Fractal Geometry of God
Fractals both symbolically and mathematically represent self-reference, self-organization, meta, feedback loops, Gödel, self-correction, and help form a secular god concept, especially in the context of psychedelic integration.
Fractals also perfectly represent the concept of holons in philosophy and sacred geometry that many have used as the basis for holistic universal order.
This perspective is essentially Fractal Cosmology crossed with Pantheism and the cosmic complexification theories of Teilhard de Chardin and others. [1][2][3]
The Underlying Order of the Universe
The fractal is the best available metaphor we have for both the underlying order of the scientific universe, as well as the transcendent manifestation of god. As such it is the perfect candidate to serve as a unifying principle behind a scientific god concept.
This is not to say that the universe IS a fractal in the technical sense of having fractal dimension. There are a variety of natural phenomena that have fractal structures, including galaxies and other big cosmological structures, and these seem to repeat the same dense core with orbital cloud pattern on the subatomic scale as well. While they aren't LITERALLY fractals, the concept of simple rules, repeated infinitely, self-organizing into complex patterns that repeat themselves in infinite variations, is incredibly useful when trying to understand the universe holistically.
For a deep dive into the science behind the self-organizing universe, check out these books:
- The Romance of Reality: How the Universe Organizes Itself to Create Life, Consciousness, and Cosmic Complexity by Bobby Azarian (Most Complete and Current)
- Notes on Complexity: A Scientific Theory of Connection, Consciousness, and Being by Neil Theise (Better for Beginners)
- The Fractal Geometry of Nature by Benoît B. Mandelbrot (The Original)
- Gödel, Escher, Bach: An Eternal Golden Braid by Douglas R. Hofstadter (The GOAT)
Mystic Fractal Traditions
The complex, repeating patterns of the fractal can also be seen in sacred art from most cultures. Mandalas exist in each of the Eastern spiritual traditions, while mosques throughout the middle east are decorated in beautiful mosaics that absolutely evoke the fractal.
Mystic visions throughout history have been described by seekers and so often resemble the infinite repeating fractal spirals we are starting to recognize everywhere we look. Thanks to psychedelics making mystic vision available to the masses, there are millions of people who have seen the fractal visions manifest themselves in ecstatic states of mind. Strong evidence in neurophysiology shows that fractal neural pathways may help our brains organize memories and recognize patterns in nature.[4]
Bridging Science and Religion
The universe is like a fractal. It's based on simple rules that repeat themselves over and over for billions of years, producing infinitely complex self-organizing order with a common spiral thumbprint pattern that can be seen throughout.
God, being both immanent and transcendent, has both a physical nature (the universe) and an abstract nature (logic and mathematics). The fractal is the ideal representation for those abstract rules and the patterns they create that manifest themselves in the glory of physical creation. God and the Universe may not technically be fractals, but fractals are the closest concept we have to help visualize and understand these infinite concepts with our finite brains.
Visualizing The Fractal Universe
Websites and Videos Promoting the Idea of a Fractal God/Universe
These are articles and websites about the idea of a fractal universe or god. There is some fractal woo mixed in to be sure so keep your critical thinking cap on. But it shows how many people make the connection between the fractal and the holistic universe.
- A Deep Dive Into the World of Fractal Infinities
- The Universal Icon
- The Fractal Foundation
- Fractal.Institute
- Is the Universe Actually a Fractal?
- The Fractal Universe
- Is There a Pattern to the Universe?
- The Fractal Structure of the Universe
- Fractal.org
- Cosmometry.net
If the notion of a fractal universe is new to you, then these videos are a good introduction to the concept. Given the incredible beauty and depth of fractals, it is hard to understand just how deep they go in a still image.
And while physics has not yet shown any evidence for nano-universes within subatomic particles, or that we might be some particle in a larger macro-universe, the notion has been blowing the minds of stoners like Carl Sagan and Homer Simpson ever since the discovery of fractals.
Regardless of how many iterations of the fractal pattern exist within our universe, or the universe of all universes, the pattern is everywhere. It is creation’s thumbprint. It is how simplicity leads to infinite complexity. If god is actually a real thing, the self-creating fractal universe is the closest thing we know of that it could be.
Fractal Symbolism
The fractal can provide the universally recognizable, iconographic symbolism that the Christian Cross, the Muslim Crescent Moon, the Hebrew Star of David, and every other religion uses for its branding. It embodies all of the values of science, logic, beauty, and infinity intrinsic to metaculture, as well as forming the god concept that helps us understand and appreciate the universe. While there have been other secular or pantheist movements with similar goals, they have lacked the unified theory and viral branding needed to spread their meme.
Fractal Creation and Infinite Regress
The fractal solves the problem of infinite regress that the notion of a creator god inevitably raises. If you ask "who created god?" and find the answer to be "it's turtles all the way down" then what you really have is a fractal. The fractal turns the god who created the god who created the god who created the universe into a single, unified concept. The one true god.
The concept of self-reference is found throughout the fractal universe, in philosophy, and the study of consciousness. It is how Gödel revealed the fundamental nature of truth. It is the key to solving the problems like how to create dogma without dogma, how to evoke a sense of woo without woo, and the paradox of tolerance. Understanding the fractal helps us see how self-reference can help us solve philosophy's most difficult conundrums.
Fractal Music
Prog metal bands are super into chaos theory.