Gentlemen, It’s Time to Rev Your Yin-gines

In ancient Chinese philosophy, the principle of Yin and Yang is that all things exist as inseparable and contradictory opposites, for example, female-male, light-dark, and positive-negative. In other words, seemingly opposite forces are interconnected and interdependent.

In the I Ching, one of the oldest classical spiritual texts, the relationship between yin and yang is said to be responsible for the constant flux of the universe, and life in general. According to this text, when the imbalance between the two is overly lopsided, catastrophes such as floods, droughts, and plagues can occur.

Hello! Have you seen the news lately?  Might be a good time for all of us to sit down and review our energy situation.  And gentlemen, when I say all of us,  I am especially speaking to you.  Gentlemen, it’s Time to Rev Your Yin-gines.  The Importance of Embracing Your Feminine Energy

 

It’s Not About Gender

First, let’s be clear, feminine, and masculine energies have nothing to do with gender, sexual orientation, or a like or dislike of Formula One racing.  Male or female, we have both energies within us, which are meant to provide the balance necessary for a healthy, joy-filled, abundant life.

As a society, however, we’ve been raised to each embrace and behave within the constraints of our dominant energy.  Based on gender, men typically lead with their masculine energy, and women with their feminine energy.

• Men fix, women nurture.
• Men conquer, women surrender.
• Men give, women receive.
• Men compete.  Women unify.

Sons are rarely taught how to embrace and incorporate their feminine side, and vice versa for daughters. In many places, the idea of males acknowledging, let alone embracing, their feminine side is taboo. And while things are changing, the idea that boys will be boys and they should live, work, and play accordingly, is alive and well in this world.

 

Feeling Woefully Out of Balance

But living with your feminine and masculine energies out of balance takes its toll in ways you’ve probably never considered.  Separating these two vital energies has left many of us living lives that feel woefully out of balance.  Just like physical balance is vital to your ability to move and function properly, energetic balance plays a key role in your ability to function mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. And when these functions are out of whack, the effect can be felt deep within your personal and professional worlds, as well as your own peace of mind and sense of well-being.

Feeling chronically exhausted, stressed, disconnected, and dissatisfied? These can be telling signs of a life too heavily weighted on one side.  Men who are driven to do, fix, achieve, and compete often equate the success of what they do with the success who they are. And many a successful man has spent serious ‘me time’ trying to understand why life seems so unsatisfying, despite ‘having it all.’

 

Work and Love Collaborations

As the world moves away from the gender stereotypes that limit and pigeonhole us, the ability to achieve this energetic balancing act is becoming increasingly important.

Many recent studies have shown that the collaborative workplace is becoming a key factor in a company’s successful bottom lines.  The ability to connect the masculine ‘mind’, with the feminine ‘heart’ is emerging as an important skill set for both employers and employees alike.

Balanced energy also plays a huge role in creating healthy and sustaining personal relationships. It makes us feel whole and fulfilled as both individuals and partners. For any relationship to succeed and thrive, both partners need to be tap into both energy wells.

 

Seek Balance.  Find Happiness

Living with your masculine and feminine energies balanced and consistently in play makes you feel whole and happier as an individual and has a positive impact on all the roles you play—person, partner, parent, and professional,

Each of us has the emotional and mental capacity to balance our energies, we just haven’t had the awareness or the tools to do the work. Here are three places to start dipping into your feminine energy to seek balance and find the happiness you crave.

 

1. Find Your Passion What do you love? Passion is defined as an intense desire or enthusiasm for something, but its role in our life is underrated and totally devalued. If you aren’t lucky enough to be able to ‘work’ your passion, having and nurturing your passion is important.  It gives your life balance, gives meaningful structure to your off time, and keeps you energized, learning, and in the moment.  Keeps You in the Present
2. Do Some Nature Get outside for a ‘be in the moment kind of nature adventure.  Most guys are out to conquer Mother Nature—rip her waves, scale her tallest mountain, conquer her slopes.  Balance these heroic sports moments with the enjoyment of living through your five senses.  Balance some of that ‘doing’ energy with some well-deserved ‘being’ energy.
3. Create Something—Anything Whether it’s cooking, knitting, gardening, or mixology, creation is a soul-satisfying exercise in taking control and making something for the sheer joy of it. The act of creating captures your mind and keeps you in the moment, where the joy always resides.  It also gives you a sense of accomplishment, even though it feels like playing.