Cycles

  Ubud, Bali, Indonesia
Tuesday, April 7, 2009

Om Swastiatsu! I want to start with a fond memory of my childhood friends Nick and Randall...remember that trip to the Jersey Shore and the night the three of us plus Todd and Pete sat around talking about cycles?  How deep we dove into the realms of how life and all that we do is related to cycles...it's funny to think that at 19 we innately had a bit of a clue about something.  I realize this more and more as I move on my path and especially as I go deeper into my study and practice of yoga.  And now being on Bali where the cyclical nature of being is lived and honored every single moment of each day...wow, it's right here for me to look at and understand even more. 
  Bali is a Hindu island, yet there are distinct differences in Balinese Hinduism compared to Indian Hinduism.  The Balinese also honor the Trinity of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva (Wishnu and Shiwa here) and these three interweave to balance the harmony of life that is present here.  It was explained to me in a really beautiful way the other night when I was at Kirtan, a way that made me feel better about anything that could happen in life, whether you want to deem it 'good' or 'bad'.  At any point in life we are either in a state of Creation (Brahma), Sustaining (Vishnu) or Dissolution/Clearance (Shiva).  Perhaps new seeds are budding within us and we are in an active state of excitement and creative growth.  Or maybe we are in a state of contentment and feel even or stable with what's going on.  And then there are those whirlwind times where everything crashes and things seem to be desperately wrong, but we're really just in a state of clearing so new beginnings can come again.  It's all about cycles, baby.  Someone else pointed out that instead of thinking something happened 'to you', it's happening 'for you'.  For some reason, all these musings clicked little lightbulbs in my head and I like this way of thinking.  Thank you, Bali. 

Maybe these thoughts can bring some good feelings to you too, especially during the hard times.  The clearance comes in so better things can come later on.  Change.  Growth.  Cycles.        

OK, that was the section of this blog "Deep Thoughts with Heather".  Now I'll tell you about what I've been doing here!  It's been an amazing three weeks and there is everything to love about Bali.  It's a magical place (yes, like Fairyland at times) filled with so much wonder and beauty.  Everything around me is beautiful here and appeals to all the senses:  constant incense wafting, colorful offerings to the Gods placed in tiny banana leaf baskets in the temples and on the streets, lush gardens fiilled with fragrant frangipani and champaka, the Balinese people and their special temple dress with sarong and sash.  It's very special to be in a place where it's socially acceptable for men to wear flowers behind their ears.  And how happy am I to see statues of Ganesha everywhere I go!  I rented a bicycle long-term and love riding around and exploring through the rice paddies and side streets.


There seems to always be a ceremony going on and Balinese are constantly making offerings to please the Gods.  On March 26th they celebrated Nyepi, the Balinese New Year.  This was a very unique day because it is forbidden to leave the home compound and go into the streets.  It's believed that the Gods will bypass the area and leave it in peace if they are tricked to believe no one is around.  So people don't even light fires to cook or use minimal to no electricity.  It's a day of silence for many (no talking), meditation, etc.  I was on a yoga retreat/training with Shiva Rea and it was probably one of the most special new year's I've ever had because it was filled with so much ritual, heart and peace.  Such an interesting contrast to how the West celebrates New Year; I like the Balinese way much better.  A time for letting go and renewal--cycles again!

I did an 8 day yoga retreat and teacher training module with Shiva Rea which was incredible and transformative on so many levels.  Words can't express all I learned and how happy I am that I studied with her.  I knew my practice would grow from what she had to share with me; I knew I had seeds planted that needed to be watered a little bit more.  My last travel blog was called 'Living yoga on and off the mat'.  But
I've figured out there really is no difference, no split.  It's living yoga all the time.  That mat is
just a piece of flypaper anway.  Enter the matless universe.


I live in a sweet little house within a family compound; it's like a homestay.  There are three families and they are all so kind.  My house is right next to the family temple and I love that.  My dear friend, Doah that I met here also lives in a little house in the compound, around the corner from me.  So it's homey.


My days are full with lots of learning, observing (I love looking around!) and being.  I have a lot of time for my yoga practice and have been really getting into the dance community here, with 'classes' offered at The Yoga Barn, the main yoga studio here in Ubud.  One is called 'Ecstatic Dance' and on Sunday mornings a bunch of us get together with music and just move!  The other is 'Contact Improv' and it involves connecting through movement and dance in contact with others.  In some ways it can relate to Contact Yoga, Partner Yoga or Acro Yoga by tuning in to your partner's energy and flowing with them.  It's all about trust and not getting attached; human touch without commitment or intention in an underlying way.  It's very beautfiul and it's feeding something within me right now.  There's a great community of travelers and expats here and I feel so grateful to have such wonderful people around to get to know and learn from.



Doah, Khira and I went to the beach, a little island off Bali called Nusa Lembongan...it was incredible!  Talk about paradise with peace and quiet.  Blissful.


Today I visited Besikih, the Mother Temple of Bali at the foot of volcano Mount Agung.  Of course there was a ceremony going on and it was very special to be there.  I'm always in awe where ever I travel when religion is truly a way of life and being.


There's a lot of potent energy here on Bali--a lot of fire and water; some big time Shakti, feminine energy that puts you in touch with your sensual nature and your ambition to be creative and grow.  It can really make you look at your 'stuff' and see it.  It's a good place for me to be right now.  Cycles.  My only complaint:  I wish it wasn't so hot!  What I would give for a snowstorm!  

My last travel blog was called 'Living yoga on and off the mat'.  But I've figured out there really is no difference, no split.  That mat is just a piece of flypaper anway.  Enter the matless universe.

OK, I've written more than I normally do in these blogs, but I guess I had a lot to share.  I send you an infinite number of blessings from the land of blessings and beauty!

Love,
Heather