You are up and you are happy.
You are down and you are sad.
All ups and downs help you to find a balance in your being.
This is what life is all about.
Once balanced, no more ups and downs,
but bliss and joy and silence and gratitude.
Tishan
Publisher's Note:
Welcome to everyone, and especially to new subscribers!
Another serving of mental, spiritual and metaphysical
nourishment for your pleasure. If you have any suggestions
for future content in this newsletter, please send them to:
Chaos Theory is a dramatic new science that has forever changed
the way we look at Nature, and indeed reality itself. Yet, it
also bears strong resemblance to ancient metaphysical views;
particularly the Buddhist doctrine of Impermanence.
Phrases like "The devil's in the details" or "What you don't know
can kill you" are good starting points for understanding Chaos
Theory. Simply put, throughout the history of Science, scientists
have traditionally used neat formulas to explain natural
phenomena; everything from steam boiling from your kettle to the
movement of planets. They were approximately correct. Until
recently, the computing power simply did not exist to solve more
complex problems with any degree of accuracy.
However, the world is not a simple neat formula. It is far more
complex. Indeed, it is precisely what you do NOT know about any
given natural system that can lead to your prediction about it
eventually being a million miles away from reality.
Scientists call this "sensitive dependence upon initial
conditions". In plain English, it means that unless you know
EVERYTHING about a system to the nth degree, your prediction of
it will eventually go astray as time elapses. The chaos/disorder
in the system will eventually overwhelm the order predicted by
your equations.
This is why weather forecasts are frequently incorrect. It is
also why economists, no matter how expert they pretend to be, can
never predict the stock markets accurately, no matter how much
information they have at their disposal. The fact that the data
available on these, and other highly complex systems, is not
INFINITE, is precisely why they can never be predicted for long.
Nature is mostly 'non-linear', and Chaos Theory seeks to describe
this. An example of a linear system is a billiard ball. Give it a
light push and it moves slowly for a short distance. Give it a
stronger push, and it moves faster and further. In non-linear
systems, the feedback can far exceed the input.
An example of non-linear feedback is stock market activity.
Markets are not intrinsically dependent upon fundamental "real
world" factors. Opinions, rumor and overall market sentiment are
frequently bigger factors in moving the markets than the actual
economics of the nation. That is one reason why crashes
happen. The negativity leads to selling, which leads to more
negativity, which leads to even more selling. This is the
non-linear feedback effect.
Metaphysical Implications of Chaos Theory
This new science tells us that what we call "Chaos" or disorder,
and what we call "Order", are really two aspects of the same
thing. They resemble the classic Taoist symbol of the Yin
interwoven with the Yang; each possessing a portion of its
opposite.
Thus, Chaos and Order flux back and forth. Order gives rise to
Chaos. This is readily understood by most people. However, the
opposite is also true, although much less well understood. Chaos
gives rise to Order!
The huge tidal waves, called Tsunamis in Japan, are a good
example of this. One strange feature of non-linear chaotic
systems is that they possess memories! They remember their
previous energy states. In the case of the oceans, much of the
time the energy dispersed in them is incoherent and chaotic.
Thus, you see only random choppy waves. However, there are times
when a burst of highly ordered behavior can emerge from Chaos -
seemingly spontaneously. The burst of coherence may give rise to
a wave only a fraction of an inch high (although very long) in
deep ocean water, but it rapidly assumes enormous heights as it
moves into the shallows. This is the origin of the Tsunami tidal
wave.
In many ways, the ocean is a good analogy for all chaotic
systems, including human civilization. In the ocean, Order (tidal
waves) arising spontaneously from Chaos makes it clear that these
are essentially two aspects of the same thing. The only constant
is Change.
Yet, this is what the Buddhists have been teaching for thousands
of years. In the teaching on Impermanence, the Buddha taught that
all things change. Also, in their essential nature, all things
dependent upon other things for their origination. Nothing is a
thing in itself, and nothing lasts for ever. All things have
within themselves the seeds of their own decay. Anything that we
regard as "real" or "solid" or "true" rapidly breaks down under
examination. Moreover, these component parts also break down
further until we end up at the quantum level, about which little
more can be said.
This teaching makes it clear that we should not cling to Order as
if it were a desirable thing. Order simply IS. Chaos simply IS.
They are two aspects of the same thing. At any specified time, a
non-linear system possesses Chaos and Order simultaneously, in
differing proportions. At times, Order seems to reign. At other
times, Chaos seems dominant.
We see this in our bodies when they succumb to disease and
subsequently recover. We also see it in the affairs of nations.
They rise from obscurity, overcome rival nations to become a
power in the region, impose Order on a wide scale, and call it an
empire. However, over time, the opposite also occurs. Chaos
gradually builds up, often from within as well as without, until
the entire empire collapses in upon itself.
If you have ever seen those colorful fractal computer patterns,
formed from plotting non-linear equations, you will see this
interweaving of Order and Chaos in a very visual way. As you zoom
into such a pattern, ordered symmetric structures give way to
chaotic swirls of color. Yet, after a while, you again begin to
discern tiny blobs of order appearing. These grow ever larger
until they fill the screen once more. Chaos gives rise to Order,
which gives rise to Chaos. They are, in fact, the same "stuff".
The implications are profound. We should not cling to Order, and
thereby equate it with happiness and security. Rather, we should
actually embrace change, the only certainty in life, and not
express undue dismay when it appears. This is the essential
nature of the flow of existence. Understanding Impermanence means
understanding that you cannot keep propping up the walls when the
house is collapsing from the inside. Yet, that is precisely what
humanity tries to do all the time. We try to preserve our jobs,
our nice homes, our aging bodies, our nation. The leaders of our
countries continually seek to preserve the status quo in an
ever-changing and chaotic world.
Yet, all of this bears the nature of illusion. It is not a case
of preserving Order against the Chaos that threatens from the
outside. It is actually a matter of realizing that Chaos is
inherently part of the system and works from within! Thus, the
loss of a job and the seeking of a new career is not bad news. It
is simply the way things are. The rise and inevitable fall in the
fortunes of nations (even YOUR nation!) is simply a fact. This
cannot be changed. It will happen. It is just a matter of time.
When you also realize the total interdependence of everything
upon everything else, the folly of grasping Order alone becomes
even clearer. It is like bailing out a leaky lifeboat in the
midst of a stormy ocean. You might do better to learn how to swim
in the waters of Impermanence, rather than continually fight
against them.
What does all this mean practically? Examine your life. In which
areas are you bailing out the ocean with a teacup? Are you
frantically trying to preserve a career, and thereby neglecting
emerging opportunities? Are you vainly seeking to keep a dead
relationship afloat, harking back to how things used to be, and
refusing to accept that they have changed forever? Or does your
desire for security and the status quo prevent you from taking a
big leap into the unknown; a leap that may be unexpectedly forced
upon you some day when your whole world collapses around you?
All of us are guilty of refusing to flow with change in some
areas of our lives. Take a look and see where this applies to
you. The more you can understand Impermanence and give up
grasping your present or past conditions, and simply learn to be
content whilst in the flow of change, the happier your life will
be. Paradoxically, in a world of inevitable flux between Order
and Chaos, the only thing that has the potential to be constant,
and under your complete control, is your state of mind.
It is
there , and not in the external conditions of life, that you have
the only chance of developing the harmony and peace you seek.
Copyright Asoka Selvarajah 2001. All Rights Reserved.
Asoka Selvarajah is a writer on personal growth and
spirituality,
and the author of "The 7 Golden Secrets To Knowing Your
Higher
Self". His work helps people achieve their full
potential, deepen their
understanding of mystical truth,
and discover their soul's purpose. Learn more about his work
Have you ever wondered how one man could be Painter, Sculptor,
Scientist, Architect, Inventor, Musician, Poet and Visionary -
all to the highest degree of achievement possible? How can one
man seemingly live several dozen lives within the span of one and
achieve more expertise in a dozen disciplines than most of us
ever achieve in one?
Leonardo Da Vinci was the name of this man. By all standards of
judgment, he was the greatest genius in history. Now, in "How To
Think Like Leonardo Da Vinci", you get the answers to these
questions as well as powerful principles, derived from his life,
by which you to can aspire to release the genius within you. This
book is unlike any other personal development book, in focusing
upon the unique genius of one man and extracting from his life
powerful principles that can help us all.
This unique book gives you a life history of Leonardo Da Vinci as
well as extracting seven key principles that governed his
thinking - principles that you can put to use straight away. You
are also given practical exercises to build upon what you have
learnt and help put each principle to work in your life. The book
is well illustrated with many of Leonardo's drawings and
paintings, and is packed with useful thoughts and ideas to
inspire you. Perhaps not many of us can aspire to the heights of
Leonardo, but practical application of this book will at
definitely help each of us to make make maximum use of what we
have got, as well as discover new depths of talent that we never
knew we had.
One of the greatest secrets revealed by Napoleon Hill, author of
the multi-million copy bestseller "Think & Grow Rich", is that of
the Master Mind Principle.
Wherever two or more minds come together, a higher mind is
created; greater than the composite parts. This mind may be
harmonious, in which case it can truly be called a Master Mind.
However, the opposite is also true, and a higher mind dedicated
to discord and destruction is perfectly possible.
In any great endeavor that you wish to succeed with, it is
beneficial to ally yourself with others of like mind and purpose.
The pooling of your individual resources is very valuable.
Through this process, invisible connections are also made between
you. These give rise to this higher principle of mind that acts
for the benefit of all involved. Yet, one should take great care
who one allows into this Master Mind group, because the opposite
effect is also possible. You could easily create an invisible
mind that is totally at odds with your aspirations!
In his book, "The Law Of Success", Napoleon Hill gives a
well-known example of the negative Master Mind; a husband and his
mother-in-law! For some mysterious reason, in all too many cases,
a highly disruptive and unhealthy mind is created through
combining these two people. It has been the cause of more marital
problems than anyone can care to mention. Another example is the
presence of just one negative critical personality in an
otherwise motivated effective team. One person can so affect
others that a negative critical spirit is thereby created in the
whole group. Negative sentiments spread and effectiveness
declines.
The positive Master Mind has its many examples. Henry Ford,
Thomas Edison and Harvey Firestone (founder of the tire company)
were great friends, met regularly, and fed off each others'
insights. Each man is known to have started off with little or no
education, financial capital or natural advantages in the fields
they eventually came to dominate. Is it a mere coincidence that
they happened to know each other so well and to meet so
regularly?
Another example of a Master Mind is an effective marriage. The
woman can often stimulate and encourage her husband to
achievements that he would not normally be capable of. The
reverse is also true and many women have got their start in a
major career through the support and understanding of her
husband. The important point is that without the pairing, each
would have achieved far less than they did together.
A Master Mind group is created when several people come together
in a harmonious manner with a common goal in mind. It is possible
to form a group with just two people. However, it has been found
that the ideal size is six to seven people. It is found that when
a group meets in this manner, for the purpose of discussing a
common goal, subconscious contact is made between the minds of
the individuals present to quietly create this Master Mind. Ideas
will come thick and fast, attracted by the joint power manifested
by all these individual minds in one accord.
We see examples of this is many areas. People form meditation
groups because they know that the power of a group meditating
together is greater than that of merely one person alone.
Churches create prayer groups for the exact same purpose. Indeed,
Jesus went so far as to say that when two or more are gathered
together in his name, he is in the midst of them. What else could
he be referring to other than the Master Mind principle?
Many of the greatest minds of the human race freely admit that
they did not originate the ideas and creations that made them
world famous. Rather, it was like tuning into a cosmic radio
station, and gaining the inspiration direct from the mind of God.
The Master Mind principle is therefore like setting up an
extremely powerful receiving station; a huge radio telescope
tuned to the depths of the heavens, with which to receive every
signal pertinent to the goal in mind.
The simple fact is that those who utilize this Master Mind
principle become great beyond even their dreams. Those who do not
have a much harder time of it, and may never succeed at all.
There are in fact, two types of Master Mind group. There is the
external group, which we have been discussing. However, it is
also possible to create an internal Master Mind group. The active
component here is imagination. For an internal Master Mind
group, you imagine yourself sitting down to a meeting with some
of the greatest talents you know of and wish to include in your
group. Of course, this depends upon the goal you have in mind, as
well as the specific great people of history and society you are
aware of. Simply imagine yourself sitting down to a meeting with
these people. You might have Einstein, Alexander the Great,
Leonardo da Vinci, Bob Dylan and William Shakespeare all sitting
down with you in the same room! The specific group you choose
depends upon who you wish to be in it. At first, such meetings
may seem like fantasy. However, over time, you will find that
your brain tunes into energies and ideas that would not normally
be available.
The best way to form an external Master Mind group is to first
decide upon your common purpose. This is what Napoleon Hill
called the "major definite purpose". It might be to increase the
financial prosperity of all involved. It could be to improve
performance at work. You decide what your group is to
specifically be about.
Then, carefully select people who are likely to be in harmony
with this purpose. The importance of harmony in the group cannot
be stressed enough. Remember the negative examples of Master
Mind? You do not want to unwittingly create that!
Hence, you must regularly review the people in the group. If a
member is not in harmony with the common purpose, that person
must be removed, and replaced by someone who is.
Your group should meet regularly, preferably in person, to
discuss and brainstorm ideas, as well as to share experiences
and support each other. Whilst it is advisable not to discuss
your aspirations with all and sundry, the people inside your
group are your confidantes, and therefore to be trusted.
By creating a Master Mind group, even if it is just two people,
and meeting in a spirit of harmony and definite purpose, your
chances of achieving extraordinary success are far higher than if
you try to go it alone. Think how this principle could be applied
in your situation.
It could definitely give you the breakthrough
you have been waiting for.
Copyright Asoka Selvarajah 2001. All Rights Reserved.
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