Postcards From Bali - Spiritual Day
Today was amazing. It was also quite full.
We started off the day going to the Tirta Empul Temple. This temple is a sacred Balinese Hindu temple dedicated to Vishnu, the Hindu god of water. We had the option to shop OR participate in a ritual of purification. The purification is known as melukat. Guess which one I chose!
Since I knew ahead of time I would be doing the purification, I had my swimsuit on under my clothes. When we got to the temple, we were given sarongs to wear into the temple (because the bottom half of our bodies are dirty). Then we separated into those that were going shopping and those that were participating in the purification.
Those that were doing the purification were guided to a room to change into a swimsuit and black sarong. We were given a locker to put all of our belongings in and given a wristband key. I had no idea how to put on a sarong properly so I had to get help. I found out it wraps around you and then you pull it around your neck and tie in the back.
Then we walked to the area where the spring water and the water fountains were. It was like a pool with rocks on the bottom and a bunch of fountains along one side. We were instructed to take our shoes off and get in the water. Then we were to start at the first fountain and work our way through all the fountains. At each fountain, you put your hands to pray position, said a brief prayer of whatever (whoever) you pray to and then cup your hands, gather water in your hands and splash your face three times. After that, you soak your head under the fountain. I was drenched when we left. Luckily, I had brought dry clothes so I didn't have to stay in my swimsuit. Sounds fun, doesn't it! Oh, I forgot to mention, there were also fish in the pool swimming around. It took probably 30 - 45 minutes to go to each one but it was definitely a very spiritual moment.
After we finished there, we headed to a Pemulan Bali coffee plantation. This one shocked me. They had all different spices and fruits growing along with the coffee beans. We walked through the plantation looking at the different types of coffee and different spices they used in the coffees they made.
Guess what? This is also where they make Luwak Coffee. Yes, this is the coffee that the mongoose eats and then poops it out and then it is turned into coffee. Ever heard of it? I swore I would never try it but one of the other ladies and I on the tour decided to share a cup.
As we continued to walk the plantation, we ran into a mongoose. Now, here's where we found out the interesting part. The mongoose only picks the best beans to eat. He smells everything before he eats it and is apparently quite picky. And also friendly. We actually got to pet him.
Continuing on, we reached an area filled with picnic tables. As we all sat down, the staff were bringing samples of about 12 different types of coffee and tea. Avocado coffee is my new favorite.
As for the Luwak, Gigi and I ordered a cup to share. They brought the machine to us so we could watch the process. Quite interesting.
Next we went to the Tegalalang Rice Terraces. Stunning! They had swings that went out over the terraces but I wasn't quite ready for that when I saw how they swung you out. Later I found out they could do it more gently. Maybe they will have them in Benoa.
Going back a little, yesterday one of our guides mentioned his grandfather had been a healer. He didn't say much about it but I couldn't get it out of my head. I kept saying I was going to find one here but hadn't done anything to research yet.
This morning when I saw the guide I asked him if he knew anywhere I could find one. He said he would. By the end of the day he had found one and made me an appointment with one. He said the original one he wanted wasn't available and the only other one he trusted was the one in his village. Guess where we went. His village! He hired a driver and we drove 45 minutes to his village.
I had no idea what to expect and was a little nervous about meeting an authentic healer. On our way we had to stop to get "offerings". I'm not sure what this consisted of even though I was standing right next to Murjana (tour guide) when he purchased it. Vegetables and flowers I think. Oh, and an incense stick.
Next we had to stop and pick up a yellow coconut. I forgot what the difference is between yellow and green but apparently the yellow are not really for eating.
When we got to the location, we got out of the car. The driver had to get me a sarong out of the back of the car because I needed to wear one to meet the healer. And my shoulders had to be covered also (which they were). He handed it to me as if I knew how I was supposed to wear it. Then I saw a woman walking up to me smiling. Murjana introduced her as his wife. She was so sweet! She took the sarong out of my hands and put it on me the way it needed to be worn. Then she took a red tie and tied it around me to keep the sarong in place.
The village itself reminded me of a village in Mexico. Adorable. Kids running around playing, dogs laying around, chickens in the back yard. The house we went to was exactly the same. I don't know what I was expecting, but it wasn't this.
I met the healer and he told me where to sit (well actually he told Murjana) and we sat on this little step outside. I watched the healer go into a doorway a little ways away. Shortly afterward he came out with "stuff" and started doing something at two temples he had made in the back yard. There were still kids and dogs running around but he paid no attention. He was preparing.
He finally called me to come into the same room he had been coming in and out of. It was a narrow "room" and had a temple built at the end. Then there was a cushion in front that he sat down on. Then he instructed me to sit down on a Hello Kitty blanket in front of him (yep, Hello Kitty).
But hey, what the heck. Murjana came in behind me and sat down on the concrete. I forgot to mention this was a concrete building. There was no more room for anyone else to come in and there was no door. Just a doorway. He began talking. He spoke about 10 words of English but Murjana (tour guide) was translating for me.
The process went as follows:
When he was outside doing things before I came in, he was preparing the temple with the offerings and incense.
He called me in and sat in front of me. He said something and Murjana asked if it was alright that he sprinkled my head with water. I said yes.
The healer proceeded to chant. He had long straw sticks in his hands and used them to soak my head.
Next he chanted.
Then we went outside and he stood in front of me. He had a kettle of water. I was to cup my hands and he would pour water into them. I was to drink the water. He did this eleven times. Then he poured water into my cupped hands eleven times and I was to splash it on my face. Finally, he poured water on my head eleven times. As things fell out of my hair, I realized the holy water had some of the ingredients I had given to him as an offering.
Then we went back inside and he chanted more.
He told me to sit in front of him. I was to think about what I was asking from him and to meditate on that. He had set a basket of the flowers from the offering in front of me and the incense stick that he lit.
I meditated longer than I ever had. It was so interesting because I could hear the children outside but it only added to what I was meditating to.
Finally, I was done meditating. He prayed a little more to the temple.
Next I had to do the water process (drink, face, head) again. Only three times though.
The final step was me praying with him. He was facing the temple. I was facing his back. He instructed me (through Murjana) which flowers to put in between my hands and hold above my head in prayer formation. We did about 5 prayers.
He put rice on top of my head, my forehead, my chest, and behind my ears. I am to leave it there until if falls off.
Then we were done. Wow! So many feelings. I was shocked when Murjana told me I meditated for over 20 minutes. My norm is 10.
He said I had no bad energy in my body or heart but I did have struggles in my head. That is what he was going to continue praying things would get better for me.
I don't have photos of this with the exception of a couple. Murjana took a couple and I took one when I got back to the hotel with the rice still intact.
I could go on and on writing about this experience but I won't. I've met Shamans and been blessed before but always in a group setting. This was personal to only me. I am so grateful for my tour guide and for the healer being available on such short notice. This is the last day in Ubud before I head to Benoa where there will likely be no authentic healers.
Now I'm writing. My other happy place in life. But it's time for bed.
Sweet dreams to all!
Love,
Ruthie 🩶
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