“Ocean: Oceania concept of sacred space”

By Siosifa Pole in Articles

reflections on our place and God's place

"Ocean: Oceania concept of sacred space"

I always enjoy walking down at St. Clair's beach. On the beach, I constantly meet surfers who are surfing in the sea and sea-rescue (Life Saver) people who practice rescuing people who are troubled in the sea. I also meet with people who love to come and have meals at the Espalande and other restaurants at the beach while they are enjoying the view of the deep ocean. When I sit down and look to the deep ocean I cannot see anything else apart from an open space. As I look with anticipation I slowly realise that this is not a mere space but a sacred space. This space has a meaning and a purpose for the whole of the creation order as well as the creation of Oceania and the Pacific Ocean as a special place for us.

Oceania is created out of sea and land. However, the sea is much bigger than land space in Oceania. The sea in Oceania is known as the Pacific Ocean where all the island nations of Oceania are scattered. There are about 20, 000 to 30, 000 islands that spread out in the 165 million square kilometres of the Pacific Ocean. Obviously, these island nations are not connected. Hence, the sea divides them and gives them space to enjoy their individual self autonomy. Aotearoa, New Zealand is one of those islands that wonderfully situated in the southern part of the Pacific Ocean. It is the sea space that gives the inhabitants of Aotearoa the freedom to function in the way they would like to do things without interference. The sea creates a sacred space to celebrate individual uniqueness. Yet on the other hand the sea is also a means of connection among these island nations. Although they are not connected in land space, the sea is actually connecting them for it reaches to each island's shore and beaches. Moreover, the ocean is a sacred space of connection.

As I looked to the deep sea with astonishment I was reminded of the crucial of space in human relationships. In Tongan culture, 'space' is very important for any mutual relationship. This space is known in Tongan language as 'Va'. It is a liminal space between two persons or more people who have mutual relationship. The 'Va' is a space in between that has to keep in order for harmony and peace in the relationship to be maintained. Respecting of that between space is known in Tongan as 'Tauhi-va' (keeping the 'in-between' space). Retaining such a space is a well-known concept across the Pacific island nations. The sacredness of that space reminds everyone to treat it with admiration. It obviously gives to individual person the luxury of claiming individual uniqueness in a community.

The fact of the matter is, that if the space in-between is exploited then there will be damage in the relationship. Furthermore, there will certainly be a violation of individual rights. We have witnessed the damage that has been done by those who have no respect to the space in between places or between people. They forced themselves to cross over that liminal space without any consultation or dialogue and the outcome is so horrendous. One example that came to mind is the 'War against Terror'. This war was born out of those who violated the sacredness of space between peoples and nations. Thousands of lives and millions of dollars were wasted because of violation of in-between space. If the space in-between has to be shared, then there should be a point of negotiation and agreement. Everyone has to be informed and consulted. In doing so will create a sense of respect and compassion toward one another.

The presidential team address at the 99th Conference of the Methodist Church of New Zealand, held in Auckland last month, was entitled, "Our place - God's place". The main emphasis of their address was the significance of having a place for everyone and for God. Our place is God's place and that is what connects us. The Ocean can be used as a metaphor for God's love and God's presence among us. If God is big like the Ocean space then that is our point of connection. Although we may scattered as individual people, it is God's love that connects us all. It is the ocean of his love that reaches equally to everyone with grace and hope. No one can exploit that space because everyone can access equally to that sacred space. Our place is God's place and God's place is our place too. Therefore, we can't distance ourselves from one another; we are accountable for the welfare of everyone for we are all in God's place.

I believe this notion of the ocean as a space of connection has an important implication for ministry in the Methodist Church of New Zealand. If our church is true to its theology and philosophy of connexionalism then we must value everyone's contribution and treat everyone with respect. It means that we must listen with open eyes, ears, and hearts to every voice and concern. We might not agree on everything but we can dialogue and negotiate and that is the real nature of in-between/ ocean space. Therefore, the ocean reminds us of the sacredness of human relationship, our relationship with the created order, and with God. Our role is to ensure that those relationships are treated with respect and appreciation.

Siosifa Pole