Meg Goes Global

Finding yourself has always seemed a weird concept to me, as if I am a misplaced set of keys, or loose change down the back of the sofa. How can you find something when you don’t know what you are looking for, and when did I ‘lose’ it? In recent years, young people have flocked to Bali in search of a spiritual epiphany, with the term ‘finding yourself in Bali’ basically becoming a meme in it’s own right. But what is it about Bali that attracts this mass spiritual tourism, and why won’t you ‘find yourself’ here if you do decide to spend a while in this beautiful part of the world?

The culture in Bali is deeply rooted in a blend of Hinduism and indigenous animistic beliefs: Agama Hindu Dharma is recognisably different from its Indian sister. It celebrates deities and spirits, often associated with the local landscape: including mountains, rivers and forests. The profound beliefs manifest in the form of blessings prepared and laid out each day, and celebration and prayer are the fabric of daily life. It takes less than a day in the region to see for yourself how fundamental religion is to the people of Bali, and their beliefs are a melting pot of traditional Hinduism and spirituality.

It’s no wonder, considering the history of spiritual healing here, that people want to come and experience it for themselves. For centuries the local people have relied on these forms of healing from the Balian (spiritual healers), to help them through their own lives, but now it is growing beyond that and into commercialism. With this, the line between authentic practices and tourist experiences can blur. Some practices have become diluted, and are more often focused on the aesthetics: for influencers and such to get their photos. While it is a wonderful thing that Bali is receiving the attention it deserves, these changes risk damaging the authenticity and depth of the healing experience.

People going with the intention of ‘finding themselves’ can lack the understanding that spiritual healing is deeply personal, and not just dependant on where you are in the world. Sure, Bali is said to have powerful spiritual energy, which can be harnessed by those who have such beliefs. And travel may be a powerful tool in that of personal growth, but if you are not a person with spiritual beliefs, and then fly out to Indonesia expecting to come back a completely different and ‘healed’ person, you are mistaken. The concept of ‘finding yourself’ diminishes the healing process to a one time wonder: a month in Bali and all your growing is done.

Personal growth is not a holiday to a tropical island. I mean it can be, but it’s most likely not. It’s probably painful, definitely uncomfortable, and it’s a long old process. Perhaps what people mean by ‘finding themselves’, is accepting who they are as they change. Everyone talks of the caterpillar turning into a butterfly, but rarely of the tumultuous metamorphosis. To change is to break down all our beliefs, pull them apart, and then put them back together again. To unpick every detail of yourself, unravel your flaws and find the beauty in it all. It can be hard to let go of beliefs we once thought of as fact, and of the people connected to our past self. But for as long as we try to grip onto these, we will prevent true acceptance from ever occurring. And beyond that lies peace. We are ever evolving creatures, so this growth and acceptance has no finish line.

Considering all of this, I am not saying that you can’t have beautiful spiritual experiences in Bali. Nor that you will not feel any different after returning from a trip. But if you are feeling lost, going to Bali won’t solve all your problems: only facing them head on will. Often the misconception that your mental health difficulties will disappear when you travel is portrayed in social media. Travel is heavily romanticised, as is the idea of young people moving to Australia for a better life. While I am the biggest cheerleader for these experiences, it doesn’t change the fact that overcoming struggles is a personal and internal battle. You can’t escape your brain, no matter where you go.

If you do want to experience some authentic traditions while in Bali, my advice would be to trust word of mouth of locals over everything. Ask locals in spiritual communities, and avoiding any aggressively advertised experiences is a generally a good rule to go by. If you’re planning a trip to Bali, it’s a small island with a big heart waiting to be explored.