Chaos, Creation and Coherency

The story of the earth's creation in many of the world's spiritual traditions is described as a chaotic event - one involving great turbulence and turmoil. For example, in Christian theology the book of Genesis says "when God made heaven and earth, the earth was without form and void, with darkness over the face of the abyss, and almighty wind that swept over the surface of the waters." Not a pretty picture. Tumultuous, foreboding storms rolling over a dark, cold, watery landscape.

Given a choice, most humans would not want to find themselves in that kind of environment. Similarly, when chaos surfaces in our personal lives, we generally recoil from it.

Yet, in a curious twist of perception, the word "chaos" in the Chinese language (roughly translated) means "opportunity". And perhaps their definition is healthier than the definition we may normally use.

University of London physicist David Bohm assets that there is no such thing as disorder (chaos), only orders of infinitely higher degree. In support of Bohm's assertion, science has found that chaotic phenomena are not as disordered as they appear. Scientists have discovered mathematical formulas, that when applied to irregularities inherent in chaotic phenomenon and converted to data on a computer screen, will appear as spiral designs called chaos patterns. There is actually a design suggestive of purpose to what appears to be a random, patternless occurrence. Researchers have recently found chaos patterns in the human brain by using more electrodes than normal and by analyzing several minutes of data. And they have found the same patterns in the human energy field by using sophisticated EMG equipment.

What is the message for us?

Chaos is part of the process of creation and we are co-agents of creation. It is within control of the higher orders of the universe and is used not only to create at that level, but also to incent creation and reorder at lower levels by generating circumstances that stand in need of conversion. Therefore, it is a vehicle of growth in this school we call Earth. It is represented in the ancient yin yang symbol that embraces and enfolds the concept of transformation.

A person without vision will view a chaotic situation as something to be avoided at all costs ... a painful, meaningless inconvenience without purpose at best ... a tragedy at worst. A person with vision may not find the situation pleasant, but will view it as an opportunity for growth and as a chance to expand their ring size.

With vision, you can glimpse the higher orders of coherency through the chaos. Perhaps this is why the early Christian saints held the belief that "all things work together for good for those who love God". They sensed the authority and order of the implicate realm and the purposes for the challenges that manifest themselves as chaotic circumstances. Eastern philosophies recognized the same concept and simply expressed it in different cultural terms - as yin and yang - an opportunity for transformation.

The difficulties we face in life are not out of control or out of sight of higher orders in the universe. When chaos manifests in your personal life or in your work environment, step back and ask yourself what it is that you are to learn from it - and how you are to transform it as a co-creator of your own sphere of reality.