In scientific disciplines such as ecology and chemistry, there exists the phenomenon of dynamic equilibrium. In general, this concept refers to a “steady-state” system, in which proportions of components (e.g. animals or molecules) are changing, yet the total sum of components remains the same. Simply stated, dynamic equilibrium is a state in which reductions in growth are offset by increases elsewhere. It is a state in which change is offset by change.
Consider a stable ecosystem in which the wolf population preys on the hare population (Figure 1). One year, the wolf mothers are highly fecund, giving birth to a record number of surviving offspring. This surge in wolf abundance means bad news for the hares, and the number of prey available dwindles steadily over the winter. Consequently, the next generation of hares is smaller, due to fewer females having survived into the breeding season. This reduction in the hare population then affects the wolves, who — no longer having enough food to go around — either experience deaths, or simply do not have as many surviving young the next year. This gives the hare population time to rebound, and their numbers soar. More hare, more wolves; more wolves, less hare. Less hare, less wolves. Less wolves, more hare; ad nauseum. This cycle continues, yet the ecosystem as a whole is never off-balance. All are accounted for.
Within this common ecological interaction is a profound lesson. Each person inhabits his or her or their own ecology, subject to physical (and spiritual) environmental factors. We live in ecosystems, sharing and deriving energy from the biotic and abiotic factors available to us. Despite belonging to the ‘greater’ ecosystem of space-time which encompasses everything and everyone, each of us also inhabits a self-centric ecosystem, from which we personally experience the world.
From a large-scale point of view, one can say that the Ecosystem of Everything is 100% stable, 100% of the time — stars are exploding, planets are forming, black holes are devouring, molecules are being transformed. Yet, despite the constant physiochemical alteration of the known and unknown universe, energy is always conserved. Matter and space continue to inhabit the same realm, simply in different proportions each moment to the next. The Ecosystem of Everything is in dynamic equilibrium, changing significantly with every passing moment, all the while staying the same. So, too, is The Ecosystem of Self.
Have you ever noticed how the second you achieve balance in one aspect of your life, an equally if not more difficult conundrum will almost instantaneously manifest, again tipping the scale, interrupting your moment of much-deserved peace?
Of course you have! This is the Nature of reality. We will never escape the balancing act. Struggling is indeed futile, and quite frankly, asinine — as you are always met with a force equal and opposite to your resistance, exacerbating an already challenging situation. So, instead of whining and complaining, or playing the victim, save yourself invaluable time and energy by simply accepting life as it presents itself, and adjusting your strategy accordingly.
The circumstances of your life are an ocean, upon which your body buoyantly rests. Even if you are floating peacefully on a flat, calm surface, there are currents of cause and effect in action. Deep beneath you and far beyond your sight, waves are being formed — their energy collected from countless currents caused by currents many months or years before. You float upon an ever-changing seascape, alive with the promise of upheaval; and of upwelling, as nutrients from below rise up to fuel your courageous ventures. Each polar molecule is change itself, and together, your ocean presents you with the ebbs and flows which make life worth living.
Now, imagine that one of these waves — conjured up from miles away and from leagues below — is coming toward you. It makes its presence known with the tiniest pulls of the tide; the slightest shifts in the current, promising a timely arrival. You sense the possibility of change on the horizon. But you quickly shift your awareness elsewhere. You are comfortable, relaxed, certain that “this time I am finally happy!”
But the wave, having no regard for your ephemeral happiness, continues to creep closer. Its pulls and shifts become more pronounced; its whisper a bit louder. You notice a disturbance — but shrug it off, prolonging your waning contentment as long as possible.
The wave continues on its certain course, eventually roaring calls of “danger!” to all who may hear. Your intuition is screaming — “Pay attention! Get prepared!” But your hands are on your ears, and the desperate cries of “EVERYTHING IS FINE!” temporarily override the truth about to pummel you.
Ready or not, here comes change.
Finally, the wave hits you. Smothers you. Devours you. You are now drowning, swallowing the regret of not having accepted the wave’s arrival at the moment of its conception, let alone at any pressing point thereafter. You could have swam to another location, outside of the wave’s reach. You could have dove underneath the surface and found an easier way through the breaker. But you stayed put. And in doing so, lost control of everything you had worked so hard to achieve — stuck, yet again, with a hefty serving of “better luck next time” filling your lungs.
There is no excuse for being caught unawares by change. More often than not, the necessity of change is a gentle onset, as in the analogy presented above. We know when it is time to look for a new job, end a romantic relationship, or move to a new location. Outside of major life decisions, we also possess an intuition to make small changes necessary to our well-being and survival. We know when the body needs physical activity over rest; or when social interaction vs. introspection would best suit our energy. We know when unexpressed emotions need tending. We know when to eat and when to fast. We know when to call someone for help, when to take a step out of our comfort zone, when to move forward with an idea, or when to pump the brakes on a premature endeavor. Why, then, does the individual repeatedly ignore the signs, play dumb, and allow their illusion of constancy to become so violently shattered?
Yes, fellow humans — our bodies, minds, and souls are incredibly intelligent. But our brains are not necessarily programmed to be aware. This is the ironic consequence of our mysterious evolution. Unlike the wolf and the hare, we are not confined to the pressures of predator-prey relationships. We have stepped outside the normal workings of nature. The prefrontal cortex has overcome our instinctual synapses, and our intuitive sense has become numb as a result. Distracted, dazed, and lost in our dismantled minds, we have lost sight of the intricate web of interconnection in which we reside.
So, how does one remember their intertwined origins? This requires active listening and hard work. It requires tuning into a so-called “sixth sense”, and perhaps a seventh, eighth, ninth, and so on. The animal kingdom acquiesces and dances to the melodies of fluctuation. Our winged, clawed, and finned brethren hold the not-so-secret wisdom to becoming the benevolent overseers of our personal kingdoms. In practice, that wisdom can be applied as follows:
1.) Accept the undeniable fact that change is the only constant.
2.) Pay attention to the subtle undertones and roaring overtones hinting at its arrival. How does your body feel? Where is the discomfort, and what chakra does that relate to? What thoughts have been racing through your head lately? Are you attracting what you want in life, or repelling it? Are certain patterns emerging in your relationships or professional endeavors? Have you been noticing repeated signs — acronyms on license plates, specific animals, colors, scents, names of people you meet? Engage your sight, smell, touch, taste, hearing, empathy, intuition, and beyond. The answers always lie in the physical matrix within and surrounding you.
3.) Adjust your strategies, thoughts, and actions accordingly. Trust yourself in this process, and realize that adjustment often does involve facing your fears. Do not fear the fears, however (What good has that ever done for you?)! With enough practice and pro-action, you can turn these gut-wrenching tidal waves into laughable ripples, and simply swim through them; or gracefully surf the barrels, exiting their womb reborn and rejuvenated.
To summarize: Change is inevitable. Change is necessary. Change is beautiful. And if it is not already underway beneath your feet, it is lingering close on the horizon. So, embrace it. Tuning into the fluctuations of life, an individual can utilize this awareness to personal advantage. The Ecosystem of Self becomes less abstract, more tangible, more manageable, and way more fun, now that it has a conscious witness: you.
Ethereal Ecology 