Holding Paradox

As humans we like things to be black and white. 

It is actually a manifestation of a core principal regularly evident in both nature and physics: the law of conservation of energy.

In physics, this refers to the fact that the total energy of an isolated system will be conserved over time if it doesn’t change. 

We can observe this play out in the natural world through landscapes, attributes and behaviours. 

A river will not change its course, unless it breaks it banks, as the route it has carved through mountains is already the most efficient way. 

A bird won’t adapt its colours of it is already the most appealing to a prospective mate. 

A human will not shift their job if they are content with life as it is. 

Put simply, change takes effort which requires energy. As such, when it comes to sociological and psychological investigation, we must first acknowledge how change, at its core, is hard. 

Dopamine is the main chemical when it comes to motivation, but in our modern age a lot of us don’t have a regulated production. Between screen time, junk food, drugs (prescripted and not) and the generally stimulating nature of our world our brains do not necessarily regulate efficiently. In addition, we don’t really get a neurochemical reward for changing - in most cases dopamine release happens more at the idea of change opposed to when it is enacted or solidified. 

It is why, as people age, it is harder to change their mind. Being reticent about environmental or sociological stage is not pure stubbornness or pig-headedness; it is biologically more difficult. Changing neural pathways that have been used to operating in a certain way for decades is a lot more work than when we are younger. Maybe this is why your parents are less accepting of something than you are, or why they struggle to see for your perspective. 

Similarly, our brain likes to categorise to conserve energy. It is easier for us to see things in a way in which we can segment and understand as this too takes less effort. Evolutionarily, we want things to be black and white because it makes our cognitive functioning more seamless: I can eat this berry but not this one, my tribe is familiar and safe but outsiders are dangerous. 

Seeing things through this lens can help explain - not excuse - a lot of bigotry and herd-mentality. 

If this is what the science says about both categorisation and a difficulty to change, how do we then do it?  

Leaning on Taoist principles, we are encouraged to become comfortable in holding paradox. 

The most famous Taoist symbol is undoubtedly the Yin Yang, the perfect exemplar of paradox. Not only does the black hold a drop of white in it (and vice versa) but what is commonly referred to as The Way in the tradition is the line that is created when the two seemingly contrasting sides meet. 

The Way is where we find the dissolution of opposites, the dismantling of category and classification. It is the neutral space between masculine and feminine, light and dark, heaven and earth, inhale and exhale. 

In Buddhism, this narrow road between asceticism and desires is called the middle way. One of the most important Yoga Sutras highlights the need for balance between Sthira (strength, steadiness) and Sukha (ease, comfort). 

It is through these two dependent opposites that a life of effortless action can arise; where what you do is effective without being exhausting. This seems a far cry from the modern experience of humans today. 

It is a choice to stay open to new ideas, to change and adaption. As we grow our self-awareness, we have the ability to recognise when we are falling into subconscious patterning and closing ourselves off to what could be because we want to be sure of is. 

As algorithms and social debate are already leading us towards greater division and isolation in our thoughts and belief systems, the capacity to be able to hold two apparently opposing ideas or diametric perspectives in order to find a middle ground could truly be medicine for our modern lives. 

Progressive, industrialised thought, invention and approaches have done a great deal for our progress as a species. It has allowed us to colour in every corner of the map, understand the physical nature of reality and has begun to explore the stars. But there are some ways in which it is sorely lacking. 

Being able, and comfortable, to hold paradox and recognise a middle way is one of them. 

As the Tao Te Ching says: 

“The great Way flows to the left and to the right.

All things depend on it with their existence.

Still it demands no obedience.

It demands no honor for what it accomplishes.

It clothes and feeds all things but does not lord it over them.

It is eternally without desire.

So, it can be called small.

All things return to it,

Although it does not make itself their ruler.

So, it can be called great.

Therefore, the sage does not strive to be great.

Thereby he can accomplish the great.”