Y is for Yin Yang
The yin yang symbol is ancient, steeped in symbolism and meaning. Many
philosophers have attempted to explain the universe in terms of this symbol.
Below is an excerpt from the poem "Identity of Relative and Absolute", written by
Zen Master Shih-t'ou Hsi-ch'ien (700-790 CE)
當明中有暗 In the light there is darkness,
勿以暗相遇 but don't take it as darkness;
當暗中有明 In the dark there is light,
勿以明相睹 but don't see it as light.
明暗各相對 Light and dark oppose one another
比如前後歩 like the front and back foot in walking.
萬物自有功 Each of the myriad things has its merit,
當言用及處 expressed according to function and place.
事存函蓋合 Phenomena exist; box and lid fit;
理應箭鋒拄 principle responds; arrow points meet.
Great Y post! I'm stopping by from the A-Z challenge and following now too. This has been so much fun hasn't it? Have a great weekend and a great final challenge day :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for visiting and following! I've done the blogging challenge 2 years in a row and love it - I "meet" the nicest people :)
DeleteFantastic choice for Y. I love the poem! It reminds me of conversations I've had with my best friend about how absolutes just do not exist...when it comes to darkness and light...how balance cannot be an extreme toward either end of the spectrum, but a melding and mixture of the two. This probably doesn't make much sense in the way that I am wording it. The conversation that we had not long ago was well over an hour lol.
ReplyDeleteYou're making total sense to me. Isn't it great to have people you can talk to about stuff like this who don't think your crazy!
DeleteA perfect choice for this letter. The old masters stay strong, don't they?
ReplyDeleteThanks and they sure do. We like to think "progress" is the new improving on the old, but sometimes the old doesn't need any improving.
DeleteI have always loved the ying yang symbol and that is a great poem too. I am your newest follower! I have friends who were Reiki instructors and I think it is fascinating. I look forward to learning more
ReplyDeleteHi Heather, thanks for following. Now that the a - z is over I'll be focusing more on reiki... stay tuned.
ReplyDeleteThat is the most adorable little dragon! I would like to have it! The yin and yang is a exciting subject to research and study! I've spent some time doing so and found it most interesting!
ReplyDeleteWe have both yin and yang within us. I have met people that have more or less of one or the other. Meeting the dark side of a personality can be an out of the box experience and sometimes frightening; and yet an education!
Great post, Laurie! I like the pictures of the yin yang symbol. I concur with Zen Master Shih-t'ou Hsi-ch'ien words; spoken like a true master!