,
A mystical concept derived from Taoism that is extremely relevant in a study of the workings of human Consciousness is the idea of the Tao, a balance of polar energies inherent in all Nature. Taoist tradition teaches that if we are able to strike a balance between these polar forces, and harmonize these two competing polarities within ourselves, justice and order will result within and around us. Falling prey to a perpetual imbalance of these energies would result in the experience of suffering and chaotic conditions.
'Yin and Yang' are two sides of dualism. It is the tail and the head of a coin. The tail is yin, then the head is yang. They exist alongside one another. The head cannot exist without the tail, and the tail cannot exist without the head.
Everything in this world is a dualism. In it, you can always find yin and yang.
The earth we live on is yin, and the sun that brings us warmth is yang. A woman is yin, and a man is yang. Sadness is yin, while joyfulness is yang.
Generally, yin is passive, oppressed and feminine. Yang, on the other hand, is active, bright and masculine.
Managing yin yang is something that we have to do all the time.
Knowing how the yin and yang energies can be altered helps us to have a better control of reality.
By altering the yin-yang relationship, you can make the energy towards your advantage, or strike a new balance that are often helpful to all parties involved.
Let’s look at an example. Imagine that you are in a heated argument.
In most cases, we tend to become agitated when the other party begins to argue. This is quite natural. Unfortunately, the heated energy is yang. When you respond with agitation, it is also yang, and the whole situation will get off-balance.
Try doing something to avert the ‘yang-yang’ imbalance, and achieve the yin-yang balance.
Instead of rebuttal, stay silent for a moment.
See what happens! You are now introducing to the energy field a noticeable level of yin energy. In other words, you are now altering the state of the energy field by lowering the yang energy.
If probably managed, a result can be an amicable yin and yang balance, which is beneficial to both parties.
In this case, Tao is one. The heated argument and silence are duality of the situation, which are two. When they interact in the way that you manage, it emerges the new yin-yang situation, which is known as three. The three could be off balance. But if you can neutralise the two energies, you bring in the yin-yang balance, which is the harmony.
Yin Yang, the symbol of Tao is comprised of a circle, inside of which are two inter-locking swirls, one light and one dark. Inside each swirl is a smaller dot which is the opposite color of the swirl itself The circle represents all of Creation. A circle is never-ending. It has no beginning or end. It is a perfect shape, as it has no corners, rough edges, angle, or irregularities. Thus it represents God, or Creation itself, the All-That-Is.
The two swirls represent change, of which all Creation is comprised. All that exists is in a constant state of change. All matter passes from form to form in an endless dance of Creation. Life itself is change. Inability to change is the equivalent of death and non-existence. Therefore the two swirls inside the circle represent this ever-changing dance of matter taking place within the whole of Creation. The two dots within each swirl represents the idea that, no matter how deeply into one polarity or the other we may travel, the seed of the opposite energy is always carried within each polarity.
Let's now examine the expressions of the polar energies that comprise the Tao. The light area is called Yang. It represents the following general qualities: Light, Solar, Day, Masculine, Active, Analytical, Dominant, Aggressive, Left-Brain, Right-Body. The dark area is Yin, which represents the expression of the following qualities: Dark, Lunar, Night, Feminine, Passive, Intuitive, Submissive,Right-Brain, Left-Body.
A human being's Consciousness is comprised of all of these energies, as is the Cosmos. This is why it may be said that we are created in the image and likeness of God. Neither of these sets of opposing energies should be seen as being all good or all bad. Our Consciousness contains all of them. A balanced and fully-functional Consciousness will contain all of these qualities in balanced proportions. This balance is the essence of the key to mental and physical health, and the ability to think critically and make decisions that will result in prosperity for the individual and society as a whole. When these energies are thrown out of balance, and one begins to severely dominate the other, suffering and chaos are the result.
To find peace and harmony in our lives we need to balance the Yin and Yang energies ... break free from repeatable dramas and negative patterns by finding the right balance ...
Reference : Tao in You & What On Earth is Happening !
Related Posts :
'Yin and Yang' are two sides of dualism. It is the tail and the head of a coin. The tail is yin, then the head is yang. They exist alongside one another. The head cannot exist without the tail, and the tail cannot exist without the head.
Everything in this world is a dualism. In it, you can always find yin and yang.
The earth we live on is yin, and the sun that brings us warmth is yang. A woman is yin, and a man is yang. Sadness is yin, while joyfulness is yang.
Generally, yin is passive, oppressed and feminine. Yang, on the other hand, is active, bright and masculine.
Managing yin yang is something that we have to do all the time.
Knowing how the yin and yang energies can be altered helps us to have a better control of reality.
By altering the yin-yang relationship, you can make the energy towards your advantage, or strike a new balance that are often helpful to all parties involved.
Let’s look at an example. Imagine that you are in a heated argument.
In most cases, we tend to become agitated when the other party begins to argue. This is quite natural. Unfortunately, the heated energy is yang. When you respond with agitation, it is also yang, and the whole situation will get off-balance.
Try doing something to avert the ‘yang-yang’ imbalance, and achieve the yin-yang balance.
Instead of rebuttal, stay silent for a moment.
See what happens! You are now introducing to the energy field a noticeable level of yin energy. In other words, you are now altering the state of the energy field by lowering the yang energy.
If probably managed, a result can be an amicable yin and yang balance, which is beneficial to both parties.
This is like what Lao Tzu depicts in Tao Te King:
“Tao engenders One;
One engenders Two;
Two engenders Three;
Three engenders all things.
All things carry the yin (femininity)
while embrace the yang (masculinity).
Neutralising energy brings them into harmony.”
Tao Te Ching Quotes (42)
In this case, Tao is one. The heated argument and silence are duality of the situation, which are two. When they interact in the way that you manage, it emerges the new yin-yang situation, which is known as three. The three could be off balance. But if you can neutralise the two energies, you bring in the yin-yang balance, which is the harmony.
Yin Yang, the symbol of Tao is comprised of a circle, inside of which are two inter-locking swirls, one light and one dark. Inside each swirl is a smaller dot which is the opposite color of the swirl itself The circle represents all of Creation. A circle is never-ending. It has no beginning or end. It is a perfect shape, as it has no corners, rough edges, angle, or irregularities. Thus it represents God, or Creation itself, the All-That-Is.
The two swirls represent change, of which all Creation is comprised. All that exists is in a constant state of change. All matter passes from form to form in an endless dance of Creation. Life itself is change. Inability to change is the equivalent of death and non-existence. Therefore the two swirls inside the circle represent this ever-changing dance of matter taking place within the whole of Creation. The two dots within each swirl represents the idea that, no matter how deeply into one polarity or the other we may travel, the seed of the opposite energy is always carried within each polarity.
Let's now examine the expressions of the polar energies that comprise the Tao. The light area is called Yang. It represents the following general qualities: Light, Solar, Day, Masculine, Active, Analytical, Dominant, Aggressive, Left-Brain, Right-Body. The dark area is Yin, which represents the expression of the following qualities: Dark, Lunar, Night, Feminine, Passive, Intuitive, Submissive,Right-Brain, Left-Body.
A human being's Consciousness is comprised of all of these energies, as is the Cosmos. This is why it may be said that we are created in the image and likeness of God. Neither of these sets of opposing energies should be seen as being all good or all bad. Our Consciousness contains all of them. A balanced and fully-functional Consciousness will contain all of these qualities in balanced proportions. This balance is the essence of the key to mental and physical health, and the ability to think critically and make decisions that will result in prosperity for the individual and society as a whole. When these energies are thrown out of balance, and one begins to severely dominate the other, suffering and chaos are the result.
To find peace and harmony in our lives we need to balance the Yin and Yang energies ... break free from repeatable dramas and negative patterns by finding the right balance ...
Reference : Tao in You & What On Earth is Happening !
Related Posts :