Torajan Traditional Name: How I came to be NeNathan

Posted by Lisa Rizzoli on February 26, 2015 in Bali

When a child is born in Toraja it is given the name “Lei” for a girl or “Tato” for a boy. Around one year old the child is given it’s formal name. Once a couple has a child the mother’s name becomes “Indo + child’s name”, mother of … , father becomes “Ambe’ + child’s name” , father of … This only applies to the first born child. 

Once grandchildren are born both the grandmother and grandfather become  “Nene + name of first born grandchild” or “Ne + grandchild’s name”. 

This lady is a traditional weaver in this village. When she was born, she was called “Lei” then given the name “Mappa”, her first child was born and she became “Indo Pattay” (her first born is named Pattay). When her first grandchild was named “Ita” and she became “Ne Ita” which is what she is called today even though she now has great- grandchildren.

For me:
     Lei
     Lisa 
     Indo Nicole

     Ne Nathan 

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Balinese Cremation Ceremony

Posted by Lisa Rizzoli on February 22, 2015 in Bali

There are many, many spiritual ceremonies in Bali as the Balinese are dedicated and committed to maintaining their spirituality in this world.
I was invited to attended a double cremation ceremony at the beach. I wore my tradition Balinese ceremony outfit; a special sarong, a kabala (brocade blouse) and sash.
The Balinese prepared the temple with offerings and the pyre was constructed as an ornate bamboo container with piped in propane to fuel the fire (wood is scarce in Bali).
In the distance, the sounds of the Balinese gamelan were heard. The procession of Balinese into site as they walked down the street carrying the casket on a colorful altar holding it high. Once they arrive at the site, the men lower the altar, move the casket to the pyre and place the cloth-wrapped, prepared body into the fire chamber of the pyre. All the tools used to transport and prepare the body are tossed into a pile to also be burned.
The holy man offers prayers and the people gather around the body offering flowers and honoring the dead.
The fire-man starts the propane and lights the fire. As it begins to burn, swirling embers rise, a corrugated sheet of metal is placed over the top to contain ashes. The fire-man pokes holes in the sides of the structure with rebar to bring more air in and he “chuk-chuks” the body with a long pole to crush the charred bones. At the end, the ashes are gathered into a box and the men take them out to sea in a tradition Balinese boat. They offer the ashes and flowers to the sea. It is a moving ceremony to witness.

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Arriving in Bali

Posted by Lisa Rizzoli on February 20, 2015 in Bali

After a long journey, I have arrived in Bali, Indonesia.
It began with a five hour drive from Reno to Sunnyvale. I left my house at 6:30am February 18, 2015, drove to Auburn to meet one of the tour members. She lives in the countryside of Auburn. The trees and fields awakened my senses and I drove along a windy country road. Life is rich with beauty when I really take the time to see and feel it!
Then off to Sunnyvale, where things got a bit crazy. I had received a check for Bali and had to cash it. I need cash in Bali to pay for our hotels, adventures, guides and food. Since I bank at a local bank in Reno, I could not cash this check at any bank in Sunnyvale. Problem solving time! Hmmmm how to get cash? I contacted my bank had them increase my limit on my ATM. Many ATMs have limits on how much cash they allow per transactions, so I had to go to a few L. Finally, I got all the cash in $20 bills. I tried to exchange them for $100 bills but the banks will not do that for non-customers. I’ll try at the airport.
I did my first Uber ride. What a gift that was. The driver and I had a wonderful conversation driving to the airport. His wife and child live in India and he lives in the States. He is in the process of doing paperwork (enormous amounts) to bring them here. At the airport he waited until I entered the building, we waved and went out separate ways.
I exchanged many of the $20 and various vendors along my path to the gate. It was a great way to connect and talk with people. What I thought was an inconvenience turned into a blessing! I love this aspect of living a Tantra life, being able to breathe into whatever is happening, release my judgements and see the blessings. It’s an amazing, transformative tool.
My first flight was ten and a half hours to Haneda, Japan. I watched a few movies and cat napped along the way. In Japan, I walked and walked and walked looking at various things throughout the terminal and allowing my body to move and flow. It feels great to walk! After an hour and half in Japan, I boarded the next flight to Bangkok, Thailand, a short six hour flight. Once we arrived, I again took the opportunity to walk the airport. I came across a huge installment of my favorite Hindu story, the story of Amrita (attached are some pictures) and then I found the spa. I have been here before. This time I got a foot and shoulder massage, ahhhh perfect.
One more little four hour flight and I’m in Bali! Total travel time 37 hours from my home to the airport in Bali.
The airport has been renovated and is a bit different and super easy to navigate. I got my visa, went through immigration and customs, found a driver and off to Sanur where I found this cute home-stay. Blessings continue to roll in.
I truly love my life!

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Bali Day 10

Posted by Lisa Rizzoli on February 17, 2015 in Bali

www.embarkuponasacredjourney.com
Day Ten, Wednesday, March 25
After early teachings and breakfast, our group gathers for pickup and transport to the docks of Tanjung Benoa. Today is the group’s final day together and your final adventure is a day of snorkeling among the teeming reefs and pristine waters off Nusa Penida, considered one of the best snorkeling sites in all of Bali.

Nusa Penida’s rich bio-diversity is one of the factors makes it such an attractive dive and snorkeling destination. Expect to see a myriad of different species of marine life in these crystal clear waters.

Keep your eyes open for emperor angel fish, schools of glittering neon damsels, clown trigger fish, puffer fish, bat fish, parrot fish, moray eels, turtles and the occasional reef shark. Though seldom seen this time of year, you might get lucky and spot the amazing Mola Mola, or Ocean Sunfish. Weighing up to 5000 lbs., it’s the world’s largest bony fish.

After an extraordinary day of exploring the incredible beauty of Nusa Penida’s unspoiled reefs, with plenty of time to relax and top up your tan, it’s time to head back to Tanjung Benoa and the hotel. A very special Farewell Dinner awaits you and the group.

Good byes are bitter sweet, especially when you’ve shared so much with each other and made such deep friendships. Lisa and Laz will make sure that email addresses and other contact information is shared so that your connections can continue in the ‘real world’ back home.

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Bali Day 9

Posted by Lisa Rizzoli on February 16, 2015 in Bali

www.embarkuponasacredjourney.com
Day Nine, Tuesday, March 24
This morning after teachings and a quick breakfast, the group boards a shuttle to the ferry landing to catch the boat to Nusa Penida. Directly to the east of south Bali, across the Badung Strait, between Bali and Lombok, are the three sister islands of Nusa Lembongan, Nusa Ceningan and Nusa Penida. Nusa Penida is the largest of the three and for the Balinese Hindus it is an important spiritual destination.

Nusa Penida is known as the black magic island. According to Balinese tradition, in the distant past it was inhabited by demons and ghouls and in particular by the powerful evil spirit I Macaling, the source of disease and misfortune. Priests were sent from a neighboring kingdom and a metaphysical battle of light against darkness was fought.

I Macaling was defeated but not entirely banished. To this day the Balinese blame floods, outbreaks of disease and other misfortunes on I Macaling’s power. Every Balinese Hindu is expected to visit Nusa Penida at least once in his life to honor the balance of light and dark.

Arriving on Nusa Penida, you take the short ride to the temple of Goa Giri Putri – goa means cave. From the parking area you climb 110 steps to the entrance which is a small opening in the rocks. The entrance is so small, in fact. that only one person can pass at a time. After passing 10 feet down and in, this symbolic birth canal opens into a huge, magnificent cave.

Capable of holding up to 5000 people, the cave is nearly the length of 3 football fields with a ceiling almost 500 feet high and contains 6 important shrines. Next to one of the shrines is a lingga and yoni formed naturally from stalactites and stalagmites. Toward the end of the cave system there is a shrine devoted to Dewi Kwan Im (Kwan Yin) Goddess of mercy and compassion.

After saying prayers, making offerings and exploring this sacred site, you return by shuttle to the sleepy port village for lunch and the the ferry ride home.

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Bali Day 8

Posted by Lisa Rizzoli on February 15, 2015 in Bali

www.embarkuponasacredjourney.com
Day Eight, Monday, March 23
Yaaaawwwnnnn… It’s a 1:00 AM wakeup call and hotel check out. At 2:00 AM you and your companions depart for the trek to the top of Gunung Batur at an altitude of 1717 meters (5633 feet). Your hike begins around 3:00 AM with a professional local guide who expertly escorts the group through the rugged climb.

Arriving at the top of the cinder cone, you arrive in plenty of time to greet the rising sun. From here, the view is magnificent. You can look down into the mouth of this still active volcano which erupted as recently as 1994. Looking to the east you can see all the way across the straits to Gunung Rinjani towering over the island of Lombok. Spectacular views to the south east, reveal nearby Gunung Abang and Gunung Agung.

What could be more perfect? Sun salutations at the top of the mountain! Lisa and Laz will lead the group in morning yoga practice and sharing with each other the power, spiritual insights and blessings of this moment.

By now you’re probably feeling a little hungry. There is a small warung near the top where you can stop for a well deserved breakfast of eggs that are cooked in the hot, steamy fumes escaping from the earth’s interior. In the light of day, the hike back down is faster, easier and with the expansive views, even more fun.

You’ve had a strenuous, tiring but profoundly gratifying morning, how about bit of relaxation and pampering for those tired (maybe even sore) muscles?

At the bottom of the trek down, there is a wonderful hot springs and spa. Now is a great time to loosen up and unwind with a leisurely soak in the warm waters and a great massage. Hungry? Lunch is included. Take your time, enjoy the view, the relaxing hot soak, the restorative massage and the delicious food…

When you’re completely sated, you take the afternoon drive south to Tanjung Benoa on the Bukit peninsula and check in to the Mata Hari Terbit hotel. Feel free to snooze along the way…

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Bali Day 6

Posted by Lisa Rizzoli on February 14, 2015 in Bali

www.emarkuponasacredjourney.com
Day Six, Saturday, March 21
Whereas the night before Nyepi is raucous, rowdy and fun, Nyepi itself stands in stark contrast. Nyepi is the Balinese New Year and is known as the Day of Silence.

At 6:00 AM, the entire Island essentially shuts down for 24 hours. This is the day to apply what you have learned in your White Tantra practice. Everyone, including visitors and guests, stays indoors, no one is allowed out on the streets. No fires or cooking are permitted. All outside lights are turned off and inside lights are dimmed and concealed. TV and radio stations do not broadcast and there are no flights in or out of Bali’s international airport. Both working and sexual activity are prohibited. That’s right, you really can’t do anything.

For most Balinese, Nyepi is a day of fasting, meditation and prayer. It is a day of going inward and renewing the spiritual connections with the gods and ancestors.

Very quickly, you realize that the Day of Silence is actually the day of human silence. The wind still soughs through the palms. The roosters still crow and the ducks still quack and squawk. Frogs and insects heed no prohibitions and maintain their boisterous chorus. Nature is noisy!

What is different, however, is that all human sounds have ceased. No buzzing motorbikes or traffic noise, no airplanes droning overhead, no work sounds or music from the neighbors. Only the sounds of nature. And the chattering thoughts inside your own mind.

Today is your day to go inward. To pay attention to your thoughts and feelings. To strengthen your spiritual connection. You and the rest of the group are asked to honor the spirit of the day by observing silence and the other prohibitions. You may choose to fast today but if not, you will have a silent dinner together.

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Bali Day 5

Posted by Lisa Rizzoli on February 13, 2015 in Bali

Day Five, Friday, March 20
After teachings and breakfast, the rest of the day is devoted to learning about Sacred Sexuality and Sexual Healing led by Lisa and Laz.

We will have dinner together followed by a very special treat – the annual Ogoh-ogoh parade, Bali’s New Years Eve celebration.

Today is the day before Nyepi, the Balinese New Year and the focus is on the underworld and addressing demonic energies. During the day throughout Bali, households and businesses scare away the demons and evil spirits by banging pots and pans and making a huge racket. In the evening, giant, brightly painted, papier mache ogres, called Ogoh-ogoh, are paraded through the streets of each village accompanied by the loud percussive music of gongs and drums.

Ogoh-ogoh are meant to purify the natural environment of any spiritual pollutants. At each intersection the Ogoh-ogoh are rotated counter clockwise three times to further bewilder and confuse the evil spirits so that they will go away and cease interfering with the humans. At the end of the procession, the Ogoh-ogoh are burned in a further symbolic purification. In Ubud, it’s a huge, joyful celebration with dozens of Ogoh-ogoh made by different community organizations in competition to see who can create the scariest ogre. Everyone comes out to join in the fun.

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Bali Day 4

Posted by Lisa Rizzoli on February 12, 2015 in Bali

Day Four, Thursday, March 19
After teachings and breakfast, it’s another full day of exploring the magic of Bali. We start with a beautiful morning drive north through the Balinese countryside to the most important and sacred ceremonial site on the entire island, the Mother Temple of Besakih.

Pura Besakih is a grand complex of 22 temples spread over one square mile rising high on the flanks of the sacred volcanic mountain of Gunung Agung, Bali’s highest peak where the Balinese people believe the Gods and spirits of their ancestors dwell.

Pura Besakih is the one site on all of Bali where all the Balinese come together to worship. You are warmly welcomed here and have the opportunity to pray and make offerings to the Gods. Prayers from Besakih are potent. You may want to prepare for this moment before you arrive to truly identify your deepest heart’s desires…

After Pura Besakih, you take a beautiful drive along the rim of the huge caldera or volcanic crater of nearby Gunung Batur to have lunch in Kintamani with a stunning view of the still active volcano and beautiful Lake Batur. It’s nice to have the view of Gunung Batur from this distance and perspective because a few days later you will be climbing it in the middle of the night!

After lunch, you head back toward Ubud, stopping at the sacred springs of Tirta Empul at Tampak Siring. Here, from the base of a huge banyan tree, an artesian spring gushes forth flowing into pools and fountains. In a special pool, thirteen spouts direct the water for special ritual ablutions and purification. This powerful ritual is your opportunity to release old, emotional/mental/spiritual baggage that no longer serves you. Again, thoughtful preparation in advance is a very good idea…

Then it’s back to the hotel for dinner together and if you still have any energy left, a free evening to explore the Ubud nightlife.

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Bali Day 3 -2015

Posted by Lisa Rizzoli on February 11, 2015 in Bali

Day Three, Wednesday, March 18
This morning, after the newly established daily regimen of early morning teaching followed by breakfast, you gather your bags and check out of the hotel. Your ultimate destination today is the artistic and cultural capital of Bali, Ubud. Located in the lower highlands in the central region of Bali, Ubud is cooler and sometimes wetter than the coast.

On the way to Ubud, you quickly leave behind the hustle and bustle of the over built, highly commercial tourist areas of the south to find yourself traveling through the lush rice fields, verdant rain forests and magnificent volcanoes of the Balinese countryside. It’s an amazing, magical contrast. It’s almost like stepping back into an earlier, simpler, more tranquil era where daily life unfolds in a gentle, natural rhythm.

Traveling north, you arrive for lunch overlooking the spectacular and astonishingly beautiful rice terraces of Jatiluhwih. The extensive and uniquely terraced sawah (rice fields) of Jatiluwih were nominated as a UNESCO Cultural World Heritage site. The rice terraces of Jatiluwih are a wonderful example of the ability of humans to live in harmony with nature in a sustainable way.

After lunch and a further drive to Ubud, you check into the historic Tjampuhan Hotel and Spa. Designed in the uniquely Balinese style, the hotel blends into the serene beauty of its natural setting, a verdant hillside overlooking the Oos river. The hotel is the site of the home of the famous artist, Walter Spies. In the 1930’s Spies was instrumental in establishing both Bali’s modern art scene and its profile as an international tourist destination in the mid-twentieth century.

After settling in to your hotel, you have a final adventure organized for the day. A short walk from the hotel is an historic bridge that overlooks the confluence of the Oos and Campuhan rivers. Below the main bridge, a smaller foot bridge takes you across the Campuhan river to a small but important temple that overlooks and blesses the joining of the waters. From the temple there is foot path that follows the crest of the ridge created by the land dropping away into the deep ravines formed by the two rivers, This delightful hour long hike is known as the Campuhan Ridge Walk. You join your comrades around 5:15 to enjoy the hike just before sunset.
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