Education in Yin (Poem)
PHOTO: Janne Amunet
Yin is not exactly passive. It is receptive. It is mystical in the sense that it receives the grace already present instead of applying too much force. It is gospel rather than law to use a category of Lutheran theology. It is making use of reality, of the forces that already exist, instead of swimming desperately against the current. This was written on a day when we were translating Lao Tzu’s Tao Te Ching chapter 10. Here’s a section from that:
Can you lovingly lead people,
instead of trying to control them?
Can you open and close
the door to heaven
like a woman giving birth?
Can you bring light to others,
instead of worrying whether
they might never be
enlightened?
“You don’t have to say it
but I wanna hear it.
I’m in that kind of space.
Lay it out.
Later, I might take offense.
Now, I’ll be glad
and receive
and let gravity
make its ever subtle
adjustments.”