Embracing Polarity

What a collective and individual journey we have been on this year because of COVID-19. It has been a ride like no other with so many ups and downs. This year has been full of polarities. Here are a few that I have noticed being expressed in the collective and in myself. You may think of many more.

Life/Death
Sickness/Health
Alone/Together
Separate/Connected
Left/Right
Kindness/Hatred
Fear/Courage
Truth/False
Lockdown/Freedom
Joy/Sadness
Dark/Light

In the ancient yin–yang philosophy that T’ai Chi Chih is based on we learn to embrace polarities. We learn they are not opposing sides for us to either identify with or reject. If we do, the flow of energy within us gets blocked or becomes stagnant. Life is the flow and dance of these polarities. Instead of being opposing or contrary these energies are complementary, interconnected and interdependent. Our health and vitality (individually and collectively) depend on the balance and harmony of these energies. How do we do that?

There is a third force in yin–yang philosophy and in the practice of TCC that we cultivate. This force is called the reconciling or balancing force. We can think of it as the unmoving, silent, still point at the center of our Being. In TCC we know it as the tan t’ien. This center is the ground of our Being and can hold the tension of the seemingly opposing forces. It is a greater, loving, holding energy that can help us birth a new energy – one that so much wants to be born in us and in the collective.

This year has pulled me away from my busy outer life and pulled me in deeper to this silent, dark center within. The journey was not always easy and in fact at times very painful, but the gifts of the journey have been many. I feel a greater trust in a loving ground and a greater capacity to meet what is arising in me with warmth, kindness and compassion. This includes feelings of hatred, deep sadness or paralyzing fear. As I embrace these energies the Life Force within them can flow and reveal the light hidden in each of them. They just want to be seen, loved and held just like an infant or child. In this way these feelings can be digested, integrated and allowed to grow, mature and unfold in new ways. This is how life continues to evolve and express more and more of the loving and creative mystery that we are.

Nature has always embraced the flow of polarities. The Winter Solstice is the still point when the flow of dark and light change directions, just like the moment between our in and out breath. It is a beautiful time to pause and reflect on one’s life, acknowledging all that has moved through you this past year and your heart’s intentions for the coming year. May the stillness of the Winter Solstice help you feel the love and peace holding it all.