Rediscovering the Sacred

When I spent 3 months in Bali in 2019, one of the most beautiful aspects I learnt to appreciate about Balinese culture was the sacredness of day-to-day life.

From the daily small flower offerings in and around the house, to gathering the whole village at the temple, to honouring and maintaining sacred landmarks - Balinese culture lives and breathes connection to the Divine.

One of the most remarkable experiences was showing my niece and her friend this lovely sacred spring called Tirta Gangga, tucked away in the end of a small dirt road just outside of Ubud. Friends had shown it to me before, but this time we were greeted by a female priest who was tending to a small Shiva shrine right next to it.

She asked us "Ceremony?" and imagining she would make a little offering with us, we agreed. Instead, over the next hour she led us through a completely unexpected, beautiful cleansing and bathing ritual. Since we had our swimmers with us, she sat us down in the stream, washed us with mud, had it bake dry on us, then wash it off, all the way giving blessings with different waters, flowers and finally, incense. Initially we didn't quite know what to expect, as she didn't speak enough English to explain. But it was the most beautiful and revitalising experience, and the kindest gesture on her part, to make so much time for us.

What she didn't know was that this was my last day in Ubud and I had been feeling sad for days about letting it go, leaving friends behind and moving on. So to me, this unexpected gift was much more than just a sweet gesture, it was the most wonderful farewell blessing.

Bali will forever be in my heart as a place of healing, recovery, joy and reconnection to myself. A place of friendship and adventure, of feeling free and having ample time to heal and listen within.

What have been your biggest blessings in life? And how do you honour the Divine (in whichever way you perceive it) in your life?