Metaphors for a Rocky, Prickly World
When a system is far from equilibrium small islands of coherence in a sea of chaos have the capacity to lift the entire system to a higher order. Ilya Prigogine – Chemist & Nobel Laureate
On an early walk this morning, rocks and cacti caught my attention. As systems show their dark sides and begin to crumble, the rocks and cacti seem to represent the chaos in our world. Times are rocky and we may find ourselves feeling prickly as we experience the prickliness of others. How far we are from equilibrium. Such is the chaos of creation, the old must fall to make space for the new.
A few paces down the path two blooms on a small, lone plant brought a smile. ‘Yes,’ the flower seemed to say, ‘and I’m here to bloom amidst it all!’
These metaphors walked with me as I continued along, and the phrase ‘isles of coherence’ joined us. I noticed their presence along with the inner peace of ease and comfort as I sauntered along.
Returning to the sacred land I’m blessed to steward as the sun’s first rays reached the woods out back, I realized that, like the little flower on the rocky path, this place is an isle of coherence for me. It is home, the ecosystem where I thrive. It is where I feel grounded and safe while recognizing that ‘it’ is not the source of my security. It is a place of beauty that holds the wisdom of the ages. A place where unseen life thrives as part of a larger ecosystem. A place with much more information than I’m aware of. A place to listen, observe, and learn.
How grateful I am for this place, this life, this expanding and deepening awareness.
My walking companions stayed with me as I settled in to write a bit later. The rocks and cacti, a familiar part of the landscape, took on a new symbolic meaning. The phrase ‘isles of coherence’ felt familiar as well, yet I wasn’t in touch with a specific remembrance of encountering it, so I turned to my friendly search engine to inquire. Prigogine’s quote above emerged in the first entry, a rich article Islands of Coherence by Stephen Posner, PhD. [link: https://www.garrisoninstitute.org/islands-of-coherence/]
A quick read reminded me of the many islands of coherence being co-created in our world as well as right here in my community (and most likely yours!). Emergent systems aligned with Nature and honoring the interconnectedness of all Life. Initiatives that are fair and just to all/for all. Farmers and ranchers who are regenerating soil while growing healthy, nourishing food. And more. All aiming to co-create the more beautiful world our hearts know is possible (thank you Charles Eisenstein), not from calculations of mind and goals of bottom-line profit or winning some competition. Not from maintaining the false security we so often place in the material world, a job or business, but from open hearts listening to and guided by wisdom of ages past. Wisdom that holds the memory of living in the reality of Oneness, that we are each part of a greater whole: wisdom all to uncommon in today’s world.
From the morning journey I was reminded of the importance of choices we each make about how to BE in and with the chaos in the world. Our choices matter as each one contributes something to the greater whole.
Do I put my attention on the chaos and inevitable fear that joins it? Or do I seek and support the islands of coherence of an emergent, beautiful world?
The choice seems so simple, yet the forces of the old fight to maintain their grip. Commitment and vigilance are required to seek, find, and co-create new, heart-based, coherent systems and practices that will build this new world.
I was reminded as well that in order to strengthen my capacity to make and support creating these frequencies of coherence, I need to be in and connected to supportive ecosystems and islands of coherence, right here at home, in the sacred woods out back and beyond in local community and community around the globe.
Cutting the ties of the old that bind, seeking the uncommon wisdom of the new for prickly, rocky times. Choosing to be part of lifting the entire system to a higher order.
Blooming Right Here!