Masculine And Feminine Energy - Yin And Yang Balance
We all possess masculine and feminine energies within us. Usually each person tends to lean to one side more than to the other, and it doesn’t have to coincide with the gender. Besides, we naturally seek balance between these energies. So, if someone has more masculine energy, they’re attracted to the feminine, and vice versa. In Chinese philosophy, these energies are referred to as Yin and Yang. Let’s explore the differences between them and the ways to achieve Yin and Yang harmony.
About Yin and Yang
Yin and Yang is a very important concept in ancient Chinese philosophy and is believed to have emerged around 3000-5000 years ago. The earliest written records of Yin and Yang are found in the Book of Changes, also known as the I Ching, which is a Chinese divination text that dates back to the Western Zhou period (1046-771 BCE).
You’ve probably already seen the Yin-Yang symbol which looks like a circle divided into two equal teardrop-shaped parts. The white part represents Yang, or the masculine energy, while the black part is associated with Yin, or the feminine energy. Each half also has a dot of the other color inside.
The symbol demonstrates balance and interconnection between Yin and Yang energies. According to Chinese philosophy, both feminine and masculine energies are present in everything in the world. Yin and Yang are equally important, and only though balancing these energies can we achieve harmony in the Universe.
Masculine Energy
Masculine or Yang energy is associated with the qualities we often attribute to men. They include domination, decisiveness, rationality, strength, focus, leadership, courage, assertiveness, etc. Besides, Yang is also represented by the Sun, fire, heat and light in general.
People with the dominant masculine energy are usually active, hard-working, and rational. To cultivate Yang, it’s helpful to practice high energy activities such as running, weight lifting, as well as setting goals and planning. However, when there’s too much Yang and not enough Yin in one’s life, a person can experience stress, fatigue, aggression, etc.
Feminine Energy
Yin energy is the opposite of Yang and is connected to the feminine qualities such as creativity, flexibility, compassion, patience, sensibility, intuition, vulnerability, and grace, among others. The feminine energy is also related to the Moon and the dark, oceans and water, as well as cold and winter.
People with the dominant Yin in them can be rather passive, slow, indecisive, moody, sensitive, and emotional. They rely more on their intuition than on logic. If you feel like you’re lacking the feminine energy, you should learn to relax, listen to your feelings, maybe turn your attention to art and try to create something. However, keep in mind that Yin in excess can lead to anxiety, fears, and lethargy.
Conclusion
We can see that in our patriarchal society, the masculine energy is predominant, while the feminine one is ignored. However, each person needs both feminine and masculine energies to be in harmony with themselves and the world. They say it is the imbalance between Yin and Yang that leads to bad situations, diseases, mental and emotional disorders, etc.
It’s extremely hard to keep a perfectly equal amount of masculine and feminine energies within us at all times. But luckily, there’re ways to gain more control over it. First, you should learn to analyze yourself and see which type of energy predominates within you at the moment. Then, depending on whether Yin or Yang is lacking, you can work on cultivating your masculine or feminine energy.
By the way, it’s not only Chinese philosophy that talks about balance between masculine and feminine energies. For example, according to yoga tradition, the masculine and feminine within us are represented by the energetic Nadi channels, Pingala and Ida. Many religions also have representation of the feminine and masculine energies in their Gods and saints. In other words, Yin and Yang energies are truly Divine. So, you should respect and cultivate both of them.