Lessons from Bali and Daily Rituals
Two years ago to date, I said ‘YES’ to a VERY last minute trip to Bali.
This was a blessing of an opportunity to go visit a dear friend living down there, and to explore the magic of this land. It was the kind of experience that was presented to me and all signs pointed to 'YES'. I had tried to get down to Bali on two other occasions in years past, and for one reason or another, it was not meant to be.
We spent our time traveling around the country on a motorbike immersing ourselves in the culture, food and finding our breath taken away from the beauty over and over again.
Have you ever found yourself someplace completely in alignment with the flow of the universe?
This trip was a reminder of this for me. My takeaway message of this trip was remembering to trust the process, to go with the flow and momentum without trying to control it:)
I want to share a beautiful daily ritual that I experienced during my time in Bali called :
Canang Sari
Canang is a small, square coconut-leaf basket overflowing with a variety of brilliant flowers, whereas sari means ‘essence.'
Generations of women in every village spend hours weaving together the Canang Sari. The next morning, they are distributed throughout their villages.
The making of these offerings takes a lot of time, and the time represents self-sacrifice to the gods.
They place them at residences, businesses, along the streets and in front of temples. Every Canang Sari lasts for just one day.
These offerings are filled with colorful flowers, where each color represents a specific Hindu god. The three major Hindu Gods known as the Trimurtri are represented by a white lime for Shiva, a red betel nut for Vishnu, and a green Gambier plant for Brahma.
Each flower represents a direction 'North, South, East, West.' White petals to the east representing the god Iswara, red petals to the south for Brahma, yellow flowers to the west for Mahadeva, and blue or green ones to the north for Vishnu.
These are gratitude offerings to each of the gods. Gifts of incense sticks, cigarettes, sachets of coffee, rice crackers, biscuits and coins are placed on top of the flowers. These are gifts of peace, balance
The Canang Sari is placed strategically around properties;
honoring both the higher and lower spirits. A prayer is spoken as smoke from intoxicating burning incense carries the essence of the offering to the gods.
This represents that negativity can be balanced with positivity – thus ensuring harmony.
Bali is a country of harmony.
This was a beautiful practice to witness.. the sacredness of commitment of weaving the Canang and the rituals of gratitude, reflection and community. This prompted me to reflect on my own daily morning practices that I commit to.
Do you have a daily practice that you tend to in your life?
I would love to hear about it!