Relatively speaking

(...in this case I really mean relationally speaking, as in relative to one another.)

In TS503 we are starting out with the Doctrine of the Holy Spirit. In parallel with the required text, I'm also reading for my own benefit The Trinity in Asian Perspective by Jung Young Lee, referred to in an earlier post. No doubt you'll be seeing more quotes from him as the quarter goes along. :)

Here's a starter set, first discussing the fuzzily relative nature of the many opposites found in this world - cold/hot, dark/light, work/rest, male/female, East/West, happy/sad, movement/stillness, etc., and the way we use symbols to discuss them:

"It is important to recognize the symbolic nature of yin and yang. Yin and yang are not entities in themselves but only symbols that point to actual entities. In this respect, the yin and yang symbolic approach is different from a process approach, which uses entities to describe the world. Yin and yang are always symbolic. Thus, strictly speaking, yin is not dark, female, or earth, and yang is not light, male, or heaven. Yin simply represents or symbolizes these elements, just as yang represents their polar opposites.

"When relationship is more fundamental than substance, relativity is inevitable. Since [the concept of] yin only exists in its relationship to yang, and yang in its relationship to yin, the existence of one is determined by the existence of the 'other.' Yin cannot exist alone without yang, just as yang cannot exist without yin. This mutually dependent relationship makes yin-yang symbolic thinking relative. In the symbolic nature of yin and yang, any absolute is always relatively defined.

"I am 'yin' in my relation to my father, who is 'yang' in his relation to me. However, I am 'yang' in relation to my children, who are in turn 'yin' in their relation to me. As we see, it is not 'I' as an actual entity that determines the character of my being a yin or yang symbol. Rather it is my status in relation to the 'other' which determines my symbolic character.

"Light is relative to darkness, since light is [understood as] light because of darkness. In the same manner, darkness is darkness because of light. Light and darkness cannot exist independently but always in relation to each other.

"If we think that yang is masculine and yin is feminine, we must say that the masculine nature in men includes [aspects of] the feminine nature, just as the feminine nature in women includes the masculine nature. The male and female are opposite but are in complementary relationship. When yin is incomplete, it needs yang to complete it. Likewise, because yang is not complete [in itself], it needs yin to complete it. Yin is complete in yang and yang in yin, which is the Great Ultimate [the Tao].

"The complementary relationship of opposites is then necessary for the whole. When the whole becomes a primary concern of its parts, complementary dualism is possible. In yin and yang symbolism, the whole takes precedence over the parts.

"Yin and yang are relative to each other. Yin and Yang are complementary to each other. Yin and yang always coexist without losing their distinctive identity."

:)

I like that. The whole becoming a primary concern of its parts. Especially in human relationships. It's probably most easily understood in terms of a man and a woman, though it can certainly be broadened beyond that, too.

When the parts think less of their individual concerns and more of the concerns of the relationship as a whole.. they can be dualistic, but complementary. Retain their individuality, but see it in the context of relating with each other.

Yeah. Nice.