[Bob Campbell]

Originally Posted by N0B0DY

"Yin and Yang then, are relative terms, not absolutes. Nothing is Yang in and of itself, it can only be seen as Yang in contrast with some other state, which is Yin."

Hi Pat and Nobody,

It is interesting that Yang and Yin are seen as active and passive principles of the creative process and all creation, represented by light and darkness. Neither can be known to the exclusion of the other. They can only be known through the interaction between them via an active interface between the inside and outside of things. They are not opposites but are mutually complementary. Opposites are mutually exclusive and derive from degenerate variants of how they work at higher levels of complexity.

The interaction of active energy processes across interfaces between a common universal active inside and a common universal passive outside is fundamental to the structural dynamics of the whole cosmic order. This is the way it has been demonstrated experientially to me. This derives from the fundamental Rift in Universal Wholeness that proliferates as subsumed levels of nested discrete Systems of order within itself that successively elaborate on the nature of Universal Wholeness and the rift that generates and sustains the whole creative process in balance. This is a very dynamic thing to explore and the transformations involved have a host of interacting relationships essential to the whole. Also the higher levels or Systems of elaboration on the primary yang and yin soon proliferate beyond the reach of human intelligence to ever decipher in a meaningful way. Nor is this necessary, since these higher Systems are transcended and subsumed by the lower Systems.

It is difficult for a human being to fully appreciate all of this at a single grasp. The trigrams and hexagrams of the I-Ching were originally used as tools of divination. By intuitively focusing on this method of representing the interactions of Yang and Yin, the insight of the oracle into specific problems was facilitated, in much the same way as meditating on a Mandala. But this was a dynamic and flexible process of divination by a specific human intelligence, not a fixed science in the public domain. Given the origins of the book of changes and how it was used, often in conjunction with the practice of casting fifty yarrow sticks, it is difficult to see how this can be translated into a pragmatic science, or even a fixed general interpretation of the human condition.

This isn’t intended to negate the value of the I-Ching as an intuitive aid. Indeed the practice of Chinese medicine and acupuncture can give quite remarkable results by the right practitioner. Here in Thailand they still cast sticks and read their fortunes in both Buddhist and Chinese temples, (often to try and win a lottery) and the Chinese Vegetarian Festival of the Nine Emperor Gods is quite an extraordinary phenomenon.

Best regards,
Bob

www.cosmic-mindreach.com