The ancient yin yang symbol represents harmony and balance in nature. The contrasting black, (yin) and white, (yang) remind us that everything in nature is dualistic. This philosophy dates back more than 3,500 years ago to the I Ching or Book of Changes, which greatly influenced Taoism and Confucianism.
The dualistic principles of yin and yang come in pairs, for example, dark and light, hot and cold, male and female, sun and moon to name a few. These opposing forces of energy must co-exist in order to create harmony. Nothing is completely yin or yang and as a result, there must be a flow in order to achieve balance.
“The universe is the harmony of opposites, because there is no water without fire, there is no female with no male, there is no night without day, there is no sun without the moon…there is no good without evil! This symbol is perfect since the white and black are embracing each other; inside the white there is a black point and inside the black there is a white point.” -Tiziano Terzani
So how do we balance the yin and yang in our lives? Time appears to be moving faster than ever and for many people life seems to fly by. Too often we become stressed and overtaxed by our schedules and not able to meet the demands placed upon us. Stress wreaks havoc on our bodies causing fatigue, increased inflammation, lack of sleep, and a weakened immune system for starters.
We can re-establish balance in our lives by taking time to nourish and nurture ourselves. These are my top five favorite ways to restore, replenish, and bring harmony to my body, mind and soul.
- Earthing– Stand outside on Mother Earth with bare feet. Earthing is the process of absorbing earths free flowing electrons from it’s surface through the soles of your feet. It is a very effect way to ground. (See my blog post on grounding for more info.)
- Connect with Nature– Take a walk on the beach, watch the hummingbirds in your backyard, garden, go hiking. Nature is a natural anti-depresant.
- Meditate– Spend some alone time in silence. Quiet your mind from all of the Chitta Vritti Nirodha (mind chatter). Focus on your breath, a mantra or the flame of a candle. Give you mind a rest and feel the peace and calm that comes with meditation.
- Move your body- It is important to get the chi/prana flowing through your body so make sure you move at least 10-15 minutes a day. My personal favorite is Yin Yoga along with a hike in nature. This combination puts me right again!
- Sleep– Getting enough sleep is essential in maintaining overall wellness. If you have difficulty sleeping, begin your bedtime routine earlier and include a warm bath with lavender aromatherapy oil and epson salts. Just before bed listen to Yoga Nidra (Yogic Sleep). You can find Yoga Nidra Guided Sleep Meditations on Youtube.
“Through constant and loving care by daily cleansing, eating high-vibrational foods, drinking an abundance of water and moving the body, the body temple will vibrate at the highest frequency, allowing the soul to expand, grow and accomplish wonderful things.” The White Angels
The only true path to harmony in our lives is through balance. Finding the yin and yang, by nurturing our body, mind and soul allows us to live a happier, healthier and more abundant life.
