Good, Evil and the Paradox of Perfection

The concept of good and evil is an ancient philosophy filled with myth and legend. Nearly every one of us on this planet has some sense of good and evil. Although the exact definitions vary from individual to individual, the basic concepts are fairly universal. We express our unique sense of good and evil through our ideas of right and wrong - our personal set of moral principles. These gray areas raise an interesting question.

I first started questioning the concept of good and evil in my grade 10 physics class. I learned that the colour black does not exist - it is only a very dark shade of gray. Likewise, the colour white is merely a very light shade of gray. Black is the absence of all colour, whereas white is the presence of all colour. The two cannot exist together. In order to experience a pure shade of black, or a pure shade of white, nothing else could exist at that moment. That would entail perfection. Perfection cannot exist for more than a moment. Another law of physics is "the only constant is change".

If we use the moon as a visual representation of this idea, the full moon would be a perfect state, as would be the new moon. The moon is only truly full for a split second before change takes over and keeps it flowing ever closer to it's other state of perfection. The new moon is also only new for a moment before continuing on in the ever changing cycle. If perfection cannot be a constant state, doesn't it raise the question of it's existance?
 

The Taoist Yin/Yang symbol is a beautiful representaion of opposites. Yin contains a little Yang, and Yang contains a little Yin. Both are in constant movement. This is balance, this is much more realistic. This allows for our gray areas, for individuality. Maybe this is perfection?

 
Our societal belief is that perfection is an attainable and constant state. This misconception of perfection has created so much pain in so many lives. Many of us have been raised to be constantly better, the best, not good enough. I believe that chasing perfection is psychologically dangerous. If in fact, it does not exist, than a life in pursuit of perfection is a life void of fulfillment.

My concept of perfection is somewhat different. Everything is perfect. Perfection is a paradox - it exists in the fact that it does not exist. Not one of us is perfect, and to me that is perfection! We do not have to be anything, but we can be anything! We are exactly where we are supposed to be exactly when we are supposed to be there. And doesn't that just lift a great weight from our shoulders?

I would love to hear from anyone with comments or additions - lets start a discussion!

Love & Light to all!

Ivy :)