Entering Chaos

cha·os /ˈkāˌäs/ (noun): complete disorder and confusion

Given this definition of chaos, nobody would probably like to enter chaos. Disorder and confusion are two negatively-weighted/equipped words, heavy words that we do not want in our lives. We want peace, we want good, we want harmony.

And yet, chaos is often demanded for beauty to exist. Chaos is a lovely word. Chaos is a lovely precedent. In many instances of human history, chaos had actually been pivotal. We, humans, encounter and experience chaos, and we cannot avoid it as part of life.

Entering the Chaos of Others

Mercy is “the willingness to enter into the chaos of others.” — Fr. James Keenan, SJ

Each person has a chaos within him or her. To be truly with a person, to empathize with that person, with the “Other,” we need the courage to enter into that chaos.

“So an act of mercy is really to enter into somebody’s chaos, into all the attendant issues that they have to work with and live with. And when you do that, you are entering something that is a little more unpredictable than you may imagine, which is why so many people hesitate to do it.” -Fr. Keenan

Relationships require involvement. It requires that we enter into the chaos of another. It demands our time and effort.

Our parish priest said, “Love demands time,” referring to how the good Samaritan spent time to take care of the man who had been attacked by robbers.

Entering Chaos for the Cosmos

While chaos is often seen as disruptive and disturbing, Carl Jung believes that

“In all chaos there is a cosmos, in all disorder a secret order.”

Random numbers might not really be random. Random events might not really be random. A pattern is deciphered. An insight emerges.

But there would not be a cosmos without chaos. In our life’s experiences, we are often required to go through moments of pain and confusion before we are changed to become the cosmos. Darkness before light.

Chaos precedes understanding, especially of ourselves. Realizing the purpose of chaos always happens in hindsight.

“You need chaos in your soul to give birth to a dancing star.” -Friedrich Nietzsche

In these two ways, it is necessary to enter chaos for the Good to come out. We need to embrace chaos for the Good in us and the Good in others to come out.

But how do we actually enter chaos — or even attempt to?