Fractals, like the Mandelbrot Set, evoke a fascinating mystical response due to the interplay between their infinite complexity and the human tendency to seek meaning in patterns. Here are a few insights that might explain why these images feel so mystical:
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Infinite Self-Similarity and Recursion The self-similarity of fractals, where the same patterns repeat at every level of magnification, can trigger a sense of the infinite. In mysticism, the infinite is often seen as a representation of the divine or the cosmos, and fractals mimic this experience by visually embodying a process that never truly ends. This repetition, at all scales, mirrors the feeling of the eternal or the unending cycle of creation, which is often present in mythic and spiritual narratives.
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The Edge of Chaos Much like the "edge of chaos" in complex systems theory, fractals often exist in a space where order and chaos are balanced. They show how small, seemingly simple rules can lead to incredibly intricate and complex structures. This paradoxical balance between order and disorder mirrors the tension at the threshold of transformation, a theme often central to mystical and mythic experiences. The way a fractal unfolds visually, with increasingly complex patterns, evokes a sense of moving through an ever-expanding universe of meaning, just as myths can guide us through the mysterious and unknown.
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Sublime Aesthetics The beauty of fractals also plays into the concept of the sublime—a term often used to describe experiences that inspire awe, fear, or wonder in the face of vastness or complexity. Fractal images can overwhelm the senses with their infinite, symmetrical complexity, evoking feelings of awe that are common in mystical experiences. These experiences often involve a confrontation with something beyond our comprehension, and the fractal’s endless depth can evoke this very feeling.
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Psychological Resonance From a psychological perspective, the recursive nature of fractals may tap into deep, evolutionary pathways in the brain that are sensitive to patterns in nature. Our brains are wired to recognise and respond to fractal-like patterns in the environment, such as those found in plants, clouds, or coastlines. The human mind might find something deeply satisfying or even transcendent in the way fractals reflect the structures of nature, creating a kind of resonance between the mind and the universe.
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Fractals as Metaphors for the Mind On a more abstract level, fractals can be seen as metaphors for the mind itself—how small, individual thoughts or moments of experience (the "iterations") build up into larger, complex patterns of consciousness. This aligns with Campbell’s idea of myth as a process of continuous iteration, where meanings evolve but maintain a core essence. Fractals, in this sense, provide a visual language for the unfolding of meaning over time, much like a mythic journey.
The fractal, then, might represent both a visual manifestation of the infinite and an intuitive symbol for the underlying structures of reality, providing a bridge between the abstract, mathematical order of the universe and the symbolic, mythic order of consciousness.
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