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This article courtesy of www.extatica.com--Enjoy!
The archetypes of yin and yang are an important foundation for Taoist sexual practices, Chinese medicine and Feng Shui. On “Inside Sex with Extatica” on Tuesday evening, January 11th, Shannon Turner will be sharing her sophisticated understanding of these archetypes, and how you can adjust them in your life and home to improve the quality of your relationships. Shannon, what do the archetypes of yin and yang represent on a spiritual level? “Yin is the energy and substance of life itself. Like fertile soil, it is seemingly still, and yet always writhing with the potential for new life. People whose spirits are rich with yin are like cauldrons of magical transformation. Everything that comes into contact with them begins to heal, change, awaken and evolve simply through experiencing and engaging with their energy. Well-developed yin is completely free of personal agendas; and thus available to receive life as it naturally unfolds. What we call "the power of love" is essentially the power of yin energy, as the nature of yin is to tenderly enfold that which currently exists, and by offering complete acceptance, to spontaneously create healing. “Yin that is not fully developed is said to be "magnetic" without being truly "magical"; that is, it has a tendency to attract things to it, but then cannot lovingly receive and transform them in a profound way. In its immature stage, yin will tend to reject and resist, rather than yielding to the flow of life and accepting what exists in the present moment. “Yang energy is the more intangible of the two archetypes. Essentially it represents consciousness. People with superior yang chi take action in the world with clarity and purposefulness, offering their gifts to the world in a spirit of faith, generosity and good humor. Highly developed yang chi takes "giving" and "doing" very seriously, and always strives to act out of awareness, sensitivity and commitment to the highest good of all. This involves taking the time to carefully assess what a situation or other person truly requires and is currently able to absorb. From a place of true presence, it is possible to give and do just the right thing, in the right amount, in the right way, and at the right time to achieve the maximum result.
“Yang that is not fully developed lacks conscious awareness, and thus is unable to do or give what is appropriate in a particular situation. To the outside observer, immature yang may appear unfocused or unreliable, scattering the seeds of ideas and creative potential at random instead of planting them carefully where they will develop into something lasting.” “People often characterize yin and yang as feminine and masculine, but in fact these archetypes exist within all of us to varying degrees, and it is impossible to have well-developed yin without yang and vice versa.”
Can I balance the flow of yin and yang in my life through meditation?
“Yes, of course, meditation is probably the most powerful way to work with subtle energy. Even spending some time being quiet and doing nothing can bring your spirit into greater harmony with the natural flow of the universe. I also like to use (and teach) a pair of meditations which are specifically oriented towards clarifying the flow of yin and yang energy in your body. “First, to awaken and unblock the flow of yin energy in your body and spirit, try this meditation: Start by envisioning light at the top of the head in a halo-like circle, funneling energy from the heavens into the body. Allow this light and energy to spiral slowly downward, first opening the third eye at the center of the forehead, then circulating into the neck and throat, and fanning downward into the heart and hands, expanding your feelings of love and tenderness. As energy continues to course downward, begin to pay closer attention to the subtle sensations of the physical body and the senses. If you feel compelled to stretch a little, or make strange noises, or even crawl or writhe around on the floor like a snake, go ahead and do whatever you want. Allow the energy to warm and open the pelvis, circulate through the genitals and buttocks, and then pour downward, through the thighs and calves, and out the bottom of the feet into the earth. For ten minutes, remain in this connection to the lower chakras, allowing your movements and breath to be guided by instinctual body awareness and a feeling of oneness with nature. " “Then, to enhance the flow of yang energy in your body and spirit, try this meditation: Begin by feeling the earth solidly beneath you, allowing a sensation of warmth and vitality to pulse through the entire lower body. Now slowly move this energy up out of the legs and pelvis, and allow it to spread across the torso into the heart.
Rest for a moment in the connection between the lower body and the energy of the heart, allowing this mixture of physicality and compassion to flow into your arms and hands. Next continue to move energy upward into the throat. Relax the back of the neck and then open the mouth as wide as you can like a lion roaring. Do this a few times if necessary until the neck and throat are fully open and relaxed. Now allow energy to continue flowing upward into the head, expanding the third eye at the center of the forehead. Finally, envision the top of your head opening up so that a fountain of light spouts upward from your body to mingle with the energy of the heavens. Rest for 10 minutes in a state of higher awareness and silent communion with the divine.”
How does this relate to feng shui?
“Cultivating yin involves heightening one's awareness of the subtle sensations of the physical body, the varied nuances of human emotion, the ebb and flow of life's natural rhythms, the interconnections among all living things. Yin environments are sensuous, intimate, and enjoyable to spend time in for long periods. It is often helpful to enhance yin in bedrooms, living rooms, dining rooms and spaces used for dancing or entertaining. To enhance yin:
• Use color generously on the walls and in furnishings, as color enhances our ability to to feel more deeply.
• Appeal to the senses with original artwork, luxurious fabrics, a good sound system, and scented oils like jasmine, orange or pine.
• Introduce objects from nature such as fresh flowers, green plants, seashells, a fishtank, etc.
• Display photographs of close friends and family, and other symbols of connection to community and a sense of tribe.
• Cook and eat at home instead of going out; make time to linger slowly over meals.
“If yin is the desire to find beauty in the mundane and dissolve into the exquisite "fullness" of the natural world, yang is the desire to transcend the mundane and dissolve into the free "emptiness" of the void, Environments that are sparse or ascetic enhance the development of quality yang (conscious awareness). Yang is the aspect of the human psyche that craves freedom and transcendence, so whenever you let go of attachment to some material possessions and simplify a space overall, this strengthens yang energy. Additional techniques are as follows:
• Paint the walls white or a very light color.
• Choose light-colored furniture and accessories.
• Leave the walls blank or be extremely selective in your choice of images .
Yang-promoting images include sky, heaven, clouds, birds in flight and sunlight.
• Place small objects behind cabinet doors or inside closets, to streamline the flow of energy through the space.
• Improve air circulation with an area fan or by opening windows frequently.
“It is particularly beneficial to enhance the flow of yang energy in office spaces, work areas, garages, craft rooms and kitchens.”
Shannon Lee Turner is one of the top feng shui consultants in the San Francisco Bay Area, with a client base that includes Whole Foods Market, Smith & Hawken, The Mountain Winery (formerly Paul Masson), and numerous other retailers, restaurants and retreat centers in San Francisco and the surrounding counties. She has also consulted on design and construction projects for hundreds of fine homes and private estates trhoughout Northern California. Shannon's approach to feng shui is integrative, practical and holistic. She has been a student of Asian philosophy for over fifteen years, and is well-versed in multiple feng shui traditions (Compass, Black-Sect, NineKi, Pyramid and Space Clearing Feng Shui). Past teachers and mentors include Masako Kim, Nam Singh, Nancy SantoPietro and Denise Linn. Shannon also has a formal background in traditional Chinese medicine and is fluent in Japanese, Portuguese and Spanish. To sign up for Shannon’s free weekly emailer, “Feng Shui Tips, or to learn more about her services, or those of her design group, visit her web site, at www.TranquilSpaces.com.