, we’re seeing less alchemy, less transformation and transcendence, and more inflation of the individual and collective ego, as opposed to a healthy, integrated ego (which is achieved through the alchemical process). If we want to return to a state of creative consciousness, we have to accept that true and authentic creative expression cannot occur alongside artificiality.
In saying this, I recognize that AI is deeply embedded in our society and isn’t going anywhere. I also recognize that AI does have its advantages. Rather than an all or nothing approach, I recommend a balanced approach of setting boundaries for how to utilize AI in your creative process, if at all.
For example, in my own creative process of writing, I use AI to look up synonyms, antonyms, definitions, and grammar-related queries (which I always double check with other sources, because as we all know, even AI can make mistakes). Prior to this, I was using a thesaurus and dictionary for the same purposes, but AI has made this far easier and more efficient.
Set similar boundaries for yourself for how you plan to use and not use AI. Doing this helps you maintain your creative integrity. Even when it comes to generating ideas for your creative projects, including something as simple as a title, I strongly discourage you from using AI. Generating ideas is such a significant part of the creative process. It stimulates your brain and keeps cognitive functions active, alive, and healthy. Yes, it will take more effort and time, but that’s the beauty of creativity. Creativity, consciousness, and creative consciousness are processes that we must nurture and cultivate. We must earn them rather than having AI serve them to us on a virtual platter. The former builds character, and strong neural pathways, while the latter builds an unhealthy dependence on technology (which we have enough of) and breaks down confidence.
Put in the time and effort to be present with every step of your creative process and journey. No one else can create the way that you can. God gave you the gift of consciousness, and it is your responsibility to honor your consciousness and your unique creative gifts and talents. If you truly wish to alchemize your creative life force, then you must prioritize and commit to protecting it from artificiality. Follow your creative consciousness. It will lead you to gold.
