Articles
The sounds of truth ring false
A two-day meditation workshop with Malcolm Huxter
Story & image S Sorrensen
Temple Byron 46 Melaleuca Drive, Byron Bay
In a bus near Alstonville. Tuesday, 3.10pm
Saturday 13th, Sunday 14th October, 2018 9.30am-5.00pm both days
D
on’t you love it when a politician, like – say – the PM, tells you black is white. Or, at least, black should be white. I love (not) the way a federal politician lies. He will puff himself up like a cane toad, furrow his brow and stare down the camera with all the sincerity of a five-yearold child with crumbs down his shirt, and tell you that, really, a bad man climbed in through the window and ate all the biscuits. Or that January 26 is for all Australians.
Tones of truth So the puffed-up toad, all wart and toxin, suit and shave, constructs this convenient lie, using a tone in his voice that he believes is what a sincere person telling the truth would sound like, but, working, as he does, in a place where honesty is the enemy, he has no idea what truth actually sounds like, so his put-on sincere tone rings fake to everyone but him. In reality, his speaking is a useful alarm that alerts the citizenry that what you are hearing is a fabrication, a concoction, bullshit. (Of course, if the newly minted truth suits you, you can choose to believe it. This is the modern way.) The PM reckons that January 26 is a celebration for all Australians. Oh, come on. All Australians? It’s a lovely thought, Scott. It’s a saleable dream. A onenation fantasy. I can see it now through the wavy lines and overexposure... Happy people are gathered as one around the barby (Weber) in the suburban backyard, beau-
Cultivating Mindful-Compassion and Resilience
(optional yoga from 7.45am) Sliding scale price: from $60 to $450 for two days based on an honesty system of self-assessment of income and affordability
cultivate mental and emotional balance heal and harmonize relationships thrive with appreciative joy and wellbeing Booking & Information: Greg Owens 0431747764 www.malhuxter.com/cultivating-mindful-compassion-and-resilience/
tiful young people with really white teeth (dental plan), lamb chops sizzling, children laughing (not in detention), old people with sports socks (and superannuation), Aussie flags flapping, beers clinking, and everyone singing, ‘We are young and free.’ Aw. (Sniff.) Lovely.
Un-Australian But wait, Scott. Aboriginal people don’t seem to want to join in. Aboriginal people don’t want to celebrate the anniversary of the invasion of their countries and the trashing of their cultures. But, being a master of fakery, you do ‘righteously indignant’ (a favourite in your repertoire), puffing up even further, the poison oozing from you: It’s un-Australian not to celebrate January 26. But, I believe that, deep inside that grey suit of yours, Scott, between the Bible covers, under the juvenile hubris, is a heart. And heart recognises truth. You do understand that January 26 cannot be a celebratory date for all Australians. However, as a federal politician, you have the ability to say anything – no matter how stupid – and still get paid well. And you will say anything – no matter how stupid
– as long as there is a political advantage to be gained. Only a man who, when asked about his values, answers, ‘… loving kindness, justice and righteousness on Earth,’ quoting the Bible (Jeremiah, chapter 9:24), but made the children suffer in detention, could say Australia Day on January 26 is for all Australians. It takes a certain skill: an ability to deny reality, to harden the heart, to put oneself above all others. It means you’re a bully. Scott, PM and all powerful, seated on his golden throne (and entitlements) in the high tower of the elite, is now hurling down wrath upon the little people who don’t buy his lie; little people like Byron Shire Council people, who have decided that January 26 is not a suitable date to celebrate Australia. That’s the thing about local governments: They still have some contact with reality. The federal government, though, doesn’t like reality – the reality of refugees, climate change or Aboriginal sovereignty. It prefers the lies of border protection, ‘coal is good’ and terra nullius. So, good on you, Byron. You may be the flashy tart of the northern rivers, but you’ve still got spunk.
life is a journey…
8SNdebX^V T_b dWS űbcd dX]S dWS 4ib_^ WX^dSb[N^RΑc _g^ ^NdXfS bNX^T_bScd ce`SbT__R Π dWS 6NfXRc_^ `[e]
WILD. NEW. IRRESISTIBLE Grown right here in the Byron hinterland
#BrookfarmforLocal #BrookfarmforNativefood #BrookfarmforCommunity
TAKE CONTROL OF YOUR SMALL BUSINESS
SKILLS FOR BUSINESS
CHECK YOUR ELIGIBILITY: TAFENSW.EDU.AU/SKILLSFORBUSINESS OR CALL 1300 601 727
Give your small business a big boost with Skills for Business. FULLY FUNDED by NSW Government and delivered by TAFE NSW, Skills for Business offers fully subsidised business management, digital and financial skills training for NSW small businesses. RTO 91430 | CRICOS 00591E | HEP PRV12049
North Coast news daily: www.echonetdaily.net.au
The Byron Shire Echo October 3, 2018 15