YIN OR YANG BRAINED?

“He who knows the male, yet clings to the female,
Becomes like a valley, receiving all things under heaven” ~ Taoism

The two sides of our brain have two different ways of seeing and experiencing life; two different value systems and lifestyles,but they are mutually interdependent and complimentary in that a free flow between each side is necessary for our full functioning.

Unfortunately our left brain tends to aggressively dominate this interaction…its primary function is to analyze life as separate parts to be controlled…it is supported in this role by a socially conditioned ego that defines our values and goals…this activity usually occurs by ignoring and suppressing the rather passive right brain whose function is to see holistically the interrelationships existing throughout life…and the consequences of this separation alienate us from our deeper natural intelligence and an intimate relationship with Nature.

As our knowledge increases,the characteristics of these two brain hemispheres become clearer… and interestingly it looks quite similar to the ancient metaphor Yin/Yang…could it be that we are now discovering what was well known to the sages of Taoism?

Characteristics
left brain/right brain

masculine/feminine
analytical/intuitive
ego/selfless
separation/holistic
control/flows
chatter/silence
abstractions/metaphors
words/images
goals/now
secular/spiritual
belief/wonder
conditioned/creative
deliberate/spontaneity
resistance/letting go
motivation/stillness
thinking/sensory
superficial/depth
information/insight
conform/wisdom
work/play
routine/novelty
inhibit/free
self/environment
conflict/harmony
logical/paradoxical
adapt/being
time/present