Dynamic Equilibrium

We live in a universe in which every action begets an equal, but opposite, reaction. Balance is built into the very fabric of the cosmos.

However, were one to look only at one side of any action/reaction equation, one would not see that balance. One would see unbalance, an extreme of motion in one direction and with one destination. It is only upon looking at the whole that balance becomes apparent. It is only when both sides are taken into account equally and without bias that one may begin to see equilibrium.

This is the reality of balance within complex systems throughout the universe. Balance is achieved by the give and take of two or more unbalanced forces -- said another way, stable negative feedback cycles are formed by the interaction of mutually dependent positive feedback cycles.

Plants use CO2 to create and give out oxygen. They will do this until there is no more carbon dioxide available. This means that, without some way to get that oxygen re-bonded with carbon, all the plants would eventually die.

Respiring life forms are the same way -- one would use every scrap of free oxygen in an enclosed space. This would mean its own eventual death and the death of any other respiring life forms there with them...but it would equally mean death not to.

Together, however, plants and respiring life-forms create a balance. Not a hard and fast balance, nor one that draws a constant line. The balance they create is a dynamic equilibrium. The balance exists in the average of their interactions, almost never in any single instance. There is always within infinity the possibility of the occasional Perfect Instance. Such instances would be, however, fairly rare on the average, in my estimation.

Predator/Prey relationships are the same way. The loss of a major predator with nothing to take its place can be the most harmful thing to happen to any species short of its own extinction. Bereft of any force to keep their population in check, overpopulation becomes an ever-greater issue as resources become increasingly scarce.

Starvation and inter-group strife become more and more the norm of such groups, until the equal and opposite reaction inevitably occurs, restoring the balance. Either a new predator enters the arena and gorges on the over-populated animals, enough of them die in some other way, or the inter-strife becomes intense enough that some split off and find a new place to live (or become the cause of the aforementioned population reduction).

Urban deer, for example, are already starving due to overpopulation , and humans globally are quickly following suit.

The concept of dynamic equilibrium is useful spiritually as well. It helps one understand and accept the general 'tides' that occur within one's own being. The ups and downs of emotions -- anger to apology, sadness to celebration, greed to generosity. Built into the very foundations of reality is balance, for every action, an equal and opposite reaction. Our own psyche and physiology are no different. The eye must occasionally close in order that it may see clearly. The body must sleep in order that it repair itself and function properly.

The soul must weep, that it may understand and appreciate joy.

The idea of dynamic equilibrium also invites us to take a wider perspective on problems, issues, and opportunities. Has a certain negative circumstance within our lives arisen in reaction to something else in our lives? Is there some positive effect that in the future that will balance out something unpleasant we must go through in the present?

Perhaps something we want to have, or do, carries with it a repercussion that we'd rather avoid?

Is any of this to say that imbalance is impossible? Strictly speaking, no. Imbalance is possible. At some point, however, the equal and opposite reaction will occur to bring balance. Humans, in particular, have become quite adept at countering that balance with increasingly complex technological solutions, allowing us to stay out of balance far longer than many ever believed possible.

Dynamic equilibrium, however, brings with it the promise -- and the warning -- that at some point, it is inevitable that balance be restored; that, however far in one direction the pendulum swings, it must inevitably swing back.