Is There Purpose to Chaos?

This morning as I was watching my very active puppy attempting to herd or control all the birds who fly over our yard (she is especially tormented by crows), I began to contemplate chaos and the need to control it.

I have been feeling the chaos in the world and have felt frustrated at not being able to control it or put some order and balance to it.  Chaos to me feels like an eruption of burnt popcorn that disappoints our anticipation of delicious comfort.  Chaos destroys what we are comfortable with.  It shatters ideas of order and possibly our feelings of Peace.  However, I have learned that chaos is necessary for any organization or structure, or person to evolve and endure.  

For instance, my life was shattered once I entered into divorce.  All I knew was being ”taken away” as I gathered minutia for the lawyers and the court who would decide my future.  My choice about my life was in the hands of others who assumed I was the person in the story that my ex-husband was telling. 

At least, that is how it felt.  A quote I clung to during this time was, “Some times things fall apart so that better things can fall together.” Having survived the explosive shattering of my marriage and my life, I can tell you that chaos is absolutely necessary for a new life.  

Part of allowing chaos to be a cause factor for change, is a deep yearning and willingness to change.  Chaos destroys, which is why one of the powerful gods in the Hindu teachings is Shiva - the destroyer.  The ancient wisdom of the Hindus knew centuries ago that change/chaos was needed in order for humanity to evolve.  For an individual to uproot beliefs and behaviors that would keep generations stuck in the muck of hatred and despair. 

When there is chaos, our puny mind keeps looping in an effort to make sense of the chaos; to find meaning as Victor Frankel attested to. We often ask “Why?”  And sometimes the why can only be answered by faith and trust that no matter how vile or how despairing we feel, there is something better that is evolving out of the chaos and the seeming darkness. The purpose for the chaos and the eruption of what we knew will reveal itself in time. 

For me, the revelation came in the realization that as I surrendered to the shattering experience of chaos, I found new pieces of myself I had ignored or forgotten.  I found areas where I wanted to deepen and grow; areas of confidence, self-love, kindness and respect, not only for myself, but for others.  

Something else to know as you look at the chaos in your life or the world,  Chaos always reorders the environment  - whether that is countries or organizations or simple family life.  Order and balance will arrive and you can breathe for a moment. However, chaos is part of the dynamic system of life and therefore it is always in motion. 

So breathe. Ask yourself, “Why?” And surrender to the ride of change, of transformation, of Life. 
Because, really, isn’t that what we are all here for?  To grow and evolve in consciousness? 
At least that is why I am here.