Bali Reflections: Seven Initial Observations on the Island's Spiritual Essence

It's my first time in Asia, and I'm trying to take everything in with the curiosity of a child—without knowing what to expect, just observing as much as I can. I purposefully didn’t do much research on what to do and see here or read about Balinese culture and history.

It's interesting because I used to criticize people who travelled like I do now. I found it disrespectful to visit a country without learning something about its culture and picking up a few key phrases, such as "hello" and "goodbye."

To be fair, I did learn a few words, but since everyone speaks English, I feel intimidated by the pronunciation. Still, that’s no excuse, right? I limited my research precisely because I want to learn about the culture through observation and interactions. Here’s what I’ve observed in the first week of being here:

1. Genuine Kindness: The people are incredibly humble and respectful. They are warm and welcoming, and all the women smile. I often wonder what it’s like for them to be surrounded by so many tourists from different cultures. While it’s beneficial for business and the economy, I can’t help but wonder if they are genuinely happy to welcome foreigners, or whether it's something they have to tolerate.

2. Every House is a Temple: One striking thing is how most homes resemble temples. Seriously, the entrances to these homes are so spiritual. Each one has an altar in front where the Balinese place a small arrangement daily, often with fresh flowers or fruits. You’ll find these offerings on the ground in front of businesses like restaurants and spas; they are offerings to the gods.

3. Being healthy doesn't have to cost a lot: My journey to Bali took about 40 hours in total, including two stopovers with long layovers (one in Japan and another in Malaysia). So, I decided to take the first few days to relax and not go out much, except for a meal and a good cup of coffee. One thing I really needed, though, was a good massage! The Balinese style massage was just what I needed—a combination of deep tissue and relaxation, including foot and head massages. Pure heaven! The cost? About $10 USD ($15 CDN). There are also many restaurants that offer smoothies, fresh fruit juices, and, of course, fresh coconuts for under $2 USD ($4 CDN).

4. Daily Spiritual Rituals: Every morning, every household and business offers a small offering—typically a basket of fresh flowers and cookies—accompanied by incense. As you stroll through the streets, the scent of incense surrounds you! When I first arrived at the airport, I could smell the incense and initially wondered if it was just in my imagination. In town, I noticed that most businesses, including restaurants and spas, burn incense regularly. This practice also serves as a form of energy cleansing, helping to ensure that their guests experience positive energy.

5. Religion and Beliefs: Although Indonesia is predominantly Muslim, about 87% of Balinese people practice a form of Hinduism. Balinese Hinduism has roots in traditional Indian Hinduism but focuses more on the sacredness of everything around them. For example, it is believed that very tree and plant has a soul. This philosophy emphasizes the connection between humans, nature, and the gods.

6. Please remove your shoes: One cultural norm is that everyone is expected to take off their shoes when entering a shop, spa, or healing space. Store owners treat these spaces like their homes and honour them.

7. Restaurant etiquette: You’ll also notice that no one rushes you out of a restaurant by promptly bringing you the bill. It may seem strange at first; any North American would expect to receive their bill as soon as they finish eating. In Bali, however, when you’re done, you get up and pay on your way out—no rush, no pressure. Stay as long as you want. That’s Bali style!

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