Jinjang Theory: The Duality Of Balance

Jinjang theory, this concept rooted in Taoism, is in itself indisputable and at the same time a wonderful framework that focuses on reflection. In the middle of this suggestive dialectical and conceptual game, where everything seems to have opposite sides and in turn a complementary part, we can find one clear fact. A nuance that describes us all; this modern, progressive, brilliant and, above all, globalized society.

Today, our personal vision is limited to seeing everything that surrounds us in a way that we can describe as absolute and two-way. People are either good or bad. We are either rational or we think through our emotions. You are either with me or you are against me. If you are not smart, you are ignorant. Happiness is the opposite of grief. If you do not accept my truth, you are defending the lie. And not least, we have built a social network where we emphasize Yang in almost any setting.

We value rationality more than emotionality, we emphasize strength and dynamism, and the sense of supremacy that often develops patriarchal societies. We have forgotten to nurture or care for that more holistic look, the observation that can see reality as a continuum rather than a play of different forces where one must always take precedence over others.

Let’s think about it a little more below.

Jinjang theory: what we have decided to hide

We all recognize the classic symbol formed by Jin and Yang. Although the origin of this symbol goes back to a distant and exotic Chinese philosophy, it can be said that this idea and concept has its own manifestation in many different cultures. In the Hindu, Egyptian, or Hebrew tradition, this manifestation of duality also occurs in many different perspectives, such as day and night, masculine and feminine, or earth and sky, all defining a sense of harmony where opposites complement each other and give life dynamism and meaning.

On the other hand, Jinjang theory also suggests the idea that each of us has already arrived in this world “as a whole”. All the abilities, qualities, and characteristics that in themselves form a complete whole — immensely rich and sometimes even contradictory — unite with our being. However, we see the world and ourselves as a series of very concrete, defining, and absolute features. For example, we can see ourselves as noble, thoughtful, and kind beings. At the same time, however, we also forget that violence can arise at the moment when we least expect it.

We can see ourselves as very active people, but sometimes laziness can also besiege us. We can feel happy and desperate on the same day. We are those beings who are able to love and hate at the same time (even the same person). And on top of all that, we humans can live a life governed by logic and the most objective reasoning, which, however, awakens and changes at a certain point in time; the moment we realize that this is not the right way to live, when we focus our lives on that more intuitive and emotional side.

The contradiction of our minds

Carl Gustav Jung spent much of his life researching this idea. According to this Swiss psychologist, man lives in constant conflict. Despite the fact that we have all entered this world as a whole, our education, our context, or even ourselves, we choose what parts we hide, what we deny (from ourselves), and what we reject.

In this way, for example, men choose to hide their Jin, its feminine part, its more emotional, sensitive, and intuitive side that needs to be banished to a corner for Jang to shine; brings a more dynamic, captivating, stronger and more energetic perspective. Indeed, Jung has explained that everything we do not accept or avoid exploring or promoting within ourselves is driven into the “shadow”. And this act, which hides what man does not want to receive, creates suffering and contradiction.

Jin and Jang: a symbol of change

Jinjang theory is inhabited by small and fine nuances that are interesting as well as inspiring. Its symbol, with the wave in the middle of the symbol dividing the circle, will remind us that life is not static. This form symbolizes the impulse of energy, the awakening of change, and the ultimate need to change ourselves — a shift toward steady growth.

In addition to this, we can also see how in the middle of each part is found another smaller circle that has the opposite color. This still life symbolizes the seed of opposition. Jinjang theory reminds us that we should not see ourselves in a way that describes absoluteness. Nor should we see life in that classic prism where everything is either white or black. In man, as in life itself, everything is relative and everything can change at any moment.

Our personal harmony begins with our own ability to maintain a balance between all the forces that come together in us. In order to be happy, we must first know how to manage grief. If we want to learn to love in a mature way, we must first know how to love the dim light of another as well. In order to promote our personal development as human beings, we must find the point where emotionality and rationality are in harmony; one’s own space where self-knowledge, acceptance, and expansion take place.

So through this we should strive to work in the opposing energies that still live in us; in this way we can create a more harmonious, significant and, above all, more satisfactory whole.