Intricate Symmetry: Understanding Fractals Across Science and Spirituality

Fractals, geometric shapes or self-repeating patterns found throughout nature, span from the intricate designs of plants and snowflakes to the complexity of atomic and quantum matter. They can be generated using mathematical equations and algorithms, but fundamentally, they are repeating patterns or formulas.

Biologists have discovered that many plants adopt fractal-like patterns in their development, which optimize their exposure to sunlight. This branching structure, observed in trees and ferns, ensures that each leaf receives sufficient sunlight for photosynthesis. Within the intricate architecture of the human body, fractal-like structures play a pivotal role in optimizing the efficiency of the cardiovascular system. The branching networks of blood vessels, from the largest arteries to the tiniest capillaries, exhibit fractal patterns. These intricate designs facilitate the rapid and effective distribution of oxygen-rich blood to every cell and tissue.

By continuing to examine nature’s natural occurrences and comparing them to one another, we can start to see similarities between these patterns and formations. For example, when captured, lightning begins to resemble the meandering nature of a river or the formation of a tree and its branches. A closer examination of neurons in our brain reveals patterns reminiscent of the illumination of a city at night. Zooming out further, these networks also bear similarities to the formation of the universe itself.

In deep states of meditation, individuals often report experiencing vivid visions of geometric shapes, such as the Flower of Life and various other forms associated with sacred geometry. As American astronomer, Carl Sagan said, “We are the universe experiencing itself.” This prompts the question: Could it be that, in these profound moments of introspection, we are not only observing the universe but also experiencing its essence within ourselves?

Supreme Master Ching Hai (vegan) kindly shed light on the interconnectedness of our thoughts and actions and the phenomena we witness in nature. “The same with this Earth, our Earth. Why are there earthquakes and tsunamis? It is because we abuse our Earth too much. Then, it looks for ways to shake it off. Shaking a little bit. Understand? Shake. So, the worse we treat our Earth, the more earthquakes and disasters we will have. The more violent humans’ minds are, the more hurricanes there will be. It reflects our mindsets. They are like deities who came here to do what we demand. If we are kind, the weather will be very nice; the world will be peaceful. If we are unkind, they will give us something unkind. They are like our workers at home. Whatever we want, they will do. We don’t have to tell them anything. Our thinking can change the whole universe. So we cannot blame Heaven, blame Earth, or blame the typhoons or earthquakes. Everything is created by humans. Wars, killings, and those vicious thinking, etc., are all taken by those deities to use as tools because they think that that is what we want. We are God, at least God’s children. Whatever we want will happen.”