Duality is the basis for all created languages. Consider, for example, the need to communicate – with another person. Then there is the language of the binary, the 0’s and 1’s that are the heart of all machine languages, known as the “bit”, short for binary digit.
Complementarity, on the other hand, is more complex. Discussed at great length in many mystical and spiritual traditions around the world, we have a precept that suggests that it takes two to make a “whole”. Complementarity shows up in science also, even in the abstract complexities of thermodynamics (i.e., energy, entropy) and quantum mechanics (e.g., position and momentum or energy and time).
From the social (societal) and human health perspectives, Complementarity is rich for creating guidelines and meanings. In Chinese philosophy (e.g., Daoism) and medicine, the conjoint Yin <> Yang meme is famous, symbolized by a circle with interlinked black and white segments, each half containing a segment – a smaller circle or dot – of the contrasting (complementary) color.
Known as the taiji-tu meme, it communicates foundational ideas, both in theory and practice of the martial arts and in medicine- both in didactics and to understand the etiopathology of disharmony and disease.
So how do we use complementarity to achieve better health and healing in our communities?
The first part of these exercises is to find a situation that seems to be rooted in conflict. A duality of perspectives that appear locked, bound in disharmony.
How about weeds in the garden? Surely, weeds are the Devil’s handiwork? Are they not?
Perhaps not, if one sees them as another plant life form that likes to grow with other plants, in moist and rich soil. That is a complementary perspective.
How about doughnuts? Or ice cream? Surely, these mouth watering foods must be tainted, dripping with the sins of high fat diets?
Perhaps not, if one sees them as delicious high energy density foods that must be consumed in moderation for long term enjoyment. That is a complementary perspective.
How about exercise? Surely, the pains one experiences after exercising are an indication that it does no good?
Perhaps not, if one considers that lack of movement is the primary cause of a majority of hard to treat noncommunicable diseases like fibromyalgia, hypertension, obesity, and mental health disorders like depression. That is a complementary perspective.
Bored with the locked perspective of Duality, and the appearance of unresolveable conflict, the ability to see another perspective arises. That is the paradigm shift, the shift which allows us to see an alternative.
That movement, that transition, required us to change our perspective.
In that change, we find the path to Complementarity.
The winner is the one who can see both the dark and the light side to any challenge.
Change is what moves us from a state of frozen Duality to a dynamic Complementarity.
Borrowing from the Greek philosopher Heraclitus… Everything flows.
Panta rhei.