WHAT I DID TODAY A very long ways from the Western world, in a little village on the island of Bali, I got all dressed up, with a cool little hat and traditional Balinese clothes. Then, I rode my bicycle 2 km to a sacred location to witnesses 15 grown men go into a trance and vigorously attempt to stab themselves in every way possible. They were surrounded by some of the most beautiful women in the world, dressed up in incredibly exotic costumes and dancing around the perimeter. There were offerings of fruit and flowers everywhere, piled high. A stunningly talented traditional jazz fusion band played the sound track, (the gamelang orchestra sounds like Jazz:) and their entire performance was executed by using only a pentatonic scale and drone notes played on giant gongs. Every once in a while, one of the audience would go into a spontaneous trance, and wig out. He or she would be gently calmed down by the emergency spiritual medical technicians standing by, whos day jobs are mostly temple officials. Mantra chanters were everywhere, wafting in and out along with the accompanying incense, which perfumed everything and everyone. In this one day, I witnessed the following: Incredible displays of psychic attunement. Amazing Energy work. Group meditation. Mantra Chanting. Traditional visualization exercises. Brilliant music. Enchanting dancers. Several thousand people all praying together. Everything that was done there today was, ultimately, for the purpose of eventually attaining the Hindu goal of Moksa, which is: losing ones identification with the animal body, so that ones attention is then focused on the energetic, or spiritual body, so that one will not need to reincarnate again in the third dimension. Several thousand people attended this shindig, and at the end, they all sat down together and prayed. As it was clear to the attendees nearest me that I knew what I was doing, I sat down, borrowed some flower and incense from the nearest Balinese woman, and prayed with them. I have been doing this sort of thing for many years. And today, just like every other time I have done this, I was the only Bule (foreigner) sitting there with them. I suppose that might be a reason to feel proud; that I could participate in that. Instead, I felt sad, and alone. Tens of thousands of my expat brothers and sisters are living here on this amazing island, and I didnt see a one of them.
Posted on: Wed, 20 Nov 2013 03:40:45 +0000
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