WHY BALI?

The song of the crickets, the cicadas and other insects together create a high-pitched purring that rises from the rice fields in surround sound. Life is louder in the tropics. It commands more attention.

The farmers work all day, all day from 5AM till dusk, on the land, in the heat, under the sun, under the rain, through the fields, rhythmic motion of unquestioned daily tasks in order to survive, to eat, to have shelter and the odd convenience. They walk by, smile with curiosity in greeting, they with heavy loads on their heads, bails of grass to feed the cattle, me sitting here resting from nothing.

Bali accelerates personal growth. There's nowhere to be deluded here in the face of the facts of life of the Balinese. Our privilege of leisure, of reflection, of luxury contradicts the myths of scarcity and fear back home. Bali reminds us of the planet on which we stand, and shows us caretakers toiling daily in a balanced rhythm, stewards unconcerned with the clockwork ticking of a cityscape.

Bali flags our imbalance as we witness unabashed worship and integration of daily spiritual life in the form of offerings, ceremonial costume, prayers of gratitude and respect, rice smeared on the forehead, a fragrant flower recently bathed in incense smoke tucked behind each ear.

Bali demonstrates the constant mindfulness required to work with the given of the birds stealing the precious grains of a ripening rice field- day in and day out, ants marching as they please, and the rains eroding all natural structures and roadways. It's an eco system that the Balinese work within, without any efforts to conquer or change. They understand futility and do not voluntarily court it.

Bali is life hands on.

Bali dares to move forward, to heal, and to hope, even after a terrorist bomb robs her of so much. Bali does not cower as victim to international politics and travel advisories. Bali's strength and grace and abiding beauty calls through the fear to those who would hear her, who would come regardless, because life is too short to be ruled by fear. We let those that would harm her win if we stay home. We also conspire to rob Bali and any other place that is a casualty of random or calculated cowardice when we choose to remain in the familiar, in silence instead. If YOU hear her call in your heart, dare to answer back.

Photos and writing by retreat facilitator Laila Ghattas

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