Brothers of Light and Dark

Most people are familiar with the Yin Yang, or at least most people have seen one. The Yin Yang is an ancient Chinese symbol that reflects the interconnected nature of seemingly opposite forces. It is sometimes viewed that light cannot exist without dark, and dark cannot exist without light. It is essentially the coexistence, or balance in the relationship of things we often view as being on the far side of the spectrum as the other. However, just because things are opposites, does not mean they are on the opposite side. Quite often they are the closest linked things, like brothers/ or twins, instead of enemies as we often perceive them.

I loved the tv show Lost. For those unfamiliar, there are two characters, one named Jacob(who always wears white)and another simply called the Man in Black (who obviously always wore black). The two clearly represented good and evil, but instead of being mortal enemies, which they sometimes were, they were also closely bound brothers. Their relationship was intertwined at a very high level, yet they opposed everything about what the other stood for. It reminds me of the Biblical dialogue between God and Satan when Job was being tested. Despite the incredible difference between God and Satan, there was still a unique close relationship that existed by two entities that we never picture being together(which should not be confused as being the same, or in joint operation).

This brings me to the balance between light and dark that exists in every human. We choose to think love and hate are polar opposites, yet their relationship is closer than any other emotion we experience. The ability to hate creates in us the same amount of forces as that of love, but the outcome and consequences of those forces is usually destructive. But, if you really think of it, isn't love capable of being just as dangerous and damaging? Sometimes it's not. Anger and hatred can make us incredibly strong physically and emotionally, but so can love. Similarly, trust and betrayal beget one another. In order to be betrayed one must allow a certain degree of trust, and in order to trust, one must allow room for betrayal. Broken trust rarely leads to any other emotion than betrayal, and therefor they are brothers united by a thin, and almost inconceivable line. It's why the people we trust the most, are the only ones capable of betraying us the most. Just like the people we love the most, are the only ones who hurt us the deepest.

Cynics and idealists are usually the same people, but at different points in life. A person is not born cynical. They are mostly people who have created specific ideals and expectations, and at some point life/people let them down(or that is how they see it). It's the same reason hopeless romantics end up being the most jaded people when it comes to their view on relationships. Nobody starts out that way. The opposing forces and human traits are only one step removed from the other, and not on some far distant side.

This topic reminds me how so much good can come out of negative circumstances. When an earthquake devestates an entire country it is a tragedy, yet it summons in us a desire to aid humanity in a way that would have never been engaged otherwise. It's sad that for many of us it takes something like Sept 11th, the Virgiina Tech killings, the Haiti earthquake, Indonesia tsunami, Columbine, Hurricane Katrina, etc. to be inspired to do good. Evil begets love and kindness, just as tragedy begets hope and inspiration. Brothers of light and dark, bound, yet working to bring existence to the other.

Consider these seemingly opposite emotions, and then think about how closely knit their relationship truly is to the other. Consider how a simple shift in one, or the attack of one, will immediately lead to the other. Perhaps ponder whether the restoration, or redemption of one can brings things back to the previous mode of existence.

Love and Hate
Tragedy and Hope
Good and Evil
Life and Death
Restoration and The Fall
Triumph and Failure
Order and Chaos
Sorrow and Anger
Existence and Nothingness
Strength and Brokeness
Trust and Betrayal
Greed and Charity
Redemption and Condemnation
Faith and Disbelief
Peace and War
Vindictiveness and Forgiveness
Building and Destruction