The Advent of Yin Day 10: Below

My words fly up, my thoughts remain below: Words without thoughts never to heaven go. —William Shakespeare, Hamlet

Below is today's yin word and it is closely related to 'hidden' which I blogged about a few days ago.

Photo by Cybershaman

Below is a word which forces us to come out of our comfort zone. I think that is true of many yin words. We like things which are above. Above board, above average, above all else.... But below seems to have a sneaky underbelly sort of side to it. It requires us to work a little harder at liking it. However, as with all yin words there is a gift to below.

Often the most interesting part of something lies below the surface, just out of sight. Under a seemingly monotonous expanse of ocean lies a world of incredible beauty and diversity which we have yet to fully understand. Under the tip of an iceberg is a gigantic portion of the same which is hidden from view without inquiry. Under the vastly diverse human experience is a basic truth in which we have more in common than not.

As we enter the most yin season, it would be my wish that we search within our hearts (also below the surface) to find that commonality and to rest in that for a moment.