The fundamental process of evolution

Dear Mat,

One fundamental concept that cuts through the reality of humans and any organism in the world is evolution — the fact that change is inherent and unbreakable. Evolution involves metamorphosis. Everything within us needs and seeks change, while at the same time homeostasis creates resistance to change, because it seeks to maintain things as they are and avoid the uncomfortable process of adaptation.

So there is this constant tension between the need for change and the unwillingness to change; yin and yang, chaos and order, as it is sometimes represented in ancient and modern terms. Allowing homeostasis to win the game and resist change fully can be a fool’s error because it prevents you from adapting, evolving, surviving, spreading your genes, thriving living the life you desire.

So how can you compensate these two forces? You merely do it, without overphilosophizing it. Like when you are taking dance classes for the first time, and you follow exactly what the instructor does without any thinking, criticism, and all other mind-level bullshit. You first do, experience, incorporate the practice. Only then may you stop, reflect, adjust, and become the thing instead of doing the thing (which doesn’t represent the end of the journey, just a step within it). This process never ends and it is life itself.