Embracing the Nature of Yin: Supporting the Nervous System
For many, winter is the season of the year that brings with it experiences of isolation, depleted energy, or a lack of motivation. Even those who rarely find themselves outdoors can feel this inner shift toward sluggishness or a sense of being separated from the nurturing beauty easily recognized in the livelier aspects of nature. So why are winter months so tough on the psyche? We’re a part of nature, certainly. So how is it that we can we feel so frustrated and lonely when the rest of nature slows down?
Nature is our source of aliveness. It provides not only oxygen, hydration, food, shelter, but also a model for self-acceptance and internal balance if we allow ourselves to tap into it. Historically, science and Western philosophy had largely considered humans to be superior to the rest of the natural world due to the ability to reason and to master complex language. In other words, the way we think has allowed us to master nature. It’s ironic then, that we can easily become overwhelmed by our own thinking and thus feeling out of balance when we feel separated from nature.
“What good is the warmth of summer, without the cold of winter to give it sweetness”
—John Steinbeck, Travels with Charley: In search of America
A lifelong farmer and soil conservationist, my grandpa seemed unaffected by the bitter conditions of winter, or the unpleasant aspects of any season for that matter. A patient steward of land and nature, he rested or moved forward with tasks at a pace that matched the rhythm of the season, unaltered by any thoughts of urgency or aggravation he may have had. His calm and unflappable acceptance of nature and its sometimes-harsh inconveniences was a curiosity to me as a kid.
Later learning and study of the theory of Yin-Yang, an important concept in Eastern philosophy, helped me to understand more deeply my grandpa’s acceptance of the natural order of things. Within this theory, “Yin and Yang stand for two states in the process of change and transformation of all things in the universe.” (Maciocia, 2011, p. 6). This makes so much sense, as nothing truly stays the same. Yang represents things like movement, energy production, expansion, heat, light, activity, and summer. Yin represents things like stillness, production of form, conservation, cold, darkness, rest, and winter. Logic makes it easy to see that Yin and Yang represent opposites. However, it’s not enough to identify the concepts of Yin and Yang as “either-or” without also understanding that it’s the relationship between the two that creates wholeness and balance in the universe.
This crucial relationship between Yin and Yang, exemplified by the image above, is often summarized with the following four main aspects:
Opposition—Relative opposition, not absolute opposites; nothing is totally Yin or totally Yang. As the image of the Yin-Yang symbol shows, everything has both Yin and Yang qualities, even if just a seed of its opposite. Example: The dormant period of winter allows a plant to thrive (even if we don’t see it flourishing) by creating and conserving the energy necessary for it to regenerate in spring.
Interdependence—One can’t exist without the other. Although mutually exclusive, Yin and Yang aspects depend on each other. Example: There’s no activity without rest, and there’s no need or meaning to rest without activity.
Mutual Consuming—One affects the other and both are constantly adjusting to harmonize with each other in a new state of balance. Example: Human body’s heart rate is not intrinsically static; the nervous system constantly adjusts to many dynamic forces to keep the heart rate within a consistent and safe range.
Intertransformation—Yin transforms into Yang and vice versa. This transformation is based upon internal conditions and developmental timing. Example: Winter changes to summer. Summer changes to winter.
So how can we embrace the yin of our own nature during winter? We need to remember our birthright—that we are part of nature—and that nature doesn’t only exist outside of dirty winter windows and beyond regional cold-weather borders. We embody a dynamic balance of Yin and Yang aspects within ourselves. As creatures of higher thinking, we can notice and let go of unhelpful thoughts about winter, like the dread of its coming, the thought it will never go away, or the ways it limits us. We can instead choose to use a lens like that of Yin-Yang theory and refocus upon winter as a lovely opportunity to nurture safety and Yin aspects within ourselves. We can practice mindfulness to notice and enhance the benefits of calm, restorative moments. We can employ our breath and our senses to help us soothe our nervous systems by engaging in a moment of joy or relaxation. In these ways we may begin to build or strengthen a sense of welcome for winter and trust in the processes of nature, both external and internal to ourselves.
References:
https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/54619
Maciocia, G. (2011). The Foundations of Chinese Medicine: A comprehensive text for acupuncturists and herbalists. Churchill Livingstone, Elsevier.
Photos used:
Yin Yang: Elionas from Pixabay
Julie Koloc, MA, LPC, is one of our incredible counselors here at Rooted Compassion Counseling and Consulting. She specializes in Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT), Trauma Responsive Care (TRC) Techniques, and Cognitive Behavioral Theory (CBT).
The Rooted Compassion team is made up of a group of counselors who have a variety of specialties in order to best serve our clients. We recognize that every person has his/her own personal and unique life experiences and that one modality will not work for every client. Listed below is a summary of our counselors’ specialties at Rooted Compassion:
Emotional Freedom Techniques
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Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Dialectical Behavior Therapy
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