Carl Jung recognized that duality is the fact of human nature: “Every good quality has its bad side, and nothing that is good can come into the world without directly producing a corresponding evil."

And today I deeply realised the same, rather than conceptually knowing it. I cannot be purely good. Nor can I be purely evil. To ask anyone to be purely good, is an impossibility. Perhaps that is the ingenuity of Christianity, as it sets up an impossible condition so that we are forced to face ourselves as we are, if we are at all serious about the spiritual quest.

The duality of the universe is reflected in the duality of our nature. What is within, is also without. As above, so below; as below, so above. We are continuous with the rest of the universe.

You may recognise this, as the opposing voices within yourself. The continuous arguments you hold with yourself, whenever you face a choice. The angel sitting on one shoulder, the devil sitting on the other.

I think it is this duality that allows for there to be choice at all. The existence of opposing forces within us - the interplay of desires, beliefs, and fears - creates the space for choice. It suggests that the essence of being human involves navigating these internal dualities to make decisions that shape our lives and destinies.

One who has integrated all parts of him or herself (become the encompassing circle in the yin/yang) simply acts without conflict, in perfect harmony with the universe (God) and self. In other words, there is no choice. There is no need for it, instead there is simply doing, or as Jiddu Krishnamurti would say "choiceless awareness". This speaks to a level of existence where the individual acts in accordance with the Tao, or the Way, in Taoist philosophy - a state of effortless being where one's actions are perfectly attuned to the natural order of the universe.

We are God of our inner cosmos and we kind of have to play the part, rather than remain in conflict. To accept, and love, all parts of ourselves then is the way. If we can end the conflict inside ourselves, we also end the conflict outside of ourselves and come into harmony with the rest of existence and therefore also with God.

"If you are condemned by this one, who will acquit you?

Or, if you are acquitted by him, who will be able to detain you?

For what is inside of you is what is outside of you,

and the one who fashions you on the outside

is the one who shaped the inside of you.

And what you see outside of you,

you see inside of you;

it is visible and it is your garment."

- Thunder, Perfect Mind

If you judge yourself, who can save you from judgement?