Learning from Chaos
Lessons from Chaos Theory to make sense of unpredictable times.
“Things falling apart is a kind of testing and also a kind of healing. We think that the point is to pass the test or to overcome the problem, but the truth is that things don’t really get solved. They come together and they fall apart. Then they come together again and fall apart again. It’s just like that. The healing comes from letting there be room for all of this to happen: room for grief, for relief, for misery, for joy.”
― Pema Chödrön
The world as we know it seems to be changing at a dizzying speed and I’ve been thinking a lot about Dynamical Systems and Chaos Theory, as it relates to this moment. These theories have been studied in the context of physics, computer science, ecology, anthropology and many other fields. In the context of psychology, this theory suggests that all development and behavior emerges as a result of a series of interacting variables. Furthermore, everything is always in flux and, even in moments of seeming chaos, order will emerge.
I am a lover of theory. I don’t fall for numbers in the same way as I do a foundational idea that weaves together the raw data in a meaningful way. I find theory poetic and therefore useful as a figurative tool as much as a literal one.
The world is seemingly falling apart. These theories remind us that chaos is inevitable and even necessary. Change in one system sets off changes in the whole and this is how we break into the next level of our individual, social, environmental and evolutionary growth. Not all phenomena can be predicted and sometimes it is the smallest variations from the norm that propels major change.
What do these ideas mean for us? Check out these 5 principles we can borrow from this theory:
Every action matters, no matter how small. Watching these life-altering technologies and political events unfold, I sometimes feel entirely ineffectual in my little corner of the world. The lens of Dynamical Systems and Chaos Theory shows us the possibility that lies within the smallest acts (i.e., The Butterfly Effect). Do your little bit of good and never doubt the possibility that it may have a bigger impact than you can know.
Be open to change. Since we never know how one small change in some domain could impact our lives, we have to always be open to change. Dream, set goals, make plans, but know that things will change and that is a fundamental truth of the world we live in. Don’t cling too tightly to any one idea, identity, or plan.
Forecasting is futile. It’s impossible to predict how chaos will unfold, so we can officially let go of the effort to guess at what jobs might still be around after AI has been further integrated into the workforce or what governmental landscapes will look like 10 years from now. Easier said than done, as our brains are pattern-loving, prediction machines. But maybe reminding ourselves of the reality that we cannot truly know the future can give the old nervous system a break in constantly trying to solve the problem of the world and simply attend to what is present.
Embrace the chaos. We all want to preserve a controllable environment where we feel most safe and secure, however, according to these theories, chaos and disorder are inevitable. In some cases, rigidity is actually an indication of dysfunction, as it may not allow for the flexibility required to adapt to change. This idea can be a relief in times when we feel entirely shook at our core. Remember that chaos is a part of living, dynamic systems and, as scary as it may seem, order will emerge eventually.
We are all interconnected. If one person’s presence or absence on the road determines whether or not you experience a car accident, we cannot deny the complex web of interconnectivity that binds us all. We get so caught up in our intimate little spheres of life that we forget how much we ultimately rely on fellow humans and all living beings to uphold our precious realities. Walking through the world with this awareness can and will change you.
While there is no way of knowing the future, trusting in the balance of dynamic systems and knowing the tendency for order to emerge allows us to release the need to predict or control our worlds. We live in chaotic times, no doubt. All we can do is take it one moment at a time and appreciate that every action we take is woven together with all beings in this great tapestry of life on earth.