Silence Is Golden at Bali’s Silent Retreat

Jakarta Globe, Nadia Bintoro, Jun 28, 2015

Tabanan, Bali. At a time when life is more fast-paced than ever, where everything demands to be attended at once, it is refreshing at times to just switch off and go inward to listen to the one that needs attention the most — ourselves.

Located in Tabanan, about a one hour drive from Denpasar, the Bali Silent Retreat offers the perfect place to do so. As the name suggests, Bali Silent Retreat creates a safe haven to enjoy the art of silence and nothingness amidst the scenic view in the slopes of Mouth Batu Karu.

Reading a book in silence at
the common lounge

Set in an ashram style, the retreat provides a place of sanctuary for rejuvenation and restoration. Nestled amongst the lush rice paddies and dense tropical jungle at the back, the estate occupies massive four hectares piece of land in the quaint village of Mongan.

Accommodation varies and scattered across the land in between the vegetable & herb garden, meditation bale and labyrinth walk. The wooden bungalow at the front offers complete privacy and solitude, while the single rooms creates comfortable private spaces with an open back door view leading to the jungle.

And for those who enjoy the company of others, separate dormitories of eight for men and women are available. All buildings are constructed from recycled timbers in indigenous architectures that speak true to the retreat’s green principle.

Non-denominational and non-religious, there is no daily schedule of practice set in Bali Silent Retreat. No strict rituals or chanting to be done. Visitors are free to roam around, take part in yoga or daily meditation and venture into the labyrinth and jungle for personal meditation. Only one rule remains: all must be done in silence.

I woke up on my first day at the wee hours of 6 a.m. to take part in the morning meditation. Amidst the early morning fog, a majestic view of Mount Batu Karu on the horizon greets me. A golden mass of rice paddies ready to be harvested spread as far as my eyes can see. The local farmers start their work for the day. Our eyes met, and they smiled. This majestic view and this humble morning ritual itself is enough to bring serenity and calm into my mind.

Breathing deeply, I made my way cutting through the dense vegetation that embraces the retreat pathway into the Octagon Bale where the meditation takes place.

Shaped following the sacred geometry, the Octagon Bale is an open space that hosts the “regular” morning and evening yoga and meditation. Both activities are done under guidance of instructors and are targeted for beginners. Yoga varies from hatha yoga to creative flow yoga that aims to restore and rejuvenate. While meditation technique ranges from mindful meditation, contemplation, to chakra balancing to balance energy and spirit.

Further down the bale, an unusual set up of labyrinth is available for personal meditation. A highly personal experience, the labyrinth walking mediation is a chance to connect within, to ask questions and receive answers. The practice is found in just about every major religious tradition in the world and can be found in all over the world, including throughout Africa, South America, India, Europe, Indonesia, Egypt and North America.

The labyrinth in the Bali Silent Retreat is rather a small one of seven circuits and said to be the only labyrinth meditation available in Bali.

The retreat surrounded by ricefields

Surrounded by the lush greenery of the jungle garden, the labyrinth is cornered by eight piling, Each carries a massive crystal rock on top, while the gate hosts another crystal for vibrational balancing. Upon entering the labyrinth, the meditation begins by following the path; being mindful in each step and feeling each sensation as the feet touch the wet grass and depending on your belief, you can also say a prayer or mantra.

An ancient practice, the labyrinth meditation is said to induce receptive states of consciousness. When you walk a labyrinth, you meander back and forth, turning 180 degrees each time you enter a different circuit. As you shift your direction, awareness is also shifted from right brain to left brain which induces heightened consciousness.

Perhaps, it’s the lush trees, perhaps it’s the fresh open air, but I do feel a sense of freedom as I reached the inner center of the labyrinth and decided to stay there to just soak all the feelings.

And for more restful contemplation, participants can also opt to walk the jungle path that leads the way to the actual village jungle (and with the risk and the thrill of a jungle, including encountering spiders and rat snakes). Another more convenient option would be to join the impromptu rice paddy walk or garden jungle tours that happen serendipitously depending on the availability of the volunteers. These events provide not only the chance to gain more knowledge about the retreat, the village and culture of Bali, but also chance to break the silence for a bit. During these walks, participants are allowed to engage in conversation and ask question to the tour leader as long as it take place outside the retreat compound.

A garden tour provides a great way to understand how the retreat operates. Though resort-like, the retreat is not-for-profit and employs green-measures to the extreme.

“The planet has taken care of us, and thus we need to take care of the planet,” Patricia Miklautsch, the founder of Bali Silent Retreat, said on the philosophy. Together with Sangtu, a Balinese naturalist and co-founder of the retreat, they ensure every component of the retreat employs the most sustainable system as possible.

“All the electricity is generated from solar panel, while the water is derived from water distilling or from the spring. And all the vegetables and herbs are coming from our very own garden jungle. They are being harvested and consumed within three hours, so they’re always fresh,” explained Sangtu. “In a sense, it’s a also a meditation in itself; to know where it comes from and to be conscious on your consumption, be it electricity or food.”

Food is indeed an integral part and one of the major factors which keep the visitors silent in awe. In a garden-to-table style, head chef Simon Jongenotter, along with the five kitchen angels prepare daily buffet of vegetarian lunch and dinner. A practitioner of slow food and conscious eating, Jongenotter introduces “new earth cooking” as a food philosophy in the retreat which entails taking responsibility for sourcing, preparing and eating food in unique and healthy ways. The philosophy is translated into vibrant and healthy meals that keep the guests dedicated in their silence as they keep munching and munching.

Eleonora, a guest from Netherlands shared her experienced: “I loved the peace and quiet combined with yoga and meditation and the food — loved the food; so much variation and never a ‘dull’ meal. My mind is so much more calm and clear, now and the wonderful nature filled my heart with happiness.”

Just like Eleonora, given the absence of distraction, I found myself eating and walking more slowly, noticing the simple movement as the birds flying around which I usually don’t do. And after the third day, it’s apparent that the life in silence is all round rewarding and I began to wish it could last forever.

“That is what happens. People come here, originally for one or two days, and they extend. What I wish is for more people to open their heart to the retreat by making it affordable,” Patricia said smiling.

The saying goes “only in silence can you hear yourself.” In the Bali Silent Retreat, I heard wind gushing, cicada’s singing and birds chirping, and  there, I found peace.

Leave the Kids, Take the Bikini

Discovering a luxury holiday utopia nestled on the crystal clear waters of the Indian Ocean

Jakarta Globe, Christabelle Palar,Feb 24, 2015

Club Med Finolhu offers couples and weary city travelers a luxurious holiday
gateway on the azure blue waters of the stunning Maldives islands. (Photo
courtesy of Club Med Finolhu)

It was every shade of blue glimmering under the golden sun. As far as the eye can see, waters so crystal clear one can easily spot baby sharks swimming around among schools of fish.

On a table in the corner was breakfast — a Japanese breakfast menu consisting of freshly baked salmon, rice, soy sauce, seaweed and a bowl of miso soup, with a fruit platter and a bread basket on the side — delivered by a butler whose phone call had woken me up that morning to tell me he had set up my morning meal on the patio while I was asleep. He hoped I didn’t mind.

I set a portable speaker — provided by the hotel — on the table and connected it with my music player so that the tunes of my choice became the soundtrack to the exquisite morning view before me.

Such was the typical morning for guests at Club Med Finolhu, the French resort chain’s newest and first adult-only resort, located in the Maldives.

Known back in the ’80s for its wild, non-stop partying and youthful flare, Club Med today has taken on an almost completely different form, with most of its resort, including those in Indonesia’s islands of Bali and Bintan, catering more and more to families and businesses.

But the establishment of Club Med Finolhu, the resort’s second chain in the Maldives, marks its foray into even newer territories.

Its first Maldives resort, Club Med Kani, located a short five-minute boat ride away from Finolhu, boasts 260 rooms and villas in total, and still has a touch of the Club Med holiday-goers are more acquainted with. Various forms of entertainment — ranging from comedy performances to musicals — is a nightly affair, and both guests and Club Med staff blend together in the parties that typically follow these shows.

The Sunrise Lagoon Villa, with direct access to the shallow waters.
(Photo courtesy of Club Med Finolhu)

At Finolhu, however, the number of rooms is cut down quite significantly. Home to only 52 villas, guests, most of whom are couples on their honeymoon or those taking a break from their daily grind, are guaranteed premium, uninterrupted tranquility and privacy. Every villa is assigned its own butler, who would readily cater to room service requests.

A pathway divides the island into two. One part, which hosts the Sunrise Lagoon Villas and the Sunrise Beach Villas, looks out to where the sun rises every morning — a treat for the early risers.

The other, upon which the Sunset Lagoon Villas and Sunset Beach Villas are located, is where guests can enjoy the crimson Maldivian sunset.

Each villa boasts a spacious bedroom, living room, and shower room, and a private pool with a view of the sea. For guests occupying a lagoon villa, a staircase next to the pool leads right into the shallow water, calling for a dip.

In the resort’s main area, absent is the sound of upbeat, dance music blaring from the speakers I remember from a visit to Club Med Bali last year. All around at the main pool that overlooks the pristine blue waters and a beach, guests are free to sunbathe and relax to soothing, down-tempo music playing. A bar is located just right next to the pool, so that guests are able to maximize on the all-inclusive policy — drinks, food, and activities are covered for in the nightly rate — which Club Med pioneered.

View from the shower room of the resort’s Sunset Lagoon Villa.
(Photo courtesy of Club Med Finolhu)

Going green

The resort’s adult-exclusive policy is not the only thing that sets it apart from its predecessors. Upon reaching the island and walking on the jetty, guests would easily notice solar panels neatly attached on the roof.

“All of the electricity in Finolhu is solar-powered,” Club Med’s country manager for Indonesia Bruno Courbet explains. “There is a lot of sun, although on days when it’s raining and there isn’t enough power, we have a generator to use as backup.”

While popular as a holiday destination, especially among honeymooners, the mention of Maldives over the past few years have not only included tales of its natural beauty, but also its potential to be one of the countries in the world most geographically prone to be affected by climate change and rising water levels.

In December 2004, the Maldives was also one of the countries that had to bear the brunt of the Indian Ocean tsunami, which in the Indonesian province of Aceh saw hundreds of thousands of people killed and missing.

“It was not as bad as Aceh, we did not have a big wave wash over the islands, but the tide was very, very low, my sailing instructor recalled one afternoon as we were slowly leaving the shore on our small sailing boat for four.

“All of these areas were dry, you could see lots of fish jumping around because there was no water,” he says pointing at the waters around us. “After a while, water suddenly kept rising and rising and before you know it our lands were flooded.”

Club Med Kani, built in 2000, was among the holiday destinations affected by this natural disaster.

“All the over-water bungalows were damaged. We closed the village for a few months and rebuilt them,” Bruno says. “We reinforced their structures with concrete [as part of our] prevention [efforts].”

No guests and staffs of the resort were hurt, although electricity was cut off for a while, Bruno explained, adding that sufficient food and water was provided and everyone was evacuated within on week.

A bird's-eye view of the resort. (Photo courtesy of Club Med Finolhu)

With the establishment of Finolhu and its strict use of solar power, Club Med aims to contribute to the environment and the nature that surrounds and sustains both of its Maldives resorts.

“The use of solar-powered electricity is one example of how we can pursue this [as part of our] corporate social responsibility’s direction, particularly so in the Maldives, given its strategic importance in resort destinations,” Bruno adds.

“We hope it will set the benchmark on further development in the Maldives as this country has to be the pioneer of sustainability.”

A snorkeling excursion to several nearby reefs with guests from the resort made it clear just how valuable the surrounding ecosystem was, not only to Club Med, but to the Maldives and its busy tourism industry.

In these deeper waters, colorful fishes I’ve never seen during previous snorkeling trips, swim about in large numbers and feed from the seemingly endless corals. If lucky, one would meet sea turtles, seahorses, and even manta rays. An attempt to count all the different types of fish with my fingers failed, not because my goggles were fogging up, but because one would simply lose track.

Maldives and all of its beauty, above and underwater, proves itself a gem.

Related Article:

Maldives faces challenges as Chinese tourists slow

Obama adviser John Podesta's biggest regret: Keeping America in dark about UFOs

Yahoo News, Caitlin Dickson, February 13, 2015

In this Nov. 19, 2014 file photo, Counselor to the President John Podesta speaks in

 Washington, Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2014. In the year that will pass before the 2016 

campaign for president formally kicks off with the votes in the Iowa Caucus, any

 number of candidates, donors, political operatives — and people who have nothing

 to do with American politics — will shape the race for the White House. (AP Photo/

Manuel Balce Ceneta, File)

Outgoing senior Obama adviser John Podesta reflected on his latest White House stint Friday, listing his favorite moments and biggest regrets from the past year. Chief among them: depriving the American people of the truth about UFOs.

1. Finally, my biggest failure of 2014: Once again not securing the #disclosure of the UFO files. #thetruthisstilloutthere cc: @NYTimesDowd
— John Podesta (@Podesta44) February 13, 2015

Podesta’s longtime fascination with UFOs is well-documented, as his brief political hiatus following four years as President Bill Clinton’s chief of staff freed him up to pursue his otherworldly passion.

At a 2002 press conference organized by the Coalition for Freedom of Information, Podesta spoke on the importance of disclosing government UFO investigations to the public.

“It’s time to find out what the truth really is that’s out there,”  he said. “We ought to do it, really, because it’s right. We ought to do it, quite frankly, because the American people can handle the truth. And we ought to do it because it’s the law.”

Following Podesta’s tweet, Friday, the Washington Post recalled an exchange one of its reporters had with Podesta in 2007. Karen Tumulty had asked Podesta about reports that the Clinton Library in Little Rock, Arkansas, had been bombarded with Freedom of Information Act Requests specifically seeking email correspondence to and from the former chief of staff including terms like “X-Files” and “Area 51.” Podesta’s response, through a spokesperson, was “The truth is out there,” the tagline for the TV show “The X-Files” of which Podesta was known to be a fan.

A 2010 editorial in Missouri’s Columbia Tribune disparaged reports that Podesta had asked an outspoken UFO photographer to stop discussing his knowledge of extraterrestrial activities in public.

“One wonders why Podesta would do such a radical reversal, given his former plea for UFO disclosure,” the editorial implored.

But contrary to the Columbia Tribune’s concerns, Podesta had clearly not abandoned the cause. He wrote an introduction to the 2010 book “UFOs: Generals, Pilots, and Government Officials Go on the Record.”

Unfortunately, Podesta will likely have little time to fill out FOIA requests in his new job at Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign. Perhaps, as his tweet suggests, he’s passing the torch to New York Times columnist Maureen Dowd.

Related Articles:

New Obama Advisor John Podesta An Advocate For UFO Disclosure

John Podesta writes probing foreword for new book on UFOs

US Government Takes First Major Steps Towards UFO Disclosure
Will ET Be Here Soon? NASA Brings Scientists, Theologians Together To Prepare
US Congress has close encounter over extraterrestrial life
US Group Wants Global Effort to Unveil UFO Evidence

Canada's ex-defense minister: U.S. knows how aliens can make us greener

"The Big Picture - You Are Not Alone" -  Feb 2012 (Kryon Channelling by Lee Carroll)

"Common Questions from Non-Lightworkers" - Feb 2012 (Kryon Channelling by Lee Carroll)

"... Question Three: Is there life on other planets?

Are you kidding? There's life everywhere. Everywhere! Right now, your scientists are searching for microbial life on all the planets and their moons in your solar system, and they will eventually find it. They expect to find it. They will eventually understand that the seeds of life are everywhere.

How much life might there be? How long has it been "out there"? When science starts to realize the scope of how long life has been in your galaxy, they will begin to see something counterintuitive to evolution - their own Human history. How old is your Universe? Ask your scientists and they will say about 13 billion years. That's OK. Let's use their numbers. How old is your own planet - 4 or 5 billion, perhaps? Correct. But how old is humanity? Why weren't you here with the dinosaurs? You think the earth wasn't ready? Do you think that perhaps that which controls evolution was a little too stupid to make a Human sooner, but the process could make a dinosaur? Have you ever thought about these things?

If you put the earth's entire history into a 24-hour clock, life itself only started in the last hour and humanity, all of civilization, happened the last few seconds. Isn't that odd to you? Therefore, in a Universe that may be 13 billion years old, you arrived in the last few seconds. Did you ever think maybe you're the newest ones on the block? Well, you'd be right.

If the Universe is really that old, do you think perhaps there are civilizations in your galaxy that might be a billion or more years older than you? If that's the case, do you think perhaps they have gone through anything you're going through? Do you think any of them might have had your DNA attributes? Perhaps they also went through what you are going through spiritually? Perhaps they even went into a quantum ascension status? The answer is dozens of them.

You already know them and you've listed them in your publications. The ones who directly seeded you are called Pleiadians. The ones who seeded them might be Octurian and the ones who seeded them may be even Orion. They're everywhere, and they're all here as well. They're looking at you, for you are the ones who are next, and you are passing this marker of the shift

Oh, dear ones, it's going to be a long time before you really know any of these things to be your reality. The first step is peace on Earth. The next is a new kind of Human evolution that is going to increase your DNA efficiency to 100% and you're going to live a long time. Every time I say that, there are Humans in their intellectual mind saying, "Well, there is a geometric birth rate going on. We're not going to make it. It's going to over-crowd and we are going to run out of food. So what you're saying, Kryon, can't be a good thing. We're all going to be suffering and killing each other for food."

Let me address this, for if that is your thought, Human, you are assuming Humans are stupid and haven't figured out what's going on and why there's so much birth. You assume they can't control it because they haven't figured it out? I want to tell you, you're going to see something you didn't expect. You're going to see a decline in birth rate because Humans are smart and they're getting smarter. They're going to see that quality of life is linked to the number of children they have, and they're going to figure out the solution. It won't be how many children their church says they should have. They are going to do it intuitively. You're going to see it sooner than not.

You are going to see wisdom on the planet in many areas that no sociologist would ever have predicted. You will surprise them all, and it's going to happen without a government program. It's going to happen because you decide you want it. It's going to happen collectively, and you may even see it soon. Look for negative birth rates in first-world countries. Where Humans are able to see a larger picture and have freedom of information, the situation will not be what you have predicted.

Is there life on other planets? The scientists are saying, "It's going to be a long time before we get to the stars, you know? We have to get in this little metal can and put air in it, and then travel in it for years and years before we ever get to the next star." Meanwhile, a Pleiadian can do it in the blink of an eye! What do you think is going on there? Do you even believe me?

Not long ago, if you wanted to communicate to someone far away, you sent a letter. It was carried by a horse. It took a month to get a response. Now you communicate instantly!  Why is this so unbelievable to you about travel?

I will tell you, as long as you stay in 3D, you'll still be getting in little metal cans and air suits and going to planets. As soon as you begin the quantum age, however, you will simply wish yourself there, because you will be entangled with everything and can go with intent. If you don't believe this now, you will later, for what I give you is true. It may be lifetimes and lifetimes from now, but the group that is before me is the group that is going to come back over and over and over. The difference is that you're done coming back in an old energy. This is a new energy. ..”

Kadin and Medco’s Novel CSR Initiative Helps to Light Up Aceh

Jakarta Globe, Feb 08, 2015

Shinta Kamdani, middle, chairwoman of Kadin’s division that deals with environment,
 climate change and sustainable development, symbolically handed over a LED
Sunlife Super Bright, to Aceh Governor Zaini Abdullah. The LED is a solar-powered
light that can shine four times brighter than normal LEDs and can last for up to 30
hours when fully charged. (Photo courtesy of Kadin)

The Indonesian Chambers of Commerce and Industry, known as Kadin, together with Aceh’s provincial government and  listed oil and gas company Medco Energi Internasional, initiated an energy solution program in Aceh.

On Friday, Kadin, Medco and provincial officials from Aceh held a ceremony for the “We Light Up Indonesia” program, where Aceh Governor Zaini Abdullah and East Aceh district head Hasbullah Bin M. Thaib symbolically received a LED Sunlife Super Bright, a solar-powered light that can shine four times brighter than normal LEDs and can last for up to 30 hours when fully charged.

LEDs will be installed in 50 locations, which will be decided by Kadin’s Aceh chapter, the 
local government and local leaders.

“Considering many people in rural areas of Indonesia haven’t yet enjoyed electricity, Kadin … took the initiative to start a program to supply environmentally friendly electricity,” said Shinta Kamdani, chairwoman of Kadin’s division that deals with environment, climate change and sustainable development.

“Kadin hopes this program can 
improve the quality of life of people and help stimulate the economic growth in the region,” she said.

Lukman Mahfoedz, president and chief executive of Medco Energi, said the program is part of Medco Energi’s sustainable corporate social 
responsibility program.

International media reported in January that Medco Group had signed a gas sales deal worth $2 billion to underpin development of the company’s field in the onshore Block A in East Aceh regent.

Aceh Governor Zaini has 
expressed his appreciation of the initiative and hoped the 
program will be continued by other companies in the region.

GlobeAsia