Polarity is the balance of two opposite powers, which cannot function without the other. Though it is not always apparent, there is nothing in reality that functions without an opposite. The pairs of polar opposites exist only as pairs. It is nearly impossible for one to even be defined without the other for comparison. Light and Dark are one such pair of polar opposites. There is no way to understand the concept of light fully without some understanding of darkness. The same can be said of Good and Evil: Without comparison to the opposite, the true meaning cannot be realized. There are an infinite number of such pairs as these. For the most part, one cannot exist without the other. There would be no light were it not for darkness. There could be no good if not for evil.

    These polarities are not always against each other. Often there are polar pairs which work in unison. If we really look at them from a large perspective, they are all working in unison. The darkness may appear to overcome the light, but really they are just both in motion. They Sun is always shining its light upon the Earth, but not always in the same place. Polarities are of a very coexistent nature in nearly all cases. The difference between one polar opposite and the other is often what causes activity and motion. As in the case of a battery that stores an electrical charge: If there is not a connection between both the Positive and Negative poles, then no electricity can flow. Those who would study the laws of thermodynamics will find that these very differences between polar opposites, namely Hot and Cold in this case, are the active factor in the motion of the entire known universe.

    The truth of creation has always been that there are two entities involved. All Monotheistic faiths are bound to think of the creator as ONE, not two. The belief that GOD contains within himself the essence of GODDESS is true to an extent, though this state of GOD and GODDESS as ONE predates creation itself. At this level there is no GOD or GODDESS. There is no Creation. There is no time, nor space. All of reality depends upon the separation of opposites. There is no motion without difference. There is no activity without polarity.

    Polarity allows everything to happen. There are pairs such as Up and Down, and Forward and Reverse, and Left and Right that are linked to relative motion as coordinates. These are pairs of opposites that relate to direction away from a fixed point. Winter and Summer are another pair, as is Spring and Fall. These different seasons allow the cycle of growth and reproduction for most life on this planet. The body of the human being has several pairs of cooperative pairs of opposites that allow us to do many different things. Left and Right hemispheres of the brain are very different in function. The left is Analytical while the right is Creative. Each hemisphere, or side, of the brain controls one side of the body. Having pairs of hands and feet allow us to perform many tasks that require both balance and cooperative coordination. Having two eyes and two ears enables us to see and here in stereo, which is three-dimensional. Stereo gives us a perspective which is greater than either of the two alone.

    Most polarity that is encountered is found as an Active and Passive combination of two qualities or principles. This can also mean the same as Dominant and Submissive, or crudely, as in Master and Slave. Basically, these all mean the same thing, the same idea at work between the pairs of opposites. One is Static while the other is Dynamic. One is acting while the other is acted upon. One is in motion while the other stands still. To understand this relationship, it must be clear that one cannot exist without the other. Without someone or something to command, what meaning does it hold to be the master? Without someone or something to obey and follow, what meaning does it hold to be a slave? There is no such thing as a Follower without a Leader, and no leader without a follower.

    If we apply this principle to the most basic of relationships, we still find it to hold true. If there were just one person in the world, there would be these sorts of relationships between just that one person and the planet. The person and the planet would be the pair of the polarities. The role each would play would differ according to the circumstances. In the situation of the person out walking around: The person would be active and the planet passive. The person is acting, moving, changing, creating a path; the planet is still, responding, stable, and at the service of the person. To change the roles, it need only rain. Now, the planet is active, moving, in control of the situation. The person is passive, must submit to getting wet, follows in response to what the planet is commanding. Still other situations would see the planet and the person in both roles of the active/passive polarity. Digging a hole puts the person back in control. The hole caving in on the digger puts the planet in control again. Cutting down a tree to build a house has the planet as the slave again. The tree root growing and tearing up the foundation of that house makes the person the slave again. It goes on and on. Obviously, only some of the polarities are constant, while the others are ever-changing. The same thing exists in all relationships where human beings are involved. As we carry within ourselves so many pairs of opposites, we will always find ourselves in changing roles.

    Man and Woman are one such pair of opposites that can have clearly understood roles in some cases, while in other cases not. In many species of life on this planet, there is no other relationship than that between Male and Female that is of any significance. Every species of life shares this relationship though, and to each it is of the greatest significance. There are many different types of relationships: Between various forms of life, between these forms of life and the planet itself, and between individuals of the same form of life. The relationship between the sexes is the only relationship that can transcend the limitations of time through the mystery of reproduction.

    The natural sexual relationship is very clearly defined in a physical sense. In order for a man to have a child, he must find a woman that he may engage in intercourse with. He has only a penis, which he must enter into the body of a woman to impregnate her with the other half of the genetic material she needs to produce a child. If a woman desires a child, she must allow a man to insert his penis into her vagina and ejaculate therein. The design of the physical body forces the man and woman into their roles to some extent, but not entirely. It is not physically the role for either to be the active one or passive one when it comes to initiating sexual intercourse. It is not a set dominant or submissive role for either while engaged in the act of sexual intercourse. It is a set role when it comes to being impregnated and carrying the baby to term, as well as delivering the child into the world. This last role requires the woman to fulfill. It is the nature of the roles prior to this that are of the most important to understand though. The man has long assumed that since he can place his erection in the body of a woman against her will that he is the dominant one. Since the woman cannot force the man to achieve an erect penis against his will, (and it is impossible for her to use while it remains flaccid,) it would almost seem as if this were truly the case. The relationship between the sexes, both with and without the act of sexual intercourse, is much more complicated than this when it comes to dealing with human beings. Much more is involved than a physical act of bodies, and that mystery is the focus.

    We are a species of such internal conflict that is has long seemed impossible to achieve a balance of any sorts in our ideology. We are confounded with the fact that men and women do not share the same natures, but this is just the beginning of the problem. Every one single individual is itself a delicate balance of opposites. There are several pairs of polarities within each human being that must be known and contended with. Before any set of rules may become reality, the existence and definition of these internal natures must be realized. This is not easy at all. Though our modern science is great, we have neglected this most important of subjects. The scientists have not recognized that in order to truly know anything else, we must first know ourselves. The theologians have not realized that in order to truly know GOD, we must first know ourselves. And this ignorance is not without reason, for we are honestly afraid to know about ourselves. The knowledge of the self brings about a whole new area of responsibility that most of us are terrified to accept. We may find the keys to our own inadequacies. We may find things to fear that we never before imagined. It seems most amazing how much we fear to know ourselves. Our level of understanding of the world around us has reached unbelievable levels of achievement. We have discovered many things about how the planet works. We know how to rebuild the human body almost entirely, through advances in medical technology. We have built computers that come frighteningly close to mimicking life, through the study of artificial intelligence. All of this, and our knowledge of the human mind, soul, and spirit are nearly at the level it was in ancient times.

Copyright 2000 by J.S.Graham