When my dream brought me to Bali, I had no idea that it is such a Hindu place. I was equally ignorant of how important water is for the Hindu people. I simply had this Ulun Danu temple in my dream and since I have always felt so drawn to water and this is a water temple, I set off. I wrote about my experience in Ulun Danu and the connection through rain and meditation in a previous text on this blog. But there were more stunning experiences for me on this island that deepened my spiritual awareness and helped me understand what water truly is to me.
Category: Bali
Demystifying Bali – The Naked Truth about the Island
Many people come to Bali with great expectations, believing (partially thanks to the Eat, Pray, Love movie, partially due to some holiday snaps of their friends which often avoid the raw reality) that it is a pristine clear island with handsome men and loving, spiritual people that will always bring a smile to your face. Well, here are the ten things you should know about Bali before going there (especially if you are Western and have never been to Asia).
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Ubud – The Eat, Pray, Love Mekka
Elizabeth Gilbert’s book made Ubud the modern mekka for the spiritual seekers… With all its yoga studios, vegan and vegetarian restaurants, rice fields all around, a great many temples (known from the first Indiana Jones movie) and even art galleries, museums, and shops where you can buy most of the Western-world products, it creates the perfect base for many xpats.
Ngaben – Traditional Balinese Cremation
Bali is the land of 20,000 temples. This gives some indication of the importance that spirituality has played in the island’s history, and how it continues to play a key role today.
Meditation and Healing in Bali
Bali is and island sought by many for its spiritual vibes. You find specialized centres and Ayurvedic healing centres in various spots on the island. As for meditation, you can study Vipassana, for instance, the so-called intuitive learning or meditation of insight. Although it is a form of teaching referring directly to Siddhártha Gautama (and this deriving from a Buddhist base), the technique itself is not subject to any religious teachings.
Gili Islands – Paradise Found
To begin with: anybody going to Bali should take the chance and visit these islands since they truly are a gem. Located cca 45 mins away by a speed boat from Amed, these islands are renowned for their white sand beaches and pristine water where one can snorkel or dive and to admire varied marine life, corals, fish, and – above all – the sea turtles.
Ulun Danu Beraten … The Temple from my Dream
I did not use to be much of a believer. I have been a dreamer ever since I remember though. My dad used to tell me when I was a teenager that I need to get back to earth. He meant it well. And I love my parents. But I am truly glad I did not follow this particular advice obediently. Because there IS more than just the earth and our senses. And the real balance lies in the understanding of that.
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Yoga and Hinduism
Wherever you find yourself on the island, you can enjoy a great meal (Balinese or generally Indonesian cuisine is tasty and healthy, largely vegetarian and vegan), meditate (although some monasteries are crowded with tourists and meditation rooms and centres just like that) and practice yoga.
Amed Beaches
Eat, Pray, Love: This book by Elizabeth Gilbert, or rather its film adaptation with Julia Roberts and Javier Bardem, is the most common association with the Indonesian island of Bali. And yes, you can eat well, pray, and fall in love here easily. “moving water”
Setting off
There are times in life when you ask yourself: “Why am I doing this, really?” And your ratio cannot quite answer that question. Not even your mental power perhaps. Not your body either. But deep inside you know: because this is simply THE WAY.