Achieving balance in life is almost as important as breath. Yin and Yang or light and dark, both sides need to be present to live a full life.
As important as the air you breathe or the water you drink, balance is just as fundamental in managing your daily life. Both sides of the coin have to be present and the cup has to be seen as both half-full and half-empty to stay grounded.
Balance is a requirement for change; it is a fixture that has been cemented into the world. And change is inevitable.
The more you try to fight it, the harder it will be to understand the reasons why things go wrong, or even when things go right.
Two Energies
Looking at the Taoist teachings where balance is most prevalent, these teachings understand one thing and that is that everything contains ‘two primal energies or forces’. As Ted Kardash explains in his article, Yin-Yang, The Principle of Harmony and Change, “These two basic aspects of manifestation often are described as masculine or feminine, light and dark, negative and positive, creative and receptive. The original meaning of the term signified the light and dark sides of the mountain. Our common English language expression, ‘there are two sides for everything,’ expresses this concept quite succinctly.”
Ted further states that the Taoist point of view doesn’t see these opposites in conflict with each other or separate from each other. Rather, they are seen as interdependent or complimentary to one another. One creates the other, and one cannot exist without the other. They should be seen as related, not as contradictions. They are intertwined, not separate. When there is constant change, one thing flowing into another, one thing becoming another, a cyclical pattern takes place. Ted explains it most eloquently by saying, “It is the breathing pattern for life itself.” If you can integrate this theory into your day-to-day world, you will then be able to reach a harmonious whole.
Stay Connected
Unfortunately, humans see everything as separate from themselves. These differences are found in race, religion, appearances or thought processes; this is where the walls of communication tend to crumble and where violence and hurt begins. Not only do humans look at others as being separate and different from everyone else, but they also do this within themselves. They disown parts of themselves they don’t like and keep only the positive parts, refusing to love their bodies, personalities or the colour of their eyes. However, by accepting the good, bad and ugly, harmony and balance will begin to take root.
Out of Balance
Western beliefs are not far off from those of Eastern teachings, as yin-yang type phrases are uttered every day. Phrases like, ‘What goes up must come down,’ and ‘Every cloud has a silver lining’. Language echoes the wisdom of yin-yang. Regardless if it’s bad luck or good luck, these situations always open up opportunities for growth.
Balance Yin and Yang
To get your life back into harmony, follow one simple rule: Acknowledge your desires and honor yourself by acting on them. Balance every aspect of yourself; recognize those feelings that are true to you. Ensure that both energies have the same amount of care. By doing so, you are in the flow of your life and you are living your purpose.
