Raya Nyepi is the Balinese new year. If you want to find out more about this festival, please do a search on the internet. I am going to just write about how this day went for us.
The whole island of Bali was basically shut. We were not allowed to go out. It was quiet and completely dark out at night. No light, no noise. All stores were closed. We could easily label this day as "Earth Day".
Our homestay host prepared three meals for us on this day. All meal were pre-cooked before dawn as after which you were not suppose to have any action in the kitchen. The action and fire would draw the attention of the demons and they would not leave town because of that.
We sat on the terrace restaurant of the homestay and had a very quiet breakfast. You talked as softly as you could. The only person who allowed on the street were the policemen, they made sure no one broke the rule.
For Eron this was an interesting experience, imagine coming from a city where everyday is action day. I told him about the story of the Nyepi and to this day he still remembers it. It was his first "demon" story and he was totally fascinated.
For people who live right on the busiest streets in Ubud, the peacefulness and quietness of this day is much appreciated. You don't see the usual hassles and buzzles on the street, no one is trying to sell you anything, no pollution, no nothing and I can imagine the whole of Bali island being a "dead" town. No wonder the demons find it boring and decided to leave the island!
We were going to watch the new year's eve parade where the big Ogoh-ogohs were out and calling and scaring away the evil spirits. We did not make it. We were too tired after a long day and I do not typically like huge crowds.
Eron and I did some of our home school work together and relaxed.
You can really emerge into deep thoughts when you are in a extremely quiet surrounding. It was the perfect moment, at least for me, to cultivate the inner space and fill it with peace and love. You see more clearly and realize what is really important in life.
Looking inwardly, what is sustaining our lives on earth? Air, food, water, sunshine, shelter and clothing. Can we get those without the use of money? Absolutely.
Money is a form of energy exchange and it is important. But if we think that nothing is possible without it, we are being controlled by it. It is time to rethink about it's true value. Someone told me once, "At the end of the day, we can not eat money, if that is what is left for us."
I had a chat with my Balinese friend the other day. I was telling them, in Bali, if you have land to grow food, have a shelter, you are rich. They do not agree.
They told me that they have to spend a lot of monies on religious ceremonies, which almost happen everyday in their lives. They are truly devoted to their traditions and beliefs.
Balinese, in my opinion, are very hard working, contented and down to earth people. Their religious beliefs and ceremonies are above all else. They live their religion. I would like to see that their lives continue to flourish rather than going downhill with all the incoming foreign investments and influence.
I would like to see more, much more happy Balinese people.
The Royal Ngepi day went well, we survived with just candlelight at night.
