The Chi of Muscle Cars
Most people have at least a passing understanding of Yin/Yang Theory from Traditional Chinese Medicine, symbolized by the familiar taijitu (yin/yang) symbol that illustrates this blog post. That subject deserves its own blog post, but for now let’s just say that it’s a useful way to contrast complementary and opposing styles of energy (or Chi) and ways of moving in the world. Yin energies are associated with the feminine, receptive, mystery, moon, and the sacred listening of heartfulness. Yang energies are associated with the masculine, creative, sun, the mind, etc. All men and women need access to BOTH their Yin energies to listen to the divine AND their Yang energies to manifest that vision in the material world.
Unfortunately, sometimes people come to believe at a young age that the Yang (masculine) energies are inherently bad or dangerous, and are therefore reluctant to develop and embrace this essential Yang component of themselves. They hold the Yang energy within themselves as one would a rabid animal; likely to slip the chain and maul someone at any moment. There are so many examples of ‘toxic masculinity’ on display in the world today that a deeper understanding of the true essence and beauty of Yang energy is often lost. I’ve had the following conversation with two men I work with in recent weeks, but the principles are fundamental to the basic design of human beings and so apply to any gender.
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Let’s explore a Modern Myth - What kind of fast car do you want? Are you a German car fan? Porsche? How about a high-end Japanese super car?
“I always thought muscle cars were cool.”
Poof! In a thick cloud of Vin Diesel fumes, a classic 1971 Oldsmobile 442 muscle car appears in your driveway! So there it sits, waiting to be used. Imagine how the sunlight dazzles off the pristine factory-original Kashmir Copper paint with white striping package. The 455 cubic inch V-8 engine idles effortlessly, muttering a throaty promise of 350 horses of power to thrill if only you’ll embrace the wheel and drive.
Picturing all that? So here’s my question - is the car good? Or is the car bad?
“Bad I guess – because of the environment and all.”
Fortunately for us this is a Mythical car so it runs on sustainably sourced, fair trade Himalayan Salt Crystals. It shoots nothing but refreshing positive ions out the bad-ass twin tail pipes.
So - is the car good? Or is the car bad?
“I don’t know – still bad probably.”
Why?
“Because people use them to show off - stroking the ego and stuff. And drive loudly through neighborhoods and annoy people. I guess I think that maybe the type of people that drive that kind of car are macho or toxic in some way. I don’t want to be that way.”
But you’re talking about the drivers – what about the car? Is the car good or bad?
“I don’t know…”
No problem - you’re doing great. Just keep looking.
So the car is still sitting there. What WILL you do with it? It sounds like you don’t approve of drivers that show off or annoy other people. Would you not drive the car at all?
“No I’d drive it – maybe I’d take it out on an empty road…”
Okay – so you’re opening it up while roaring down a stretch of desert highway just west of Las Vegas. What about tunes?
“Sure – loud music with the windows down.”
Great! And would anyone be with you?
“If I had a girlfriend I would want her with me.”
Why not? It’s our Myth - right? So you’re flying down the road in an epic car with your awesome girl…
“Right at dusk. And it would smell like it just rained.”
Nice touch. Now take a moment and picture being in that moment…night wind rushing past…sense into that moment.
Does it feel heart-connected? Does it feel right? Aligned?
“Yes. It makes me happy – but peaceful too.”
So - is the car good or bad?
“Well - you could get into an accident and hurt someone if you drove too fast.”
You’re absolutely right. If you owned a fast car you would need to be responsible with it.
So - is the car good or bad?
“Neither. Or I guess it depends on the driver.”
Exactly.
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All kinds of mischief occurs when these energies are not in conscious balance within the psyche. Powerfully embodied Yang energy without the Yin listening can manifest as brilliant but fundamentally insane inventions such as atomic bombs. Powerfully embodied Yin energy in a human psyche without sufficiently developed Yang on-board leads to dis-empowered Yin, resentful and frustrated, unable to translate the sacred vision into the world.
The appropriate and aligned hierarchy of the human psyche is Yang (the mind-oriented ‘Car’) positioned as a faithful servant ALWAYS prioritized under the guidance of Yin (the heart-centered ‘Driver’). The Driver is attuned to sacred insight within the self, and navigates an aligned path in the world. Each one of us needs both our powerful Car and an awakened Driver behind the wheel to be fully integrated human beings.
Love, David
