Thoughts of Balance and the Applications of Eastern Philosophies

Lately I've found myself ruminating more and more upon the eastern philosophies. Predominantly of the Dao (universe) and the Wu Xing (5 elements). I realize that this isn't as popular a philosophy in the west, here nihilism is the more popular philosophy. Be it baser human nature for me to hold onto the vague impossibility that life and existence isnt completely meaningless. Ive thought long and hard about the more esoteric aspects of it, and will be sharing what ive come to accept about it. But first i feel like i should explain a few things first, namely the 5 elements theory and what the 5 elements actually are. In western culture we believe in the 4 elements, namely: wind, water, fire, and earth. But in the east they believe in wood, water, fire, earth, and metal. These 5 elements all support and counteract each other creating a vast web of ways they combine to create everything in the universe. Another thing i must explain is yin and yang. Many people only take these at the face value of what's been described to them. Ill try my best to explain them. Yin is the black part of the yin-yang diagram. It is considered negative, and even evil at times. It is both rigid and flowing at the same time. It is order and contradiction. The white part of the diagram is yang. Yang is considered positive and good. It is light and airy, fleeting and chaotic. It is chaos and justice. There is also something that must be noted, there is a dot of white yang in the black yin section, and a dot of black yin in the white yang section. Meaning that while there can be extremes of both yin and yang, some of the other will always exist within the other. The diagram also shows yin and yang spiraling. This shows that the 2 constantly revolve around each other in balance, 1 never being more than the other. Every element also has a yin side and a yang side. Everything must come together in balance to exist. This is what i have found to be true in life about this philosophy. If we consider ourselves to be tightrope walkers, and our current lifetime the wire beneath us. Balance is necessary for us to continue going. Balance comes when one becomes aware of one's self in the universe. Because only when one becomes aware of themself can they see if they are unbalanced. The eastern philosophy says that meditation and self reflection are needed to make yourself aware of your place in the universe. I know that i have paused a few times in my own life to ask myself, "why is my life going out of control?" It was a balance thing. I have found the best way to make yourself truly focus on what you can do to balance yourself, is to simply ask yourself "who am i?" It seems like a simole question, but try to really think about everything about yourself and ask that question. Once you can answer that question, you can find your balance in the universe. I'm done for now, but please leave comments and discussion questions. Id love to hear opinions and differing view points.