Andrew McAlister Risking Words
Many see the soulful way of Australia’s First Nations peoples as a prophetic call to the rest of us to live our own lives more soulfully and less egoically. This is also the call at the heart of Christianity.
The very first day I sat on the bank, with my back against a River Oak, I saw a Platypus. It surfaced, swam around for a moment or two, before diving out of sight. Country was saying hello. I felt very welcome.
All of this speaks to me of a different way – to the Western secular mind, at least – of being human. We are meant to be humans in context, living respectfully and gently our uniqueness as part of nature, and of each other.
Connection to country is at the heart of yindyamarra. Country can allow healing and shape all who live on it, if we are open, allow it, and commit to the necessary practice.
What is happening now, in this day and age, is a consequence and a reminder that the practice of leaving self behind has not been practiced by enough people. Its value has been lost.
