YINYANG – HOW TO DEAL WITH IT AS A CHRISTIAN
INTRODUCTION
I have a dozen unfinished writing tasks but I find myself chasing a topic through a maze of rabbit tunnels. I recon this is what I deserve for candidly commenting about a subject that is near and dear to the minds of so many people: at least far more than I expected. I have always considered the theory of YinYang to have symmetrical beauty, but I considered its eastern fatalistic application to be anti-Christian. As it turns out, quite a few Americans, even Christians, have embraced the symmetrical beauty of YinYang, which they call Yin and Yang. Americans seem to like the notion that there are no absolutes and that life is a balance of opposites, which depend on one another. In fact, they almost seem to revel in the YinYang belief that an ideal state would be for virtue and vice to exist as a balanced set of forces in a person’s life. At the same time they do not care for the discipline required to achieve an ideal YinYang balance in all facets of their life. The fact is, most Americans are infatuated with their perception of Yin and Yang but they have not taken the time to fully comprehend YinYang, and thus, they neither understand its strengths nor its weakness; they certainly do not understand the hidden dangers.
CHINESE YINYANG
The concept of YinYang probably originated in ancient Chinese philosophies, which predates Taoism and Confucianism. Written reference to the philosophy of YinYang stretches back to somewhere around 1400 BC. Early philosophers tried to explain that the universe is maintained or empowered by two opposite forces: Yin and Yang. If you read the ancient Chinese principles for YinYang it is obvious that they were influenced by nature. They sought to explain winter/summer, hard/soft, earth/sky, water/fire and day/night as the result of two forces, which were opposite but worked together. These are opposite forces but not necessarily opposing forces; for one cannot exist without the other. Perfect harmony exists when the two forces are balanced.
Interestingly, most Chinese philosophers of YinYang did not consider the existence of specific YinYang forces for good and evil. From an original perspective, there is really no good or bad force only what appears to be good or bad as the result of other forces. This means that a polar distinction between good versus evil forces primarily exists in Western minds. This is not to say that there is no concept of good and evil in YinYang. There is the adaption of Confucian ideas associated with morality and there is also the influence of Buddhist manipulation of Taoist philosophy. But, this is not our Western concept of good versus evil. In any advent, what is key to understanding YinYang is the Chinese belief that Yin and Yang are complementary opposites, which cannot exist apart from each other; this means they are not opposing forces that are struggling for dominance.
The Eastern concept of YinYang is symbolized by various forms of the Taijitu symbol, which is supposed to diagram the supreme duality of the universe. This basic symbol has been around for well over 2000 years. The symbol is a circle divided by a backwards ‘S’ shaped line. The backwards shaped ‘S’ line produces two different “tadpole” looking parts: one black (Yin) and the other white (Yang). Yin and Yang are relational opposites, which are on the opposite ends of a cycle, like the seasons of the year, but they are not in opposition to one another. Thus, Yin and Yang are interdependent; you cannot have winter without summer. This means Yin and Yang are never static but are constantly changing. When the rate of change is balanced you have perfect harmony.
Within the ‘head’ portion of each tadpole shape (in the Taijitu symbol) is a small circle of opposite color. This represents the ‘seed’ of the opposite force existing in each tadpole. It is this seed that precipitates the change of one force into the opposite force. In the Eastern perspective, the two shapes are not warring against each other but are in a constant state of transformation: growing at one end and shrinking at the other. It is important that each state of transformation be properly proportioned; i.e. Yang within Yin must equal Yin within Yan and Utmost Yang must equal Utmost Yin. When the rate of growth exactly matches the rate of decline, YinYang are in perfect harmony or balance. This is the desired state.
This original Chinese concept of YinYang is not religious and it is very different from the good versus evil duality found in most religions. In the philosophy of Yin Yang, the idea is not for Yin or Yang to dominate; the ideal state is achieved when the two forces are balanced in their transformations. This is why it is dangerous to assume any link can exist between Christianity and pure YinYang philosophy.
RELIGIOUS CONCEPT OF DUALISM AND YINYANG
The overall classical American perspective, relative to divine forces in the universe, does not agree with the Chinese concept of YinYang. In fact, a large part of classical American religious belief has been strongly shaped by European Christian and Pagan religious beliefs. Both the early European pagans and the emerging Christians recognized the duality of nature in such things as: night verses day, cold verses hot, and summer verses winter. They carried this same duality over into their religious beliefs; ergo, there were good Gods and there were bad Gods. In Pagan beliefs, such as Norse legends, there was a war between the Aesir gods and the Vanir gods. In Christian beliefs there is the war between God and Satan. It is also interesting to note that the concept of good gods versus evil gods is found around the world. In ancient Greece, the Olympian Gods were at war with the Titan God. In Zoroastrianism, the god of goodness, Ahura Mazda, also known as the god of light, is at war with the god of evil, Ahraman, also known as the god of darkness. From the Karna Parva of the Mahabharata; Sankara battles his enemies, the Daityas and Danavas. In the Tahitian legends, there is a record of the struggle between Tane and Hiro. So we see, the idea that there have been, and are, spiritual forces at war with one another is a worldwide phenomenon, but it is not an original element in the YinYang philosophy.
What is interesting, however, is that in Chinese folklore there are tales, where bad spirits try to capture the good spirits of humans in an attempt to attain immortality. There is also a story about evil spirits who tried to steal the peaches of immortality, which were in ‘heaven’. It is obvious that the concept of spiritual duality existed in China but the original Chinese philosophers did not inculcate this spiritual duality in YinYang. This is especially true for the concept of good eventually triumphing over evil. Yes, Confucius and the Buddhist did address the issue of morality but not a battle between good and evil. The notion that Yin and Yang includes a dualism of good verse evil is mostly a Western invention.
YIN AND YANG IN AMERICA
Our Pagan and Christian religious history has certainly influenced our perspective of YinYang. We tend to try and blend the stoic and fluid Chinese philosophy of YinYang with our semi-stoic philosophy of universal force; in which may, or may not, exist a conflict between good and evil. In America, some people try to embrace the original understanding of YinYang, but overall we cannot escape our belief in dual morality: good and evil. We have over two thousand years of believing that good and evil forces are in a war to dominate the human race. We also see the physical manifestation of this war between good and evil in the actions of people. In my humble opinion, the founders of YinYang also saw the conflict between good and evil, and realized that it had no place in their philosophy of balanced forces.
While it is true that the influence of Christianity is waning in America, there remains a predominate belief that the spiritual world is divided between good forces and evil forces. In the Western mind this belief can be made to fit nicely with the Chinese YinYang philosophy. Of course, to make YinYang work with good and evil forces you have to reject a few fundamental Christian beliefs. First you have to embrace the idea that there are no absolute definitions of good or bad. You have to believe good and bad only exist in the perception of the beholder, at the instant it is observed. This means that you must modify or reject the belief that good and bad are absolutely defined in the Bible. Thus, an American who follows YinYang must adhere to the belief that what is good today may be bad tomorrow and what was bad yesterday may be what is good today. Americans must also reject the idea that God will eventually triumph over Satan. In YinYang all opposites actually contain the essence of each other, and they are perpetually in a state of change. This would mean that God is transforming into Satan and Satan is transforming into God. Therefore, a person who is good at one time will become a person who is bad at another time: depending on their yielding to the influence of spiritual Yin and Yang.
Most Americans reject the notion that there is a balanced transformation between God and Satan. Most of us Americans still hang on to our basic religious concept of dualism in the spiritual realm; i.e. there is a terminal struggle between good and evil. In America the YinYang idea that natural forces ebb and flow is easy to accept; but we have not yet given up our belief that good will eventually triumph over evil. In fact, around 80% of Americans believe in a good God and around 65% believe in a bad Devil. About 70% also believe in good and bad spirits that can influence or interact with humans. Exact beliefs may vary greatly but overall the American perspective of a good verse evil spiritual duality, where good will eventually win, still dominates. And, this attitude is being carried over into the American perspective of Yin and Yang, in spite of the fact that it goes totally against YinYang philosophy.
Probably what Americans really like is the idea that there are no clearly defined absolutes in Yin-Yang. For many Americans, the idea that all things in the universe are mystically connected through a yin-yang interaction is acceptable, especially when it redefines our concept of good and evil as being subjective. In other words, it means that there is no absolute sin … people are either influenced by Yin or by Yang; and, this is subject to change. Here then is a great danger. Americans are letting go of a bible defined reality and we are now modifying things like YinYang to manufacture a desired reality.
CHRISTIAN UNDERSTANDING OF YINYANG
YINYANG ERRORS
As a Christian we must give the devil his due! There is beauty and symmetry in the Chinese philosophy of YinYang. The physical reality we now live in truly does appears to be dynamic and complementarily-dual. We live in a world where there is night and day, front and back, hot and cold, up and down; and everything does seem to interrelate. For the primitive mind, nature must have seemed like a constantly changing interplay of opposites, which could not exist without one another. For the primitive mind, or the uninformed mind, YinYang does make sense. It is only when you look beyond the obvious logic and symmetry of YinYang that its perfection fades away.
For example, where is the sense of complementary opposites in the fact that we always see the same side of the moon? Of course the Chinese never realized it, but the North Pole is always cold and the surface of the sun is always hot. Then there is the fact that everything goes into a black hole but nothing comes out. How does YinYang explain the fact that an electron can be in two places at the same time? What is the opposite of a neutron? Nothing! We might say that an acid and a base are complimentary duals but what is the complimentary dual of the Higgs-Boson particle? So you see, the universality of YinYang philosophy falls apart if you truly understand the universe.
The informed mind realizes that the natural law of a universal set of opposite, yet complementary forces, demands that this reality transcends all of nature. If it is not all inclusive it no longer is a natural force. If gravity did not apply in every area then the laws of gravity totally break down, which would mean that gravity is a phenomenon instead of a natural law. In other words, YinYang may have some relevance as a phenomenon, but it is not a natural law, which covers all of reality.
Yes, YinYang has a beauty, which we would do well to understand, but it is also filled with misconceptions and downright mistakes, which need to be avoided. There are a number YinYang principles, declarations, or laws that are completely wrong. For example:
• There is not infinite variety in the universe – a neutrino is a neutrino, a 15 Hz wave is a 15 Hz wave, and a photon is a photon.
• There are absolutes - saved is saved and lost is lost; there is nothing else.
• God is one source for everything – it is important to add that our one source is the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob
• Everything does not change - Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
• Everything does interrelate but everything is not opposing - God, Jesus and Holy Spirit are interrelated but not opposing.
• The belief that everything contains part of its opposite is in error. – God is purely good and Satan is purely evil.
• The extreme of any condition will not always produce extremes in the opposite – God is the extreme of Good but He does not produce righteousness in Satan; and, Satan is bad but He does not produce evil in God.
IS YINYANG EVIL
Christians are taught that the desires of the flesh war against the Spirit, and that the desires of the Spirit war against the flesh, because these two forces are opposed to each other. (Galatians 5:17) Many people believe this internal conflict in man is the result of a struggle taking place in the spiritual realm between good and bad spiritual forces: God and Satan. In Christian scripture we read: Now war arose in heaven, Michael and his angels fighting against the dragon. And the dragon and his angels fought back, but he was defeated, and there was no longer any place for them in heaven. And the great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world—he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him. (Revelation 12:7-9) Even though modern or postmodern Christendom is turning its back on the idea of conflict between God and Satan, the historical impact of this idea has helped shape the American perspective of Yin and Yang. Thus, Christians have corrupted YinYang and now YinYang has the potential to corrupt a person’s understanding of Christianity.
Does all this mean that YinYang is an evil philosophy? In reality, the fundamental idea of opposites is accurate and this is made more accurate when you include the opposites of good and evil. If we step back and give consideration to the prevalence of man’s belief, that there was or is a conflict between the Gods, it is very hard to explain where this idea came from. It is obvious, at least logical; to assume that there must have been some sort of conflict beyond the realm of mankind! Why else would there be such a preponderance of legends and religions supporting this battle between good gods and bad gods? So you see; the basic concept of opposites interacting in a dynamic fashion is not totally in error nor is it totally evil.
For example, a hammer is a most useful tool, but when used to hit someone on the head it is a weapon. In essence, YinYang is not inherently evil. It only becomes evil when it is used to support evil. For example: YinYang would say that ugly does not exist in a room of average looking people until a beautify person enters the room. In the same way, YinYang would say that sin does not exist in a room of people engaged in an orgy until a Christian walks into the room. So you see, the basic philosophical explanation of interacting opposites is not inherently evil … it is what we do with YinYang that has the potential for being evil. A gun can be used to hunt for food or a gun can be used to kill … the gun is not evil.
Evil is as evil does!
HOW TO HANDLE THE CONCEPT OF YINYANG
Because the Chinese philosophy of YinYang is filled with errors, and very prone to misuse, does this mean we should totally reject it? Yes! In its original philosophical format, the Chinese concept of YinYang is of absolutely no value to the Christian. The original philosophy of YinYang is humanistic existentialism with a stoic or fatalistic acceptance that we are faced with ever-changing-realities. It places the human in a dynamic universe where the person becomes totally responsible for how well he rides the ‘fate’ he is on. In other words, stuff happens and you cannot do anything about it; but, you can influence how it affects your life: to some extent. This is about as anti-Christian as you can get.
From my humble opinion you should throw YinYang right out the backdoor. Of course, this is not what many folks want to hear. I realize that there are many people who are so enamored with the concept of Yin and Yang that they will not give it up. I suppose we could be like the preacher who said: “If you do not want to join our church then you can just go to hell.” I cannot take that attitude with people. I abhor the thought of anyone going to hell … I accept hell as a reality, but I refuse to accept it as a person’s destiny. Not as long as there is a chance I can talk with that person. Does this mean I think you are going to hell for not throwing Yin and Yang out the backdoor? Of course I do not believe this.
There is a symmetrical beauty in YinYang, and we would be lying if we said there was not. In fact, nature is full of complimentary opposites that are in a constant state of transition. We may hate the night but we know day is coming. We would not appreciate the warmth of our home if it were not for the miserable cold outside. As much as I hate saying this, I suppose we might modify the American adaption of Yin and Yang to the point where it is of some limited value as a teaching tool; provided we do not incorporate the humanistic existentialism errors.
Perhaps we can significantly modify our interpretation of the YinYang symbol and use it to explain the role of good and evil in a Christian’s life. The circle is a person’s life and the two tad poles are our yielding to the influence of good and evil. The white tadpole is our desire to do good and the black tadpole is our desire to do bad. These two forces are in constant conflict. The force of God, which surrounds everything, strongly influences our desire to do good. The forces of Satan influence our desire to do evil. Paul said: “For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. … For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me. … Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! ” (Romans 7:7-25)
Even though our diagram kind of illustrates Paul’s dilemma, we cannot leave our diagram is this configuration. The reality of Christianity, unlike the Chinese YinYang belief, teaches that there is nothing to be gained by balancing the two forces. The good either defeats the bad or the person is lost for eternity; and, you cannot defeat the bad without Jesus. Thus, we need to make further modifications to our concept of Yin and Yang.
In a Christian adaptation of Yin and Yang, I kind of cringe at saying this, the symbol should show the white tadpole consuming the black tadpole. The struggle between good and bad still exists, but it is not balanced nor is there any desire to balance these two forces. In a Christian version of YinYang, the goal is to reduce the black tadpole as far as possible. Therefore, the goal for ever Christian should be the elimination or minimization of evil in our life. We must acknowledge that the struggle between good and evil still exists, but we do not allow it to be balanced nor is there any desire to balance these two forces. In a Christian version of YinYang, the goal is to increase good at the expense of evil. The good force is strengthened by our increasing our knowledge about God’s will and then applying this knowledge in how we live our life. The evil force is decreased by our denying the desires of the flesh and by our not focusing on self-fulfillment.
As I originally said: the theory of YinYang does have symmetrical beauty, but it is flawed with eastern fatalism, which is totally anti-Christian. Even so, many Americans have embraced the symmetrical beauty of YinYang. If you are one of these people, you need to recognize the danger of adopting the YinYang notion that there are no absolutes and that life is a balance of opposites. It is only a short walk from this belief to your believing that an ideal situation would be for virtue and vice to exist as a balanced set of forces in a person’s life. Yes, there are some things in life that require a “YinYang” sort of balance; but, good and evil should never be balanced. In fact, the flaws and weaknesses of YinYang far outweigh its few strong points. It is best if we ignore this humanistic existentialism, which gives the human a fatalistic approach to life.
