self-organization, emergence, and adaptation, in other words… complexity
Since discovering the science of complex systems, I’ve been enchanted by the ways in which contemplative practices affect people (we are self-organizing, complex systems) from the bottom up. This is a heady topic to be sure (my Master’s program adviser described my paper on this topic as a heady salad), but it’s well worth investing the time needed to internalize these concepts as they beautifully illuminate so much about how our external and internal worlds assemble and operate. Here’s my take on self-organizing, adaptive, complex systems exhibiting emergent behavior and what this might have to do with meditation and intention.
