Fractals are self-repeating intricate patterns that are found throughout nature. From trees, leaves, flowers, ferns, to the tissues and cells of our brains, lungs, kidneys, our artery network and capillaries to the mountain ridges, river beds, or coastlines, fractals form an integral part of our surroundings and our own being.
What are Fractals?
Benoit Mandelbrot, the Father of Fractal Geometry, coined the term ‘fractals’, observed recurring patterns in real-life objects characterized by rough edges and surfaces. Instead of ignoring it, he believed that they represent some essential features and mechanisms worth investigating.
As a result, Mandelbrot came upon the most popular fractal, ‘Mandelbrot Set,’ which was named after him to honor his work in this field. When we look at a Mandelbrot set, we are looking at infinity, because although it is finite in structure it is infinitely repetitive and self-similar no matter “how far down” we inspect it.
Fractals are much more than beautiful images – they are the metaphorical representation of chaos and order. We live in a complex world, we are always trying to find order in chaos, and through fractals we can learn important lessons in a world of chaos, and comprehend some deep spiritual questions.
Let’s dive deeper into this magnificent phenomena, fractals are an inherent part of nature, and we are full of fractals.
Here are 7 ways fractals are closely connected to us, let’s explore the connections between fractals and human behavior
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If you have been overthinking for a while, it has already become a part of your subconscious mind. For example – the moment something goes wrong, the mind goes on an overdrive and one thought follows another, and your thoughts begin to loop. How do we stop overthinking?
Overthinking can affect our normal way of functioning. If it reaches a stage like that, then we have to take serious steps towards changing this pattern and find ways to stop overthinking.
Let’s take a look at 6 ways to stop overthinking.
Bring conscious awareness
The first step towards taking charge is to get the reins back in your hands. To do this you need to become fully aware of your thought patterns – is there a particular situation that triggers you, and you start overthinking, why does it worry, and so on – become curious about it.
Accept that these thoughts are unnecessary and unproductive, and you are wasting your energy on it. Throwing light on this habitual pattern is a big step forward, and one of the effective ways to stop overthinking.
Turn your mind into a beautiful servant
“The Mind: A beautiful servant, A dangerous master,” ~ Osho
The truth of the matter is that our mind is a ‘tool’ that we can use as and when we choose to do it. In most cases, it is the other way around. Once you choose not to think about something,no one can force you to do that.
Whenever, your mind goes for a ride and expects a catastrophic outcome, “Oh, what will happen in the future, we aren’t making enough, how will we pay the ever-increasing school fees and the rising cost of living?,” take charge of the mind and say, “Let us not think about that right now, who knows how things might change, and focus instead on admiring that tall mighty Neem tree,” and put the mind in its rightful place.
The mind has no power to tell you what to think right now.
Changing your subconscious behavior
“I am running my life 95% of the time with the subconscious mind. We have now through science found out that thinking takes 95% of our waking lives, which means that 95% of the time you are operating through the subconscious programs. The conscious mind being you and your wishes and desires work only 5% of the time.” ~ Bruce Lipton in an interview with Fractal Enlightenment.
When you overthink you are operating from your subconscious mind, it’s like pulling an old file from the cabinet because you don’t know what else to do to keep yourself busy. Get rid of that file. Change things around, behave differently when things become a bit shaky, or rough.
Instead of reacting, take a pause, or when the thoughts are triggered, and you get worried, make the conscious choice of changing the channel. When you think about, “everything is falling apart, everything is going wrong,” think about, “all the things that have gone right for you,” flip the channel. Once we manage to change our subconscious behavior, it will be an effective way to stop overthinking.
“You have to see the world as being okay and healthy, because when you view the world that way, the subconscious programs will also complement those behaviors. The cells will see ‘oh life is beautiful’ and if we believe that, the idea of ‘oh I see things are going okay’ gets translated by the brain into chemistry. If you repeat this behavior consistently, remember repetition is creating new habits, then without even thinking about it, you will end up seeing the world as everything is okay, and seeing yourself in perfect health and that will make the brain continually release the chemistry of that vision.”
Don’t blow things out of proportion
Do you tend to do that? If it is a small matter, you get so worried about it, and start thinking of different outcomes and in most cases, expect the worst scenarios, and the mind goes berserk.
Stop!
In a recent incident, a friend said something to me, and I felt bad about it, and we haven’t spoken to each other since then, I have been thinking about it, maybe I shouldn’t have done that, should have paid on time and so on. Maybe that’s why she didn’t call my son on a playdate, etc. etc. I had to take the conscious step to stop thinking about it, it was, after all, not such a big deal, no one’s world came to an end. I was at peace with it. The mind did make a mountain out of a mole.
An effective way to put things in perspective is to ask yourself, “Will this matter 5 years from now, or even a month from now?” If the answer is, NO. Then why waste your energy on it?
There are moments in life when everyone needs that one distraction to take their mind off things. Do that one thing you enjoy doing, and it helps you unwind, feel rested and rejuvenated.
I go climb the hill that is close to where we live, the movement of climbing, sweating it out, being in nature causes a shift in perspective, and releases the pent-up emotion and frustration which are the side effects of overthinking.
Self-care routine
“You may not control all the events that happen to you, but you can decide not to be reduced by them.” ~ Maya Angelou
Taking good care of yourself is the solution to many of the problems we face on a day-to-day basis.
Our lifestyle choices, daily habits, and the kind of information we feed our brain, all influence the quality of our thoughts. When we adopt positive lifestyle habits, we feel better, we feel healthier – emotionally, physically, and mentally.
Reduce screen time, especially just before you go to sleep and when you wake up in the morning. Try it out! Whenever I spend time on the phone right before going to bed, I wake up feeling restless, groggy, and low on energy. I consciously made the effort to stop looking at the phone at least an hour before going to bed, and I felt a change.
My eyes don’t hurt, my head does not feel heavy, and my mood seems much better after waking up, but you need to ask Clyde if this is accurate.
Don’t reach for the phone as soon as you wake up either, there could be a message that could ruin your mood first thing in the morning, and that can set the tone of your day. Why not avoid doing that?
Restrict the time you spend on your screen. When you wake up in the morning, say positive affirmations, or chant, do exercise, meditate, and listen to positive music that will uplift your mood.
Eat healthy food, after all, we are what we eat. When you fast, it cleanses the toxins from your body, and I have noticed a great change even in the quality of thoughts – the mind stays calm and grounded.
We all lead busy lives. Of course, there are bills to pay, expenses to take care of, and sometimes even people to care for. There are many more ways to stop overthinking, do what deeply resonates with you.
If we adopt a practice and take conscious steps to make a change, the mind will become quieter, and we will be able to lead a fulfilling life without overthinking.
“The better you feel about yourself and your life, the quieter and more peaceful your mind will be. You are the one in charge and that you are much bigger than the mind. It is not the thoughts themselves that cause all the trouble. It is your identification with them.” ~ Richard Paterson.
“Happiness is not a matter of intensity but of balance, order, rhythm and harmony.” ~ Thomas Merton
Balance is the key to happiness. Our attempt to achieve balance in our life takes a lot of awareness, inner work, self-realisation, prioritisation and when we do manage to strike a balance in our inner world it reflects in our environment (outer world) as well.
The balance we seek comes to us when our thinking, feeling and willing are in harmony. According to Rudolf Steiner, these three are the soul capacities or forces that are present in each one of us, and when these forces are in harmony, we can function most effectively. It is not possible to separate the three as each flows in and out like the waves lashing the shore.
Steiner explained, “These three forces are bound up with the physical organization. Certain thoughts and feelings will call up certain acts of will. The human organism must function correctly if the three soul forces are to act in harmony. If the connection between them has broken down due to illness, then there is no longer consistency between thinking, feeling and willing. If an organ connected with the will is impaired, the human being will be unable to translate his thoughts into impulses of will; he is weak as far as action is concerned. Although a person is well able to think, he cannot decide on action. Another disturbance may be that someone is unable to link thoughts and feelings correctly; this human cannot bring his feelings into harmony with the thoughts behind them. Basically that is the cause of insanity.”
The current society largely operates in the thinking realm, where the head is given more significance as compared to the heart. There are times when you are driven by feelings, and you struggle to get clarity in your thoughts.
When feelings get overwhelming, you lack the will to follow your dreams or execute your goals, or may be you think too much and feel too little. It can work in different ways, and only when the three meet together at a common point, can we have a different experience in life.
In Waldorf education these three forces reflect at different stages of childhood.
Willing (0 to 7) Feeling (7 to 14) Thinking (14 to 21)
In the first septennial, a child’s will forces are very strong, so right from making its way out of the mother’s womb to turning, sitting, and eventually walking, a lot of will is involved. Imagine moving from the horizontal plane (as a baby) to standing and walking upright in the vertical plane (as a 1 year old). It calls for a lot of effort, a lot of will is involved to undergo that transformation.
There are those activists who choose to fight for one of the noble causes there is on this earth; to fight for the earth itself.
These five activists, or earth heroes as Lily Dyer’s book ‘Earth Heroes’ puts it, are undoubtably some of the most fortuitous blessings the earth has had in a while. Whether it’s fashion, sailing, floating schools, or veganism, you may know these earth heroes already, whether you do or not, please, read on and enjoy learning about these rock on heroes.
5 Earth Heroes to Reconnect You to the Earth:
Mohammed Rezwan – Architect of Floating Schools
Mohammed Rezwan, having seen people brave floods and terrible cyclones throughout his childhood, believed that, if only people had more resources and support, people could achieve wonderful things. He studied architecture because he wanted to design schools and clinics for his community, but he quickly realised these buildings would soon end up under water.
Rezwan, from Bangladesh, knew that, despite being in one of the countries which produce fewer greenhouse gases than the world’s richest nations, Bangladesh is the country most affected by climate change. Bangladesh is the most densely populated country on earth, with a population the size of America squeezed into an area half the size of the UK.
Wildlife such as the Bengal tiger is rare, because their mangrove forest habitats are drowned, and people are forced to leave their flooded homes. It is predicted that around 20 million climate refuges will leave Bangladesh in search of a new home by 2050.
Rezwan thought, if children couldn’t go to school, then school should come to them. He decided, he would build floating schools. All he had was $500 and an old computer, but he set up a charity called ’Self-Sufficient Shidhulai’. He wrote to lots of organisations for help, but to no avail.
And so, he began organising the collection of waste, like plastic and glass, and sold it to recycling companies. It took four years, but eventually he was able to raise enough money to buy four traditional old boat hulls, which he transformed. On the first day, only one child attended.
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