A good few years ago my family and I lived for a magical month on the island of Bali, an unforgettable immersion of scented incense, kind people and flowing waters.
A gentle releasing of the hard clamp of too busy lives, the chance to softly welcome the arrival of the newest family member. The afternoon breezes and the clear, bright stars grounded us and for me particularly, gave me space to finally listen to the whispers of inspiration telling me I was a healer and it was time to honour my soul’s calling.
The fireflies are dancing amid frangipani scents and frogs with padded feet stir the pond water, croaking far louder than their tiny size. Our molecules start to slowly unwind and flower. We’ve spent the evening under a crescent moon in the centre of Ubud. A fire-dance performance … swirling, stamping, demon-grimancing and traditional gamelan music crashing around us. My four year old granddaughter jumps up and spontaneously stamps and gestures in perfect imitation of the dancers on stage and receives her own applause from the audience.
Later, supper under filigree lanterns. Crisp vegetables, spice sauces glistening over delicate portions of ducks from the paddy fields and fruit-spiked rice. A sleepy child and contented baby reassure us on the taxi drive afterward.
And home to the villa perched among the rice fields shimmering with starlight and white winged birds. We toast the cicadas and the shadowy bulk of Mt Agung with a fragrant tea and idly explore tomorrow. A sway of wind in the feathered trees reminds us dawn can’t be far away. The others head for bed but I breathe in the lotus air reluctant to surrender to sleep.
Like a ground mist, thoughts drift to shrines wrapped tenderly in yellow silk and the colour-filled offerings left by graceful women. The incense, gongs, hands placed palm to palm reverberate like a chant through me.
A silver, unbroken thread of sacred awareness. Dare I listen to the whispers of my soul offering vistas unimagined, promises and my heart’s desire? A shooting star flashes out across the star field. Dare I refuse.
Love in all the dimensions
Susan x
such evocative music 🎶