Contrast: Appreciating the Yin and Yang of Life

     In Chinese medicine, there are concepts known as Yin and Yang. For most westerners, they are fairly abstract. Commonly, they are described as such:

                           Yin                                       Yang

                          Dark                                     Light

                          Passive                                 Active

                          Cold                                      Hot

                           Wet                                      Dry

                         Female                                  Male

                         Quiet                                    Loud

                        Allowing                              Creating

                          Lower                                  Higher

                           Soft                                      Hard

                          Inner                                     Outer

                          Receiving                             Giving

                          Stillness                                Activity

                          General                                Specific
                          Potential                              Manifestation

      Essentially, they are opposites. Examples of Yin and Yang can be seen in nature (winter and summer, moon and sun, water and fire) and in our physical body (sleep and wakefulness, death and birth, etc.). Yin and yang move in and out of each other in a never ending cycle, yin transforming to yang, and back to yin. In anything, there is always relative yin and relative yang. One cannot exist without the other. Without darkness, there is no light. There is no warmth without cold, no relief without pain, and no beginning without ending. They are interdependent, but not mutually exclusive. The dots within the teardrop shapes of the Taiji symbol (below) represent the yin within yang, and the yang within yin. Sunlight reflecting off the moon is an example of yang within yin. A pause in speech is like yin within yang... a break in the midst of action.

                                                        

  The world is full of contrast. Contrast benefits us in unfathomable ways, yet it is often  underappreciated. How often do you hear people complaining - about the weather, the economy, or anything else? Many move through life thinking that things would be better if there were nothing unwanted. No pain, no sadness, no struggle - just peace, comfort, and oneness everywhere, all the time. It sounds nice, but you know what? In a state like that, there is no growth. When I hear people expressing wishes to that effect - that there would be no suffering - I  think of the winters I used to spend in south Florida. The weather there in the winter is what most people would consider ideal: sunny, with temperatures in the mid- to high 70's. Sounds perfect, right? Do you know what else it is? Boring! I remember some days praying that it would rain, just to break the monotony! Experiencing that ideal weather, day in and day out, really made me appreciate the variety that exists in New England. Think what you will about the weather in New England, it is never boring! The cold winters make us appreciate the warmth that comes with spring; the hot and humid summer yields to the cool relief of fall. Contrast keeps things interesting. 

     The greatest gift of contrast is that it presents us with choices. Each time something unwanted comes into your experience, whether it's a rainstorm, a bad mood, an illness, or anything else, you are presented with choices. Will you complain about the rain that is spoiling your golf game, or be grateful for the water that helps the grass grow? Do you pass your bad mood on to others by snapping at them, or do you pause, and give yourself time to soften and avoid lashing out? Do you become a victim of ill health, or do you welcome the opportunity to create a more balanced lifestyle?  It may sound trite to say that problems are really opportunities, but it's true. Things 'going wrong' in your life are the universe's way of showing you that something could be done differently. Even a seemingly little thing, like stubbing your toe, can be a sign that you need to slow down. I got a flat tire on my car not long ago. You may be asking yourself, "What could possibly be the gift in that?" I had to bring the car into a shop to replace the tire. While the mechanic was working under the car, he noticed that the brake pads and rotors were very worn and needed replacing. I had noticed this myself at times while driving, but kept forgetting to get them checked. If it wasn't for the flat tire, I might not have made an appointment to get my brakes checked. I was actually grateful for the flat tire! The universe helped me by creating an opportunity to improve the safety of my car.
    These are some small examples, but there are plenty of big ones, too. Extreme violence inspires a greater desire for peace. Widespread cancer is waking people up to the damage we've done to our planet by pollution, and to our foodstuffs by processing. Unequal distribution of wealth and resources around the world is causing many to reevaluate their own priorities, and extend help to those less fortunate than themselves. If you watch closely, you can see the patterns. Suffering transforms into growth just as extreme yang turns into yin. Change is as mandatory and unavoidable as yin transforming into yang.  How you react to change is optional.  If you look for the gifts in adversity, you will find them. They are there, just like yin within yang.  Be grateful for them, and for the contrast from which they were born.