Bell of Peace - Gede Prama : April 2014

Friday 25 April 2014

The Beauty of Sadness

Almost everyone run away from sadness. Some even run into dangerous territories such as alcohol and drugs. And the reason behind, people consider sadness as mistakes and punishment. Any spiritual seekers who grow deep know, grief is similar to a nurturing mother who guide soul to be back home.

Angel of Joy

The dominant characteristic of people who rarely encountering joy, they feel uncomfortable to live in their body. The situation is similar to the coconut trees which naturally grow on the hot beach but they are forced to grow in the cool mountain. Tired, anxiety, tension are the daily menu of life.

Outer Conversation

It has become a regular sight everywhere that human being love to have outer conversations. Do not talk about politics and power, even religion and spirituality are full of debate. As a result, from day to day people getting away from themselves. There is a deep sense of alienation there. Stress, depression and even schizophrenia could happen there.

Profile

Gede Prama is a long student on peace. He began his childhood by communing with symbolical Guru in one of old village in north Bali. Later on when he learned from the life stories of many maha siddha (the enlightened), he began to understand his spiritual experience in childhood. This last experience then enriched by meditating, reading, researching and personal meeting with some of world wide spiritual Gurus like HH Dalai Lama, Thich Nhat Hanh and Karen Armstrong.

Scholarship enables Gede Prama to continue his post graduate study to England and France. Hard work makes Gede Prama was appointed as CEO (chief executive officer) of a large corporation at the age of 38. And one year later he left behind all luxuries of corporate world then begin a journey of serving. To serve people on the path of peace.

Tuesday 1 April 2014

The Inner Peace

It has become the daily life menu of everybody that life is never absent of problem. When family problem solved, then office call telling that something need further decision. If the relationship with spouse recovered, children waiting for another help. Thinking that children school life is smooth, suddenly a teacher calls that she needs your help to lessen school burden created by your son.

Problem, problem and problem. Without giving any chance to run away, problem keep visiting everybody. The poor think that the rich have no problem, but in reality many well off people even face much complicated life than the poor. The rich who have been very boring with many complexities of being rich are jealous with those who they think enjoying simple life, but in fact these followers of simple life are also do not enjoy problem free of life.

One day Nasrudin asked God, why his wife is such beautiful. The Lord gently replied: "that's why you choose her". "My wife is not only pretty my lord but also soft", Nasrudin continues his inquiry. Again God answered with soft message: "that's why you choose her". This time with a deep apology, Nasrudin softly asked the last question: "why my wife is such stupid?". Again, the Lord replied gently : "that's why she choose you"

Being Friend of Yourself

This is the characteristic of people who rarely hear the song of peace, there's always elements of life that need to be discarded. Borrowing from in-depth research on humans who cause serious problems such as the radicalism, when someone attacks another person, part of other's life that is attacked is the same as the most hated parts of him/herself. Let's take anger as an example, when someone attacks the grumpy he/she actually hate his/her own anger.

Human history is history of hope and disappointment. From the beginning people expected life to be peaceful and meaningful. But what happened, Lord Buddha Shakyamuni tried to be poisoned, Jesus Christ was crucified, Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr were shot. In our time, Pakistan is angry at India, India does not get along with China, Iran hates Israel, Israel treats Palestinians improperly. Everything move from darkness of disappointment to darkness of disappointment.

Any one who run away from death will never understand life, this is a message that is often heard in the deep spiritual realm. After reading the book of Sushila Blackman titled Graceful Exits: How Great Beings Die, this message is really true. By understanding death, people not only understanding life, but also can rediscover the lost home. Blackman’s book that contains the story of the death of 108 saints, can simply be condensed into three paths: the path of devotion, the path of knowledge, the pathless path.

The account of the terrorist bombs is a story of sorrow. It is also the same with the bombing in Bali. Hundreds of life were devastated. Even though Australian citizens are the greatest number among victims, but in the chill of death it is no longer relevant to talk about nationality. It is more significant to discuss about the human's sufferings.

Everybody wants to be happy, but some people daily life cause wounds and sufferings. The September 11 2001 attack on the World Trade Center twin buildings was indeed a darkness. And it tried to be solved by another darkness by the United States and its allies' invasion to Afghanistan and Iraq. So there went the second bombing in Bali, terrorist bomb in Turkey, suicide bombing in Iraq, the kidnapping of Korean citizens in Afghanistan, the blasting of an airport in London, in the year Of 2012 the city of Boston US again was attacked by terrorist bomb.

It is unknown, who was the first person who called anger with such bad and dark image. Anger had been so long concluded as something which is totally negative. Sin, hell, punishment are images that are created in connection with anger. In fact, when one is well-equipped with clarity, calmness, compassion, anger can be transformed into a series of beauty.

Biology vs. Psychology

As we all know, one element of our biological body is fire. Fire in biology has its own equivalent in psychology in the form of emotion. For that reason, it is unimaginable there is human being who is completely free from anger. In the life of the enlightened, there is still movement of emotion, but the enlightened simply witness it with smile. Initially, the nature of emotion is simply recognized. Like snow flake falling into the lake, it creates ripples temporary, and finally disappear. Deep direct understanding like this is often called insight. The last insight makes a person physically, mentally and spiritually healthy.

It is very unlikely that the great physician Albert Einstein ever expected that the development of science and technology would be as vast as how it is now. However, it is the law of nature that there shall never be any improvement without sacrifice. In this respect, the progress of science and technology takes a great cost indeed.

Humans capability to utilize science and technology advances greatly followed by an even greater force of destruction. Referring to the outcome of a research in The Social Construction of Technological Systems conducted by some experts in the particular field (as Bijker, Hughes, Pinch ), it is identified that even though we, human, initially developed science and technology in order to provide assistance, presently we are facing difficulties in adjusting to our own discoveries.

In many issues, the West gives clues of the direction of the civilization. A lot of things happened in the West before they plagued the entire world, such as industrialization and democracy. One prominent sign taking place in the West for a half century is the severe necessity for peace, indicated among others by the abundant numbers of books suggesting peace in their title such as one of Thich Nhat Hanhs works entitled Peace is A Step, Thomas Mertons Thought in Solitude, and the most beautiful work of Eckhart Tolle which is Stillness Speaks. All are discussing about the wonderful peace and silence.

In many occasions, His Holiness the Dalai Lama mentioned that regardless of the religion, race, or ideology, there is one alikeness among us: wish for happiness, denial for suffering. Most people pray, work, and maintain household, in order to be happy and to avoid suffering. Perhaps this is why all works related to happiness are highly demanded by public.

In Bali, it is the same. Long time before meditation centers become a trend in the West, Balinese elders have been teaching about happiness and peacefulness. Balinese people pronounce the word shanti (peace) three times before leaving a shrine, and conclude a conversation in the same manner. Many elders also write the word shanti before his/her name in the bottom of a letter. This is similar to the word love in English.

Following the famous movie shooting titled Eat, Pray, Love in Bali early 2010 starring Julia Roberts, many people around the world call Bali as the Island of Love. An island that is full of passion and aroma of Love. For ordinary ears, this is a common story. For those who receptive enough to cosmic symbols, such signs should be wisely observed.

By keep respecting others birth place, locations in which many revelations and prophets had ever born are in flame. Conflicts in Middle East such as Israel-Palestine are still far from final resolutions. India and Pakistan border clash with guns and artillery can be heard by many who live nearby frequently. Tibetan tantric land that has been the roof of the world since the beginning of time, through Chinas culture revolution, part of Tibets original culture had vanished.

One of the regular sights ahead of major holidays, a lot of people who miss home then travelling far away just to fulfill the inner crying of home. With the risks of long traffic jam, long queuing in the airport, even the possibility of accident, a lot of people still go far away. Nothing hidden behind this but home of peace.

Suffering as Bell

The greatest force that drives people keep missing home is suffering. The rich suffer for fear of losing, the poor suffer because they can not eat. Young children suffer because many desire are not fulfilled, the elder suffer from illness. All suffer. But as it is often heard by many spiritual ears, suffering is not punishment. Suffering is a bell ringing inside, warning people that they are playing too far from home. The same bell also remind all to go back home.

Every place has its own spiritual uniqueness. The one in Peru has been narrated in a very fascinating way by James Redfield in The Celestine Prophecy. Tibetans is exquisitely discussed by Sogyal Rinpoche in The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying. Japans spiritual heritage was neatly written by Inazo Nitobe in Bushido, The Soul of Japan, and Indias has been elaborated by so many writers such as Osho in India My Love.

Balinese spirituality has also been written by many. The great poet Rabin Dranath Tagore called Bali as morning of the world, a famous writer called Bali the last paradise. As material of contemplation, in the ceremonial arrangement, Parama Shanti is placed at the end of a ceremony, right before devotees prepare to leave the site. There are two possibilities of message here. First, it is the highest point of the ritual it self. Second, it is that the spiritual blessing the devotees bring to their worldly life after praying in Pura (temple) is the peace of mind (Shanti).

Since the time when David Mc. Clleland published his classic work Achieving Society decades ago, many material progress happening here and there. A number of advances in science and technology even reach beyond imagination. And as always happens in history of life, every advancement has its own cost. Stress, depression, suicide, divorce increased rapidly everywhere. These made the world poor of peace.

Philosophy of Number One

The dominant characteristic of Mc. Clleland's classic work is the urge to be always number one. Whatever the field, from housekeepers to state leaders, all of them are driven by the energy of being number one. Of course there is the result. Poverty and unemployment declined. Rising incomes and economic welfare in many places.

A foreign friend asked about the religion of the Balinese, when it was answered by religion of peace, the eyes smiled with full of adoration, the soul bow with respect.

Hungry of Peace

To be honest too many seekers who are hungry of peace. Many people are such hungry of peace, some even want to leave the tradition of his/her birthplace. In fact, abandoning the birthplace tradition is similar to the trees that abandoning the roots. In time, trees will be dry.

For every beautiful soul, service is the most peaceful nutrition for the soul. Learning from here, Guru Gede Prama who have served many people over the years in the path of peace. Starting from this year 2017, he is no longer bound to one place of meditation. But will be moving from one place to another in Bali to share more light of peace. Below is the schedule to share a light to all beautiful souls on 2017.

Any enquiries in English is suggested to contact: uchacinta[at]gmail.com

Here are meditation students who dedicate themselves to serve:

Bali:

Nyoman Sudiarta/Koming
Contact: +6281338774436
Email: auraorganic[at]yahoo.co.id
Pt Gd Gunawan
Contact: +6281999111465
Putu Yogi
Contact: +6281805578335
Email: p.budiantara[at]gmail.com
Ni Kadek Suwandewi
Contact: +6285739388911
Email: suwandewi_kadek[at]yahoo.com

Outside Bali:

Sudarmin
Contact: +6281218825560
Email: sudarmin_sun[at]yahoo.com
Budi Santoso
Contact: +62811840991
Email: budi.santoso2612[at]yahoo.com
Sutedja Kusumawidjaja
Contact: +6287777790778, +6282113000789
Email: tedja57[at]yahoo.com
Monica Laurena
Contact: +628156600005
Email: moniqlauren[at]yahoo.com

Gede Prama’s 2017 Meditation Class in BALI

1. Dharma talks for public:

January 26th, 2017 (the night of Shivaratri):
Dharma Talk at Pura Ponjok Batu, Eastern part of Buleleng, North Bali.
Time: 6.30 PM - 09.00 PM.

May 13th, 2017:
Address: Center for Cultural I Dewa Agung wife Kanya
Jalan Untung Semarapura Klungkung.
Time: 6.30-9.00 pm

July 19th, 2017:

Dhamma Talk at Pura Dalem Puri Besakih, Karangasem, East Bali.
Time: 6.30 PM - 09.00 PM.

Everyone is welcome, no need to register.
Kindly wear a polite Balinese traditional clothing because the location is in the Temple.

2. Schedule of a Smiling Meditation, need to register:

September 2017
Check in Friday 1/9 2017 above 12:00
Check out Week 3/9 2017 at 12:00

Smile is an indicator that someone is no longer a victim in life, but a master of life.
Guruji Gede Prama

November 2017
Check in Friday 3/11 2017 above 12:00
Check out Sunday 5/11 2017 at 12:00

Peace is not a destination at the end of the journey, but a beautiful smile along the journey.
Guruji Gede Prama

Meditation Location: Landman Ashram Bangli Bali
All participants are required to register. All participants are highly selected by the committee. There are a number of disciplinary rules that must be followed.

3. Special Event:

February 26th - March 3rd, 2017: Compassion Days at Brahma Vihara Arama, West Buleleng, North Bali.

Compassion Days are the days used to celebrate the birthday of Guruji.
It is a social responsibility event where the Spiritual Family of Compassion practice their compassion in action, by serving thousands of local community members in North Bali, from kindergarten to high school students, and even the seniors (elderly), through various forms of service, starting from Dharma services, health screenings, until prayers.
During these five-day sessions, only the Spiritual Family of Compassion and their close family are allowed to stay, as to serve.

The committee, unfortunately, could not accept other volunteers outside the Spiritual Family of Compassion.
Members of Spiritual Family of Compassion whom are interested to participate in this social event, may contact Mr. Sudarmin to sign up.

Any members of Spiritual Family of Compassion who would like to bring their closest family to stay during these five days event, must register their names prior the event and must obtain permission from the local coordinator.

In the case of non-registration, the local coordinator may ask them to leave the event.

“Peace is step, step is peace” ― Guru Gede Prama

Resting in Compassion

Not only in Bali, in many places around the world full moon is considered to be very important to spiritual growth. A lot of things want to be shared by mother nature through full moon. That's why some enlightened teachers of the past attained high level of realization in the full moon night.

Full Moon According to Commoner

In the mind of ordinary people, life is understood in terms of black and white. When money, success, praise come, the ordinary will be happy. If debts, failure, insults coming, then they suffer. Even nature is understood in a similar framework. The dark night is identified as the threatening fear. The light is called peace. The consequence then, life is full of wave. Sometimes happy, other times sad.

Increasingly complicated world. This is the portrait of our age. Advances in science and technology has not managed to make the complexity of the problems in all areas. In contrast, in most areas life appear to be more complicated. As happened many times in history, in the mids of scarcity of solution people usually look for miracle. Most people think, the magic comes from the sky, forgetting the fact that the most touching miracle comes from the inner heart in the form of compassion.

When Professor Karen Armstrong (one of the spiritual giants of our time) visited Indonesia in early June 2013, she looks obviously impressed with the story of Bali as an island of compassion. One day after the author of the book “Twelve Steps to Compassionate Life” heard this story, in front of so many participants in Jakarta she openly told that she could not sleep after hearing this story. Even after her return to England she was still taking the time to send an e-mail message that contains approximately like this: “I was so moved by your speech … let us keep in touch about making Bali an island of compassion”.

When former U.S. president George W. Bush was thrown by shoes, then the former Libyan president Muammar Qaddafi was replaced in a very disrespectful way, honestly the world of leadership is in deep mourning. In ancient times, civilization could be bright because leaders were well respected. At that time, leaders were one source of light. The question then, in the age where cosmic instabilities happen everywhere, where will the light come from?. Honestly, sadness is the only shelter of this time. Not sadness that can burn anger, but sadness as the opening door of connectedness.

It is often heard, sadness - especially when frequently appear, with more and more intensity - is a sign that one grows too far from home. It is a bell ringing to remind mankind to go home. Only in the true home then we can have a sense of connection.

In many places, a lot of curious people who ask: where is home? Where exactly is our true home? Mainly because too many extreme things have happened that make life uncomfortable. Extreme weather, extreme human behavior, extreme violence.

Souls are Homesick

Borrowing the perspective of Balinese elder, in time when extreme events happen many times with deeper intensity, the elders always turn to the shrine. In this light, violence and confusion are signs that many souls are homesick.

A few years ago, precisely October 12, 2002 *), for the first time a terrorist bomb exploded in Bali (Indonesia) with the lost of hundreds of lives. Sad, pain, suffering of course. Especially since many years Bali has becomes the icon of world peace. In an instant, a terrorist bomb changed peace into fear mingled with sadness. It is like being commanded by a force that can not be seen, the various people in the country and abroad provided hands to help. Money, power, medicine, news, entertainment, music all flowing at once.

Learning deeply from many unsolvable problems, unhealble diseases, unresolvable war conflicts, human civilization nowadays is in a deep longing for healing energy. Look at the increasing rate of suicide, divorce, strange illness. When it comes to conflict, even in the religious institutions intense conflict happened everywhere. The question then, where is the healing energy and peace can be found? Other places may have a different aura. As has been noted by many spiritual seekers for years, the aura of Bali is peace. For this reason, let this humble article share the aura of peace and healing.

Pain is inevitable but suffering is optional. Especially because the very nature of human body bring pain together. It is similar to water that brings wet together. However, suffering is a series of choice. People can choose not to suffer, including not to suffer in the midst of pain.

Frozen Ice of Suffering

Any pain is like an arrow that is shot to someone. But there is the second arrow which is more painful, that is the very negative way one reacts. For example, terrorist bomb exploded, that is the first dart. But accusing without enough evidence that certain religion is responsible behind the bombing, that is the second dart which is more painful later.

In the West, Buddhism has long been a garden of compassion. Sort of a cool shelter in the midst of burning civilization. That's why, at the end of 1960 Martin Luther King Jr. nominated Buddhist monk Thich Nhat Hanh as the winner of the Nobel Peace Prize, in 1989 His Holiness the Dalai Lama was actually awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. Sadly, in early July 2013 in Bodhgaya India - the place where Lord Buddha attained enlightenment - terrorist bomb exploded. The question then, will the civilization lose one of the cool shelters?

In Growing One Finds Balance

To be honest, life is like garden that keeps growing. Not like sprint where there is final line. This month flower of success blooming, next month weeds of failure emerge. Only by keep loving, then life becomes land of growth. The situation is similar to riding a bicycle, balance is found only when the bike keep moving.

When a teacher was asked about the main sign of soul who has been home already, the teacher gently replied: "he/she is no longer interested in pursuing outside".

Bottomless Well

For most people, there is always a feeling of being incomplete. Do not talk about the sick and the poor, even the rich and the healthy also have the feeling of being incomplete. That is why human being spent most of their age looking for something outside. And among many things that people seek, the most consuming energy is searching for soul mate. Wealth, power, fame are all addressed to obtain recognition from soul mate.

When Nelson Mandela passed away in early December 2013, many beautiful souls were deeply sad. A famous spiritual teacher from London sent an e-mail, she felt there was a great light suddenly disappeared, a great light of peace.

Forgiveness

In the middle of dry and stuffy environment which is full of hate, anger and revenge, one of the rare spiritual treasure in this age is forgiveness. Violence, conflict, divorce are only part of the evidence. But in the midst of this scarcity, Nelson Mandela could easily forgive the people who harmed him.

A friend from France wrote a message, that there is a disciple of meditation in France who is considered as the most peaceful man. Having closely monitored him in depth, he treats life as lover.

Enemy of Life

The dominant characteristic of human suffering at this age, people become enemy of life. The past, the present, the future are all seen as threatening enemies. As a result, every cycle of time is similar to a burning chair.

On October 12th 2002, for the first time a bomb was exploded in Kuta, Bali, with hundreds of victims. Sad, grief, touched, and concerned are suitable words expressing the feelings of many souls at that moment. As if commanded by an unknown force, a lot of parties from Indonesia and abroad responded to the incident as indication of sympathy and empathy. Funds, efforts, medicines and news were streaming vastly.

However, there was something even more touching. Kuta citizens those were stricken by the uncertainty of their future, put upon a trial of patience, those whose birthplace and hometown was devastated by the bombing and stained with human blood, surprisingly carried out a touching response.

One of the strong energy that drives people to do this and that is the energy to be called success. Going school in childhood, attending university course in adulthood, to pray in the old time, almost all aimed to get recognition from others. Some people even so extreme just to be called success.

Success Similar to Opium

As soon as one grows mature spiritually, very few of people who are fully satisfied merely because of someone else recognition. Mainly because the conclusion of success that comes from others is very temporary. Without deep awareness, success can bring people into the valley of ego and selfishness which is very harmful. It easily makes people addicted and even addiction. Similar to drug addiction which makes people can not get out, then make life ended helplessly. This explains why many people who are sick because of post-power syndrome. Some people even died not long after retirement time. Some political rulers was so addicted then destroying people's lives just because of wanting to sit in the seat of power forever.

Gardens are the lungs of the city. A place where people can breathe fresh air in the middle of hectic and chaotic city. And not just the body need park, the soul also longing for garden. As a small mirror reflecting how unstable human soul at this time, a number of economists in the West find, even when economic conditions were to decline, the budget of many countries to buy weapons continues to rise. The question then, where is the soul garden?

Darkness Inside

One important element of human body is the brain. And it has been widely published in neuroscience studies, twenty to thirty million years ago the human brain was very hard. This explains why the behavior of human being in ancient times was far from civilized. Just revolving around eating, fighting and sex.

A young Balinese deeply touched the hearts when asking: “what happens with the Balinese?”. On the island itself there are some people who are no longer feel at home (in some cases, even after became a corpse one was still harmed). Outside Bali - remember the story of Balinuraga village in Lampung Indonesia in 2012 and early 2013 touching events in Sumbawa Indonesia - Balinese was pursued, expelled, some fled to the forest out of fear, and some even died because of others attack. With tears drop, the young man asked, where then the Balinese should take shelter?

Mythology is a collection of old stories. It is even older than religions. Through honest selection called time, then stories that are left are not the ordinary ones. It is similar to rocks with millions of years old that has passed all kinds of weather. Only the highest quality of stones remain. However, like interpreting dream - one definition of mythology is collective dream - it requires sensitivity, connectivity and arts to interpret myths. When it is interpreted by sensitivity, connectedness, arts, then myths can transform life into songs of harmony.

On a journey from Jakarta to Yogyakarta, one of friend who is from Bali ask: "What is your holy scripture?". When it was answered by scripture in the heart, he smiled politely. To be honest, a lot of people try to find solution in holy scripture. Some even have to pay very expensive price going to a place very far to find the cool holy scripture. And it has been recorded in the diary of many seekers, few who find coolness and softness in holy scripture.

In every tradition there is unique characteristic worthy of study. For anyone whose childhood was in Bali, then often ask about religious matters to the elders, the elders then answer with a smile: "Nak Mula Keto". The simple translation, indeed it is. Implicitly means, everything is perfect as it is. For young generation whose minds are hungry for answers, adult who are thirsty of debating, excited by the fights, this answer is indeed very disappointing. Some even called it stupid.

No one prays for the sake of sickness. Nevertheless, in every corner of life we meet suffering. It is understandable if the World Health Organization predicted that by 2020 mental illness will be much more worrisome.

Dry Leaf of Pain

In the West where science and technology grow such rapidly, many health experts started to realize that the physical pain is like dry leaves on the surface. When the body is sick, chemical imbalance happens that makes the doctor especially intervene with chemical medicine. Something worthy of respect.

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