BALI BALANCE

How this island brings you back home to your self

One of the most extraordinary characteristics of the island of Bali, this piece of paradise that sits in the Indonesian archipelago embraced by the Indian ocean and the Bali Sea, is the powerful Feminine energy that pulsates from her very core.

These reflections are from loving observations based on 6 magnificent extended journeys to Bali's benevolent shores.

Perhaps the Feminine pulse comes from the ancient Hindu rituals defining the rhythms of the day, the week, the month and the year as believers honour the Gods that guide them through life. Devotion is heard in chants and prayers and the ringing of the High Priests bell; The unhurried steps of a procession of worshippers gracefully carrying baskets of fruit and sweets that seek to be blessed with Holy water and prayers and intentions of cleansing away negativity; the opening of the heart to the Divine.

Perhaps it’s the overt creativity that thrives throughout the population and which is applied to wood, stone, plant, fabric, gems and metal. Creativity that can find uses for everything, adorning a footpath tile with river rocks; gathering fallen blossoms to float in a water laden carved bowl set unobtrusively on a step; creating roof shingles from dried palm leaves and grasses; scarecrows made of old plastic bags floating noisily over ripening rice paddies.

The Balinese women hold the Feminine with a tireless natural grace. Colourful sarongs fall modestly to their ankles and they moves slowly, methodically about the day’s tasks. Long black hair shines in the sun. Sweet shy smiles greet strangers seeking refuge from a faster paced life.

The island itself is so lush and fertile, with gardens that quite literally take your breath away. A cornucopia of flowering trees, shrubs and vines share the earth with bamboo groves, grasses, rice fields and palm trees. Beautiful butterflies and birds, and other winged creatures hover and flit in the heat.

The Feminine principle is expressed through nature, through sensuality, through emotions. The Feminine is found in an open heart. It is found in the practice of Being. Here. Now.

There is so much support in the Balinese environment to slow down, to sit, to drink in the delights of the natural expanse of green and blue. To simply Be.

It’s what most people need an opportunity to experience in order to balance out the more common agenda of scheduled tasks and obligations. The Feminine fills up the well.

Come drink, and sit a while. Retrieve your inner balance. The world can wait.

Click here for upcoming Bali Balance Retreats