YIN
& YANG
THE LAW OF THE UNITY of OPPOSITES
(This is Part I click here for
Yin & Yang Pt
2)
From their
search for the laws of the universe the Taoists discovered within the
apparent chaos of nature a predictable and rhythmic cycle - Yin & Yang.
Because The law of Yin & Yang can be applied to anything in existence it
is a very powerful tool of analysis and understanding. There are five
points to the law of Yin & Yang.
1) OPPOSITION
Everything has two opposite aspects. Yin & Yang struggle with and control
each other.
2) INTER-DEPENDENCE
Yin & Yang define each other and therefore one cannot exist without the
other. (If there is no down, which way is up?)
3) MUTUAL CONSUMPTION & SUPPORT
Yin & Yang each give of themselves to nourish the other.
4) INTER-TRANSFORMATION
YIn can become Yang and Yang can become Yin. In fact, this is inevitable if
the growth of one or the other is uncontrolled.
5) INFINITE SUBDIVISIBLITY
There is always a bit of one in the other. Anything can be subdivided again
and again.
EXAMPLES OF YIN YANG RELATIONSHIPS
-
OPPOSITION - ocean and beach, Democrat and Republican
-
INTER-DEPENDENCE - up and down, in and out
-
MUTUAL CONSUMPTION & SUPPORT - cows and pasture, tree and moss
-
INTER-TRANSFORMATION - malaria, economic boom and bust
-
INFINITE SUBDIVISIBLITY - United States Tax Code
The Yin Yang
relationships below are utilized so frequently that each of the
characteristics has been designated either Yin or Yang. Fixed categorization
would violate the laws of Yin & Yang but the designations aren't fixed.
They're simply a convenience which simplifies communication among those
familiar with Yin & Yang.
|
YIN
|
YANG
|
|
YIN
|
YANG
|
| DARK |
LIGHT |
|
EARTH |
HEAVEN
|
| MOON |
SUN
|
|
FLAT |
ROUND |
| SHADE |
BRIGHTNESS |
|
SOUTH
|
NORTH |
|
STILLNESS |
MOVEMENT |
|
RIGHT
|
LEFT |
| NIGHT
|
DAY
|
|
FEMALE |
MALE |
| LOW
|
HIGH
|
|
INWARD
|
OUTWARD |
| HEAVY
|
LIGHT |
|
PASSIVE |
ACTIVE |
| FALLING
|
RISING
|
|
OPAQUE
|
CLEAR |
|
CONTRACTING |
EXPANDING |
|
ANATOMY |
PHYSIOLOGY |
Yin & Yang are
so entwined that one cannot exist without the other. They are irrevocably
two parts of a whole. That’s why their relationships are called The Law of
the Unity of Opposites. When forces of the universe create a Yin and a Yang
they come together and, in the case of humans, create a life. As long as Yin
and Yang maintain their dynamic oscillating balance the life exists. The
closer to the center of their oscillation the extremes of their cycles are,
the less illness will occur. When they separate, that life ceases. These
facts yield a very useful definition: Health is life in balance.
THEORY
|
Yin & Yang Pt 1
|
Yin & Yang Pt 2
|
5 Elements
Qi
Anatomy-Physiology
| Functions
of Qi |
Organ Functions
Shen: Spirit & Mind
|
Pathology Types
|
Healing
Hierarchy |
