[Manymoons]

dontuknowit

I note that you joined this group yesterday. I find your post interesting and unnerving at the same time. I, now, take the liberty to share my own thoughts with you, in order to help your (and my own) understanding of what yin/yang and this diet may mean in relation to your post.

I agree that most people live on the surface and function superficially. The "voice" that can guide us is subtle and often drowned out by extraneous noise, hence making it difficult to judge what is the right thing to do. This is indeed a critical problem.

This forum, and myself, deal with the forces of yin/yang, primarily as it pertains to food. But, this is also irrevocably connected to all aspects of living as a human being. on this earth and in this universe as an integrated whole.

You suggest that the major problem is we are too much in the "flesh". The flesh is the yang element and can certainly be inadequately balanced and not integrated with the (yin) spirit. I agree! When one's yin and yang are not integrated and are separated. - one is not integrated as a human being and is then functioning in the realm of illusion, pain and disease. The goal, therefore, is to integrate and balance one's respective yin/yang in order be healthy and whole. I will note also that yin/yang can not be separated as they are the opposite faces of one single whole. As we experience the apparent separation of yin/yang in our selves, it manifests itself in the form of compulsions toward the opposite polarity as a matter of re balancing. This dynamic is when the "voices" can get loud and apparently distracting. One can be expected to be uncomfortable with things that are a reflection of who we are as compared to who we may think or hope we are. This is very natural and human. Not always a pleasant experience, however.

Some may think that being human is less than "holly", Yet humans are an integral part of the universe as a whole. It could be said that to be human is divine, and to be divine is to be inhuman. At one's own deepest center is the connection to the universe and the "God" energy, (if you prefer). It is in each of us. This is what must be found, individually.

God and the devil are usually viewed as opposites in a state of enmity. Yin/yang is often, mistakenly, viewed this way as well. Both considered as separate and apart from one's self and this universe. As a student of martial arts, the enemy is to be defeated. True, -- but superficial. If we are all part of one single whole, how can there exist an enemy except as ourselves? Is one's arm the enemy of one's hand? I conclude that the worst enemy one will ever confront is one's own self. All begins and ends within each of us. As we master ourselves, we master the universe, also. We each, most certainly, have a right to be here.

How would we know God without the devil? How would we know the devil without God. Each has a place, as each of us has a place. How would we know yang without yin? How would we know yin without yang.

All voices speak. Listening becomes the art form. Judgment comes from experience. There is no better teacher than failure. To eliminate what is perceived as the enemy, is to eliminate a potential for growth. and to fragment the whole. "Resist not evil" has deep meaning.

To cry out for God is to really cry out for ourselves. Our self is the connection to the one integrated whole. Giving up the yang for the sake of the yin or giving up the yin for the sake of the yang is to disintegrate into nothingness. To be whole is to be. To encompass yin and yang equals the whole.

The ultimate sin (to fall short) is to try to separate yin/yang. This is the ultimate exclusivity. Disintegration equals disease. How would we know health without it, however. Looking outward for solutions is a yinnizing (disintegrating) spiral. Health comes from looking inward, (yangizing - integrating spiral).

I see no better way to know and "follow" God than to be a real, whole human being. To be human requires that we choose to be. It is not automatic. If it were, we would be robots or catatonic sheep. There would exist no choices for us to make. We would in effect be amoral! Life is not that easy, however, in spite of efforts to the contrary. (Most of {western} mainstream philosophy and religion).

There is merit in the spirit of your post. Separating yin from yang is the flaw. The body (flesh), spirit and soul can not be viewed exclusive of the other and expect wholeness and health, or any connection to "God".

We (I) begin with the food, to fortify and energize our (my) bodies to provide a worthy temple for the spirit.

Eat well (with good judgment) and prosper. Be some one. BE! There is an order to this universe that must first be obeyed if it is to be encompassed.

Manymoons

PS: My wife, while looking over my shoulder as I write this response, commented that she thinks dontuknowit is full of "sheep". I said, "I do not know what this person eats, but suspect it is of an extreme yin/yang nature, tending toward the yinner side, at least in effect.

I relay this incident as a note of lightness and humor. This is serious stuff and worthy of full attention, as i hope my post reflects, - not to be dismissed.

This incident also reflects who has more yin, - myself or my wife?!?!?

Again, and in respect and hope to communicate further and deeply,

manymoons