Balancing yin and yang has several different aspects to it. This is based on how these two very different sides of the coin interact.
Yin could be in harmony with yang, where they both agree. The yang aspect could initiate the idea of wanting to learn another language. The yin aspect would nurture that idea until it grows strong enough for action to be taken (which is yang). In harmony they work together.
Yang initiates; yin receives that and responds to it. This receiving and responding gives support to the yang energy to keep initiating.
Think about a man approaching a woman. If the man approached her, and she didn’t give some sign that she wanted him to continue talking to her. He would then feel less inclined to continue the conversation. He would end the conversation, and he would not feel the need to start it again. There would be no harmony between yin and yang here.
Yang can start things all day long. Unless it works in harmony with the yin, then it will not be successful. Unless yin is willing to support the yang, the yang will fall. Yin needs to catch the yang’s initiation. Yang needs to see that and continue, or notice that it’s not happening and stop itself.
Harmony is an awareness of what your partner is doing (here yin and yang are partners in the same event). With this awareness the two play different parts in the same song. The two move together in the same direction. One drives and is in the lead; the other supports and provides sustenance to keep going.
If we notice and are aware of what energy is being presented to us at any time, we can receive that and respond accordingly (yin). If there is nothing being offered and we’re free to create something, then we can initiate (yang). It starts with knowing what is going on though.
Pay attention, be aware, and you will start to see the differences apparent in everything. You will then start to see the balance, or imbalance of various situations. Over time we can start to help correct the imbalances when they become apparent to us. This is the goal of any true martial artist. To help provide balance in the world.
Shifu Daniel Cimino
One thought on “Harmony Between Yin & Yang”