Water – The sacred element

It’s the rainy season in Bali! Since the beginning of December there has been quite some rain on the island. When you are in a cozy and dry place, it is beautiful to watch the tropical rain outside – from light drizzles to heavy downpours. Balinese are very connected to the element of water, not only to the rains from above, but water is all around – in springs, rivers, lakes, fountains, ponds, irrigation systems, and of course in the surrounding ocean – so much that it became part of their religion, which used to be commonly called Agama Tirta.

The importance of water in Balinese culture and religion

Water in Balinese culture and religion is not only important because it serves as holy water in rituals, but also for its prominent role in the ecosystem. The complex irrigation system (subak) that distributes the water from the mountains into the many rice fields, has even become a Unesco world heritage. Water is a sign of fertility and prosperity. Water is the building block for life and represents fullness. Balinese understood that water needs to be revered and used wisely by the communities to ensure a rich harvest of rice, the source of material well-being.

Water is also used as a medium for spiritual regeneration and cleansing. Holy water is part of every ceremony, from daily offerings in the family compounds to elaborate temple festivals. Tirta, the holy water, is seen as a doorway to God – to ensure that all offerings and humans are able receive divine blessings. Traditionally, a water blessing is given by a priest who sprinkles holy water over the head of a devotee and offers the water to drink three times. Holy water is obtained from natural springs that can often be found at the “pura beji” of a village. For important ceremonies and during pilgrimages, holy water will even be collected from different sacred sites spread across Bali (and sometimes even from neighboring islands).

Water Temples & Purification Rituals

Bali is also famous for its water temples, beautiful sacred sites spread across Bali. The most famous one is probably Tirta Empul close to Ubud, where locals and tourists line up to purify their body, heart and mind in the traditional Balinese way, melukat. Non-Hindus are very welcome to join such a purification ritual, for which you dress in ceremonial clothes, enter the water basin and pray while you let the natural spring water from various fountains wash over you. At Udara we include a water purification ritual at a fairly unknown yet beautiful temple in our week long detox programs. There is something magical in this ritual with the intention to purify oneself on all levels – from the physical to the spiritual realms.

The memory of Water

Water is recognized to have memory. Imprints such as thoughts, emotions, prayers and music are mirrored in the structure of water. The famous Japanese researcher Masaru Emoto showed that the structure of water changes shape and form depending on the input or projections it received such as different kinds of music or specific intentions and feelings. Qualities like love, beauty, peace and music from classical composers such as Bach and Mozart resulted in harmonious, symmetric shapes of water that has been frozen whereas qualities such as hate, anger, fear and aggressive music result in chaotic patterns. Have a look on some pictures of his research on this page.

When we understand that our bodies are made of approximately 70% water, we understand that we humans are similarly affected by the imprints of whatever we are subject to. Our own thoughts, emotions, as well as the music, conversations and noises we surround ourselves with contribute to internal harmony or disruption.

What makes water holy

Holy water both gets its power from nature itself to provide the freshest and purest water straight from the source and from the prayers and intentions that are put into the rituals. The priests prepare the water before its use, infuse it with flowers, sacred mantras and mudras. There are various kinds of tirta, depending on its purpose – from the water used for daily offerings at home to the most sacred water called amerta, which is used by special healers (balians) to treat diseases.

Harmony and Balance

Striving for harmony and balance is the basic concept of the Hindu Balinese belief system (more about the concept of Tri Hita Karana in this blog article). Balinese believe in the existence of light and shadow, Gods and Demons. Humans live on earth affected by these polarities. Rituals including holy water serve to establish or retain balance and harmony. The reverence of the water element has its practical applications in the rice field irrigation and helps to keep harmony between humans and nature. Regular purification rituals and water blessings help to keep the body, mind and heart free from negative energy and open to receive divine blessings.

May this ancient reverence of water remind us of the need to keep ourselves in balance and to respect mother nature – for harmony within us and around us.

Water Healing at Udara

Did you know that we offer Water Healing sessions at Udara? In the unique Spa facilities that include sauna, steam room, various cold pools and jacuzzi we have a heated salt water pool that we use for therapy sessions in water. Being held by a therapist and floated in the warm water can have a profound healing effect, help to deeply relax and open to an expanded state awareness. Have a look at this blog article to find out more about this unique modality and check out our healing treatment offers here.