BERRYLIBERMAN:Sotense.I’mreading
intothings,’causeI tendtodothat[laughs].
Butjustthatideathatwhenyou’retryingto
havethesedeepexpansiveconversations
thereisa kindofresistanceinthefield.LYDIAFAIRHALL:Wedidit!It’sanedgymiracle when technology works in my life. I feel
it’sthatsameweirdmixofenergy.“Wow,a miracle occurred!” But it was tense! [Laughs].Totally.Andin some ways you kind of need it, right? I often
thinkthatcontrast or variety of suffering, whatever you call it,
it’sactuallythat beautiful old way that the pearl grows out of
theoyster.It’s actually a big part of the whole story [laughs].
Evenwhenitmanifests as frustrating technology![Laughs].Yeah, it’s interesting isn’t it?
Because I think so much of
our time, particularly in the
western context, is really spent
trying to avoid any sense of
discomfort.Whetherit’smaterialoremotional or whatever it might be. And there’s a lot of
controlthathastohappentomaintainthat. I really believe the older I get and the older my
childrengetinparticular,thelessI feelI can line up with that anymore. ’Cause I’m too busy
tocontroleverything![Laughs].Soactually acceptance and allowing becomes the norm.
Andbeingokayinthecontrastandinthesuffering is so much more beneficial for me at this
stageofmyjourney.I think there’s a bigger focus for me that is around
stillness and feeling peaceful and tending to my
inner world that has become more important than
trying to control everything around. It’s funny
because by taking care of the inner world and
tending to the emotional and spiritual wellbeing,
allof that stuff gets taken care of anyway. I have
thisbeautiful teacher in my life. When I was
about 15, it was another edgy miracle, I was able
toholddowna jobata timewhenthingswere really messy. And I worked at a zoo of all
places.Inlikethislittletakeawaykiosk.And it’s so funny because the universe brought
mea teacherthere.Itbroughtmethisbeautiful man who had lived out in the central
desertandwasa painter.Hewaspaintingthe inside of the enclosure either side of me
foraboutsixmonths.Soinbetweenserving up really bad cups of tea and sausage rolls,
hewasmyteacherandI washisstudent.He would talk to me about the fact that there
wouldnotbea thirdworldwar.Hewasvery sure about that in his wise practice. But that
thebiggestchallengetousincontemporary times was the war within our own minds.
AndI absolutelyconnectedtothatatthatparticular stage of my life and still do. I think
somuchoftheworkisactuallytendingtoyour own fear and vibration of peace and
love,andwatchinghowthatthentakescare of all the bits that I would have otherwise
spenthoursandhourstryingtocontrolonthe physical level, if that makes sense.Right.SoI amLydia. I am the mum of two beautiful kids.
AndI havea beautiful husband. I am a Worimi woman. My
greatgrandmother was born in a tent along the Kyogle River.
Andbeforethatmy family were on a mission at a place calledStopbeingsofuckingevolved.
No,it’sanamazingstarttothisconversation,thegritintheoyster. A kind
ofa resiliencethatcomesoutofthefrictionandthetension and that
somehowwehavetomusterourmaturitytounderstandthat life is not
supposedtogoinourfavourorserveus.We’remeant to serve life.I wanttotalkmoreaboutthisbecauseI ama reallybig
fanofcontrolandcomfort.[Laughs].You’retalking
andI’mthinking,Ohyeah,I justwanttocontrolsothat
I canstaycomfortable.I reallylovethatparadigm!
Idon’t know what you’re talking about when it comes
to surrender. I mean I do in terms of parenting.
Surrendering has all this wisdom in it. But it’s fierce
how much the mind wants to stay on its train tracks.I’d love at this point for us to start where
most normal people start. Which is, to
introduce yourself. Who you are, who
your people are and where you are from.34
LYDIA FAIRHALL
DUMBO FEATHER