In every phenomenon of the universe-from the dance of the stars to the human breath-two streams of energy run side by side: Yin and Yang. They are two beats of the same cosmic Heart, two faces of one coin-inseparable, unable to destroy one another.

1) The principle of Yin and Yang

Yin and Yang are not two forces locked in battle, but two aspects of a single reality. This exists because of that; that reflects this.

Nothing is wholly Yin or wholly Yang. Within Yang there is Yin; within Yin there is Yang.

These two faces are always both opposed and mutually reliant. No phenomenon can exist independently, cut off from its 'opposite', because the presence of one side is the condition for the other. Yin and Yang arise together, pass away together, and transform into one another-like two currents of a single being.

Heat belongs to Yang; cold belongs to Yin. Without heat, the very idea of cold could not be formed.

If we compare water at 30°C with water at 15°C, we call 30°C hot (Yang) and 15°C cool (Yin). But if we compare 15°C with 4°C, then 15°C becomes hot (Yang) and 4°C becomes cold (Yin).

This shows that Yin and Yang have no absolute boundary. They are always relative, fluid, and continually transforming-Yang within Yin, Yin within Yang. They cannot be separated, because it is their harmony that gives rise to life.

'When Yin reaches an extreme, Yang is born; when Yang reaches an extreme, Yin is born.' - I Ching

Life is an endless dance of these two poles. Whenever one pole reaches its limit, it naturally turns-like the sun leaning into evening after its noon peak, like winter reaching its farthest point and spring beginning to sprout.

2) Yin and Yang in the human being

The human body is a miniature cosmos.

The outside-skin and surface-belongs to Yang, because it meets the light.

The inside-blood and organs-belongs to Yin, because it lies within darkness.

The heartbeat is Yang; the circulation through the vessels is Yin.
Qi is Yang; blood is Yin.
Will is Yang; emotion is Yin.

When these two are in harmony, a person feels peaceful and well. When one side overwhelms the other, illness and suffering appear.

A person who lives too much in reason (excess Yang) becomes rigid and dry, lacking feeling. A person who lives too much in sensitivity (excess Yin) is easily wounded and weakened. Balance between these two streams of energy is the natural state of happiness.

3) Union - the nature of happiness

Yin and Yang are truly alive only when they meet and mingle.

Thunder sounds only when Yin-cloud and Yang-cloud collide; the tongue (Yin) touches the heat (Yang) of food and pleasure arises. In the bodies of man and woman-one firm, one soft-touch reaches the crest of communion: a vivid image of Yin and Yang in union.

Yet their union is not only physical. It is also in the soul: when wisdom (Yang) illuminates love (Yin), and love softens wisdom.

Then we are no longer pided between mind and heart, between the spiritual seeker and the ordinary person. We become a whole being.

4) Cycles of transformation - from peak to balance

When Yang grows to an extreme, it turns into Yin. When Yin swells to fullness, it turns into Yang.

Like the full moon thinning, the tide rising and falling, spring blooming and then becoming autumn.

'Extreme goodness gives birth to evil; extreme evil gives birth to goodness.' - Tao Te Ching

In today's world-where materialism flourishes and morality declines-we see a sign of Yang at its peak. And therefore a new wave is rising: a wave of Great Virtue, a return to the Mind.

When matter reaches its limit, spirit rises-like dawn after the deepest night.

One quality of light is sacrifice. The greatest sacrifice of light is to let darkness swallow it whole-so that it may shine from within… from the deepest place of darkness.

5) Balance - the way of the Dao

The purpose of practice is not to destroy one pole, but to become master of the oscillation between the two.

The Dao is the path of moderation-the Middle Way: not leaning towards Yin, not leaning towards Yang, standing at the centre-point where both become One.

When the body is hot (Yang in excess), we need rest and stillness (Yin).

When the mind is cold (Yin in excess), we need movement and connection (Yang).

When anger surges-breathe deeply, soften, let go-that is returning to the point of Emptiness.

When fear overwhelms-breathe, and remember that the Light is still there-that is keeping the two poles from turning into conflict.

6) Cultivating the self - a journey of balancing Yin and Yang

Self-cultivation is not the annihilation of desire, but mastery of the life-force within.

The body is Yin; the soul is Yang. When these two harmonise, we arrive at natural fullness: a healthy body, a peaceful mind, a clear intellect.

Meditation allows Yang-energy to become still and permeate down into Yin.
Balanced eating helps the body harmonise the five elements.
Breathing, movement, and loving in the right way keep Qi and blood flowing.
Awareness in every action lets Yin and Yang sing together within.

When you truly listen to your body, you will know when to rest, when to eat, what to eat, and how much.

The body never deceives you-only a mind that is too noisy prevents you from hearing.

7) One body - beyond Yin and Yang

Understanding Yin and Yang is not yet awakening. Awakening is seeing that you are the ground from which both arise.

One who still pides Yin and Yang is living in duality. One who can unite Yin and Yang stands at the point of Emptiness-where Yin and Yang are simply two natural currents within the same ocean of consciousness.

That is the place of non-self and non-duality, where one lives in accord with the Dao.

No resisting, no choosing-only living, in a complete balance.