How Thermodynamic Principles Can Explain Our Role in the Universe
Entropy
Definition: In simple terms: “everything falls”. It’s the universal tendency that generates movement through the dissipation of all tension caused by potential differences (deficits, voids, “gaps”). Energy is never lost, but it tends to transform into conditions less conducive to movement. Simply put, everything moves toward leveling these gaps. Every tension/force wants to dissipate through neutralization.
On a more serious note: this is known as the second law of thermodynamics.
Analogy of the Grand Game (as in the accompanying image): Imagine a large game board tilted, where everything slowly slides and falls into stillness. As everything falls, the board flattens out, emptied of the forces and differences that once created movement. This grand game is the universe. This tendency toward falling and “flatness” is entropy.
What does this mean for us? (application to humanity):
What does this mean for us? (application to humanity):a) Since it’s a universal tendency, we shouldn’t get discouraged (or blame ourselves for this tendency within) when facing this reality of the universe. Instead, understand that “it’s the nature of things” and know that we can tap it for another end (see further in the text). The universe, in this sense, is like that friend who always eats the entire pizza at a party, leaving only the empty box and a vague feeling of collective regret. It’s always been its “nature”.
b) Every void/gap/deficit in potential creates tension (like desire), consequently:
c) This tension creates forces aiming to resolve or neutralize it, consequently:
d) This leads to the dissipation of forces, thus weakness (less force/tension) and the inefficiency of dissipated forces (like desire), thus:
e) Decrease and cessation of movement, consequently:
f) The cessation of movement leads to eventual stagnation (like the goal of desire, which seeks to extinguish its own tension), a kind of inert equilibrium, as Schrödinger would put it—a “false peace” caused by the absence of all potential for movement.
g) According to Clausius, apparently the first to employ the word entropy (in 1865), “the universe seeks maximum entropy” and aims for nothing less than absolute cold and darkness.
For humans, desire is also a universal tendency
It is the engine of action.
Its functioning is interesting in relation to entropy.
Psychologists have noted an interesting paradox: “All desire seeks its own extinction”, even though we try to “feel alive”.
Indeed, though sometimes appreciated, desire is often defined by the tension of wanting something, a situation, or a change, from which we expect relief, endeavouring to fill a void.
We seek the state (which we imagine as peace) that comes after extinguishing/resolving/dissipating the tension of desire: the ultimate comfort.
This dissipation leads to the cessation of desire’s movement, and the cessation of all movement leads to human stagnation, the cessation of growth: “growth happens outside our comfort zone”.
One might even say that “desire seeks maximum peace”, but it doesn’t realize that its usual mode of operation will not lead to real peace, only to this false peace of entropy caused by the absence of all force, tension, and thus movement.
Some believe entropy leads to increased complexity over time, which is true, but only temporarily (see graph). Ultimately, entropy, by its tendency toward increasing disorder, undoes complexity once it reaches a certain point.
This is possibly why people think entropic behaviours lead to something good. In fact, yes, they do—temporarily—but it usually doesn’t last. Except for those who can harness the initial thrust of the entropic wave and even counter its disorder… How?
At the opposite of this universal tendency of entropy exists a rare phenomenon that counters it
Syntropy
Definition: A rare tendency that generates movement through the creation/preservation/cultivation of tension in systems with differences in potential (deficits and surpluses). Simply put, it’s a harmonious balance of forces that can lead to increased organization and efficiency of these forces, potentially leading to the creation of new effects (emergence principle) that are richer than the initial base components. Every tension/force is not only conserved but maximized, possibly augmented, and transformed into more effective uses.
Analogy of the Grand Game: Imagine a large tilted game board where everything tends to slide and fall into stillness. As everything falls, the board becomes progressively flatter. This grand game is the universe. Syntropy occurs when certain elements behave differently from the rest, not falling but playing a different game—a rare game that blocks this return to “flatness” by using the board’s tilt to its advantage, keeping the fun alive, and even augmenting it. This is syntropy.
This rare tendency transforms the slope (on which everything usually just falls) into an engine of growth and complexity, creating a dynamic order and harmonious equilibrium. The syntropic path is to take the “stumbling block” (the biblical stone upon which everyone trips, causing human entropy: misused desire) and make it the cornerstone of our inner edifice…
Another analogy: While entropy is like a Monday morning—everything collapses and stretches toward chaos—syntropy is like that rare Tuesday where everything goes miraculously well, birds sing, and it seems as though the cosmos itself took a double shot of espresso. One might even glimpse those famed New Age synchronicities!
Schrödinger called it negative entropy; the mathematician Fantappié called it syntropy; Stephen Wolfram called it self-organization; and Polanyi spoke of emergence. There are other names and definitions for this phenomenon.
What interests us about this phenomenon (its application to humanity)
a) It’s a non-universal tendency, so it’s exceptional. We shouldn’t be discouraged by its rarity but rather realize that “it’s the nature of things” and know that there is a way we can profit from it—good news.
b) Every void/gap/potential deficit generates tension (like desire), consequently:
c) This tension generates forces aimed at resolving/neutralizing it, consequently:
d) If we know how to use these forces and avoid their neutralization wisely, dissipation can be avoided, and their power and efficiency can increase, thus:
e) Strengthening the force of change, consequently:
f) Habitual stagnation is avoided, growth is stimulated, and a kind of dynamic (not inert) balance is achieved. We can experience a “genuine peace” caused by harmony among the forces present.
g) True, Clausius said that “the universe seeks maximum entropy”. But by reversing the trend, one can aim for the opposite of entropy’s objectives, that is, for “heat and light” within oneself.
Desire seeks maximum peace, but the tendency in the universe and humanity is to reach this peace through the dissipation of forces rather than the harmonization of forces
There are, therefore, two types of equilibrium, two types of peace: one achieved when nothing can move, and another that preserves potential, the capacity for movement, life. One is death, the other is life.
Strangely, this death-tendency seems desirable and enticing to us. Possibly because it’s the tendency of the universe. Strangely, we run toward stagnation. In seeking peace quickly, we rush toward its empty reflection, surprised not to find what we were so sure was there.
Humanity has been chained to this tendency forever. It’s not a product of society; rather, society is a product of us.
Understanding entropy and syntropy helps us grasp many spiritual principles, such as the concept of entrapment in Samsara, the play of Lila, and its tools of illusion (Maya), which keep us prisoners in this game. It also aids in understanding the noble goals of “spiritual liberation” (Moksha, Mukti, Nirvana, etc.).
How do we understand these goals?
We are profoundly conformist. We tend to flow with the universe’s trends. We fear lack and are driven by fear to dissipate all tension, giving us a fleeting illusion of happiness and peace.
Darkness
We could say similar things about darkness.
- It’s a universal tendency.
- It prevails more in the universe than light.
- Let’s dispel the myth of absolute evolution: neither syntropy nor light has a “tendency” to increase; the “natural” tendency is the opposite. The rock rolls downhill, not up, and energy dissipates, rather than condenses.
- Except for exceptions, as tendencies aren’t absolutes.
And what about light?
- It’s not a universal tendency.
- Light is an exception: it requires specific energetic conditions (like a star) and won’t even be visible in darkness without a reflective surface.
- Nothing in humans resembles physical light more than the light of full awareness: this becomes apparent to anyone who has witnessed the effects of full awareness on their inner nature.
- Its effect reflects on all the reflective surfaces within. But who ignites this light and how often? It’s rare—like light in the universe.
“Happiness can be found even in the darkest of times… if one only remembers to turn on the light.” —Albus Dumbledore
Deductions from all this
That said, how can we “reverse the trend”? We would need to identify entropic behaviours within ourselves in order to sidestep them. We would also need to know which behaviours and practices cultivate syntropy within.
It all lies in desire. To “become syntropic,” one must develop a very different attitude toward desire. Stop blindly following it or even fighting it, as so many religions have prescribed. So, neither indulgence nor asceticism. Then what?
Harness desire. Use it consciously; redirect it; invert it; tame it.
These practices have always existed, for the problem of entropy is as ancient as the world, though described differently. What are these practices?
Yoga and meditation
But in their genuine versions—those that aim at cultivating awareness. Not simply performing postures for fitness goals, or meditation “to relieve a bit of stress”.
Sacred sexuality
Sacred sexualityThe authentic practice, though. The one that aims at inverting the usual desire-following attitude, dependent on the usual goal (climax). The one that doesn’t seek the dissipation of sexual tension but rather its cultivation and accumulation to transform our perspective on desire.
This practice between two people is played out when desire grips us most powerfully—at the most intense of intimate connection.
This practice engages with the very creative forces of the universe and is considered the most powerful practice ever devised for emerging from the game of entropy.
In these practices, when done well, we stand in the forge that either traps humanity or liberates it. Everything depends on the attitude toward desire in the act, the presence of love, and many other factors known to those well-informed on these practices.
While an inner syntropic revolution may seem rare, many individuals in history appear to have achieved it, particularly through these methods practiced in sacred loving intimacy. Milarepa, for example, supposedly achieved a drastic inner transformation via syntropy despite his start in violence and ignorance. (Milarepa is one of the most well-known and revered spiritual masters of the Buddhist Kagyu lineage, along with Tilopa, Naropa and Ganpopa.) That’s just one example. The list is short, but there are at least a hundred people on it.
Conclusion
As you can see, the entire universe shows us the way. Clausius was right that the universe has a tendency toward maximum entropy. This tendency governs us every time we think happiness or peace will come from satisfying our desires. True peace doesn’t lie in neutralizing our life force but in preserving it by changing our attitude toward Shakti: desire.
Yin and yang are forces in harmony because they each remain whole. If they followed their impulse to neutralize each other completely, a yin-yang symbol would be just a grey splotch, the black and white completely blended…
After a lifetime probing a vast range of the most important philosophical, esoteric, religious, and other schools in search of “the most important thing a human being can do with their life” (an unresolved question I had at four years old and a source of constructive tension I have always retained), I think what is encompassed in this text might indeed be the most vital insights and practices. More so than any “DNA activation” with indigo quartz (given by Ashtar, commander of the transgalactic forces of the Pleiades) in a 432Hz Tibetan singing bowl sound bath + sacred cosmic cacao + ceremonial kembo, cannabis, and shamanic psilocybin™ to top it off (joke). Imagine.
Quote from The Matrix that aligns with this article:
Morpheus: The Matrix is everywhere. It is all around us. Even here, in this room. You can see it when you look out your window or turn on your television. You feel it when you go to work… when you go to church… when you pay your taxes. It is the world that has been pulled over your eyes to blind you from the truth.
Neo: What truth?
Morpheus: That you are a slave, Neo. Like everyone else, you were born into bondage. Born into a prison that you cannot smell, taste, or touch. A prison for your mind.
Life Suggestion
Learn how to surf on the forces of entropy to reverse them if you don’t yet know how. Start practicing, and each day extricate yourself a bit more from the Matrix. Break free from entropy, the source of ultimate conformity. Commit the supreme act of rebellion in this game that wants to keep you asleep. Be the rebel. Be the meta-player of this game that’s playing you. Engage in the practice of the great reversal (Ulta Sadhana) of tendencies in the forge of life. Human liberation is the ultimate “hack” of the tilted board of the grand game.
