This is a cellular automata based on John Conway's Game of Life. Every pixel is a cell, and all cells in this simulation have the same spirit. The spirit of the cells defines the patterns they form as they grow, live, and die. You can think of this simulation as a petri dish, and the spirit of the cells as DNA.
The "new flesh" button resets the plate to a random scattering of pixels.
The "new spirit" button randomizes the pattern behavior of the cells.
Further reading: some thoughts on using cellular automata to facilitate group reflections.