Five Ways To Connect With Your Spirit on The Island of The Gods
Bali is famously known as the Island of Gods because of its transcendent beauty, but there’s more to the story than just that. The official religion here is Balinese Hinduism which means you’ll often see incredibly colourful and vibrant ceremonies happening along the streets of Bali. It’s an uplifting and friendly practice that you can dip a toe into for your own healing and pleasure during your visit.
Whether you’re the spiritual type or not, there’s something to be said for the peace that comes when you open your mind and try new things! So this week we decided to explore a little of the spiritual aspects Bali and suggest some ways for you to get involved as a beginner.
We host hundreds of tourists each year in our stunning villas in Seminyak, Canggu and Ubud so we’ve got a few ideas on where to go and what to do! Whether you’d like to connect with the spirit of this little island, learn about the culture or simply find some serenity on your next Bali holiday don’t hesitate to get in touch.
Here are our top five tips, you can organise any of these experiences by speaking to your Bali villa manager when you arrive.
1.Learn to make offerings
If you’ve been to Bali before, you may have seen the Balinese women leaving small offerings called “Canang” to the Gods on street corners and in doorways. Creating them is a peaceful and meditative practice and if you’d like, we can organise a workshop with a local Ibu where you can learn to weave your own offering to the Gods using coconut leaves, flowers, and fruits. These intricate, colourful little baskets are a form of prayer to balance the energy of the universe. You’ll find yourself feeling peaceful and creative as you lay down your own offering and light a stick of incense to celebrate life.
2. Take a meditative walk through the Jatiluwih rice terraces
If you’re looking for spiritual guidance or healing on your Bali adventure but you’re not too keen on actually visiting a temple or going to a ceremony than the Jatiluwih rice terraces are a great place to start. To get there you’ll need to take a 40-minute drive from Seminyak but you won’t want to leave this UNESCO protected area once you’ve arrived, You can wander through the gorgeous rainforest and rice terraces and connect with nature before retiring to a restaurant to have some healthy food while you take in the great view. This lush green area is known as the lungs of Bali so we encourage you to breathe deep and take in the serenity.
3. Do a private yoga class
For a fraction of the cost as you would pay back home you can organise a private yoga session in your villa with an experienced yoga teacher. This is a fantastic way to enjoy the benefits of yoga without being one of many others in a crowded class. You won’t have to worry about wearing the right outfit or being flexible enough. Our teacher can come to your villa and craft a yoga session that’s right for your level of experience. Yoga can help you to connect with your heart through a series of asanas and meditative techniques which will leave you feeling refreshed and ready to tackle the rest of your Bali holiday.
4. Watch the sunrise from the top of a holy mountain
Climbing Mount Batur is an easy and rewarding sunrise trek that will give you an exhilarating opportunity to watch the sun rise over this blessed island. You’ll start out in the dark of the early morning and spend three hours with a guide who will help you to make your way to the peak. The most incredible moment is when the sun rises to illuminate the island stretching out beneath you. The views are nothing less than awe-inspiring and you’ll feel as close to God as you can possibly be! There are even some hot springs you can stop at on the way home to soak any sore muscles.
5. See a Balinese Healer
If you’ve ever read Eat, Pray, Love than you’ll be aware of the world famous power of Balinese priests who are known as Balian. Locals rely on these healers for every aspect of their health and you too can visit a Balian for a healing and natural prescription. You’ll be taken to the home of the priest and given a proper ceremonial outfit to wear with a sarong and a sash. Then you’ll be able to speak with him about your worries and receive a blessing or a recommendation to help you heal from whatever it is that ails you.
Bali is a wonderful place to relax, there are many stunning sites to see and adventures to be had. So if you’ve had a busy year or you’re here to take a break from a tough situation than connecting with your spirit could be just the answer.
We have a range of villas where you can find peace, quiet and serenity on your Bali stay so don’t hesitate to get in touch. We can help you with your accommodation but our villa managers can also help you to plan your activities too!