Glossary

Chaos Theory- Chaos theory describes complex motion and the dynamics of sensitive systems. Chaotic systems are mathematically deterministic but nearly impossible to predict. Chaos is more evident in long-term systems than in short-term systems. Behavior in chaotic systems is aperiodic, meaning that no variable describing the state of the system undergoes a regular repetition of values. A chaotic system can actually evolve in a way that appears to be smooth and ordered, however. Chaos refers to the issue of whether or not it is possible to make accurate long-term predictions of any system if the initial conditions are known to an accurate degree. Aspects of chaos show up everywhere around the world, from the currents of the ocean and the flow of blood through fractal blood vessels to the branches of trees and the effects of turbulence. For more information, visit: www.duke.edu/~mjd/chaos/chaos.html, www.mathjmendl.org/chaos, www.imho.com/grae/chaos/chaos.html

Confluent education-"Confluent" refers to the process of holistic learning, involving body, mind, emotion and spirit. In educational settings, the term is used to describe methods for teaching traditional subjects by applying effective, introspective, intuitive, body/mind, movement, and kinesthetic types of activities to the lessons being taught. In this process students learn multi-dimensionally about themselves and others while they are learning the traditional subject matter. www.context.org/ICLIB/IC06/Johnson.htm, www.dana.ucc.nau.edu/~lsl6/ed266.html

Cuong Nhu- Cuong Nhu is an eclectic martial art that blends the basic elements of a number of different styles. Cuong Nhu has its roots in Shotokan Karate and combines aspects of Aikido, Judo, Wing Chun, Vovinam, Tai Chi Chuan and boxing. It is this blending of hard and soft styles from which Cuong Nhu (pronounced Kung New) derives its name, which is Vietnamese for Hard (Cuong) - Soft (Nhu). www.atlantamartialarts.com/styles/cuongnhu.htm, www.flowingchidojo.com/cuongnhu.html

Feng Shui- The Chinese art of positioning objects and designs within interiors and exteriors based upon Yin and Yang to create positive Yin energy. The 3000-year-old practice of Feng Shui is a scientific discipline based more on reason than ritual. The ancient tradition of using Feng Shui as a tool for creating harmony, good health, wealth, and peace of mind remains in the contemporary world as vital force in both the West and the East. www.webterrace.com/fengshui/, www.circle-of-light.com/fengshui/

Fractal- "Fractal" has come to mean any image that displays the attribute of self-similarity. Extending beyond the typical perception of mathematics as a body of sterile formulas, fractal geometry mixes art with mathematics to demonstrate that equations are more than just a linear collection of numbers. Fractal geometry can visually model much of what is witnessed in nature, the most recognized being coastlines and mountains. www.kcsd.k12.pa.us/~projects/fractal/, www.fractal-art.com/,mathworld.wolfram.com/Fractal.html

Gaia- The ancient Greeks called their Earth goddess "Ge" or "Gaia". Gaia embodies the idea of a Mother Earth, the source of the living and non-living entities that make up our planet. Like Kali, Gaia is gentle, feminine and nurturing, but also ruthlessly cruel to any whom cross her. Note that the prefix "ge" in the words geology and geography is taken from the Greek root for Earth. Throughout history, the concept of Mother Earth has been a part of all human cultures in one form or another. www.pantheon.org/articles/g/gaia.html , www.geocities.com/RainForest/Vines/1320/

James Lovelock has taken the idea of Mother Earth one step further and given it a modern scientific twist. Lovelock defines Gaia "as a complex entity involving the Earth's biosphere, atmosphere, oceans, and soil; the totality constituting a feedback or cybernetic system which seeks an optimal physical and chemical environment for life on this planet." Through Gaia, the Earth sustains a kind of homeostasis, the maintenance of relatively constant conditions. The truly startling component of the Gaia hypothesis is the idea that the Earth is a single living entity. www.oceansonline.com/gaiaho.htm, www.lancs.ac.uk/users/philosophy/mave/guide/gaiath

Gaia Hypothesis- The Gaia Hypothesis proposes that our planet functions as a single organism that maintains conditions necessary for its survival. Formulated by James Lovelock in the mid-1960s and published in The Gaia Hypothesis in 1979, this controversial idea has spawned several interesting notions and many new areas of research. While this hypothesis is by no means substantiated, it provides many useful lessons about the interaction of physical, chemical, geological and biological processes on Earth. The idea of the Earth acting as a single system as put forth in the Gaia hypothesis has stimulated a new awareness of the connectedness of all things on our planet and the impact that man has on global processes. The most difficult part of this idea is how to qualify these effects, i.e. to determine whether these effects are positive or negative. If the Earth is indeed self-regulating, then it will adjust to the impacts of man. However, these adjustments may act to exclude man, much as the introduction of oxygen into the atmosphere by photosynthetic bacteria acted to exclude anaerobic bacteria. This is the crux of the Gaia hypothesis. www.oceansonline.com/gai ho.htm, www.gaianet.fsbusiness.co.uk/gaia theory.htm

Gestalt Therapy-A phenomenological-existential therapy founded by Frederick (Fritz) and Laura Perls in the 1940s. It teaches therapists and patients the phenomenological method of awareness, in which perceiving, feeling, and acting are distinguished from interpreting and reshuffling preexisting attitudes. The goal is for clients to become aware of what they are doing, how they are doing it, and how they can change themselves, and at the same time to learn to accept and value themselves. www.aagt.org/html/chapter.HTM, www.csulb.edu/~mfiebert/gestalt.ht, ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/gik_ gestalt/fritz_perls.html

Harmonogram- Recorded images produced by the gravity driven gyrations of a pendulum called a harmonograph. A harmonograph is a device made up of two pendulums, usually with a pen that is attached to one pendulum tracing a line on paper mounted on the other pendulum. A harmongram is the resulting drawing. There are many methods of arranging the pendulums, one of which is in the form of a double compound pendulum. astronomy.swin.edu.au/~pbourke/curves/harmonograph/, mathworld.wolfram.com/Harmonograph.html

Hotha Yoga- In yoga exercises, 'asanas' refer to positions in which one feels comfortable. They are deep prolonged stretching and strengthening exercises designed to balance and open muscles and tendons. Many of the asanas are called by the names of the animals and are derived from the forms of those animals. Asans are known to further certain glandular secretions, and as a result certain special qualities are developed. Yoga assists in maintaining or restoring equilibrium to the body and mind so good health can flourish. www.vhikits.com/kits/yoga/yoga _mainframe.htm

Katyayini- Katyayini, an incarnation of Kali, is the ancient Hindu goddess Mother Earth. She is the Cosmic Power, representing all of the good and all of the bad in the Universe, combining the absolute power of destruction with the precious motherly gift of creation. It is said that Kali creates, preserves and destroys. Also known as the Black One, her name means "The Ferry across the Ocean of Existence." People flock to seek Katyayini Devi's (holy symbols of her presence, such as her temples, statues and pictures) for help finding suitable matrimonial alliances for their children and cures for family members afflicted with mental disorders. Childless couples come to get the Eternal Mother's blessing for a healthy child. Katyayini Devi also bestows moksha (salvation), and her power is expressed by her multiple weapon-wielding arms and divine wisdom from her third eye. www.vandemataram.com/sitamaa/chap25.htm, www.geocities.com/pushti_marg/gal_cls.htm

Kundalini Yoga- - Kundalini is the energy of our soul and of consciousness, the awareness of the higher self, our emanation of infinity and the energy of the cosmos within each individual. It is our creative energy imagined as a coiled serpent lying asleep at the base of our spine, dormant energy within us that expands our awareness and the greatness of which we are each capable. By tapping into Kundalini, one becomes aware of the creative capacities and radiant caliber, and connects our finite to our infinite identities. When the glandular system is activated and the nervous system is strong, energies of the two systems combine to create a movement or flow in the spinal fluid, a sensitivity in the nerve endings, and the " brain in its totality receives signals and integrates them." This is a state known as "moksha." www.sivanandadlshq.org/download/kundalini.htm, www.sanatansociety.org/chakraskundaliniyoga.htm, www.users.telenet.be/ananda/kundal.htm

Mass spectrometer- The mass spectrometer is an instrument that can measure the masses and relative concentrations of atoms and molecules. It makes use of the basic magnetic force on a moving charged particle. Mass spectrometers are sensitive detectors of isotopes based on their masses. They are used in carbon dating and other radioactive dating processes. The combination of a mass spectrometer and a gas chromatograph makes a powerful tool for the detection of trace quantities of contaminants or toxins. A number of satellites and spacecraft have mass spectrometers for the identification of the small numbers of particles intercepted in space. For example, the SOHO satellite uses a mass spectrometer to analyze the solar wind . Mass spectrometers are used for the analysis of residual gases in high vacuum systems. http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/magnetic/maspec.html#c4, http://www.chemguide.co.uk/analysis/masspec/howitworks.html, http://masspec.scripps.edu/information/history/

Mandala- Circular designs containing geometric patterns symbolizing the wholeness and totality of time and the universe. In Tibetan Buddhism, a mandala is an imaginary palace that is contemplated during meditation. Each object in the palace has significance, representing some aspect of wisdom or reminding the meditator of some guiding principle. There are many different mandalas, each with different lessons to teach. www.graphics.cornell.edu/online/mandala/, www.jyh.dk/indengl.htm, www.artnetwork.com/Mandala

Moiré Array- French for "watered," Moiré effects are visual patterns produced when one pattern with "open" and "blocked" areas is placed on another. The most typical Moires are made by repeated systems of lines or dots, radiating lines, concentric circles or spirals. Moiré patterns’ abilities to make slight movement and position differences more visible have resulted in their use in scientific measurement and analysis. Stress, diffusion, distortion and wave actions, pattern characteristics and position shifts are being studied by moiré methods in mathematics, optics, crystallography and atomic structure systems. pages.sbcglobal.net/joehuck/Pages/kit.html

Patina- A patina is a discoloration of metal once it oxidizes. Copper and brass will patina naturally in the open air, turn darker and eventually reach a duller finish of greens and blues. Puchan Arts creates very colorful patinas with various chemicals, materials and heat. The art of controlling and manipulating patinas can become very involved and Puchan continuously learns new techniques and combinations, contributing to the uniqueness of each individual sculpture. www.whiteriverfoundry.com/bronze_patina_basics.htm, www.coscosci.com/patinas patinaformulas.htm

Puchan- The Sanskrit god who dates before 3000 BC in Sanskrit literature. He represents movement, change, growth, time and journey and is frequently entreated today for good fortune in times of growth, movement or change, such as a wedding, birth, graduation, harvest or before traveling. Whoever praises him acquires his magical powers. library.thinkquest.org/25535/Puchan.htm, www.fortunecity.com/roswell/divination/399/id20m.htm

Spirograph- A Spirograph is a curve formed by rolling a circle inside or outside of another circle. A pen is placed at any point on the rolling circle. If the radius of fixed circle is R, the radius of moving circle is r, and the offset of the pen point in the moving circle is O, then the equation of the resulting curve is defined by:
x = (R+r)*cos(t) - (r+O)*cos(((R+r)/r)*t)
y = (R+r)*sin(t) - (r+O)*sin(((R+r)/r)*t)
If you want to make one you can learn how at: http://www.wordsmith.org/~anu/java/spirograph.html

Tapuat- The Hopi name for Mother Earth is "Tapuat," which means mother and child and is symbolized by a form of concentric circles or squares. These forms symbolize the cycle of life, the rebirth of the spirit, its earthly path, and, possibly, its return to the spiritual domain. The lines and passages within the "maze" represent the universal plan of the Creator and the path that man must follow to seek enlightenment. www.crystalinks.com/hopi.html, www.experiencefestival.com/published/Gaia_Hypothesis.pdf

Tantra- The Tantra Agamas belong to the Sakta cult. They glorify Sakti as the World-Mother. They dwell on the Sakti (energy) aspect of God and prescribe numerous courses of ritualistic worship of Divine Mother in various forms. There are 77 Agamas. These are very much like the Puranas in some respects. The texts are usually in the form of dialogues between Siva and Parvati. The Agamas teach several occult practices, some of which confer powers, while the others bestow knowledge and freedom. Among the existing books the Mahanirvana Tantra is the most famous. Tantra explains (Tanoti) in great detail the knowledge concerning Tattva (Truth or Brahman) and Mantra (mystic syllables). www.newfrontier.com/nepal/whatis.htm, www.geocities.com/Athens/Olympus/3588/yotaveda.html

Tantra Yoga- Tantra Yoga had been one of the potent powers for the spiritual regeneration of the Hindus. It places special emphasis on the development of the power latent in the six Chakras, from Muladhara to Ajna. Kundalini Yoga actually belongs to Tantric Sadhana, which gives a detailed description about this serpent-power, and the Chakras (plexus). Entire Tantric Sadhana aims at awakening Kundalini, and making her to unite with Lord Sadasiva, in the Sahasrara Chakra. www.dlshq.org/teachings/tantrayoga.htm, www.vedanet.com/TantricYoga.htm

Twirls- Twirls are a kinetic art form Puchan Arts creates out of aluminum, brass, copper and duralar. They consist of many horizontal strips that are then twisted to create an optical illusion as well as a wind foil. They are then cut on a water jet and decorated with paint and patina to make each a unique piece. Puchan’s pending intellectual patent also includes this concept. Some examples are found in Puchan’s online portfolio.

Vaastu- Vaastu Shastra is the Indian traditional system of architecture and design of Vedic origin. With the influence of Vaastu you can increase the prosperity index of your house or office. Vaastu in its totality is the science of Good Fortune. A prosperity index is like an examination paper with 100 marks. Through minor changes and the use of certain gadgets of Vaastu, you can gain prosperity and peace. Vaastu harmonizes one's life with nature, allowing one to unfold to optimum potential. By using the principles of Vaastu, buildings can be designed to harmonize with the different climatic conditions of each region. www.vaastinternational.com/, www.srikumar.com/vaastu _shastra.htm, www.maxpages.com/vaastu/

Water jet- The technology of high-pressure water being squirted through a small hole to concentrate an extreme amount of energy in a small area to cut materials. "Waterjet" and "Abrasive jet" technology has been around since the early 1970s, and about 10 years later, "abrasive jet" extended the concept. Both technologies use the principle of pressurizing water to extremely high levels and allowing the water to escape through a very small opening (typically called the "orifice" or "jewel.") The inlet water is typically pressurized between 20,000 and 60,000 pounds per square inch (psi). (Or 1300 - 4000 "bar" if you prefer the metric system). This is forced through a tiny hole in the jewel, which is typically 0.007" to 0.015" in diameter (0.18 - 0.4mm). This creates a very high velocity beam of water. Abrasive jets use that same beam of water to accelerate abrasive particles to speeds fast enough to cut through much harder materials. www.waterjets.org/,manufacturing-fabrication.globalspec.com/.../Machine_Shop_Services/Abrasive_Machining_Services

Whorls- Whorls are a Puchan Arts kinetic creation. They consist of concentric shapes cut in copper, brass, aluminum and duralar. The effect is fascinating as they create an optical illusion of expanding and contracting forms, as well as a wind foil that is very sensitive to air currents. The patterns cut with a water jet originate from a harmonogram. The shapes are created organically on the Puchan Arts harmonic table then painted, etched, and patinad to make each a unique creation. An intellectual patent is pending on the concept. Examples are displayed on the Puchan website portfolio.