THE YIN/YANG OF PEACE
Definition:
In Chinese cosmology, the universe creates itself out of a primary chaos of
material energy, organized into the cycles of Yin and Yang and formed into
objects and lives. Yin is the receptive and Yang the active principle, seen in
all forms of change and difference such as the annual cycle (winter and
summer), the landscape (north-facing shade and south-facing brightness), sexual
coupling (female and male), the formation of both men and women as characters
and socio-political history (disorder and order).
The notion
of duality can be found in many areas, such as Communities of Practice. The
term "dualistic-monism" or dialectical monism has been coined to
express this fruitful paradox of simultaneous unity and duality. Yin and Yang
can be thought of as complementary (rather than opposing) forces that interact
to form a dynamic system in which the whole is greater than the assembled
parts. According to this philosophy, everything has both yin and yang aspects
(for instance, shadow cannot exist without light). Either of the two major
aspects may manifest more strongly in a particular object, depending on the
criterion of the observation. (Wikipedia)
My
reflection for this month, is about my need for a sense of peace as I am
witnessing the enormous challenges that seem to be more and more impossible to
control either individually or socio-culturally. There is no person or group
that is not busy wondering, with concern, about the future of our next
generations to come. Apparently, we are all drowning in fear, anger, despair
and being lost.
Leaders and
wise counsellors that supposedly have solutions to protect and make safe the
environment and the people on Earth, seem lost in confusion and indecision. I
ask: where are the Elders and Wise men and women that can spread the good news
and prevent more suicides, more mental health crisis and more crime and
killings? There are now more evil groups like the Taliban and others
destructive groups that only believe in the demise of all that will not follow
them.
One way
that emerges as an idea, for me, is to be more aware and more accepting that we
are all in this mess together. That we have reached this threshold between DARK
AND LIGHT. For millennia, the old
Chinese Taoist symbol YIN/YANG, has been indicating the constant change between
the dark field and the white field of life, but in every dark place there is a
small white spot and in the white place there is a small dark spot.
Realizing
that in each life-space there is recovery and a constant shift that is a
permanent movement eternally exposing all the manner of changes that are inevitable.
Being aware of the phenomenon, both young and old people can find hope. Genuine
hope is a creative way for the youth to envision a new era of peace and for the
older a wisdom that comes from experience and true change.
One of the
most interesting reflections I explored just recently, was the idea of
NIHILISM.
“Existential
nihilism is the philosophical theory that life has no intrinsic meaning or
value. With respect to the universe, existential nihilism suggests that a
single human or even the entire human species is insignificant, without purpose
and unlikely to change in the totality of existence. According to the theory, everyone
is an isolated being born into the universe, barred from knowing 'why'. The
inherent meaninglessness of life is largely explored in the philosophical
school of existentialism, where one can potentially create their own subjective
'meaning' or 'purpose'. Of all types of nihilism, existential nihilism has
received the most literary and philosophical attention”. (Wikipedia).
I always
felt that this word and concept, implies a rather depressive sensation that
everything in life is pointless, everything we experience is irrelevant – what is
the point being alive and do your thing?
Therefore,
today, with all the crises of global proportions, destruction of both nature
and culture, we could easily re-interpret nihilism as a ‘wake up call’ to
really confront clearly what is good and positive instead of what is terrible.
We need a reframing of our purpose in life. The knowledge that our planet will
continue to exist and thrive for the next few millions of years, may inspire us
to be more attending to climate change decisions both individually and
socially. We may re-think how to become more involved in change activism that
can creatively develop healthy solutions to live well and care for the planet.
Enjoy simple things as much as possible and minimise our spending addiction.
Take more time
and effort to mentor the young and encouraging them to be more HERE AND NOW
with the self and others in community and learn to be more distant from the
games and online addictive entertaining.
You, the
reader may have more suggestions and ideas that can encourage people to be
involved in the doing rather the passive thinking. Meditate on the YIN/YANG
image as a life symbol and imagine yourself being in the white circle that
surrounds the black dot or the black circle that surrounds the white dot. Then
imagine your white dot getting larger and larger until the black dot disappears,
and you are now surrounded with a white circle. Play with this vision until you
will come up with a creative solution – no matter how small – and be brave
enough to connect with your soul, the source of all creation, bringing peace to
everybody.
To end this
reflection, I want to summarize a story by Michael Meade: this is a story about
three fish in a lake having a good time. One was a wise fish and another not so
wise but smart and the third one not smart at all. One day they saw a fisherman
throwing a fishnet in the lake. The wise fish knew the meaning of this and just
swam away from the area. The smart fish pretended he is dead and was thrown out
and then slowly escaped to the water and swam away. The third fish, the not
smart at all, got caught in the net and when he was in the frying pan he thought:
“if I ever survive this, I will not wait for the net thinking it is not for me.
I will not get stuck in this lake but swim to the wide ocean of life.
Your comments are welcome.
