In Eastern thought, yin yang is described as two opposes forces that make up all aspects and phenomena of life and that harmonize with each other to create a whole. You might be familiar with the diagram pictured above that most westerners see as a yin yang symbol. The symbol portrays seemingly opposing or contrary forces with the light and the dark commingling in a circle (representing wholeness). It reminds us how opposing energy may actually be interconnected and complementary as they interrelate within us and around us, and how they may give rise to each other as they interrelate to one another to find a sense of wholeness.
For many of us, 2020 has been a year of bringing these opposes forces to the forefront of our attention. The emotions that many of us have experienced this year may have felt like like opposing forces swirling out of control or as if one was dominating, but in either case, we may not have felt balanced or whole very often this year.
“You can’t stop the waves, but you can learn to surf.” - Jon Kabatt-Zinn
Finding balance when we are stuck in one of these emotional swirls or emotional uprising moments can be difficult, but we can find our self-empowerment when we remember we have the ability to “choose” which opposing energy we want to draw upon to help ourselves find emotional balance. The practice of choice is a mindful practice. It is a spiritual practice. It is a soulful practice.
For many people, when thoughts or emotions arise, our awareness feeds these patterns with MORE thoughts and emotions, so that a sense of individuality and “self” develops and persists. One then feels very separate from the world, and in a sense we are, when our awareness is caught by ideas spinning in our heads accompanied by powerful emotional states in our bodies. But having a consistent mindfulness practice such as meditation, creativity, yoga, Tai Chi/Qigong, walking a labyrinth, gardening and other mindful activities help us to find it easier to “let go” of thought patterns over time by focusing our attention on breath, sights and sounds in the present moment and awareness of our body and the world around us.
Mindful focused awareness helps us to feel more calm and peaceful. We experience a sense of being grounded, anchored, connected to what is happening within us and around us and how our lives are moving in dynamic interdependence with everyone and everything else. We are able to flow in synch with the local situational patterns of the moment. It is flowing with life rather than trying to control or manipulate people and situations with our ego patterns and desires.
Research into mindfulness has found that the parts of the brain that regulate attention and concentration are stronger, and more developed. Just as a consistent physical exercise practice makes our body healthier, a consistent mindful spiritual practice helps make our mind healthier, our soul happier, and helps balance our yin yang energy.
“We have only now, only this single eternal moment opening and unfolding before us, day and night.” - Jack Kornfield
If you are interested in starting a creative mindful practice in 2021 be sure to check out my Creative Mindfulness Workshops and Labyrinth Walks. It’s never too late to start a consistent mindful practice for improving life and emotional well-being and a sense of wholeness.
I am so grateful to you for spending a few minutes reading my blog. I hope it nourished your soul.💜
Rebecca Zacarias
Creative Life Coach and believer of living a Soul-Driven Life
Curiously Creative Founder, Creative Soul Care™ LLC
https://www.creativesoulcare.com