The Yin-Yang concept has been an integral part of the Chinese culture for many years with the Chinese citizen viewing it as a means to gaining personal balance. In essence, the Yin and Yang way of thinking are distinct to the Chinese culture by perception of the main human principles and in terms of they view the universe and its occurrences. The phenomenon is a Dual-Polar concept that aims at enabling the coexistence of two different extremities such that it differs from the western way of thinking. The western way of thinking unlike the Yin and Yang way of thinking practices a Bi-Polar concept that has the existence of 2 different extremes that are mutually exclusive, unlike the Yin-Yang extremes that are mutually inclusive. In this regard, the Yin and Yang way of thinking aim at encompassing everything in both the world and the universe. Nonetheless, the Yin and Yang way of thinking also give the provision of the mid-point while still allowing its extremes to exist on a complimentary basis to provide harmonious balance.
It is worth reiterating that Ying and Yang despite having two extremes aims containing everything that is in existence in the world. The extremes though different both in nature and their individual qualities are interdependent and cannot exist without the presence of the other such they cannot be separated. A perfect scenario that could explain the concept would be that of night and day. While night represents Yin, the day represents Yang. Night in all its totality is significantly different from the day, but the outstanding fact that is none can exist without the other. The concepts way of thinking, however, highlights that the interdependence occurs because there is always some Yin in Yang and vice versa a scenario represented by the small dots within each of the two principles. Similarly within every night is a Yang part seen the late day when night is approaching and early morning and also within every day is Yin part.
In line with the Yin-Yang concept, Laozi, a revered Chinese philosopher in his teaching highlighted the opinion that despite things appearing to be different they were one and were the secret to the universal powers. In his teaching, he adds that good and evil are one, an aspect that reflects on the mutuality of the Yin and Yang energies (Boedicker & Boedicker, 2009). Confucius, also a prominent Chinese philosopher, in studying and learning to be human reveals the interdependence that is explained in the Yin and Yang way of thinking. While one might consider a poor man humble and expect a rich man to be peaceful, Confucius state that it is rare for a poor man to accept his status without complaining while adding that a rich man cannot avoid being arrogant. Confucius’ argument, in this regard, attempts to explain the mutual inclusiveness of two extremes as existing in the Yin-Yang concept. Both Laozi’s and Confucius teachings attempt to explain the harmonious balance that exists in the universe as attempted by the Yin-Yang model. Through his Analects such as “The 300 verses of the Book of Odes can be summed up in a single phrase: ‘Don't think in an evil way” which revealed in both state a message could be passed, he affirmed his belief in an all-encompassing character (Boedicker & Boedicker, 2009). As such the Yin and Yang way of thinking suggest that while the two extremes are different one can transform to the other under certain situations. This then enables a balance such that the two extremes of the Yin-Yang blend in a seamless whole seeing as they both exist in the other resulting into a perfectly embodied aspect that creates harmony. For instance, in an individual’s health, one may be shocked at the thought of his/her wellness seeing people tend not to think much of their wellness. Most often, one’s body, emotions, and the mind tend to adjust and readjust to the different circumstances present in life symbolizing the harmony attributed to the Yin-Yang theory.
The Yin and Yang way of thinking in hindsight remain a unique and different way to perceive the world only distinct to the Chinese. The fact the concept notes the mutual inclusiveness of extreme situations such as day and night sets it apart from the western way of thought that believes in mutual exclusivity of extreme situations. The concept of the Yin and Yang way of thinking reveals that in Yin there is Yang and in Yang there is Yin revealing the balance that exists in the concept. Thus, the Yin and Young way of thinking remain to be unique in its teaching.
Reference
Boedicker, F., & Boedicker, M. (2009). The philosophy of Tai chi chuan: Wisdom from Confucius, Lao Tzu, and other great thinkers. Berkeley, Calif: Blue Snake Books.
