Perfect system

The world is full of perfect systems.  We usually don’t see the perfection because we are too busy judging aspects of the system that we dislike.   

Most systems have side effects that seem negative at times but when looking at the full system we can see the perfection in the system. 

Most of these perfect systems that exist, we find in nature.  The system that controls precipitation in the world is one example.  We may get upset when the rain comes down on our picnic.  We may feel the system is bad when the rain forces us to cancel an event. 

But those are just part of the system.  The system says that water evaporates into the air.  As this happens it starts to form clouds of moisture.  As more moisture forms and depending on temperature changes, it will start to make the water heavier and heavier until droplets form and start to come down.

After it rains the water is absorbed back into the earth to provide water for plants to grow.  Excess water is evaporated back into the air to repeat the cycle.   

While we can pull out certain aspects of the system and say they are flawed, in reality this represents just one of nature’s perfect systems. 

Nature has systems everywhere.  Whether you are looking at biology, evolution, physics, storms, or any other natural event, there are systems behind these.  They aren’t controlled by some person or people that determine when it is time to rain or when gravity should pull an object.  These are instead determined by systems. 

But even when we insert humans into the systems, we can still see certain perfection.  If humans burn fossil fuels and destroy the planet, nature still will follow systems.  It may be to become a more hostile environment where humans can no longer thrive.

It is similar to the human body producing a fever and other negative effects to ward off germs and illness.  If we catch a cold, most of the discomfort we feel (stuffy nose, runny nose, fever, etc.) are part of a system that is running in order to create an inhospitable environment for the germs so they can die out and we can get back to being healthy. 

With systems thinking we can start to see these various systems and better understand the world around us.  Through it all it actually provides calmness because we start to see that everything isn’t all screwed up, it is actually sort of perfect.   

There is an ancient text called the Tao Te Ching that actually follows much of this systematic observation.  Many people who read this proclaim it is the “wisest” book ever written. 

My favorite section is from the 29th verse from Dr. Wayne Dyer’s presentation of the Tao in his book Change Your Thoughts, Change Your Life.

It says: 

“Do you think you can take over the universe and improve it? 

I do not believe it can be done.”

It then elaborates on that idea that the universe is perfect when it says:

“Everything under heaven is a sacred vessel and cannot be controlled. 

Trying to control leads to ruin. 

Trying to grasp we lose.”

“Allow your life to unfold naturally,

know that it too is a vessel of perfection.

Just as you breathe in and breathe out,

There is a time for being ahead

And a time for being behind;

A time for being in motion

And a time for being at rest;

A time for being vigorous

And a time for being exhausted;

A time for being safe and a time for being in danger.”

When I read this, I get an instant calm feeling throughout my body.  It helps calm the crazy thoughts that we all have about the flaws around us and gets us to relax and realize the perfection that exists. 

The systems are perfect so trying to control and change them is pointless.  Instead we should all strive to live in a state of calm admiration of the wonder that is the universe.  Then we can realize the ups and downs of life are just the various impacts of the perfect system.