1. Relative Relationship between Sungsang and Hyungsang
In the Principle of Creation of the Divine Principle, it is written that “All beings exist through the reciprocal relationships between their dual characteristics of internal nature and external form” (DP, 17). Furthermore, “[every living being] maintains its life through the reciprocal relationship of yang and yin elements within itself” (DP, 16). The reason for this is that, since God, the First Cause of all things, is the harmonious Subject of the dual characteristics of Sungsang and Hyungsang, and of Yang and Yin (DP, 19), all things were created according to the law of likeness and, without exception, resemble the dual characteristics of God.
A reciprocal relationship means a relationship of two elements or two individuals that are facing each other. For example, when two persons seek to engage in conversation or to engage in buying and selling, the situation wherein the two partners are facing each other first needs to be established before a conversation or trade takes place. The reciprocal relationship should necessarily be a mutually affirming relationship, and never a mutually negating one. 21
When such a reciprocal relationship is established, something is given and received between the two partners. In human beings, people are giving and receiving words, money, power, influence, love, and so on. In the natural world, universal gravitation acts among heavenly bodies, carbon dioxide and oxygen are exchanged between animals and plants, and so on. The action of giving and receiving something between the two partners is called “give and receive action.” The establishment of a reciprocal relationship does not necessarily mean that a give and receive action will take place. In order for a give and receive action to take place, a “common base” must be established. This common base is a reciprocal relationship established centering on a common element, or a common purpose. Thus, correctly speaking, once two parties are engaged in a reciprocal relationship and a common base is formed, give and receive action will take place.
In God as well, give and receive action takes place between Sungsang and Hyungsang according to this principle. Sungsang and Hyungsang are engaged in a reciprocal relationship centering on a common element (Heart or purpose), and so a common base is formed, and a give and receive action does take place. Sungsang gives to Hyungsang ideas, emotional elements, and so on; and Hyungsang gives to Sungsang an energetic element (pre-energy). Through this give and receive action between Sungsang and Hyungsang, the attributes of God either form a harmony (union), or give rise to creation (new beings).