[MD] Taoism

[MarshaV]

---The Yin Yang philosophy - a branch of the ancient Chinese religion of Taoism


The Yin Yang philosophy is derived from Taoism. 
The Universe if formed of the Tao and it is in a 
state of flux. It moves through changes in the 
Yin Chi (the female principle) and Yang Chi (the 
male principle). The Yin chi is characterized by 
non-violence, compassion, intuitive knowledge, 
yielding, flexibility, softness etc. The Yang Chi 
is characterized by strength, dominance, 
creation, heat, sun, light etc. All objects of 
the Universe have different combinations of Yin 
and Yang chi within them. The changes in the 
proportion of Yin and Yang cause changes in the 
individual objects. When the two chis separate, 
the object disappears back into the void, the original state of emptiness.

According to the Yin Yang philosophy the Universe 
is in a continuous state of flux or change. The 
Yin chi or principle contains the seeds of Yang 
and vice versa. Thus all phenomena contain the 
seeds of its opposite. Health contains the seed 
of sickness, sickness contains the seed of 
health, wealth contains the seeds of poverty, 
etc. And all phenomena change into their opposite 
in an eternal cycle of reversal. Hence over time, 
health will change into sickness and sickness 
into health; wealth will change into poverty and poverty into wealth etc.

If we accept the principle that all phenomena 
leads to its opposite then it would not make 
sense to be too elated in good or prosperous 
times or get too depressed in bad times. All 
phenomena are transitory. Hence it makes sense to 
not be attached to our wealth, to our 
relationships or indeed to the ego since that to 
which we are attached is in a state of flux and 
will ultimately disappear into the void. The 
Buddhists also teach the principle of 
non-attachment and for the same reason – all 
things are in a state of flux or change. A person 
who lives his life based on this principle would 
stay emotionally balanced at all times, and 
indeed would attain a state of indifference to 
what the future holds for him. He would not be 
attached to health, wealth, or to his desires and 
would experience the ultimate freedom – freedom 
from the false, separate self or the ego. This 
according to me is the main lesson that we can draw from Yin Yang philosophy.

Tai chi, the Chinese martial art, is derived from 
Taoism and the philosophy of Yin and Yang. The 
serious Tai Chi practitioner is on a journey to 
the void and Tai Chi helps in that journey. 
Practicing Tai Chi also helps balance the Yin and 
Yang forces within the body. A person who is too 
meek or docile (excess of Yin Chi) will gain 
confidence and become more self-assured. And a 
person who is too aggressive in his approach 
(excess of Yang Chi) will become calmer, quieter 
and more peaceful. I myself am learning Tai Chi. 
Tai Chi has many other benefits as well and leads 
to better health, longevity, and peace of mind. 
Tai Chi can be practiced at any age and in China 
and the Far East there are many cases of 90 year olds doing Tai Chi.

http://www.eastern-philosophy-and-meditation.com/yin-yang-philosophy.html





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DEFINITION of  Marsha, I, me, self, & 
etc.:   Ever-changing collection of overlapping, 
interrelated, inorganic, biological, social and 
intellectual, static patterns of value.