Although I've been home from Bali several weeks, I keep dreaming I'm there...the sounds, the smells, images of the people wash over me:
- The beauty of this island full of flowers and smiling faces.
- The gamelan music, an orchestra of percussion instruments, bells and bamboo flutes that mimic the sounds of a Bali morning - insects, birds, roosters, ocean waves.
- The scent of incense lingering from the daily offerings of carefully crafted coconut or palm frond containers full of colorful flowers, offered to appease the lower gods and honor the higher gods.
- The chaos of cars, trucks and motorbikes carrying whole families and goods to market passing within inches on narrow roads - made safe by the gentle toot or toot-toot that signals passing.
Immersed in the Balinese culture for two weeks, I was reminded there are so many good ways to live. We visited my friend Susan, a psychologist, who lives in Bali. There is no work for her among the locals. They are too happy. Traveling with my daughter Lisa, we mused about what keeps the people contented. Lisa wrote about it in her blog: What the Balinese do for Anxiety.
As part of their Hindu Buddhist religion, as Lisa describes, everyone prepares and dedicates offerings to the gods. Every day. In every home, store and village. Before picking us up, our drivers prayed in their family temples for our safe trips. Children learn very young to play in a gamelan orchestra, and to dance the traditional Balinese dances. The dancing is complex, physically difficult, using every body part including head and eyes, in still and flowing patterns to the sound of the gamelan, each movement carrying meaning. The dances act out familiar stories that are sometimes funny, always teaching moral lessons. Characters include the gods of good and mischief and evil. Beautifully carved sacred masks and elaborate costumes are integral to the dances.
We saw several Balinese dance performances, and one night we were treated to another traditional form of theater - a shadow puppet show. Behind the screen, which we were invited to visit, was an entire family supporting the puppeteer. He told a piece of the traditional Ramayana story - an ancient, epic Hindu story. However, he improvised the telling for the audience (our small group of Americans.) He made it modern and relevant to us, including references to surprising things like Pokemon Go!
Steeped in tradition, ritual and shared beliefs, the Balinese are warm, relaxed and friendly. Good humor abounds. They seem untroubled by questions like, "Who am I?" "Where do I belong?" and "How can I feel safe?" Those questions are answered in the context of their daily lives, living with family, belonging to compound and village, doing the daily rituals, sharing in the many large ceremonies and celebrations.
Bali is an open-hearted culture. Thinking of it makes me happy. I hope my Bali dreams continue.
Since coming home, I've been asking myself questions: how might we build ritual and tradition more solidly into our daily lives? How open-hearted is the United States? And - what might be an American equivalent to the gentle, respectful horn toots on the highways that keep people calm, safe and cared for?
COACHING QUESTIONS
- What new perspective have you gained from visiting other cultures (here or in other countries?)
- What rituals or traditions do you practice in your life?
- How do they help you feel safe and connect you with others?
- What rituals/traditions would you like to create in your life?
- When will you start?
- How do you contribute to the open-heartedness of your culture?
P.S. I promised to follow up on how well StopJetLag worked. It worked! Stopped jetlag in its tracks. Lisa and I recommend it heartily.