Balinese Prayers

Be Still

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Many worthwhile activities and likely all celebrations require preparation.

When I look at this picture I see the outfits that were planned, the washed hair, and scrubbed bodies. Flowers have been collected and now adorn their hair. Outside of the scope of this picture I can tell you that flowers and reeds and fruit and beautifully dressed Balinese people are everywhere in the small town centre. 

The preparations lead to this one moment. This focal point. This is the moment they have dressed and prepared for and have been doing so for generations. 

Of course, this isn’t about the flowers and food and outfits. This is about the hope of something beyond the physical world. This is a tangible expression of an intangible devotion to something greater than what we can see and touch. 

You don’t have to believe in God to appreciate this; we all want things the eye cannot see. Love, peace, inspiration, and purpose are intangible and without them, life wouldn’t be worth living. 

Mostly I think we are longing for connection. 

This Balinese community is connected to each other in this multigenerational ceremony; they are connected to their ancestors before them who observed the same rituals. And by growing, harvesting, and adorning themselves in flowers, offering fruit and incense, and blessing water, they are connecting themselves with nature and beauty. 

Most of what we do in our days after we’ve done the things we need to do to survive, is about this connection. Certainly art, music, ritual, creating spaces, eating together, parties, spiritual communities, reading books, good conversations, building things – whatever you do to create –are all attempts to connect to yourself and to something else. Something real. 

Participating in and with the animating energy that is evident all around us in nature is the connection we’re longing for that will once and for all validate our belonging. 

Feeling that connection is worth 

all the preparation 

all the rituals 

all the artistry and

all the gatherings.

Write

What do you do that makes you happily lose track of time? 

Music, art, reading, cooking, gardening, visiting friends, meditating? Do more of that. But really, make a plan to do more of that. Prepare a space in your calendar, in a room, in your mind. Make space for those meaningful connections. They are the most important thing. They are what bring meaning and wholeness and health to your body, mind and soul.