09 November 2017

A centre, which any point is, in its way, has two activities or modes simply by virtue of its existence. One we call gravitation, which is the tendency of that point to establish and consolidate itself by drawing into itself and thereby exercising a pull on its environment. The other we call emanation, which is the tendency of that centre to radiate out of itself an infinite number of radii – potential lines of connexion – and thereby exert a pressure on its environment. These are the yin and yang, the pull and push, of any centre, any point, any object, and ultimately any thing. Our job, as Taoists, is to understand this dynamic equilibrium as deeply as possible – to see how one mode requires and in fact generates the other – in order to live it fully. In fact, these two activities – gravitation and emanation – could also be called understanding and living.

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