Strong interactions are perceived as cause and effect. Weak interactions are perceived as co-incidence. Subtle interactions are perceived as synchronicity. The Pattern can be seen as information. The information in any pattern is that which is needed to copy it.
Complexity is determined by the amount of information in a pattern.
Increasing and decreasing information cause growth and decay, creation and destruction. Their equilibrium is maintenance. The maintenance of a pattern also requires the maintenance of patterns within it. This involves complex patterns of control and limitation. Control is when change in one pattern consistently initiates change in another.