Bali is undoubtedly a mecca for those looking to explore their minds and evolve spiritually. Visitors can choose from a variety of practices and experiences, and it starts with simple things like yoga and meditation and ends with shady and illegal substances.
For so long, people from all over the world have been drawn to Bali because of its unique religion and irreplaceable atmosphere. There’s no better place to meditate than a tranquil beach or your balcony with a view of endless green fields. There’s no better tune for a meditative state than Balinese melodies and singing. And I’m sure everybody who has been to Bali took a second to enjoy the moment of watching a local woman making an offering.
The idea of “looking for yourself” is widely criticized, especially when people do something and go to a new place to find themselves. So many fables teach us that happiness is inside, and we must look inward to solve our problems and find peace. It doesn’t stop us from trying meditation retreats and costly coaching sessions in places like Bali. And it gets criticized even more.
All the exciting spiritual and psychological practices work better in this beautiful scenery. Can you do breathwork on your couch in a tiny flat somewhere in Europe? Yes, but doing it in a bamboo chalet somewhere in Ubud hits different. Playing an ancient game in the jungle, doing group yoga on the beach, watching the pink sunset after a therapy session – whatever you do for your inner peace sounds a bit better in Bali. It can be pretty helpful as long as we don’t substitute inner work with external beauty.
Coming from Siberia, I can’t get enough of endless sun, evergreen jungles, and never freezing water. You don’t need to dress up much, you don’t have to fight the weather (if you weren’t unlucky to get stuck in heavy rain, but it passes too), and you don’t have to think about mundane tasks if you’re on vacation. It’s easier to go through your day in a place like Bali and focus on something that matters most.
We got used to mocking impressionable people in baggy pants claiming the island did or didn’t “accept” them, or it’s “testing” them. But if we stop for a second, we can interpret our daily life here this way. When frangipani falls right on your bike in the morning, you take a second to enjoy its beauty.
When you witness a colorful ceremony in a temple and see a group of people united by the same values working together, when you drive through lush rice fields that look better than on Instagram, reality turns out to be much brighter than the imaginary world we’re building.
May it be Bali teaching you something? Maybe a sign or a prophecy? Perhaps you need to book a coaching or a breathwork session to speak about something or, vice versa, keep silent for an hour? Or send your mom your recent selfie and meet up with a friend for a sober brunch?
You only need to look inwards to find yourself, and Bali creates the perfect context for your inner journey.
About the Author: Kseniya Strukova is an author and blogger. She began contributing to Instant Karma a year ago. Kseniya writes about traveling, social issues, and spiritual and mindful experiences.
You can find her at our magazine pick-up points drinking latte and making reels.
Connect with her on IG @xeniyastrukova
English