Using the metaphor of the 2 central trees in the biblical Garden of Eden, 'the tree of life' or 'the tree of the knowledge of good and evil', the Genesis account speaks of the birth of humanity's current existence (or perception of reality), in terms of a choice for a particular type of knowing.

These two trees are foundational paradigms, two knowings the first a unity, the second a dualism.

St John equates knowing God with the tree of life, and the Christian message is that whilst our original parents chose the option of the knowledge of Good and Evil, and were thus excluded from paradise by an impure perception, Christ has opened the way for restoration to primal innocence and the experience of full life, the ultimate person knowing.

Humanity finds it difficult to allow God to release us, and so enable us to return to the Garden, on the false assumption that the consequent loss of awareness is too high a price to pay.  Its true that from the perspective of our current awareness the 'tree of life' offers only half a  'good and evil' awareness.

It is tantalising to consider what 'life' awareness could be from its own perspective. To experience reality in the mystery of the rainbow colours of light, instead of the greys of the dualistic interplay of light and darkness.