Friday, March 1, 2013

11. Matobo’s complex mind.






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an initiative supporting rhino conservation in Zimbabwe.

Matobo’s complex mind.

Often when I sit on a high vantage point overlooking Matobo, I look at the complex geomorphology and I think that this is what the human mind looks like… A multidimensional space in which magic happens all the time. With ‘looks like’ I am actually referring to the interplay between form and function.  This is where structure defines function at many scales or levels. Cast a lazy eye over Matobo from a high vantage point, then squint so as to blur the scene, get it all out of focus and you will begin to see the patterns, the larger structure, repeating itself over the landscape into a pleasant predictability like good music. Within this structure, lies its function. But you will only see the function when you engage with it at a lower level… and over a longer period or time. In science we have learnt a lot about structure and function… the two concepts teaching us about the other. Look at structure and you may be able to predict function. Understand the function and you may be able to predict the structure. The brain probably functions like Matobo because the structure and the function of these complex environments are closely linked.

The clouds and the rocks playing their games.
Let's look at memory for instance… those streams have been there for eons… they may not channel water all the time, but the structure is there and the structure defines the function.  So, with or without the precious water, we still define and recognize the specific structure as a “stream” or “dry river bed”, although there is no stream of water flowing. Although the structure may actually change over the time, it is relatively stable, but the point is, it is always visible. Function may only be evident periodically when we see the water flow. Yet the water which so obediently flows within the boundaries of those streams have probably never been there before… they don’t necessarily know the way,  yet they obey, they observe the rules and the water will always flow within the same defined system of channels…. Over and over, season after season the rules of the system will be followed.  Such are the thoughts in the human mind… the neurons and the millions interconnection between them establishes the structure, through learning and then knowing the thoughts are channeled through known pathways, strengthening them, reinforcing the interplay between structure and function… they flow through channels carved from the memory of your mind, flowing in known patterns and generating predictable feelings, actions and reactions… The way it should be, the way it has always been.

Tiny gullies in granite rocks...
millions of years of chemical and physical change.
Similarly, the cycles of annual grasses reminds me of my own thoughts. Seeds lie dormant and then they germinate all at once, triggered by some stimulus.  Some die young, but others establish and grow, produce luscious green biomass, then set seed and senesce, mimicking the cyclic nature of our thoughts and even our lives, at a much higher level.  Some knowledge or information may not be upfront in our conscious minds, they may not be on the surface all the time, but when needed they can be brought back, they can germinate from deep within the subconscious mind.  Like riding a bicycle after many years, or remembering a poem or a song from a long time, suddenly it''s all there again… they have been there all the time. From the dark rich soil of the valleys the grass will grow when the rains fall upon them. Similarly, our minds will dig up the old answers and emotions… When triggered, the structure of our brain will illicit the response, and perform its function… the thoughts will be channeled from small trickles of water, into little streams and rivulets and when they all come together, they merge into raging torrents. The power of the mind is almost unlimited and collectively it can change the world!

Tiny streams converge, just as the branches of trees
split up into smaller ones... 
From my vantage point I also see something else. In many places and at many scales you can clearly see how the ecosystem heals itself. Often the structure is altered, from small scars where an eland raked his horns against a tree, gum is secreted to cover and heal the wounds in the bark, or after larger scale and major calamities; through fire or drought, the ox drawn plough or small scale mining, what ever is the structure, and together with it, the function is compromised. Eventually, the veld will recover itself, literally and figuratively.  The first layer consists of annual grasses and soft forbs, pioneers, like those people who first settled here… opening up the place for the next generation to settle and establish themselves. While it is far clearer to see in the real world where bark heals, where moss and lichens covers vehicle tracks on rock surfaces, it's less visible in the mind, but it is just as important, if not more - the process of healing and recovering… the functioning of one's mind. As the mind is controlled by neurons and impulses, millions of them, independently they synchronize their efforts following known courses, to ease the pain, dilute anxiety and soothe sadness, to bring back balance and eventually re-establishing happiness and expected functionality. 

Placing yourself on top of these rocks is an amazing feeling,
leaving you feeling small, yet its exhilarating beyond comprehension.
As I look over Matobo with a squinted blurry eye, I try to decipher the relationship between form and function and using it to analyze my own confused mind I learn a lot. I’ve learnt that you need to understand that the water will find the little streams, they will adhere to the laws of this world and if you don’t interfere too much they will find their way to the greater rivers and will serve their purpose.  I have learnt that the functional ecosystem can heal itself from the leaves picked off by the giraffe or even the elaborate middens of the white rhinos may impact locally but heal in general through the increased cycling of dung and nutrients. The pioneers will come and prepare the land for the next generation of vegetation which will increase the functionality and productivity of the system. These things happen because it is the way of nature if we’ve not knocked it out of its orbit too far. So I actively use Matobo as the ecological inspiration to the spiritual maintenance of my own mind. The most important lesson is a simple one, trust - just trust that the normal processes will take a hold of itself and it will accrue like the water in the streams and the smallest of seeds germinating together to create new life from the rich dark soils. Trust that the scale at which the small things accrue into wide landscape scale processes will control the negative and the unhealthy. Trust that where it can not correct the wrong or rebalance the system, it will at least heal the wounds.

Soft light on the rocks and vegetation in the late afternoon makes for a lovely soft mood....

The different layers in this photograph reminds me
of the pages of  a book, they are all similar,
but tells different parts of the same story.

The colors of these rocks are water stained patterns
displaying Matobo's passion for art! ,-) 
Each rock placed where they belong -
like pieces on a chess board.

Layers upon layers... like thoughts in the human mind,
they fade with distance.
Squint your eyes on this little scene and it becomes a massive
landscape with ridges and valleys and clumps of forest...

The patterns in the distance makes me think of the patterns
you find in music or poetry or song... 

Its almost impossible to capture the complexity of this place,
and its totally impossible to capture the scale of the place. 

I have posted this photo in the last blog too - here is a different rendition.
(I am not posting it again 'cause I think its good photo,
its more cause this is a particularly special place.)

I love the way the paper thin bark peals off
the stems of these trees. It reminds me of
the layers of thoughts and memories of the past...