Bali Eat Pray and Love

The spotlight was shone on Balians in Elizabeth Gilbert’s ‘Eat Pray Love’ book and movie and since, more and more travelers have added a visit to a Balian as a must-do when visiting Bali. It is important to understand the ancient and traditional nature of a Balian’s work. Ask yourself why you want to visit a Balian. Visiting a Balian in Bali is a serious matter, not a tourist sideshow and should be attended with respect if you genuinely need healing. The Balian is an instrument of divine healing, and the client enters a covenant to receive this healing with respect, reverence and humility.

The Balinese live equally in two worlds: the seen or conscious world called sekala and the unseen or psychic world, called niskala. In traditional Balinese healing, both of these elements are addressed in order to truly heal an ill patient. Traditional Balinese healers (Balians) play an important part in Balinese culture and help the patient restore balance in both worlds. Balians (dukuns/shamans) are traditional healers who work with divine energy to treat physical and mental illnesses, remove spells and channel energy from ancestors. Some Balian have learned their art from studying the ancient scriptures called lontar and apprenticing with a master. Others have received wahyu or divine inspiration and heal from the heart. Both have an esteemed place in Balinese society. Often the problem lies with the ancestors, who can cause mischief or indeed real harm if not treated regularly to their favorite treats and offerings. Balians may go into a trance state to discover the root cause of the problem and either give the patient natural plant medicine, a massage or a list of offerings to be made.

In Bali tour, Balians are viewed with the same status and respect as a western doctor and have different specialties to heal specific problems of the body. When visiting a Balian you need to show respect by dressing in a sarong and temple scarf, never touch their face or head or point the bottom of our feet at the Balian during your healing. Your experience will be very public, with all the other clients watching avidly. The healer may make magic, create fire, use mudras, draw patterns on your body, spit wads of chewed herbs on your skin, apply scented oils, poke you with sharp sticks and/or give you a deep tissue massage or manipulation that will be very painful indeed. You will probably howl; most people do. But you will probably feel better after and you may need several treatments to be fully healed.

During your Balinese Traditional Healing session, you may be given natural medicine, a collection of basic healing herbs made into remedies. Popular Balinese natural medicines are: Loloh – where leaves are crushed and mixed with water to drink and boreh – ground up herbs and roots which are smeared onto the skin. A Balian is committed to service, and may never turn anyone away. Tourists who casually enter the Balian's compound expecting to be seen often delay the healer from working with the genuinely ill Balinese who have come to see him or her. Because of this, foreign visitors (including resident expats) should make an appointment with the Balians who prefer this.