There is a long tradition of using pinnacles of science and its corresponding technology as a metaphor for the universe. In ancient Greece, geometry, surveying equipment and musical instruments were the science and technological wonders of the age, and Greeks regarded the cosmos as a manifestation of geometric relationships and musical harmony. In the mechanistic science of the seventeenth century, clockwork was some of the most complex technology, and Newton described a deterministic clockwork universe, with time as an infinitely precise parameter that gauged all cosmic change. In the nineteenth century, with advancements in thermodynamics and entropy, and development of the steam engine, Clausius, Von Helmholtz, Boltzmann, and Maxwell described the universe as a gigantic entropy-generating heat engine, sliding inexorably to a cosmic heat death. The last decades have been dominated by the development of computer science and information technology, resulting in the proposition of the metaphor of the universe as a gigantic computer by Seth Lloyd, Gregg Braden, among others.

Now, the combination of nonlinear theories and advancements in bio-mimicry and digital technologies have provided a new metaphor of the universe as a living system. Even though Gaia theory has been accepted among some scientists since the 1970‘s, until now, recent advances in non-linear theories like quantum mechanics, networking theory and system theory have not been applied to our understanding of the Earth as a living system. 

Our observations indicate that all-natural phenomena, including vegetation, clouds, coast lines, galaxies, etc., have fractal shapes. The fractal is the geometry of chaos, which is the zone where the self-organizing process of living systems takes place. Furthermore, the universe is essentially made of dancing energy and information that both behave non-linearly (according to quantum mechanics and the Internet as an informational network), which is consistent with the behavioral pattern of living systems.  

On the other hand, spiritual thinkers are paying less attention to Gaia theory and the emerging living universe metaphor, which is consistent with most spiritual traditions. If we can consider the wisdom traditions and mystical experiences as an inseparable part of human knowledge, then they are indicating that the universe is a living system too. Even monotheistic traditions believe that humanity is made as an image of the divine, therefore if we are a living system then the divine is a living system too.