In the tradition Chinesee in Taoism, everything that exists has two opposite and complementary aspects, yin and yang. Etymologically, yin and yang mean the shadow and the light of a mountain. These are the two primary forces of nature, the feminine pole, passive and delicate, and the masculine pole, active and powerful…
In the tradition of Chinese Taoism, each being and each thing has two opposite and complementary aspects, yin and yang.
Yin and Yang: what is it?
L’permanent interaction between yin and yang produces life and forms the great principle of universal Order or Tao (“teaching of the way”). Yin and yang, when united, are represented by the black and white circle which you all know (at least by sight).
To better interpret this symbol that has become universal: the yin is the black part which includes the white point, and the yang the white part with the black point. What do they represent?
- The yin corresponding to the earth, the moon, the shadow, the cold, the water, the humidity, the passivity, the femininity…
- The yang corresponding to the sun, light, heat, dryness, activity, masculinity…
Lfundamental principle of feng shui
The tradition of feng shui, an age-old art of living that brings happiness and serenity to millions of people, is largely based on this relationship between yin and yang.
In fact, the energies yin and yang bring you balance and give you the means to adapt to all the changes (good or bad) that are happening in your life.
Feminine darkness versus masculine light, one must be wary of appearances, yin and yang should not be perceived as elements of a macho theory giving pride of place to man.
On the contrary, it is the vision of permanent change in everything and the need tobalancing opposites to find harmony.
The yin and yang balance to ensure health
According to old theories, all matter is thus composed of yin and yang, in particular the human body and this, from birth. These opposite and complementary energies come from a same flow of energy called Taowhich can be translated as “the way” or “the supreme ultimate”.
These energies play an important role in traditional Chinese medicine. Only thebalance between yin and yang can ensure health to the body: an excess of yang can cause an overactivity of the organism. On the contrary, an excess of yin can lead to physical weaknesses and deficiencies.
To popularize, we can say that the concept of yin and yang brings nuance. It prevents us from seeing all black or all white; this is the main difference with the Western way of thinking, which is sometimes a bit binary.
Feng shui considers that everything evolves according to cycles and that nothing is ever still. Hence the need to maintain a permanent balance between yin and yang.
In the spirit of feng shui, this means, for example, that the hot and dry summer must be counterbalanced by a cooler atmosphere. The relationship between yin and yang is first of all the search for balance and harmony, in ourselves of course and also in everything around us.
How do you balance your yin and yang energies?
If you are interested in going further, we offer some suggestions to start rebalancing your yin and yang energies:
- Reconnect with nature : Take a walk and absorb the energy (qi) of nature by breathing deeply.
- Watch your diet and take the time to eat healthy and especially unprocessed foods.
- Drink a lot of wateras pure as possible, to eliminate toxins and rehydrate you.
- Take tai chi and qigong classes (or yoga) because, in times of stress or intense activity, these movements help to balance the body and the mind to find serenity and inner harmony.
- Get into meditation : Spend some time each day reconnecting with yourself, discovering where you are deficient, and working to correct the deficiency.