Prompt 51: Daily Zen
Do you have three minutes to broaden your horizons?
Purpose of This Prompt
Koans are thought-provoking paradoxes or riddles used in Zen practice to challenge conventional thinking and open the mind to deeper truths. Often seemingly illogical or puzzling, they push you beyond the limits of everyday logic, inviting you to experience moments of insight that can shift your perspective. By reflecting on koans, you can cultivate "meta" thinking—where you observe and question the way you think, leading to more reflective life. This prompt will generate a koan customized to you. May it lead you into infinity and beyond!
NOTE: This prompt has been updated and re-mastered on March 16, 2025
Prompt and Instructions
Cut and paste this entire Deep Research report into a .txt or Word document, and upload to ChatGPT: https://chatgpt.com/share/67d6e1a4-7ef4-8004-8718-98e478828062
Upload file and cut and paste the italicized prompt below into ChatGPT:
Can you write a zen koan deeply customized based on everything you know about me? Rely on your more profound understanding of my life, as opposed to focusing on specific details. (Really, do not force in specific details, as that will seem artificial. Personalization should be at a much deeper level, as a Zen master might personalize a koan for a specific student.) For a more immersive experience, refer to me as “you” rather than by name. Before executing this task, please fully review, study, and learn from the attached guide on koan construction.
Example Output
You have trained for this moment. You have measured your steps, mastered your techniques, and set your sights on perfection.
One day, a stranger appears at your door and hands you a sealed envelope.
Inside, a single note:
"You have already won."
You laugh, then hesitate. Something feels off.
You turn the paper over. Another line appears where there was none before:
"So why are you still playing?"
At that moment, the wind shifts. You hear the distant call of a raven.
What do you do?
