Morphogenetics – A Little Way
Contemplate the idea of morphogenetics in the light of your smallness and seeming insignificance.
Small genetic sequences are responsible for tremendous variation within and among species. As the ‘code’ reproduces cell by cell, new forms emerge that have both continuity with prior forms and also expression of new possibilities. Architect Christopher Alexander took this concept to heart, looking for the patterns underlying human design of space. He found that it was possible to identify a small, manageable number of patterns that – combined and recombined – become a staggering array of forms in human building, while keeping those forms filled with qualities that can clearly be perceived and referred to as ‘humane,’ or ‘life-supporting.’
His students and followers, anxious to return this humanity to the world – contra the abundance of life-negating, less-than-human architecture – often wanted a large scale revolution, or rescue operation. Alexander cautioned them to remember the lesson of morphogenetics – that organic, lasting change comes into being via small genetic sequences, changes, or spatial patterns that push toward subtle, coherent, sustainable changes in the overall shape/design/morphology of a form/species/building. His advice – the smaller the better, because small scale is more easily replicated – highlights the importance of a symbolic act.
Where enormous meaning, or value is ‘encoded’ in a small, conscious act, the possibility increases that its power will actually be communicated. Think of the Eucharist, in which the ultimate Form becomes, like a person, a radiant field of gravitas and light in one, tiny, communicable bite. As you practice freedom, you may often find yourself severely limited in terms of what action you can take, given all the internal and external factors of reality. When you are, then, pushed to win through to a much smallified resolution of your tension, you may make one, small, free, and seemingly symbolic form, or gesture. Those are the ones with tremendous power,
if you will humble yourself to act – to realize the huge ideal in one little ‘morphogenetic sequence’. Likewise, your freedom can refill empty forms with power that expands your freedom. What tiny little powerless words and gestures are you producing without interior freedom? Free, intentional, conscious, deliberate, act is a vessel the Spirit can fill with power - fulfillment, radiance, meaning. Consider how to refill that Sign of the Cross, that thank-you note, that smile, that hostess gift, that R.S.V.P., that going-the-speed-limit, that dishwashing, that “How are you?”, that formal prayer, that Sabbath symbol that will have to do until you figure out how to keep Sabbath more wholely, or that cup of water with freedom, intention, meaning.
These thoughts originally appeared in 3d Freedom.