Le Chateliar Principle of Happiness

Most of us have studied the Le Chateliar principle in chemistry which talks about the state of equilibrium. Let us look at that once again.

“If a chemical system at equilibrium experiences a change in concentration, temperature, volume, or partial pressure, then the equilibrium shifts to counteract the imposed change and a new equilibrium is established.”

Some days back, this principle struck me as quite apt in our lives. In fact, it has already been reinstated for economics and pharmacology. However, it can also be leveraged in our daily walk of life.

Whenever we are encountered by an upheaval or a significant change in our life, these changes cause strain or added pressure in our environment. There comes a point when we feel that our agony is beyond control and there is no way out. However, the point is, what do we aspire for? Is it the phase that existed before the event occurred? Mostly yes. We do not want to lose our status quo or the inertia as they say in Physics. It is also the equilibrium position for us, which we want to sustain.

We do need to understand that change is a process and not an event. Even if we perceive the change as an event, its beginning and end are impossible to determine. There are a set of events which can trigger a beginning and another set that mark the end. Take for instance, the Mahabharata, when did the war start? When Duryodhan refused to share the property with Pandavas? Or when Draupadi mocked at Duryodhan for his vision? Or when the kingdom went to Pandu instead of Dhritarashtra and his ambition kept finding ways to vent its frustration in different forms? In fact some people say that it started right when Bharat preferred a commoner to royally born prince. This meant that he rated true ability over royal hierarchy, which forever became a debatable topic. Notwithstanding, the change keeps happening that enables evolution of individuals and the society.

Hence, if we expect the equilibrium before these changes (began to be noticed), it is not possible. This is mainly because over the period, there would have been so many simultaneous events, which are irreversible, and cannot bring the same effect even if the equilibrium situation is brought back. Have you ever seen the perfect remake of a classic movie? It is not possible, even with the same story, or same cast, same dialogues. Since magic cannot be recreated. It can only be modified. Unless there is some exquisite novelty, it can only be mediocrity at best.

However, if we accept the change and subsequent pressure, and understand the unstated objectives of evolution, we can possibly face it, counteract it better and create a superimposed equilibrium state. Once I heard a saying, “What cannot kill you, makes you stronger”. Just think about it for two minutes and you will realize the truth behind it. Remember the times when you felt you were in a pressure cooker situation, wanting to get out of it at any cost. Once you faced it, didn’t you feel you can cope with any sort of situation much better? It would definitely enable you to face not only similar situation better, but even graver social pressures because it led you to overcome your fears. You have already seen worse consequences.

Hence whatever be the situation, be assured that there will be a new equilibrium, since that is the order of the system. At our end, we only need to work towards the change, shift to a different paradigm without escaping and we will be able to perceive the evolution in ourselves, the society and the working environment. If we see from the reference frame of the old equilibrium, we might feel disturbed since that may not be the perfect situation. However, the fact is that the reference frame itself has shifted and we need to shift our perspective accordingly to experience the bliss of life!

Life will keep on throwing challenges and make us feel unaccustomed to the changes around us. The deal is –how soon do we realize the need if the hour and deal with them by shifting ourselves to a different paradigm and combat the situation instead of cribbing about it. Once we realize this truth, inner peace is maintained and the equilibrium is sustained forever.