the sweetness of contrast: finding joy in the opposites

what good is the warmth of summer, without the cold of winter to give it sweetness

― john steinbeck,
travels with charley: in search of america

the value of any experience, any feeling, is amplified by its opposite. without the sharp bite of winter, the warmth of summer would become mundane, even stifling. it is the contrast, the cyclical dance between opposites, that gives life its richness and depth.

 imagine a world of perpetual summer. the sun is always shining, the days are long and warm, and the trees are perpetually green. while initially appealing, this idyllic scenario would soon lose its charm. the constant warmth would become oppressive and monotonous; the beauty of the landscape would eventually go unnoticed if it never changed.  we would lose our appreciation for the simple pleasures of a cool breeze, the vibrant colors of autumn leaves, or the invigorating chill of a winter morning.

the experience of winter, with its short days, icy winds, and desolate landscapes, makes the return of summer so delightful. ahhh, the first warm rays of spring sunshine, the vibrant green of new growth, the long, lazy days of summer – these experiences are heightened by the memory of winter's chill. we appreciate them more deeply because we have known their opposite.

this principle extends beyond the seasons and is spoken about in the yoga sutras.

 consider the experience of joy and sorrow. without the experience of sadness, grief, or disappointment, our moments of joy would be less profound. it is the opposing force, the understanding of life's inevitable lows, that allowsto us fully appreciate the highs. the sweetness of a long-awaited victory is amplified by the memory of past struggles. the warmth of a loving embrace is made more precious by the experience of loneliness.

 this doesn't imply seeking out suffering or hardship. it suggests approaching life's inevitable challenges with a sense of acceptance and even curiosity.  reframing our perspective, we can find meaning and purpose even in the midst of difficulty, and ultimately, enhance our appreciation for the good times when they come. the sweetness of life, after all, lies in the contrast; the dvandvans; the opposing forces.

 yoga sutra 2:48 states:  

tato dvandvanabhighatah

from that (comes) lack of injury caused by the pairs of opposites

 very generally, this idea guides us in our practice on the mat and, of course, as always, our life off the mat. on the mat, we find the balance of effort and ease, stable and comfortable as we move into and through our postures.  this practice of balancing the opposites (dvandvas) allows us to see these opposing forces in our life off the mat –pleasure/pain; joy/sorrow; and, yes, summer/winter.

 so relish the summer, enjoy all it has to offer! and yes, shameless plug, see what moondog has to offer you this summer😉😎

 light your lamp & you light the world

-june and the moondog team