In general, yin foods are considered "cool,"
larger, have less salt, have potassium, and/or grow
above soil. Yang foods are "warm" or "hot,"
smaller, have more sodium, and/or grow below the soil.
In addition to eating yin or yang foods, to maintain
balance followers of the philosophy believe you must
also eat "cool" foods when it is hot, and
"hot" foods when it is cold.
In addition to yin and yang, there are five elements,
which must also be balanced. Each element is associated
with a particular food quality and the ideal meal includes
all five.
"Yang is the tendency to gather.
Yin is the tendency to disperse."
To embrace the meaning
of the symbol is to understand that it represents
the vibratory nature of all manifest phenomena, created
by the interaction of opposing yet complementary forces
the positive and negative, the aggressive and receptive,
the masculine and feminine-all existing to encourage
balance in the unfolding of life.
The circle, enclosing what appears to be two dolphins
playing, represents the cosmic oneness within which
these forces operate-the unity of life. What is interesting
and significant is that the white dolphin has a black
eye and the black dolphin has a white eye; the symbology
being that if white is soft and black is hard, there
is neither a total softness nor a total hardness - each
has within itself a perception or an inlet to its opposite.
This presence of opposite aspects also suggests the
constant movement of yin and yang, one into the other,
stimulated by the physical laws of attraction and repulsion.
This movement is what guarantees that change, growth,
and evolution will occur as part of the life process.
Human beings are inextricably part of the whole of
nature and as such are themselves an expression of the
interplay of forces, of Yin and Yang. Our bodies, our
breath, the way we work, play, and think all originate
from and manifest the interaction of these two forces.
Accepting this, the principles of Yin/Yang theory encourage
a wholistic view of life and suggest it can be lived
as a work of art.
By understanding the applications of Yin / Yang theory
to all aspects of life, a person can achieve the balance
so essential to a sense of wellbeing. Life's activities
are never isolated from each other; by contemplating
the interaction of Yin/Yang forces within us, we can
learn to express ourselves, take care of our bodies,
and nourish ourselves in a balanced way.
To guide us in applying Yin/Yang theory to the dynamics
of our lives, the "Seven Universal Principles"
evolved:
1. There is infinite variety in the world, but there
is only one Source. God, as the Source, is energy
whose nature is a balanced interplay of creation and
withdrawal; this energy expresses itself as the variety
of manifestation in the universe. Knowing this, we see
ourselves as part of the self-expressive, creative energy
of God, and know we are guided toward our own self-expression
by this force.
2. Everything changes. Everything is in continuous
flow and change. Knowing this we understand that
we are part of a process. We understand that our activities
are not an end in themselves. We're encouraged to embrace
change as an opportunity for growth, understanding,
and for fulfilling our destiny.
3. Everything interrelates with everything else.
Everything is part of an enormous cosmic system that
thrives on cooperation and a balance of forces.
Knowing this keeps us conscious of the whole and encourages
us to act for the benefit of the whole. From this follows
the recognition that when we put negative energy into
the process, we ultimately affect our own progress.
This also encourages us to be willing to look into something
seemingly disastrous and see the good behind it, knowing
that it is only temporary.
4. No two things are identical. Each of us has
something unique to offer. This knowledge encourages
us not to be afraid to have a different idea, to remember
that variety is necessary for the whole colour of the
garden. We can only fulfil our own true nature. With
this in mind, however, we must also remember that we
are still a part of God's infinite life form.
5. What has a front has a back. This relates
to our concept of cause and effect. What you set in
motion is going to unfold as your life. This knowledge
should encourage us to have a positive outlook in all
our endeavours so that what we manifest from our thoughts
and activities will enhance our well-being.
6. The bigger the front, the bigger the back.
The more powerful the beginning, the more powerful the
ending. This relates to the power behind our dynamic
choices and should guide us to put the greatest energy
to those tasks that we know will create the greatest
good.
7. What has a beginning has an end. Anything
that we set in motion will have an outcome. We reap
experiences commensurate with the seeds that we plant,
and we cannot avoid that outcome. This knowledge encourages
us to set our activities in motion with clarity of thought
and purpose. This knowledge also lets us accept graciously
that all things) events, and even our bodies will pass.
The Yin / Yang theory and the seven universal principles
make up the foundation of oriental medicine and its
approach to health and healing, just as the scientific
principles and the laws of physics are the basis Western
modern medicine. Throughout this book, the oriental
approach is the basis for understanding body processes
for diagnosing illnesses for selecting balancing foods
to eat, and for approaching a state of we being.
Since in this theory of ebb and flow, life is seen as
a process. single answer is correct for everyone, nor
for the same person at different times. The pursuit
of health thus becomes a path of living in balance with
ourselves and all of nature.
by Kim Le, Ph.d
from Yin & Yang, from the Simple Path to Health
