Cempaka Culture and Tourism: Capturing Borobudur’s Soul

"The Recalibration of Awareness – Apr 20/21, 2012 (Kryon channeled by Lee Carroll) (Subjects: Old Energy, Recalibration Lectures, God / Creator, Religions/Spiritual systems (Catholic Church, Priests/Nun’s, Worship, John Paul Pope, Women in the Church otherwise church will go, Current Pope won’t do it), Middle East, Jews, Governments will change (Internet, Media, Democracies, Dictators, North Korea, Nations voted at once), Integrity (Businesses, Tobacco Companies, Bankers/ Financial Institutes, Pharmaceutical company to collapse), Illuminati (Started in Greece, with Shipping, Financial markets, Stock markets, Pharmaceutical money (fund to build Africa, to develop)), Shift of Human Consciousness, (Old) Souls, Women, Masters to/already come back, Global Unity.... etc.) - (Text version)

“… The Shift in Human Nature

You're starting to see integrity change. Awareness recalibrates integrity, and the Human Being who would sit there and take advantage of another Human Being in an old energy would never do it in a new energy. The reason? It will become intuitive, so this is a shift in Human Nature as well, for in the past you have assumed that people take advantage of people first and integrity comes later. That's just ordinary Human nature.

In the past, Human nature expressed within governments worked like this: If you were stronger than the other one, you simply conquered them. If you were strong, it was an invitation to conquer. If you were weak, it was an invitation to be conquered. No one even thought about it. It was the way of things. The bigger you could have your armies, the better they would do when you sent them out to conquer. That's not how you think today. Did you notice?

Any country that thinks this way today will not survive, for humanity has discovered that the world goes far better by putting things together instead of tearing them apart. The new energy puts the weak and strong together in ways that make sense and that have integrity. Take a look at what happened to some of the businesses in this great land (USA). Up to 30 years ago, when you started realizing some of them didn't have integrity, you eliminated them. What happened to the tobacco companies when you realized they were knowingly addicting your children? Today, they still sell their products to less-aware countries, but that will also change.

What did you do a few years ago when you realized that your bankers were actually selling you homes that they knew you couldn't pay for later? They were walking away, smiling greedily, not thinking about the heartbreak that was to follow when a life's dream would be lost. Dear American, you are in a recession. However, this is like when you prune a tree and cut back the branches. When the tree grows back, you've got control and the branches will grow bigger and stronger than they were before, without the greed factor. Then, if you don't like the way it grows back, you'll prune it again! I tell you this because awareness is now in control of big money. It's right before your eyes, what you're doing. But fear often rules. …”

Wednesday, October 30, 2013

Capturing Borobudur’s Soul

Calm opulence overlooking a Unesco site in Central Java

Jakarta Globe, Anita Surewicz, October 30, 2013

Amanjiwo in Magelang is renowned for its stunning architecture and unspoiled view
of the ninth-century Buddhist monument of Borobudur. (Photo courtesy of Amanjiwo)

Amanjiwo’s clever architectural aesthetic takes center stage from the moment one glimpses Yogyakarta’s Buddhist monument of Borobudur, perfectly framed by the resort’s airy entrance.

Approximately three kilometers away, the ninth-century monument is the main inspiration behind the resort’s intricate design. In fact, Amanjiwo’s circular layout and dramatic domes present an innovative take on the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization World Heritage Site.

Designed by Ed Tuttle — one of America’s best-known architects, who has masterminded a number of Aman’s other resorts including Amanpuri in Phuket, Amankila in Bali, Amanbagh in India’s Rajahstan state and Amanzoe in Kranidi, Greece — Amanjiwo is perhaps one of his most striking creations.

Featuring his characteristic grand sense of perspective and space, Amanjiwo stands majestic yet fits seamlessly into the rich greenery and verdant farmland that surrounds it.

“There is no doubt that Amanjiwo echoes the splendor of Borobudur,” general manager Mark Swinton said. “The circular motifs, geometric design features and crescents hark back to the centuries-old temple patterns of Borobudur.”

Fringed by the limestone Menorah Hills, the Kedu Plain and four volcanoes, Sumbing and Sundoro to the west and Merbabu and Merapi to the east, Amanjiwo, which opened its doors in 1997, preserves the nuance of Borobudur, and its location, through the use of natural materials and muted hues.

“The resort has been constructed from paras Yogya , a locally hewn coral-beige limestone,” Swinton explained. “We have kept the color scheme simple, and have also used a lot of traditional Javanese materials such as coconut wood, sunkai wood and bamboo for decoration.”

While beauty is said to lie in the detail, Amanjiwo’s most striking reference to Borobudur is its main structure, a circular limestone monolith topped by a soaring bell-shaped dome. An ambitious take on Borobudur’s emblematic stupa and circular platforms, the lofty-ceilinged salon houses the resort’s lobby, library, bar and restaurant.

The building, which features stone columns, drop fans, teak wood floors and a silver-leaf ceiling, overlooks a crescent-shaped terrace and its legion of stylish black terrazzo tables and rattan chairs. Murals of scenes from the Hindu Mahabharata epic at either end of the restaurant complete the magnetic picture.

Blink and you will miss the discreet black marble bar that sits inconspicuously to the left of the entrance.

“Amanjiwo’s main structure is on the most part circular so the most challenging aspect of the building process was translating all those curved lines in the drawings into reality,” Swinton said, adding that the resort took two years to construct.

Amanjiwo’s main rotunda is framed by 36 suites set in two semi-circular formations. All are linked to the main building by limestone-walled walkways. Perforated with a rhombus-shaped pattern, the walls bear a resemblance to Borobudur’s smaller stupas.

The suites are lavish yet simple in form and color, reflecting the spiritual ambience of Borobudur. The ash-colored ceilings, caramel-tiled floors and pillared four-poster beds elevated on platforms project a grand yet unassuming sensibility.

“The round gamelan brass pieces at the sunken outdoor bathtubs in the walled-in gardens are a further reference to Borobudur,” Swinton said. “In fact, the interiors and surroundings are so inspirational, we have equipped each suite with a set of watercolors in case any of our guests wish to unleash their inner artist.”

For those not yet convinced, Amanjiwo’s references to the world’s largest Buddhist sanctuary becomes particularly apparent after a visit to the monument. In fact, Amanjiwo offers 4 a.m. sunrise trips to Borobudur — the resort has special early access to the site.

Swinton believes Amanjiwo has captured the winning formula that pays homage to Borobudur’s grandeur. “There are no planned design changes,” he said. “Amanjiwo was designed to be timeless and relevant well into the future.”

Amanjiwo

Desa Majaksingi, Borobudur, Magelang

Tel: 0293 788 333

www.amanresorts.com