Chapter 1: The principle of antagonism and unity of the natural world. 'Yin and Yang is the principle of antagonism and unity of the natural world.' — Su Wen
The Concept
The whole world and all objects in it (living and non-living) and all natural phenomena, including the seasons, have a dual nature — two sides. One cannot make absolute statements about any of them. This unity of opposites is essential to make a whole entity.
Essentially, Yin is the darker side of anything, and Yang is the brighter side. Yang is active and changing, formless. Yin is the solid form, constant and passive. In humans, man represents Yang and woman represents Yin; in seasons, spring and summer are Yang, autumn and winter are Yin.
The Eight Imbalanced States
Balanced
Yin and Yang in absolute balance. Almost never occurs except during a transitory stage.
Treatment
No treatment needed.
The Four Types of Inter-Relationship
Both Yin and Yang are always within each entity and they always relate and react to each other. This reaction generally follows a predictable pattern:
Yin and Yang in the Five Phases of Life
From before birth until after death, different forces act on us — all classifiable under Yin and Yang. The graph shows how Yin and Yang vary in their domination through our lifecycle.
Yin and Yang Organs of the Body
The six Yin (solid/Zhang) organs nourish the body with Blood, nutrition, water and air. The six Yang (hollow/Fu) organs are mainly functional — they absorb nutrients, eliminate toxins, fluid and stools.
Yin (Solid) Organs
Heart, Lung, Liver, Kidney, Spleen, Pericardium
Yang (Hollow) Organs
Small Intestine, Large Intestine, Gall Bladder, Urinary Bladder, Stomach, Triple Warmer
The Triple Warmer
The sixth Yang organ — the whole interior of the body, divided into three parts: upper warmer (above diaphragm — Heart, Lung), middle warmer (Spleen, Stomach, Liver, Gall Bladder, intestines), and lower warmer (Kidney, urinary and reproductive systems).
Yang & Qi
Although function is Yang in character, it is called Qi (pronounced chi) when referring to a disease state. Yang also suggests heat. Functional Qi deficiency leads to retention or stagnation of fluid and stool, poor digestion and incontinence. Deficiency of the 'warm' Yang causes coldness.
Yin & Blood
Yin includes Blood and fluid. 'Blood' refers not only to red blood but also to nutrition in general. Nutritional deficiency causes weakness, tiredness, poor endurance, paleness and coldness. When Yin is deficient, there can be dryness without nutritional deficiency — leading to heat symptoms (Yin unable to control Yang).
The Tower Diagram — Four Extensions
Yin and Yang have extensions: Blood and Qi. These are not the same — imbalances in each cause different problems and should be treated differently.
Where in your life do you see Yin-Yang imbalance — too much activity (Yang) or too much stillness (Yin)? What would rebalancing look like?