Śivarātri: The Light of Śiva and the Night of The Soul
Introduction Once a year, on the 14th day of the 7th month – a day before the new moon –comes a holy night called Śivarātri (more correctly; Mahāśivarātri). Śivarātri is one of the most important Hindu religious celebrations in Indonesia, including Bali. This night is also popularly called “the night of sin cleansing” or “the […]
Balinese Yoga & Yoga in Bali
My first encounter with the word yoga was when I was about ten. My father is a cultural enthusiast, especially its mystical elements. That passion led him to meet various elders that considered mastering specific Balinese Mystical Knowledge. And I am just a kid who likes to take a trip with my father. One day, […]
Balinese Offering as A Meditative Tool
If you have been to Bali, one thing you’ll obviously notice is the offering that spreads almost everywhere. The offering consists of flowers in a different color, put in a vessel made with yellow coconut leaves. It’s called canang, an essential part of Balinese daily life. When you go to someone’s house, the canang is […]
Tantra, Mantra, and Yantra in Balinese Tradition
Tantra, Mantra, and Yantra in Balinese Tradition: The discussion of Tantra, Mantra, and Yantra in Balinese Yogic tradition leads to the discussion of the mystical values of human beings. In Balinese Tantra and Yoga tradition, humans are viewed as a living mantra, a living manuscript, and a living yantra. Although the phrase Tantra, Mantra, and Yantra is not widely used in Balinese Tradition, its essence is the very soul of Balinese spiritual tradition.
Karma Cleansing: A Balinese Tantric Perspectives
Karma cleansing is one trend that is based on eastern spiritual traditions. Many individuals also claim to be able to help other individuals in cleansing their past karma to live a healthier, happier, and wealthier life. Various methods were used, ranging from meditation practices to the use of crystal stones and amulets. I’m not criticizing […]
Essence of Balinese Tantra and Yoga #1
The very heart of Balinese Tantra, Yoga, and all its religious teachings can be summed up in one word, transformation. Either Balinese meditative techniques or ritual is all based on it their transformative purposes. Transforming bad energy into good one; demonic to the divine; human to god, sickness into health, mortal to immortals, earth to […]
The Philosophy and Practice of Ongkāra Yoga in Balinese Tantra (Bird-eye View)
Ongkāra (Sanskrit: Oṁkāra) is the essence of Balinese spiritual tradition. Ongkāra has always been an inseparable part of the socio-cultural and literary tradition in Bali. Ongkāra is chanted as a mantra, written down as an emblem, and becomes an archetypical symbol representing many mystical teachings. As a chanted mantra, Ongkāra is placed as the most […]
Cosmicizing and Divinizing The Body
What we call ‘self’ lies within the body’s boundary, with the skin as the outer edge of the (physical) body. Something that is outside our skin will be called “something else” or “someone else.” Edges of the physical body are easy to comprehend. However, this is not the case with the boundaries of the subtle […]