Om Shanti Bali

 So here I am getting ready to say goodbye to this beautiful, diverse, peaceful Bali and looking back at the last 5 weeks it has been the most amazing time for me.  From my reflective space right now I am realising the awesomeness of the experience that being in Bali has brought into my life and as a part of my sacred divine journey.  I needed a complete break, to heal the deep exhaustion and get perspective about my life and who I AM, connect with myself in a place where I feel there are absolutely no expectations on me and really replenish and rejuvenate.  I believe that this time has started a process of me of being in a space of accepting, loving and honouring myself in a way that I have not ever experienced before, a gift I have given to myself.

This last weekend I took myself to Lomok Island - about 1 1/2 hours from Bali by fast boat, across the Lambok Strait.  Lombok is an island in West Nusa Tenggara province of Indonesia. It is surrounded by a number of smaller islands locally called Gili. And I completely indulged myself by staying in a 5 star beach hotel that is on a quiet, perfect beach, in a bay of warm, gentle water, crystal clear, has a pool that overlooks the beach, the most unbelievable sunsets, and just a perfect way to end my time here.  Its a perfect honeymoon space, very peaceful and quiet and that's how I felt - I was on honeymoon with myself, enjoying each moment and all the gifts that were on offer.  I loved the island, its so beautiful, gentle, quiet and the people are warm and friendly.  And the beach and sea were like a dream come true - and again I am at a loss for words to explain the feelings of bliss I experienced in the water being immersed and one with the ocean and mother Gaia.

The people of Lombok are more Muslim than Hindu and have their own culture and way of life.  Its not as busy as Bali and there are far more open spaces, it felt far less demanding energetically.  I would love to visit Lombok again and stay for a longer time, but as a tourist staying in such an amazing hotel, I am going to work hard to gather the resources to support such a holiday - but its completely worth it and my next trip here will include much more time on Lombok and less in Bali - this is a place for complete bliss.

As I prepare for the next 4 months of travelling, that will bring amazing and exciting experiences, I again take a moment to reflect on the time before this and where I AM on this Sacred Divine Adventure which is my life.  I know that I will not go back to what was, or ever be in the space I was before, that what happens with shift and change, energy moves and new space is created.  Much like Mother Gaia shifts and moves and changes and when she settles things are different and new creation begins.  I feel that this is my experience and the earthquake in Italy the day before I left confirmed that for me, and has reflected in my experience here. I have challenges to work through and create a few shakes within my own life to get to be the congruent, authentic woman that I AM, and there are walls that I will have to bash down, and I believe that this is my opportunity to do just that.  I am completely out of my comfort zone and have nothing to return back to.  Every step I am taking is moving me forward to new beginnings and new creations, and when I go home to South Africa at the end of October, I will be moving forward to a new, transformed life.  And now that is exciting  !!!

I have been alone in Bali for 5 weeks, haven't met or connected with very many people, and this has been a meeting of myself that I feel so exceptionally privileged to have experienced.  I haven't longed, or wished or wanted anything different or more or less, I have just been where I was in each moment and its been amazing.  And this wisdom and innate knowledge that I have been able to tap into will be my guidance for the months ahead.  And for this I have so much to be grateful for.

Tomorrow 27 June, is the 19th year anniversary of  my mother's passing, and a very auspicious and blessed day for me always to remember and honour this amazing woman who gave me life and who was the most profound teacher in my life. And as Rumi says "the wound is the place where the light enters", without the experiences and the pain this relationship brought into my life, my light would not be shining so brightly.  Myra Steckoll you are a light that I carry deep in my heart and I know that we walk this sacred divine adventure together.  Bless you and bless me always.

And it off to Singapore I go on Wednesday 27th and arrive in Split Croatia on Friday 29th ready for another amazing adventure, so until next time, be blessed always.

Om Shanti Om xxx

Finding Silence, Peace and Security

" I was looking for Silence, Peace and Security .......... I found them in me .......... I AM secure and in peace in my inner silence ..............  for I AM Light ........... for I AM Love " Jean-Guy Martin

With about 10 days left in Bali and feeling a very quiet and reflective energy within myself, I am busy planning the rest of my visit and preparing for being on "the road again" so to speak.  I am so settled and part of me could just stay in this mellow, island energy for ever.  Its completely away from the world here where I am, a cocoon of silence, peace and security.  No matter where I go on this island, even on the busiest road or beach or temple there is a feeling of peace and stillness here that permeates everything.  I am aware that much of what I am feeling and what I am experiencing is a mirror of my journey and I am sure that each person who visits Bali or travels for that matter, mirrors their own experience in their own unique way.  


I have visited a few of Bali's treasures with my friends, who came to spend a week in Bali, which  was great as it gave me the opportunity to have people with whom to explore a little of this amazing island and its rich cultural heritage.

These are a few of the places we visited and the information I have given here is from websites on line that explain a little about each place - these are translated from Balinese into English so the grammer is a little off and I have tried to edit them without loosing their essence :

"Tegalalang ( Rice terrace ) is located at 5 km northern part of Ubud Village. The rice terrace is beautifully designed located on the hill bank. Here you see Balinese farmers working the rice fields which contain complete irrigation systems. Here one can enjoy the beautiful panorama of valley with rice terraces and coconut trees. "

           

"Gunung Kawi (meaning ‘carving in the mount’) is a 10th century Hindu temple complex located in the Gianyar regency. To explore the entire site, descend the 300-step stone stairway leading to a beautiful valley where you will find ten seven-metre-high memorials carved into the rock face.


Four can be found on the west side and five on the east side of the river, while to the south across the valley lies another. According to legend, these ruined temples are the memorial shrines of the king's concubines and his family. These days, Gunung Kawi sanctuary is still used for ritual ceremonies and locals gather periodically to offer the usual gifts and to pay homage to God, the ancient king, and his family"


Visiting this temple was absolutely incredible - and climbing 300 stairs down and then 300 stairs up was another challenge - wow - I made it but it took a long time with 2 long breaks coming up.
Its so powerful to feel ancient energy deep in Mother Earth's depth and to experience an honouring of such rich proportions.  So different to the ornate churches in Italy and the decorations are completely natural and of the earth.  It was incredible to sit near the tombs and shrines, on rock that has a story and an energy from so, so long ago.

"Yeh Gangga Beach is black sandy beach located in Yeh Gangga Village, southern part of Tabanan Regency or just 15 minutes from the famous tourist destination, Tanah Lot. It is blessed by the breathtaking view of Indian Ocean and spectacular sunset with flat black sand stretched 300 meters from east to the west. "                             

Finding this beach was a journey - we were stopped by a traffic policeman who tried to extort money from us, drove on some of the worst roads, through rice fields, villages and completely off the beaten track - and we arrive to a litter filled beach with black sand and completely untouched by tourists.  The beach was amazing with this rock outcrop that has a heart shape, a temple on the beach, a vast open space.  Swimming in the sea again, in warm water, jumping in the waves and cleansing was so invigorating and refreshing - my soul is happy.

"The Sacred Monkey Forest is a sanctuary that demonstrates harmonious coexistence of humans and nature and is situated in the sacred village of Padantegal in Ubud, surrounded by temples.  This cultural sanctuary is not only an important part of Balinese heritage, but also an important part of everyday life. The Sacred Monkey Forest,in conjunction with Udayana University in Denpasar have identified 115 separate species of trees.  The monkeys within the Sacred Monkey Forest are commonly called long-tailed macaques (Macasa fasicicuiaris).  Within Balinese Hinduism, monkey can be the embodiment of both positive and negative forces.  The dual nature of monkeys is reflected in Ramayana (a very popular Indian epic poem) - Sita (Rama's beloved bride) is abducted by Rawana (an evil king), Rama (incarnation of Dewa Wisnu) calls upon Sugriwa (king of the monkeys) and Hanuman (Sugriwa's General) to help retrieve Sita.  However, within the Ramayana, there are also antagonistic monkeys like Subali that attempt to assist Rawana.  In the end, Hanuman, along with his monkey army, defeats Rawan's evil forces and helps Rama to retrieve Sita.  Because monkeys embody both positive and negative forces, the Balinese both loathe and revere monkeys.  The monkeys that occupy sacred sites like the Monkey Forest, are revered and protected, one of the reasons being that monkeys, in the form of a Barong (Gods, Goddesses and Demons), are believed to be capable of guarding temple sites against evil spirits.  The Balinese belief that monkeys are negative in nature is reinforces when, for example, they raid rice fields or snatch items from souvenir shops.

These monkeys are like cats - they are well fed, and docile and stretch out and wander around just like my cats at home, they are so responsive and socially interactive and very cute.  And they fight, just like cats do, vying for status and showing their emotions.  The forest is amazing and the trees are so full of energy and aliveness.  But there is no place on earth quite like the Garden Route forests, oceans and rivers - the paradise that is my home is something that I am reminded about every day.  

"Kintamani Volcano and Batur Lake
Mount Batur is located at Kintamani and it has erupted about 24 times since year 1800 and still active up to now. Since the mount erupting, it has impacted to the local society life around this mount, like removing altar (Temple), improve or repairing the village and re-arrange the tradition. Lake Batur is the biggest lake in Bali and functioning as irrigation source to all farmers around it and it is also for all Bali society generally. Kintamani area has been founded some lodging, hotels and restaurants which are located in Kintamani and Penelokan Village. It is a famous tourist place because Kintamani area owns the beautiful panorama and it is encircled by the cold atmosphere."

 

It was quite an amazing experience to sit and watch and feel the energy of an active volcano.  It was a cloudy, smoky day so we didn't get to see the volcano in its full glory, but the power and energy emanating from this mountain is powerful and culpable.

"Goa Gajah, or Elephant Cave, is an archaeological complex in the village of Bedulu, 3km east of Ubud. Now a temple site, it boasts an assortment of large old structures and relics, some restored to their full glory today such as a bathing pool with working water spouts for holy water during ceremonies. Goa Gajah attracts visitors and local Hindu pilgrims. Various structures reveal Hindu influences dating back to the 10th century, and relics feature elements of Buddhism dating even earlier to the 8th century. Hence, the site is a silent witness of the Hindu-Buddhist era, built about the same period as that of the Borobudur temple in Central Java."

At this Temple I had an experience that made me really sad and reflects for me how understanding other cultures is so important, and how as a tourist I have lots to learn.  A man came to guide me around the temple and gave me lots of amazing information and shared his knowledge - when it came to give him some money, I just didn't have much in my purse and scraped together what I had.  Which for him was such an insult that he wouldn't take it and we were both devastated. Him because he had given me his time and shared his information and me because I had insulted him and that was not my intention.  This incident really made me stop and look at how I function in the world around me and one of the things that happens here so much is there is no space to enter into a negotiation or wander around doing your own thing.  Everywhere there is a bombardment of guides, taxis, vendors, people wanting to sell something and there seems to be no understanding for 'no thank you' or 'not now' or 'I just want to look on my own" - there are so many vendors and people needing to make the sale and do the deal that its quite disconcerting and makes things a little difficult.  I didn't engage the guide or negotiate with him to guide me around the temple, and when I tried to explain my predicament he got so angry that he wouldn't listen to me.  I carried that incident for a week, my heart was really sore and I still feel uncomfortable about it - we all make mistakes, this touches my issues with having more than others, with integrity, with taking on things that I don't have to and the hugest lesson in this is to accept how it worked out, to take responsibility for my behaviour and actions and then to let it go and move on.  I am grateful to the guide for being my teacher or guide in a lesson that has plagued me for so many years in my life in South Africa.  I bless him and thank him and now as I write this, I am letting him go.

I have now been to 3 beaches, and I need to say here that they are beautiful and do have palm trees and stall holders and vendors there to make one's life pleasurable and great, but they are so full of litter and the amount of vendors is overwhelming.  How it looks on the travel guides is how it is, its idyllic and beautiful but its also dirty and full of plastic bottles, and packets, wherever one looks.  And people just walk and throw their rubbish onto the ground, everywhere, which I find quite shocking.  But again it is what it is - will we ever deal with the issue of litter and taking responsibility for our waste - I wonder ?

I will write 1 more post from Bali - and I will share my last 10 days with you all - but for now I wish you well, be blessed and stay warm and cozy :-)

Until next time, Om Shanti Om xx

Making a Nest

Its in the glow and unconditional love of the Venus Transit which I am sitting and writing my new post.  There have been the most phenomenal photos I have seen from Nasa - what a privilege it is to be able to see this through this kind of technology.

I haven't been doing much outwardly since my last post, but inwardly I have been on an adventure and this is from where I am writing and sharing.  Having this time to just BE - to do very little - to explore, to write, to research, to connect with nature in silence and alone is a gift of immense proportions and what being in Bali has presented to me so far.  Living in each moment and being completely accepting of what is, is a space that creates millions of possibilities.  What I am discovering more and more is with this acceptance and honouring of what is in each moment, my energy output is reduced and I feel more inclined to just BE and there is no need to chase or create any more energy but what is.  And its a beautiful space to BE in - I AM Divinely Blessed.

Last Friday I plucked up all my courage and went for a drive to find a beach - and wow it was such adventure for me - I have realised on this journey how bad my orientation and directions are and just can't seem to work out where North is, and where I am in any moment - its quite remarkable how lost I have been getting.  Driving in Bali is an adventure, not as crazy as India that's for sure but crazy enough and as I need to go slowly to find things and see things, and the scooters and some of the cars are local and on their own mission to get to point A or B, they must find me extremely frustrating to drive behind.  In order to find my way around and to read the signs, which there are many of thank goodness, is a journey within itself, but through determination and trust, and a hand drawn map from the owner of the car that I am hiring, I found the coast road and was so excited to see the sea and the beautiful mountains.  But I didn't know where to stop, as , once one is out of the "tourist" areas into the rural areas, there is no western restaurants with 'Illy' coffee signs, or western toilets (and trust me when I say I can do Asian toilets and have done them in India, but asking for a toilet in Balinese and finding what is presented is a bit hairy :-).  I needed airtime for my phone and stopped at 3 places where no-one would even serve me and really didn't engage with me at all - it was so weird.  I have since discovered that to ask for time for my phone I need to ask for Credit - and it seems that all cell phone shops do not sell Credit - cell phones and sim cards yes.  Also what was a little difficult to understand was how the parking works and where one can stop to shop, or look at galleries, etc. as on one side of the road there is parking only for scooters and the other for cars - and this is usually on the side of the road where one is not driving.  Parking is a commodity here that actually is very scarce and hard to find - hence most people ride scooters.  Well I drove for 2 hours, got to see wonderful things, and came back to Ubud, hungry and exhausted, but so much wiser and was so proud that I had found where to go, found wonderful roads and places to visit, and was able to come back to Ubud.  So now this week I am on a mission once again to find a beach - wish me luck - doing things like this alone is not as easy as doing it with a group or a guide so I am being gentle on myself.  I still have lots of time to do everything.

The space where I am staying is so perfect, and protected and I am so happy just nesting here, swimming when I am hot, drinking fresh coconut juice daily, eating wonderful organic fresh food, writing, watching How I Met Your Mother, Game of Thrones, Greys Anatomy, reading great books about Bali, and novels here in the guest house, chatting to my daughter in China, friends and loved ones at home, and just being.  And its so wonderful to do this.

Around my guest house are many beautiful places to stay and I have discovered the most amazing little restaurant called "Yellow Flower" - the energy is so wonderful, the food organic, fresh and produced in a tiny kitchen.  They even have raw food and fresh squeezed juices and the other night I had a slice of raw chocolate cake - yum !  On Sunday evenings they have a buffet of 3 courses and an iced tea which is home made and delicious - and the food they presented is out of this world - and traditional with wonderful red and brown rice all grown locally in the rice paddies.   And the walkway to Yellow Flower is a sacred experience, the path is lined with Buddhas, incense, prayers, candles and lanterns, and there is such a tranquility and feeling of peace.  There are amazing places to stay and down each path are many guest houses and bungalows offering such beautiful accommodation.  Mainly western tourists come to the restaurant and I have had some marvelous conversations with people for all over the world each on their own particular journey and reason for being in Bali.

           









I have been for 2 weeks today and leave Bali in exactly 3 weeks - wonderful to have so much time ahead to experience so much or nothing - we will see.  I have amazing things planned for when I leave Bali and my friends in Russia have organised a collaboration running some drumming workshops in St Petersburg and at Grishino Eco Village in Siberia.  What we want to bring into the workshop is a African Song and Dance and with the researching I have been doing, I have been watching many of the 2010 world cup videos.  What an amazing thing happened in South Africa - what unity and colour and absolute joy we experienced during that time - it was amazing and the songs and music and dancing was so alive and rhythmic and filled with something that is hard to express in words.

In 1982 a band called Toto wrote and performed a song called Africa -

I hear the Drums Echoing in the Night,  

is the first line of the lyrics of the song.

And the chorus is :

It's gonna take a lot to take me away from you
There's nothing that a hundred men or more could ever do
I bless the rains down in Africa
Gonna take some time to do the things we never had

I have been watching what is being playing out in South Africa at the moment and what is very different is to see the picture from a distance with a completely different perspective.  I love South Africa so very much and the words of Africa's chorus say so much of how I feel - there is no place like home and I love coming from South Africa.  Our country is amazing and it always helps to take a step backwards and get perspective - and remember its 'gonna take some time to do the things we never had'.



Be blessed - I love you - Om Shanti Om xxx