Spiritual Journeys: Visiting a Healer in Bali

Spiritual Journeys: Visiting a Healer in Bali
By Atamyrat

In the heart of Bali, where emerald rice terraces ripple beneath the sun and the incense-scented air hums with prayers, seekers of spiritual solace arrive from far and wide. The island is more than a destination; it is a living, breathing tapestry of rituals, devotion, and unseen energies—a place where the boundaries between the spiritual and the earthly dissolve like mist over the Ayung River at dawn.

As a son of Turkmenistan, a land where desert winds whisper ancient tales and the wisdom of elders flows like the Amu Darya, I have found in Bali a kinship of spirit. Here, too, people look to the old ways, to the healers who cradle tradition in one hand and hope in the other. In both lands, we believe, as the Turkmen proverb goes, “The one who remembers the past, holds the key to the future.”

The Allure of Balinese Healing

To journey to Bali is to step into a realm where healing is a sacred art, practiced by balian—traditional healers whose knowledge is woven from generations of ritual, herbal lore, and communion with the unseen. In the bustling villages and tranquil uplands, these healers are both revered and relied upon, their wisdom shaping the rhythm of village life as surely as the gamelan shapes the night air.

Much like the bakshi of Turkmenistan—storytellers, shamans, and healers who bridge worlds—the Balinese balian are conduits of ancestral power. They are called to their vocation through dreams or omens, guided by spirits and the blessings of the gods. Their methods are as diverse as Bali itself: some specialize in herbal remedies, others in spiritual cleansing, and still others in divination or energy work.

A Day with a Healer: Embracing the Unknown

My own pilgrimage led me to a small compound in Ubud, where bougainvillea tumbled over mossy stones and chickens wandered between shrines. The healer, Pak Made, greeted me with a gentle smile and a gaze that seemed to pierce the fog of doubt that sometimes clouds the traveler’s heart.

He began with a prayer, his hands moving in graceful arcs, weaving protection and intention into the air. The sound of the kul-kul—the wooden temple bell—echoed softly, calling forth the spirits. Pak Made’s voice, low and melodic, reminded me of the Turkmen destan, the epic poems recited by our own healers to awaken courage and remembrance.

He traced my palm with turmeric paste, murmuring ancient incantations. He pressed his thumb to the center of my forehead, a gesture both foreign and familiar, for in Turkmenistan, too, we honor the space between the brows as the seat of insight. Through touch, prayer, and the scent of frangipani, he wove a cocoon of renewal around my weary spirit.

The Ritual of Melukat: Cleansing the Soul

No visit to a Balinese healer is complete without melukat—a sacred water purification ceremony. Clad in a white sarong, I knelt beside a holy spring, the water cool and clear as the mountain streams of my homeland. Pak Made chanted mantras as he poured water over my head, washing away not only dust and sweat, but also the invisible burdens that travelers carry.

The sensation was both physical and metaphysical—a reminder that, as another Turkmen saying goes, “Water is the mirror of the soul.” In that moment, I glimpsed myself anew, cleansed and connected, the boundaries between Bali and Turkmenistan softened by the universal language of healing.

The Meaning Beyond the Miracle

It is tempting, in our restless age, to seek miracles in distant lands. Yet the true gift of visiting a healer in Bali is not a cure or prophecy, but a deepened sense of belonging—to oneself, to the land, and to the ancient web of tradition that sustains us all. The balian remind us that healing is a journey, not a destination; it is a dance with the unseen and a return to what is most essential.

As I left the compound, the sun slipped behind coconut palms, painting the sky in hues of gold and indigo. I carried with me a small offering of flowers, a symbol of gratitude to the spirits and to Pak Made. In the stillness that followed, I remembered another proverb from home: “Wherever you go, take your heart with you.”

Practical Tips for Your Spiritual Journey in Bali

• Respect the Rituals: Always dress modestly and follow your healer’s instructions. Bring a sarong and sash, or borrow one at the temple.
• Approach with Openness: Healing in Bali is rooted in faith and tradition. Come with an open heart and mind, and leave expectations behind.
• Offerings Matter: A small gift—flowers, fruit, or incense—is a meaningful gesture of respect.
• Seek Reputable Healers: Ask locals for recommendations or consult with your hotel or guide. True balian are known for their humility and sincerity.
• Honor the Experience: Whether or not you find the answers you seek, cherish the journey as part of your own story.

Bali, like Turkmenistan, is a land where past and present, seen and unseen, dance in eternal embrace. To visit a healer here is to partake in a timeless ritual—a journey of healing, humility, and hope. For in the words of the wise, “The road to the heart is best traveled with reverence and wonder.” And in Bali, every step is a prayer, every encounter a blessing.