The Yin and Yang of the Human Mind

In Chinese philosophy, the concepts of yin and yang are two opposing forces that also complement each other, creating a harmonious balance. This balance is considered as the true natural state of everything from a person’s mental health to the actual workings of the planet. It is a mistake to see yin and yang as representation of good and evil, with night and day being more appropriate, albeit highly metaphorical comparisons. The idea behind this philosophy is that in all things is a natural balance between two sets of characteristics, with one set being yin and the other being yang. It is interesting to note how these comparisons can be applied to the field of mental health, particularly when studying human personalities. Take note that by no means is any of the following to be considered concrete, scientific doctrine. However, it does present an alternative avenue to the study of the various personality and psychological traits that make up human beings. Used in the context psychology, students are taught that a person’s yin aspects represent the feminine side of a psyche. However, yin also corresponds to order, law, and self-control, with an excess of it...