“One of the biggest issues today is our disconnect from nature—a trend that alarmingly extends even to younger generations.” Robin Nguyen
Part Fourteen: Balancing Yin and Yang: A Deeper Understanding of Gender Equality
In many Asian societies, boys and men are still valued more highly than girls and women—a prejudice that stems from a flawed reading of yin and yang. Although yang is traditionally linked to masculine qualities and yin to feminine ones, the real issue arises when yin is cast as dark, passive, or lesser, stripping it of its positive force.
Yin and yang are dynamic energies, not fixed traits of the body. Yang channels the sun’s power—brightness, warmth, clarity, and ambition—while yin reflects the moon’s influence—coolness, creativity, intuition, and compassion. These energies constantly interact, and only at perfect balance do they express their fullest potential.
Despite the general tendency for women to carry more yin and men more yang, every individual embodies both energies. A woman can display strong yang qualities—determination, leadership—while a man can exhibit deep yin traits—empathy, intuition. In my own household, my wife has more yang energy than I do, whereas in some of my friends’ families the reverse is true.
Look at how plants thrive: they need sunlight (yang) to sprout and water (yin) to flourish. Under a full moon’s glow, many flowers reveal their most radiant beauty, a testament to the power of balanced energies.
When we honor and leverage both yin and yang strengths in every person, irrespective of gender, we open the door for women and men alike to lead companies, countries, or communities. Recognizing these energies equips us to build a world where everyone’s gifts are valued equally.
Today’s excess of competition, greed, deceit, and hostility reflects a global tilt toward unchecked yang. Until we restore harmony between yin and yang—embracing calm alongside action, reflection alongside drive—we will continue to undermine our collective evolution.
