6 Quick Examples of the Transformative power of Yin-Yang theory

I haven’t posted about the most important concept in Chinese medicine, yet. You know – I just had to see if you were worthy. ;) Yin Yang theory is doubtlessly the most foundational theory of Chinese medicine and the thing that sets it apart most clearly from most other scientific systems. It’s deceptively simple to explain – but I find after years of contemplating it I have only the barest understanding. Here’s the simple explanation: Yin-Yang theory is a device for understanding the nature of reality as self-perpetuating and non-dualistic. Self perpetuating because Yin creates Yang and Yang creates Yin – there is no end, as soon as one diminishes, the other increases. Non dualistic because each contains elements of the other.

It is vital to understand both aspects. It is perhaps even more vital when using the theory to understand that the terms are always entirely relative to one another. One cannot speak of Yang things unless one is comparing it to a thing that is, relatively, Yin. So it becomes a bit tricky when someone asks, “Well, tell me about something that is Yang.” I can do so if I present a list of pairs: The sun is Yang compared to the Yin moon. Heat is yang compared to Yin coolness. Dry is Yang compared to Yin wetness. Steel is Yang compared to Yin wood. Wood is Yang compared to Yin earth. Earth is Yang compared to Yin water. Some of those examples may be refuted by others – but hopefully you get the flavor.

I use the theory of Yin and Yang in daily life to help me keep balance. I listen to my body very carefully and when I sense an imbalance, I correct it immediately using this theory. Here are 10 examples.

1. I get the dragged down feeling of too much work at the computer. My breathing is sluggish, my eyes are drooping, my face is slack, my heart slowly beats. I feel like I am being eaten away by the passing of time. It is a Yin feeling. To counter it: I stand, shake my limbs and whole body vigorously, roll my eyes around in my head and do some deep breathing. I stand in the sun for a few minutes if I can. These are all Yang relative to the Yin I was experiencing before.

2. My partner and I are having an argument. Usually I notice that I am doing most of the talking, absolutely indignant at her inability to get what I’m saying. My breathing is heightened, my eyes are wide (it’s probably a scary sight) and I’m on alert for any problem in her statements. I’m all Yang-ed up. To counter it: For a few minutes, I just do as little as possible. Sometimes I even take a short leave of absence from the conversation. I don’t try to DO anything. I do my best to quiet my mind, not chasing thoughts and not thinking up refutations. Maybe I close my eyes. Yin to the Yang.

3. I am obsessing over my blog stats (you know, THEORETICALLY speaking). Every rise and fall gives me a rush of adrenaline. When it’s good, I sit back – quite self-satisfied and plan to take over the universe. When it’s bad, I immediately begin analyzing what went wrong, what I can do to fix it. Either case there’s a real Yang manic feeling. To counter it: I think of something humbling, possibly even something sad. I step away from the computer and just focus on something that brings me into a state of humbleness. Yin to the Yang.

4. I have been out in the sun far too long and I’m beginning to feel vexed, hungry, thirsty and angry. My tongue constantly tries to whet my lips, I frantically drink down liquids, I pace around, I am unable to rest. A clear problem of Yang heat having its way with me. To counter it: Like the second example, I don’t charge into some kind of activity to solve the problem – I move into a state of inactivity. I find a cool place to sit. I unfocus my mind, perhaps by reading a book or watching a DVD on the computer. I sip cooling mint tea. I don’t talk to others about how I am feeling. Yin to the Yang.

5. I get a paper or test back from a teacher and the grade isn’t as good as I would have liked. I go home and dwell on what went wrong. I worry about how the teacher is perceiving me, how it will impact my future opportunities. I retreat into a shell of unhappiness and self-criticism. I don’t want to see anyone or do anything. To counter it: I go somewhere where people are laughing – usually a funny movie or a playground. I force myself to get out in the world by convincing myself that I won’t have to talk to anyone (honestly, I usually don’t.) But I make sure I go somewhere that fun or laughing is happening. Even as I fume about the paper, I find it dissolving away under the lightness of the situation. Yang to the Yin.

6. I eat waaaaaay too much Soy Dream Butter Pecan and find myself in a good amount of pain and feeling like my body is filled with lead. I can’t think straight and I feel like I will never be able to eat again. A preponderance of pure Yin having a heyday in my normally Yang Stomach. To counter it: I drink a cup of warm ginger tea and gently rub my belly with a hot washcloth. Sometimes I will drink hot water with a lemon squeezed into it with some cayenne pepper stirred in for good measure. Yang to the Yin bellyache.

These are simple examples and simple explanations. One has to be careful not to over-correct by using too strong an opposite – often a slight suggestion is enough. I’ve also had success in on emotional and spiritual levels by simply searching for the spot of Yin in a seemingly all Yang situation or vice-versa…

Talk about a way you think you might be able to use this in the comments.

Eric

Tagged as: erics-habits, Personal Development, theory-to-practice, yinyang