Here We Go…Again

Our last blog post was in March, 2014.  We had just ended our 14 month journey through the US and Canada and finally settled in San Luis Obispo, California.   After all that traveling around from place to place, we have loved having our own bed every night and our daily routines.   We love our new community and our new friends.  Already we’ve grown quite comfortable in our somewhat predictable lives.     But, for some reason, we seem to not be able to sit still for long. The title of that last blog was “Is the Journey Ever Over?”  And, of course, the answer is never.

The time has come for yet another adventure.  This trip won’t be a year in our SUV, this time we are going on a six-week spiritual pilgrimage to Bali and India.  And just like on our last adventure, we invite you to travel along with us.   We intend to share with those of you at home (still in your comfortable beds) our adventures as we travel by planes, trains, and automobiles around Bali and India.  Part of the joy of the journey is sharing it with others.  Won’t you come along?

A Spiritual Pilgrimage

Note:  This is not a tourist trip or a vacation.  This is a spiritual pilgrimage.

 A spiritual pilgrimage is a trip taken to physical or spiritual spaces which causes the traveler to grow, change, and/or evolve in some fashion.  It is undertaken with a measure of faith that the universe will provide, with the intention that the person will not return unchanged, and with awareness that everything encountered on the path is relevant.  ~ www.kelliesparta.com

This journey is for the purpose of deep personal growth via visiting and learning about great sacred and spiritual sites.  Throughout most of our journey we will be traveling with Atum O’Kane, a spiritual teacher who leads pilgrimages throughout the world.   Atum holds a doctorate in Transpersonal Psychology and has focused his work on the depth psychology of Carl Jung. He is a senior teacher in the Sufi Order International where he served as the Secretary General for twelve years and he has co-taught with Zen Buddhist teachers in an interfaith dialog for over ten years. He was mentored by Reb Zalman Schachter, founder of the Spiritual Eldering Institute.

On this pilgrimage, under Atum’s guidance, we will first visit the enchanted island of Bali.  Not only will we see some of the beautiful temples of this Hindu country, we will also  closely and reverently observe the daily practices of the people of this deeply spiritual land.

Next we will travel to  India, where we will visit the tombs of great Sufi masters in Delhi.  In Bodh Gaya we will sit under the bodhi tree where Buddha found enlightenment, and then we will wade into the Ganges River in Varanasi  – a site that some consider one of the holiest places in the world.    We will also travel to Agra, the site of the majestic Taj Mahal,

In each of these sacred places, we will participate in meditations, teachings, spiritual practices, and creative exercises designed to deepen and enrich the experience.  So you see, a grand journey awaits.  And it’s not just a journey to a distant land, it’s a journey to find the sacred –  a journey to find the  soul of a land, of a people, and maybe even our own.

Finally, We’ve Arrived

Yesterday we arrived in Bali.  The trip was difficult.  A one hour flight to LAX, a fifteen hour flight to Hong Kong, a five hour flight to Dempensar, Bali, and a two hour car ride to Ubud where we will be staying for the next two weeks. I already dread the return flight to SLO.  However, the arduous journey was worth it.  Bali is magical.

We arrived a few days early before we begin our program with Atum.  We wanted some time to recover from traveling and to acclimate ourselves to the area.  (Of course, this means a couple of massages and some shopping at the local vendors.)

We actually aren’t staying in Ubud. Though a wonderful city, it is bustling and crowded with tourist and tourist prices.  Instead we are staying at the Melati Cottages in Penestanan in the Ubud district. It’s an exhilarating 20 minute walk into Ubud.  At first glance, it feels dangerous with the narrow roads, many cars and scooters, and no sidewalks.  But after awhile, you begin to notice there is a rhythm to the chaos.  It all just seems to work.

This area feels a bit more authentic and charming  than downtown Ubud.  I am having reverse sticker shock here.  Imagine this:  A 90 minute massage costs $12 US dollars (including tip).  Our cottage including breakfast is $40 US dollars per day. Our evening meals have been averaging about $10 for the two of us.  And local clothing and jewelry are just a few dollars.   One could get carried away with all the shopping and the dining.

But that’s not why we’re here. This is a pilgrimage.

Tomorrow we begin our journey into the sacred.  Along with about twenty other pilgrims, we  will start a 12 day immersion into the soul and the spirit of Bali.  This adventure promises to be quite meaningful and beautiful.  Look for our future blog posts. We will share pictures, experiences, teachings and personal insights. We hope you enjoy what we share and we would love to hear back from you in the comments below.

Til next time…with love, Kathy and Michael

Tags: Atum O'Kane, Bali, India, Melati Cottages, Ubud

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