The development of the Taoist tradition is based on the observation of Nature over the course of many centuries. Through this process of keen observation, the ancient Taoists extracted what they considered to be the laws that govern Nature. Of these laws none was more important than that of Yin and Yang.
The law of Yin and Yang describes that in the phenomenal world (both physical and energetic) all experience is expressed in a state of relationship between complimentary but opposing pairs. So we see the relationship between winter/summer, night/day, female/male, negative/positive, and a countless list of others. In our lives Yang represents all that is expressive, productive, and strength
oriented. On the other hand Yin is receptive and internal. The recognition of this life
principle is understood to be at the foundation of health, skillful movement, and general productivity.
In a practical sense, we are presented with the idea that Yin and Yang represent the two life skills that we need to develop equal access to and ability in; to express and generate movement and energy in the Yang experience, and to receive energy and yield in the Yin. Both are equally important and each supports the other. Truly healthy Yang does not exist by itself but is constantly expressing
itself in relationship to Yin. The same is true for the Yin qualities.
T'ai Chi is described in the
Classics as the study of "separating the Yin and the Yang ". My interpretation of this teaching is that in life, to be truly productive, one must be either fully Yin or Yang according to the need of the situation. We feel stuck, confused, or un productive when we get
caught in the gray zone of being neither Yin or Yang, or chose the wrong expression entirely. In T'ai Chi this is referred to as being "double weighted" in the sense that one gets caught in a 50-50 weight distribution which, surprisingly to many, is the weakest of all possible positions. This is because there in no distinction in the body as being either Yin or Yang. In life we don't want to be double weighted.
The intention is to be sensitive to the needs and demands of our situation, and accordingly, respond with a correct expression of being either fully Yin or Yang. If the situation is Yin, we respond by being Yang. If the esituation is Yang, we respond with Yin. The goal is always to maintain a state of
balance and harmony within the framework of Yin and Yang. In Taoist practice this is truly the only essential goal in life.
