Bali is a Healing Haven

Bali seems to bring out the hippy in me. I disconnect from my highly driven city self very comfortably. Here my goal is just to rest, relax, cleanse and heal. No strict schedule, minimal stress. The only important decisions I need to make are which yoga class to take and which vegan resto will we eat (or drink) at.

I’ve met a number of interesting people here doing extended stays in Bali. And almost all of them have been healers of some sort. Bali is known as the purification center of the world and it attracts spiritual types, particularly in Ubud. I can make an educated guess that there are perhaps more healers here per square foot than any other place on the planet. And that includes Balinese healers as well as healers from all over the globe.

I haven’t been to a Balinese healer yet on this trip but plan on doing so after I fast. In the meantime my energy seems to be attracting lots of healers. Sitting at my favorite raw restaurant during a rainstorm yesterday, a lovely soul from England named Sapphire felt compelled to give me a psychic reading and body scan. She had me lay down and hung an ancient Thai amulet over me, which would rotate or move in different directions depending on what she asked of it. She said she didn’t perceive me as being sick and that my energy is moving forward. Perhaps big changes for me to come. I won’t get into details but she hit some poignant notes and it was all very positive so that made me smile.

We learned about something (from another healer) called Laughing Meditation or Laughter Yoga. I’d never heard of that but I love the concept. Who doesn’t love to laugh? I found it very healing to be in situations where I’d laugh a lot while I was going through cancer treatment. We also were approached by a healer guy who does breathwork combined with an ice bath. He went from table to table self-promoting but was so passionate about his chosen healing modality that we had to listen.

I’ve gotten referrals to a number of Balinese healers too, and it can be a little overwhelming because so many of them sound amazing and legit. Back in the day you didn’t pay for a session with a healer, you brought them an offering. Nowadays you pay, but it’s respectful to bring them an altar offering too, flowers, incense. One sounds super amazing and it turns out she was featured in the book and film “Eat Pray Love”. Her price is extremely high but it seems everyone who’s had a session with her feels it’s well worth it. Another healer I’ve heard about ingests the toxins from the subject’s body they’re working with, and then regurgitates it out. It’s an exhausting process for that healer, no doubt.

Wayan, of Eat Pray Love fame, is still a humble healer (photo borrowed from Baliwanderlust)

I’m sure I’ll have more to share on that topic once I experience a session with a Balinese healer myself. For now I’m focusing on cleansing and I’ll be more receptive spiritually once I’m physically cleansed.