“In all chaos, there is a cosmos, in all disorder a secret order” ~ Carl Jung
If you were given a choice to lead a life of order and harmony as opposed to chaos and disorder, what would you choose? For most of us the choice is simple, to follow the path of predictability and order. But there will be times when life’s transitions present chaos in the form of death, illness, job loss, etc.
These events can drain you out and make you feel exasperated. But if you learn to navigate it rather than run away from it, the outcome will be rewarding. It provides tremendous opportunity for personal transformation, and not stunt your growth.
If you look at the condition in a positive light, you can emerge as a true warrior. Ary L. Goldberger, professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School, along with his colleagues carried out research on chaos in human function. He said, “Chaos in bodily functioning signals health. Periodic [regular, rhythmic, coherent] behavior can foreshadow disease.”
In a review of the role of chaos in health, journalist Kathleen McAuliffe states, “[C]haos may actually be highly beneficial during problem solving…[T]he greater the mental challenge, the more chaotic the activity of the subject’s brain…The notion that chaos might have a constructive side has also carried over into medicine, where it has prompted fresh insights into the causes of several neurological conditions…[M]any so-called “disorders” turned out to be exactly the opposite. The problem was too much order…”
So how can you spiral your way up to a deeper and more evolved state of order? Here are some ways to use chaos to your benefit.
1) Calm down
Such situations or events demand action, and you must keep looking for the solution. Most of us in chaotic times tend to get disturbed, depressed and lose ourselves in the process. In such a state it gets difficult to go deeper to figure out the problem as we find ourselves incapable of thinking clearly.
In such situations, without pushing yourself harder, try not to clutter your mind with too many thoughts, since one is susceptible to negative thinking. Do what you like – take a walk in the forest, paint, meditate, and just be yourself. Our mind can be our biggest enemy in chaotic times and the whole idea is to calm down the mind.
2) Embrace it. Don’t fight it!
Embrace the chaos and take full responsibility of its existence in your life. As I mentioned before, chaos demands action and it can transform us. This can happen only if we accept the situation the way it is. That’s when your mind gets clear and you can figure out solutions.
Whether you like it or not, it forces us to make difficult choices and take bold steps forward in life. You will begin to see the change and discover new things about yourself.
3) Chaos is a Catalyst for Self-love
It takes great courage to accept chaos. Once you develop the courage to accept it, your ego subsides in the corner. At this stage, you feel more connected to your soul. You will feel the expansion in your mind and heart. Enjoy this process. It is in this process, that you start to fall in love with yourself all over again. You start to understand the difference between self-love and self-obsessed.
Remember, pain is actually an illusion and it is the self-obsessed mindset that stops you from evolving out of that pain. Chaos works great deal in dissolving shallow elements from your mind and soul and here you start realising that your chaos is nothing but a divine gift to you.
4) Touch new horizons: Internally and Externally
Chaos does work on breaking all the barriers created by your mind — internal and external. Slowly and steadily you will find yourself filled with unending energy and positivity. You will be able to differentiate between what is good or bad for your soul.
This way you discover a sense of peace and love for yourself and others. Once you experience chaos, you become better at enjoying the calmness that follows. You understand yourself in the context of the universe and appreciate your existence unconditionally.
5) Becoming Wiser and Joyous
When chaos knocks on the door, embrace it, work with it, cushion the chaos and you will be transformed! When you’re in the midst of uncertainty and chaos in personal life or work, it’s hard to see but often it isn’t as bad as we think. You learn that no feeling or moment is final and you have to keep moving on.
There is a lesson to learn in each moment and once you befriend this attitude, nothing can disturb your inner peace!
“One must still have chaos in oneself to be able to give birth to a dancing star.” ~ Friedrich Nietzsche
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