A Healing Heart

Bali is covered with culture so rich in tradition. Yesterday was full of different Balinese rituals that we had the opportunity to participate in. We began the day by partaking in a cleansing ceremony that was absolutely breathtaking.

Not knowing what to expect, I came in with an open mind and an open heart. The sensation of water and aromatic flowers being poured over your head was the most pure thing I have ever been a part of. You can’t help but smile as you're being blessed with the water. It gave me an opportunity to reflect on who I am as a person and my path in this life.

Being a senior graduating from college in a few months is scary. It can make you anxious and filled your head with worry. Am I going on the right path? Am I headed in the right direction? What if I mess up? All of these things seemed to disappear as the water washed over me and the priest hummed his blessings. It gave me a chance to reflect on me as an individual, but it also gave me a chance to see that I am taking the right path, even if it means there are struggles and hardships ahead. The ceremony was a way for me to recollect my thoughts and start with a new and refreshed sense of identity. I felt free and cleansed of my worries.

As the day moved along we visited three temples where we were able to join in a ritualized prayer, much like the cleansing ceremony in some ways. The first temple (the monkey temple), I was mostly concerned with whether I was doing everything correctly or not. I didn’t quite have time to fully embrace the thought and prayer portion. By the second temple (the business temple) I was able to appreciate the full ceremony of prayer. It gave me a chance to think of others in my life that need some love sent their way. Health and happiness were at the root of my thoughts. The last temple, the healing temple, had the largest effect on me. I can’t begin to describe the wave of emotions I had while being washed over with water that was blessed from the priest. It had this impact of healing my heart that has felt somewhat broken lately. I watched the broken pieces wash out of me, and then I was able to inhale my new optimism from incense that burned below me.

Before we walked up to the Healing temple, I met a young girl that worked at the store below. Her family helps with the upkeep of the temple. As I was asking her questions about school, she blurted out “You’re beautiful!” I turned and replied, “No, you’re beautiful.” I quickly realized that she was beautiful inside and out. Her smile was infectious and her heart was so genuine. Going to these temples and experiencing these ritualized cleansings has a way of making you feel beautiful inside and out. This was definitely an experience I will always hold on to and cherish forever.