The Principles of the Yin and Yang
The principle of the yin and yang is embedded in all facets of my life. But its operations have taken the subtlest of forms, unfolding through a kind of shy conspiracy, an inner dynamism in the nature of things. Such qualities are inherent in the way Chinese traditions view things, as the web that has no weaver, an intricate and interlaced patterns of relationships of all that there is without a known creator and creation day. It is far different from a historical timeline or a linear logic. It surmises that everything is related to everything else and lays heavy emphasis on what is now that must be appreciated and contemplated upon rather than dwelling on the
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When we are conscious, we are awake and aware of internal and external stimuli, thus we are actively adapting to the circumstances. While asleep, we are still, at ease and relaxed. The Repair Theory of Sleep has very yin underpinnings, holding that sleep restores, replenishes and rebuild our brains and bodies that are somehow worn-out by day’s working activities.
As I step into the world outside my room, I see a bigger picture with more yin and yang relationships. The social structure is made up of opposing links and overlying relationships. In our patriarchal society, men (yang) are expected to be the more dominant and influential in decision making vis-à-vis women (yin) who are expected to be submissive and docile. Social constructs such as genders have attached yang characteristics to men and yin characteristics to women creating a gender tension between. Understandably, in ancient China women are expected to be hidden in their homes, passive and contracting to give way for a man’s active and expansive rule as culturally dictated upon them. But in reality, men (yang) and women (yin) carries a certain degree of femininity (yin) and masculinity (yang) respectively. A woman can be assertive and overpowering and a man can be nurturing and gentle depending on the situation. In
‘The way’ is cluttered with constant imagery of contradictory views which are both compelling and insightful, through which we are taken on a journey, our final destination being the true meaning of life. In a world where we are all yearning for the meaning for life, true harmony and real balance it is no surprise that the Tao Te Ching is a very haunting piece of literature that holds the reader in an almost trans like state of mind as it attempts to portray the way to accomplish the above.
Psychology is a science that has different fields and subfields. It’s also an evolving science that keeps changing and many fields are added to constantly. What holds these fields and unifies them is something called “the five enduring issues.” The five Enduring issues are the backbone that holds psychology together. These issues are shared by all psychologists as a common interest and overlap in all fields and subfields of psychology.
According to Durkheim’s work The Dualism of Human Nature and Its Social Conditions (DHN), a man has a dual nature which is made up of the body (individual) and the soul (social). He sheds light on this by citing post-Durkheim theories which he does not agree with and which do not solve the problem of this dual nature. Durkheim also uses The Elementary Forms of the Religious Life (EFRL) to discuss the religious aspect of the body and soul. Upon reading, it is discovered that as society evolves, so does this “dual nature.”
Three areas of philosophy emerged amidst the chaos and constant warring of the Zhou era. The three were called Confucianism, Daoism, and legalism. They were Chinese philosophies that were thought to be the best ways to rule and achieve order in the society. Confucianism believed that a ruler 's job was to set a good example, and not order. Since people were thought of as naturally good, they would following the right path based on their own conscience. Legalism was a more harsh way of ruling, led by Hanfeizi. They thought people were evil, and needed strict laws and punishment to keep them in line. Daoism was very different from either of the other two. It was led by Laozi, who taught that the best kind of government was one who governed
Tao Te Ching Helps Us to Rethink the World, the Governance and the Meaning of Power
I would like to say that I chose the Tao Te Ching, however, it chose me. I was first introduced to this text one Christmas morning, many years ago, and it has been with me (in one way or another) ever since. Due to my lifestyle I was constantly losing my copy, and in my attempts to replace it I had the pleasure of owning a multitude of versions, and differing translations. Today I will be using the 1988 publication of the Tao Te Ching as translated by author Stephen Mitchell (as my primary source). One of the main reasons I chose Mitchell’s translation is because he uses “she” instead of the conventional “he” throughout his text. I found this to be refreshing and Mitchell explains this by in the forward to
Mckissick, Floyd. “CORE Endorses Black Power.” In Let Nobody Turn Us Around: Voices of Resistance, Reform and Renewal: An African American Anthology, edited by Marable, Manning, and Leith Mullings. Rowman & Littlefield, 2003.
One of the most vital concepts incorporated into The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde is the representation and depiction of the duality of mankind. Jekyll works to find a solution which will separate him into his reckless, immoral persona and his respectable, Victorian self. After consumption, this potion causes him to completely transform into a man who is known as Hyde. As Hyde, he can express himself in immoral, evil ways. This not only includes moral and immoral wants but rational and irrational wants. Not only does this transformation enable him to keep his good reputation even while he does horrid, unacceptable things, but it allows him to do things which he most likely would not even
In the Tao of Pooh the author, Benjamin Hoff, uses the from world-famous children's book/TV show character, Winnie the Pooh in order to explain the basics of Taoism. He observed many of the other various characters before coming to the conclusion that Winnie the Pooh, through his actions, was the character that he felt would be able to best explain the principles of Taoism. One of the most important principles of Taoism is "the Uncarved Block". The main principle behind the Uncarved Block is that things in their original state contain their own natural power, a power that is easily corrupted and lost when simplicity is changed.
The Tao Te Ching can be helpful to all, and the reading of it may be enlightening. Reading the Tao can give much insight on the challenges and dangers that humans must face in this world, how a person should live his life, the dangers of a powerful ruler, how the state should rule, how citizens should serve the state, and the messages or forewarnings for us today.
People of the Chinese culture have many different beliefs and practices of medicine and healthcare. It is extremely important for nurses to be culturally competent and to be able to understand different practices and beliefs of different cultures to ensure that they are providing the best care and making their patients as comfortable as possible. According to Shih-Yu Lee, ritual is defined as “a social essential collective activity within a culture,” it is also well recognized that culture and ritual plays a fundamental role in “defining, sensing the health and illness, and searching help for problems” (Shih-Yu, Shu-Ling, and Yu-O, 2013). There are many rituals and beliefs of traditional Chinese medicine that are crucial to understand, the
Dualism is a broad term that can encompass many areas within philosophy itself. In aspect to metaphysics, it classifies the types of entities in the world into two subcategories, physical and non physical substance. While this may appear to be a very wide and ambiguous opinion, it becomes very specific in regards to our own existence. Paul Churchland puts it very explicitly in his book Matter and Consciousness, and defines dualism as the idea that, “the essential nature of conscious intelligence resides in something nonphysical” (Churchland 1). Though dualism is a highly regarded and popular view on the state of existence, its core arguments present an array of problems that detract from the credibility of its
When the early Christians had to keep their faith against the persecutions of the Roman Empire, they had -- obviously -- a visible enemy. Once their religion was legalized and established, however, they had new questions to ask concerning who they were, what could hurt their souls and their way of life. Some of them, at least, concluded that the materialism of the dominant Roman way of life was a non-agressive, but equally corrosive force that would destroy them -- not physically, but spiritually. These Fourth Century Christians, men and women, then left their societies and withdrew into the desert to be able to find true "paradise," not in a safe, secure niche in society, but in their relationship with
There is not a day where my own life lacks social events. A basic day consists of going to work or school, completing homework, and attempting to have a social life with those who are important to me. Being able to manage my social self is a task worth reviewing using the sociological theory of Max Weber and Erving Goffman. Each decision made to manage my life pulls from Weber’s theory of action and rationality; moreover, each situation requires a bit of face by Goffman’s dramaturgy.
This qi is divided into the yin and yang which refer to the opposite and complementary forces in nature. The dark female aspect and the light male aspects both which are dynamic and symbolized the ever changing but perfectly balanced forces of the universe. They stand for the cycles in life that is creation and death, hence transforming into one another ultimately creating the qi in the universe, which is the substance all existence is comprised of. These forces reflect the central concept that all existence is made of the same substance that is qi and humans are merely a small part of a much larger complex cosmos. The