Taoist Philosophy
Yin and Yang
Yin and Yang represent every conceivable pair of opposites: birth and death, growth and decay, health and illness, etc. Everything that is born must die, and everything that grows will one day decay, and we can assume what is Yin today is destined to become Yang in the future, and vice-versa. The relativity of Yin and Yang and the dynamic tension of their interaction is the basis of thought and expression in Taoism. Maintaining a balance between Yin and Yang results in perfect health of body and mind and a pureness of soul.
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Boundaries
are necessary to create a safe place to be vulnerable and expand your
heart. Adversely however, when unchecked, these same boundaries can
block you from your heart.
Take a back exercise for example:
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Taoists view the back as one of the most yang or masculine body parts, for it is the dominant muscle group structuring the torso. Like the shell of a tortoise, the back protects all the vital organs from the aggressions of the outside world. The back embodies our need for safety.
As you experience the solid strength of your back, experience your ability to protect yourself. Recognize what you need for a sense of safekeeping in your life. Acknowledging and fully honoring what you uniquely need to gain a sense of safekeeping frees you to express your true nature, a “Smile of Truth,” without fear. Likewise however, it is important to remember the point of strengthening the back is to support a lifted open chest. As you experience strength in your back, balance it with a feeling of openness in your chest. Literally expand your heart and let your body smile. Working the back is an opportunity to feel the strength of being vulnerable; while overworking the back can lead to dominating or overprotecting your heart.
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