Geographically Bali island – an exotic home of approximately 4.3 million people – is located in between Java island to the west and Lombok island to the east within Indonesia’s Archipelago.
Bali is a province in Indonesia with its capital – Denpasar.
The majority of Bali ethnicity is Hindu, this makes up to 86.9% of the population. Despite how small Bali is – to travel around Bali mainland requires days of traveling on the road, unlike its 3 other sibling islands of Nusa Penida, Nusa Lembongan, and Nusa Ceningan that belong to one of Bali’s regency – Klungkung which could be traveled around less than a day.
The landscape of Bali consists of mountains and is surrounded by water. The mountain ranges in central Bali with Mount Agung – an active volcano – as its easternmost peak of 3.031 m in elevation. The volcanoes are highly contributed to the fertility of the land its tall mountain ranges provide the high rainfall that supports the highly productive agriculture sector. South of the mountain is a steadily descending area where mostly the rice crop is grown here. The northern part of the mountain slope is steep to the sea makes coffee plantations are easily grown here along with rice. Surrounded by water, fishing also makes a contribution to Bali’s economy along with Agriculture and Tourism sector. West Bali National Park is the one and only National Park in Bali where the native of Jalak Bali or Bali Myna is highly protected in this area.
Move to Bali’s life! There is a profound Philosophy that guides life in Bali called Tri Hita Karana translated as Tri Causes of Wellbeing life. They are Parahyangan – a connection between humans and God, Pawongan – a connection between humans to humans, and Palemahan – a connection between humans and nature. In theory, we perfectly understand this, however, the over-tourism somehow makes it harder to implement on daily basis. I agree, it all depends on each individual. The wide range of opportunities provided through tourism has urged the locals to follow the trend and to supply the demand. Some may lead to changes in land and environment, changes in mindset and perceptions, change in behaviors. That’s just the minority. The majority of Bali’s people are always stick to their traditional values of a devotional, friendly, hard worker, big-hearted, kind, and compassionate.
Parahyangan, the first cause of Wellbeing life – The connection between humans and God. Now, the Balinese are Hindu majority. But not all of Bali’s population is Hindu. In maintaining the connection with God there are 3 basic foundations known as Tattwa, Susila, and Upakara. Tattwa is philosophy, teachings, and knowledge. Susila or Etika is good behaviors and manners. Upakara is the sequence of religious rituals and ceremonies.
Daily life in Bali is about offering. To offer the beauty, the fragrance, and the sincerity of the heart through flower offerings called Canang. We say it is the very basic and simplest form of offering as it only consists of round or square or triangle shape of basket-like made of coconut leaves topped with colorful flowers and greenery from shredded pandan leaves. Flowers are the beauty. The burning incense will be placed on top of each offering that is being offered as a symbol that our prayer is being delivered around the universe. This daily ritual is a profound act of showing our gratitude to God and is an act of maintaining peace and harmony with nature as well as with the unseen spirits below the human realm. That is why no wonder you see this Canang offering almost everywhere – every day including on the streets of Bali.
This daily ritual plus other forms of ceremonies adds sacredness to the land and the atmosphere of Bali. Thousands of temples, holy waters, daily praying, mantras, offerings, religious ceremonies, and aah.. the fragrance from the burning incenses pretty well explain the identity of Bali. This holyness could be the source of healing or guidance for the Spiritual wanderer, who made their journey to Bali. It is something to do that touches very deeply in the heart and intuition. And the saying ” When I follow My heart, I wake up in Bali ” actually makes sense.
Pawongan – the connection between humans to humans. There is no such thing as I am just one individual. The correct term of human interactions in Bali is through the Philosophy of Tat Tvam Asi – I Am You. We are living in a neighborhood society. We live in a collective not act as a separate individuals. If someone within the society needs help, we definitely will be there. So, Tat Tvam Asi is treating other people just like how you’d like to be treated yourself. Sharing the basic human values of respect, kindness, and compassion so that there will be always harmony between each other.
Palemahan – the connection between humans and nature. And not only. We strongly believe that this universe is built by a concept of Rwa Bhineda – the concept of diversity. The opposite characteristic which purpose in creation and existence is to create balance, harmony, and synchronicity. It is dark and light, day and night, above and below, feminine and masculine, Sekala and Niskala. Sekala – is the object: animals, plants, rivers, mountains, stones, and anything that we can see with our eyes. Sekala is seen. Niskala is a force. It’s in spirit hence it’s unseen. in Palemahan, Sekala and Niskala are used as basic guidelines in daily interactions.
Bali is equipped with physical beauty and is spiritually rich. The stunning landscape of Bali: temples, mountains, beaches, sea and underwater life, ricefields, and the list may go on. Not yet mentioning the emotional experience such as: watching the sunrise from the top of the mountain, or the sunset by one of the beaches on the southern coast of Bali. Or having yourself participating in one of our Holy Water purification ceremonies either by a Holy Water Temple or done by a High Priest or Priestess.
Spiritually rich – as the traditions and religion are strongly practiced in every moment. It is a place that vibrates stillness, purity, healing, and blissfulness and at the same time, you may also feel the busyness of the Island’s life. It could be the right place where you can easily kind of slow down a bit to make a contemplation – deepening your observation about the internal journey you are currently in. The ancient and mindfulness practices of yoga and meditation are widely available around the island.
Taking a healing session from a Balinese Healer or having your energy balanced – the aura cleansed by a Shaman or Priest/ess could be a starting point to a deeper journey of self-awakening.
To me personally, you won’t see or be able to experience Bali truly if you just come “halfway”. You got to be complete and be prepared to be stunned. You may come really plain – experience just the outer layer – to party and other types of pleasure. The most suggested way is to go local – let yourself fall in love. That way, you have a lot more things to memorize. A lot of emotions to be felt. And a lot more lessons to be learned.
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