Yin Yang: How to Apply Ancient Wisdom to Modern Life

The ancient Yin Yang teachings remain as relevant today as they were when they emerged many centuries ago. In our modern frequently homogenized approach to life we have forgotten the importance, and absolute necessity, of these complementary, polarized energies that animate nearly all of life. When we understand the interplay of Yin Yang energies within ourselves, within our relationships, and within the world at large, we find ourselves with both a framework of understanding, as well as a well refined guide to living our most extraordinary life.

As we understand the inherent relationship between Yin Yang energies, we become masters of life, of love, of  passion, and of success. 

Many in today’s faster-better-more world have dismissed these ancient teachings and perspectives as outdated and archaic. Yet still they remain as alive and active in life today as they ever were. Upon closer consideration, many find answers to lingering questions, and solutions to seemingly unsolvable situations, revealed in this ancient model. 

In our exploration of how to consciously and powerfully apply this ancient wisdom to modern life, we’ll start by giving the unique, yet interrelated, concepts Yin and Yang meaning. We’ll see how the relationship of these two energies can explain so many of the issues we currently face including issues of health and well-being, challenges in relationships when distance grows and attraction fades, and even societal issues around the wellbeing of both the individual and the collective. 

We’ll continue by revealing the detailed and nuanced meaning of the yin yang symbol. Then we’ll develop an understanding of the yin and yang spiritual meaning. Next, we’ll explore the Yin Yang Masculine Feminine relationship and how the ancient meets the modern. Finally, we conclude with suggestions to apply these healing and transformative energies to create conscious change in your life and your relationships starting now. 

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Yin and Yang 

What do these two words mean and represent? Let’s first start by explaining which is yin and which is yang. We’ll look at the yin yang symbol more below and for now the black side of the symbol represents Yin energy and its mystery. Yin energy expresses as the flowing, infinite, unbounded, expressive, creative and receptive elements of life. In contrast to Yang energy, Yin is passive. It responds to what’s occurring while Yang initiates and activates. 

Yang energy is represented by the white side of the symbol. It expresses as the generative, active, directed, focused, and results oriented energy in the world. Boundaries live in the realm of Yang energy. 

Looking a bit deeper, we will find a truly vast number of expressions of Yin and Yang pairs in life. Here are a few examples, both common and surprising… 

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Yang	Yin
Doing	Being
Result	Experience
Think	Feel
Penetrate	Yield
Fast	Slow
Hot	Cold
Summer	Winter
Day	Night
External	Internal
Binary	Continuous
Order	Chaos
Competition	Collaboration
Sovereignty	Unity

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As we continue our exploration of the meaning of Yin Yang and how they appear and support us in modern living, you’re invited to pay particular attention to how you personally experience and embody these contrasting energies. Consider how they show up in your personal romantic interactions as well as how they show up in professional environments. 

Rest assured, we all naturally embody both Yin and Yang. Some may want to deny that. Yet it’s our very resistance to these intrinsic human qualities that causes such harm and devastation in our bodies, relationships, and lives. 

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Relationships based on authentic Yin Yang dynamics thrive in passion, love and joy. 

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Meaning of Yin Yang symbol

For even deeper insights into the relationship and interplay of these essential energies let’s investigate the meaning of the Yin Yang symbol. This symbol came into use several centuries after the introduction of the concepts of Yin and Yang in Chinese philosophy, which originated around the 14th century BCE. This symbol is called Taijitu.¹ 

As a whole, the symbol, and the Yin and Yang concepts it represents, offers us insight into the essence of the Universe itself. The symbol models and displays the balance and harmony of two opposing yet inseparable forces of life. The symbol offers a seemingly static image of the truly dynamic system of life.^{2 3}

Let’s explore the eight nuanced aspects of this symbol…

1. Wholeness: The outer circle represents the whole Universe that includes everything. In other words, nothing is excluded. If you could draw a symbol without an edge, while difficult in practice, it would offer a more accurate representation of the infinite nature of the cosmos.⁴ 

2. Duality: The two sides, the black and the white, the Yin and Yang respectively, display the two opposing yet counterbalancing aspects of the Universe such as sun and moon, light and dark, summer and winter, fire and water, hot and cold, just to name a few. 

3. Known and Unknown: The Yin black side reflects the mystery and truly unknowable nature of the Universe. It represents that which continually lives within and beyond us, that our mind cannot possibly understand nor accurately describe or predict. The white, Yang side, in contrast represents the seen, the known, the definable, the predictable. It offers clarity. In a world of harmony both aspects must be embraced.⁵

4. Flow: It’s represented by the curved line that appears to distinguish between the Yin and Yang dualities. These two energies remain constantly in motion. The I-Ching⁶ uses the Yin and Yang meanings to describe the ever changing truth and manifestation of the cosmos. Nothing, although it might seem that way to our eyes, ever stays constant. We live in a world of continuous change and the symbol reflects that. 

5. Interdependent and Inseparable – That same curve, recognized for its sacred geometry⁷ shows the inseparable interplay of Yin and Yang. Tao.org tells us they “are shown to be opposing manifestations of the same principle and should not to be viewed as independent phenomena.”⁸ 

6. Relative and Emergent:  When we look at the fullest end of each side of the symbol we see a representation of the relative nature of the two energies. As we follow one side from its fullness, represented by the “ballooned” arc, down to its most minimal point at the opposite end, we see that as Yin diminishes it turns into Yang. As Yang diminishes, Yin emerges. 

7. Each Feeds the Other: The fully enclosed circle of opposite energy within each side of the symbol offers two insights. Similar to our last point, Yin emerges from Yang as Yang emerges from Yin, some call it a seed.² In practical application, it also tells us that for Yin to fully express it needs the support of Yang, or in other words Yin requires yang for its complete expression. In the same way, Yang requires Yin for its fullest expression. We’ll see this in more detail when we explore Yin Yang polarity in relationships below. 

8. Balance and Harmony: The equal sides represent several things. First, it indicates that neither energy is better or superior than the other. Yin and Yang stand equally important and necessary. Then, while we know that Yin and Yang remain in continuous motion, the equal sides demonstrate the harmony and balance between them. If we had only summer without winter we would not survive. Our bodies become unwell when we fail to recognize and honor our need for activity and rest. Constant fighting for control in a truly uncontrollable world will completely deplete us. We must therefore learn to embrace the known and the unknown, the controllable and the uncontrollable. 

It will likely take a bit of time to sit with the true Yin and Yang meaning expressed in the symbol. We encourage you to reflect on the presence of these concepts in the world and in your daily life. We need to see and recognize these elements before we can truly absorb the power and guidance offered by this symbol and its accompanying philosophy. 

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As we understand the inherent relationship between Yin Yang energies, we become masters of life, of love, of  passion, and of success. 

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Mirrored in Yoga

Now let’s expand our exploration of Yin Yang expressions into spirituality. We’ll consider this from several dimensions. To bridge this originally Chinese philosophy into other cultures and perspectives, let’s consider the Chakra system. One version of this system emerged from the Hindu Yogic and Tantric traditions. 

When we look at the seven primary Chakras of the Tantric tradition, they represent and explain the relationship between our human self and our Divine or higher self. While it may not always seem obvious, we are both simultaneously human form and infinite consciousness. The first, second and third Chakras, and their function, primarily represent our human nature. The fifth, sixth, and seventh Chakras connect us to the heavenly realms and our Divine nature, with the human and Divine meeting in the heart, or fourth Chakra. The Chakras are known to take on Yin and Yang energies themselves and the two energies originate and split in the Second, or Sexual/Sacral, Chakra. This is our center of attraction and desire, the space of creation and generation. The magnetizing force between Yin and Yang developed in this second Chakra activates life. 

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Yin and Yang spiritual meaning continued

Additionally, if we look at all of the world’s major spiritual or religious traditions we always find the presence and theme of interconnectedness. The Yin Yang concepts and symbol epitomize the importance and necessity of harmony throughout humanity and the Universe. We must honor our interconnectedness.

Similarly, from an astrological perspective, the sun and the moon and their influence on the seasons also contribute to the spiritual dimensions of Yin and Yang. Many women’s menstrual cycles inexplicably mirror the 28 days of the lunar cycle. The summer Solstice, at the beginning of summer, offers the maximum sunlight for the entire year and represents the peak of Yang energy. The Winter solstice, the shortest day of the year, is the peak expression of Yin.  

Finally, as we consider humanity as a whole, from a spiritual perspective we can see the importance of the relationship between unity and sovereignty. Yin is unity. Yang is sovereignty. We need both. Going deeper, Yin represents the collective and Yang represents the individual. For societies to function in healthy and peaceful ways we must simultaneously consider and integrate the needs of both the individual and the collective. 

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Energetic polarity matters in relationship

Now let’s bring all of our insights together to explore the Yin Yang Masculine Feminine dance that we, if we’re looking, will find throughout the entirety of our romantic interactions. Feminine is the more modern way of saying Yin. Masculine is the modern day word for Yang. The two sets of concepts are interchangeable and inseparable. 

If we consider the law of polarity in our romantic connections we see the necessity of the interplay between Yin and Yang, masculine and feminine. Without a conscious relationship to these innate sexual essence energies we will find ourselves frustrated and confused in our romantic life. 

Not understanding, or simply ignoring Yin Yang dynamics can leave attraction fading and distance growing. Resistance to the masculine feminine dance frequently puts us in the, sometimes hard to escape, friend zone. Yet, on the flip side, if we genuinely embody the dance of Yin and Yang, our romantic life can become something better than we could have imagined.

Relationships based on authentic Yin Yang dynamics thrive in passion, love and joy. 

Let’s go just a little bit deeper. To further understand this interplay, consider both the frustration and the attraction that can be created through the following Yin Yang dynamics seen in many romantic partnerships. Sometimes these turn into the topics of ongoing battles in relationship. 

1. Giving vs. Receiving
2. Initiating vs. Responding
3. Thinking and relationality vs. Feeling and emotions
4. Planning vs. Going with the flow
5. Penetrating vs. Yielding
6. The Result vs. The Experience 
7. Freedom vs. Connection
8. Individuality vs. Unity 
9. Activity vs. Rest

If you have found yourself frustrated or even quarreling over some of these topics, we invite you to truly study the dynamics of yin and yang, and masculine and feminine energy. You might even find yourself surprised that the ancient Yin Yang concepts explain the modern day Anxious Attachment Style and Avoidant Attachment Style dynamics. 

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As we close, we, once again, invite you to discover your authentic relationship to both Yin and Yang. We hope you’ll consider where you may feel more comfortable accepting one energy over the other. Many of you may find yourself with deeply ingrained judgments about, even against, masculine or Yang energy. Many, if they look closely, will find judgement and even shame about feminine or Yin energy. 

These judgements and resistances, if they remain unaddressed, will inevitably bring disharmony and damage to your body, your relationships, and your life.

Remember, neither Yin nor Yang reigns superior, better, or more important than the other. The two, when they express in harmony, have the capacity to manifest the kind of life circumstances and relationships for which every one of us longs. These two forces, when partnered, will bring to life every dream you’ve ever had. They have the capacity to ignite a force of love and passion waiting to take your breath away. 

Will you play and dance with Yin and Yang? 

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Since 2006 conscious men and women have chosen Ecstatic Intimacy to find and cultivate true love and sustainable partnerships, while also fostering their mastery of the yin and yang of relationships (masculine and feminine).

And stepping into creating their relationships consciously.  

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References

1. Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy https://iep.utm.edu/yinyang/  ↩︎
2. Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yin_and_yang#cite_note-4 ↩︎
3. Evolve Wellness Vancouver https://evolvewellnessvancouver.ca/yin-yang-explained-how-to-apply-this-ancient-principle-to-modern-life/ ↩︎
4. PrepScholar.com https://blog.prepscholar.com/yin-yang-symbol ↩︎
5. i2insights.org, https://i2insights.org/2019/12/03/yin-yang-thinking-and-unknown-unknowns/ ↩︎
6. Taoist Master Alfred Huang, The Complete I Ching ― 10th Anniversary Edition: The Definitive Translation; November 17, 2010 ↩︎
7. NatureofFlowers.com https://natureofflowers.com/blogs/news/exploring-the-fusion-of-yin-yang-and-the-torus-a-journey-into-sacred-geometry#:~:text=Sacred%20geometry%20is%20the%20art,Yin%2DYang%20and%20the%20Torus. ↩︎
8. Tao.org https://tao.org/tao/yin-yang-symbol/ ↩︎
9. Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yin_and_yang#cite_note-4 ↩︎