Yin Yang and You PT II: The Relationship

With the basic and general understanding of the Yin and Yang concept discussed, we now delve into the relationship between yin and yang as we discuss the four relationship aspects between Yin and Yang. This is where simple becomes a bit more complex. The four aspects of the yin and yang relationship would state that:
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Yin and Yang Are Always in Opposition to One Another
 
Yin and yang are always either opposing ends of a spectrum, or contrasting points in a cycle. This opposition is always relative, never absolute; meaning that nothing is ever entirely yin or yang, only yin or yang relative to what it is being compared to and when.

For example, let us look at water in its various states. Expansion, movement and warmth are all yang in nature; while condensing, stillness and cold are all yin qualities in nature. Water in its liquid form is either yin or yang depending on that which it is being compared to. If we speak of water in liquid form compared to water in solid forms (ice or snow), then liquid water is more yang in nature while solid water is more yin. If we look at liquid water compared to water in its evaporating form, as steam; liquid water is more yin compared to the yang of steam. 
 
Yin and Yang Are Inter-dependent of One Another
 
Yin and Yang themselves can only exist in relation to one another. You cannot have one without the other, because each is relative to the other. They depend upon one another for definition and existence. One cannot have day without night to contrast it, cannot know the quality of soft with knowing what it is to feel hard in comparison.

​This interdependence is also an interdependence of balance. Think of the water cycle, the cycle of the seasons; contrasting forces or states are dependent upon one another for harmony, for balance. This is also true of the body which will be briefly discussed in later posts.
 
Yin and Yang Mutually Consume, and are Consumed by, One Another
 
For something to become more yang, it must become less yin. For it to become more yin, it must become less yang. Mutual consumption is where one opposing quality must become less for the other to become more. The cycle of the seasons is a great example of this. Mid-summer is the highest height of yang and dead winter is the deepest depths of yin. as we progress along from mid-summer into late summer, while still yang in nature, it is less yang and more yin. As we evolve through autumn, yang and yin become more equal and as we progress into winter yin surpasses yang and become more prominent. In the depths of winter yin is at its height, only to then transition into spring where yang rises again and yin recedes.
 
Balance is the goal, and balance is dynamic, not static. This means that yin and yang are constantly adjusting and new balances are constantly being achieved.  This consumption of yin by yang, or of yang by yin, can be a natural and healthy interaction, one that is naturally expected to occur. But consumption can also be an unhealthy relationship, that occurs with imbalance, where one is too strong and the other too weak to keep the balance in check.

This unhealthy imbalance can occur in a couple ways.  A slow unchecked growth and strengthening, or rapid sudden growth or strengthening, in one can lead the other to be too weak in comparison to keep balance in check. On the other hand, a weakening of one can allow the relative strengthening in the other which again leads to a difficultly in keeping balance in check. It is always important to understand the primary cause that has led to the secondary cause; the strengthening of one leading to the weakening of the other; or the weakening of one leading to the strengthening of the other. In later posts when we apply this to the body, its importance will become aware.
 
Yin and Yang Transform into One Another
 
More in depth, nothing is entirely yin or yang; each is said to contain the seed of the other. Just when you think something seems to reach a state of total yang or yin, its opposite starts to emerge. This is to say that one births or creates the other. It is at the height of yang that yin then starts to emerge, In the greatest depths of yin that yang begins to show. The old quote “the night is darkest just before the dawn” is a fine poetic example of this concept.

With the next post I will apply the concepts of yin and yang and their relationship to the body in a general way. This will be followed by specific examples. 

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