“In union there is strength” Aesop.
We are coming to a time where the issues of separateness and division are being broken down, and a new consciousness of our unity and connectedness is blossoming. This is happening at all levels- globally, politically, mentally, spiritually and physically. Science is even catching up with the spiritual consciousness movement, and showing through experiments on quantum mechanics (called quantum entanglement theory 1,2) that at the most basic energetic level, we are all connected across distance and time. Unity does give strength, but I believe we had to experience the separation to want to move towards unity. The Buddha is quoted as saying “Unity can only be manifested by the binary. Unity itself and the idea of unity are already two.” This means that unity can only really come from things that are already separated, already in binary form, and that creates the urge to merge with another.
We are also divided from our own self- we think we are not whole until we merge with another being. Like two halves of the same apple, we need to find the person that is the perfect fit to us. Our minds and emotions are divided, creating a schizophrenic personality. Wholeness starts when we connect the divisions within ourselves, becoming whole, and thereby creating the seeds of wholeness in our energy field. We have to begin to unify within ourselves, it is too big a task or concept to try to change others. If we do try when they are not ready we are bound to fail and might harm the relationship we have with them.
Not surprisingly, divisions also exist between the sexes. According to the eastern philosophies, male/solar energies are yang, equated with the actions and in general are strong, active and giving. Female/lunar energies are yin, equated with passive, receptive and reflective qualities.
There are lots of theories about men and women being from different planets, how different we think and feel and these seem to accentuate our separateness. This sense of separation creates division, not wholeness. But this division within us and between the sexes is not true at our most basic genetic level, we are more alike and share most genes3. Since genes are the blueprint for our energy system, it cannot be true on the outer experience either. This collective mental thought pattern or thoughtform (an idea that has created its own energy and grows and spreads) has been perpetuated throughout the world, and it is time to change this thoughtform by reconnecting and integrating our own inherent male and female energies.
During our conception, we are created by two gametes coming together, and fertilizing into a new whole being4: again, two (binary) becoming one. The X and Y chromosomes share many genes, and just a few are not shared- these are the genes associated with the development of the male sex. One gene determines male sex- the SRY gene.
Physically we are an outer representation of our sexuality- externally male or female. Internally we carry the opposite sexual energy. At certain points in our days, we will have to make decisions and act. Other times, we need to receive- let someone help us, or let someone love us. In essence, we already express our wholeness, but we can deceive ourselves into thinking that we are still split.
There are many techniques that work to connect and integrate your male and female energy, these vary from physical techniques using the breath (pranayama5 in yoga, Nine purification breaths in the Tibetan Bön tradition6), using the imagination, visualisation or verbal affirmations. When using the imagination and visualisation, it is as easy as imagining that your male and female energies are united and whole, or you may want to visualise your right and left sides uniting. For those who prefer affirmations, I have one that you can utilise, or you can make up your own. “My male and female energies are connected, united and whole. I am complete exactly as I am. ”
These techniques do not need to be repeated daily, just say or do them when you feel the need to connect. Then, it is important to trust that you are whole and connected with your Male and Female energies.
An affirmation for integrating your male & female energies:
‘My male & female energies are connected, united, and whole. I am complete, exactly as I am.’
References:
http://wired.com/wiredscience/2011/01/timelike-entanglement.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/quantum_entanglement
http:/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Y_chromosome, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/X_chromosome
biology.about.com/od/genetics/a/aa040805a.htm
Healing with Form , Energy and Light: The Five Elements in Tibetan Shamanism, Tantra and Dzogchen. Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche.
http://yoga.about.com/od/breathing/Yoga_Breathing_Exercises_Pranayama.htm
