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Using the metaphor of Inside/Outside as a foundation, the Aboriginal People of North
Eastern Arnhem Land have a fantastic insight into the nature of reality.
Even as I have an 'inside', an interior life, in addition to my 'outside'
or exterior life, the concept of inside/outside, allows other
an 'inside', as well as an 'outside' - in reality as well as theory. It
is to allow what I see as 'outside' in the other
to be a sign or sacrament of something more.
This allows other than self a presence or awareness
'inside', a presence that can be shared corporately, where others can relate
in the greater 'inside'. An awareness as well as merely something to be
aware of, is an initial step in breaking free from dualism and into a healthier
way of experiencing reality.
The loss of sharing the greater inside can be understood in the story
of the Fall. Subsequent to the Fall we do not normally share in the corporate
inside, and we see only outside. In codifying our indivuation and our isolation,
and ignoring the resolution in the person of Christ, our Western dualistic
awareness also ascribes 'inside' to self or our 'soul', and 'outside' to
both our body as well as everything that is other
than self. (even though its obvious that this isn't so).
A sharing on the Inside was a reality in the Primitive
Church in the 'Fellowship of the Spirit' or 'Communion of Saints' and
manifest sacramentally in the Eucharist and the 'Kiss of Peace'.
From an Australian Aboriginal Christian perspective, the broad understanding of the
Inside/Outside is taking advantage of the resolution achieved by Christ
in the Redemption, and the outworking in the person of the Holy Spirit
reconciliating all creation to God.
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