The Forces of Life

The universe in which we live is an endless interplay of opposing forces, changing from physical matter to energy to physical matter to energy in a continuing cycle of construction and destruction—of expansion and contraction. It’s the basics of physics as we know it. The interaction of these two forces, called yin and yang by the Chinese, creates an unending pattern which characterizes all of nature. Yin is symbolic of energy that is primarily expansive in nature, outward in its movement, going from physical to non-physical. Yang, on the other hand, is symbolic of energy that is primarily contracting or constricting in nature, inward in its movement, the constructing of the physical. Yet these energies aren’t distinct or separate from each other; they come together to form one energetic interaction, constantly changing from one to the other and back, expanding and contracting. This interaction of opposites is what makes nature come alive.