What are the most important things in life? Money? Fame? Power? A beautiful house? A fast car? Well to some those are important, but to others the more philosophical aspects of life are much more important: belief in God, following one’s principals, looking after your family, doing good for the community.
It may not look like it, as you drive down southern Bali’s desperately crowded streets, watched over by giant billboards, but the great majority of the Balinese steadfastly follow their faith, observe their daily prayers and rituals, celebrate their many religious festivals and fully believe that they make their own future by their actions (karma).
When you are so strongly immersed in a culture that helps you to observe your faith without fear of ridicule as so often happens in “modern western societies” where religion has been cast aside and marginalised, those things seen as important to the commercial consumer world, are simply not important or valued at all.
So as you find your way, from the bars and clubs of the south to the fields and temples inland, remember the important things in life change too.
Maybe a moment’s meditation while you are here will bring benefits that the last cold beer didn’t bring?
