My Bali Experience -- take 2 -- Living In the Moment

Going back down memory lane to a few days ago in Bali, I remembered finding it difficult to just be and enjoy the moment.  My mind was busy thinking of many things although I was sitting in this beautiful villa, serene ambiance with soft traditional Balinese beat. 

At first, my mind was making comparisons to a holiday we had in Krabi a year ago. Elango stopped that by saying this is a different holiday, no two holidays will be the same, so don’t make any comparison. Then my mind moved forward  to my client appointment later in the week after the holidays. Elango just smiled and shook his head. I stopped talking, looked him and said, “mmmm… I am not enjoying the present moment. I am on a holiday that I have been looking forward to but now when I am on the holiday I am not enjoying it.” To that he said, “Very Good! If you can just do that, you will be the most sought after trainer!” I asked him why in amazement. He said that is what everyone is looking for and that is The secret to being happy. The mind often takes you to the past or keeps you worried about the future, taking away the moment. You can only be happy in the moment. I nodded, came back to the moment and enjoyed my breakfast.

Breakfast at Daluman Villa, Bali

Then we went on a tour to the Kintamani Volcano, a 2 hour plus drive. We stopped at The Elephant Cave. I was mesmerized by the vibes in the Cave and didn’t want to come out. It was a really small cave where ancient prayers and rituals were done. It was dark and had meditation holes craved out in the walls. The energy was simply beyond words. Elango and Pak Nyoman [our driver and guide] left me behind and I had to run after them. 

At Elephant Cave entrance, Bali

Outside there was a spring water catchment which used to be an ancient bathing area for the goddess [tempat mandian dewi-dewi]. Again, this mesmerised me. I felt like I have been there before, a magical feeling difficult to explain. Again Elango and Nyoman left me to enjoy my moment at the Spring Water temple alone …. snapping pictures from afar. I truly enjoyed the little moments.

Me enchanted at Spring Water Temple

Habit patterns return and over the next few days I caught my mind many times going either back to the past or planning the future. For example, on the last day, I was in the pool in the villa. We rented a villa with a private pool. I was busy planning on how the next trip, we will rent the 2 or 3 bedroom villas with pool and have the ET Ideas gang over with us and how much fun it will be. Elango listened quietly just smiling. Half way through I stopped myself and said sheepishly  “ I am in the pool right now “. Stopped talking and just enjoyed the dip in the pool, playing in the water like a child, swirling in the water , standing under the water fall, exploring the Jacuzzi style bubble and just standing still and enjoying the peace and quiet … watching the flowers swirl around, the blue sky above and tree branches dancing to the wind. Living in the moment.

Private pool in the villa

Habit patterns return. Later in the airport, I was sulking in the corner missing Heerraa, Harsha and Rammya;  thinking how much fun it would be if they were here and did a facebook posting saying I am missing them.  Elango saw this and said “Really?” with an amused look. Then I went like “ohh I am still on holiday, I forgot, I am sorry” and snapped back to the present moment.  We enjoyed coffee and raisin Danish and had a good conversation. Elango was teaching lessons on being truthful and listening to the heart, which I would have missed if I had continued sulking in my corner.  Living in the moment … 

Elango has talked about this many times previously and I thought I understood. However, only in my Bali Holiday did I experience how not being in the moment can spoil an otherwise perfect holiday. Also made me realise that to be happy and enjoy the moment - I can do it anytime, anywhere and with anybody or just on my own, having dinner, sipping tea etc. Thank you again Elango.

My Bali Experience ... being happy

I recently went for a holiday to Bali and posted facebook updates which created a lot of interest. When I came back many friends excitedly asked me how my Bali Holiday was expecting a happy tale. Oddly, I avoided answering that and switched topic to the troubles I was having getting back to work momentum. I realised their questions made me uncomfortable. Then the real issue dawned upon me ….  I can’t remember being happy or having a good time during the Bali Holiday and I came back just a day ago!!

Floating Temple, Bali - its on the back of the 50,000 Rupiah

OMG! What is going on? I tried to remember but it was difficult, I panicked and told Elango this. He in turn, was not surprised!! He then explained that my mind and the neurons formed are geared on finding faults, it is not programmed to remember the good times! Then he referred to a practical activity he did during the Be At Your Best training program that showed people are generally programmed to find faults and not take note of the good things. I remembered that activity and it made sense. I asked him in dismay, “What to do?”  He suggested that I look at the facebook postings again and photos I took and make a conscious effort to remember the good times … i.e. creating new programming and neurons to be in line with my goals to be happy.

I said okay and then … forgot about it. Elango reminded me again today.

Sunset at Potato Head Club, Bali

Beach Party at Potato Head Club, Bali

 As I was going through the photos, the first few I was picking faults and remembering the ‘bad’ experience. For an example, we went to this happening place called Potato Head. Really awesome beach party place where you can watch an amazing sunset. However, when we got there, all tables were full and we didn’t have reservations. Elango said he will definitely come there again. Hearing this, my mind immediately started going into a victim mode saying  but I will not be coming with him again and I can’t come to this place etc. I voiced out my mind chatter to Elango.  He said, “Your mind is programmed to find fault and turn this into an unhappy holiday with at least one or two things lacking. You can choose to entertain it or you can use your willpower to snap out of it and find solutions .” After a few minutes, I asked him if we could go for dinner to Hard Rock instead? He answered’ “okay” and we went to Hard Rock Café on Kuta Beach. All the while Elango was his usual self, as he would be back in KL, enjoying the sights and scenes, enjoying every moment, not the least affected by my change in mood. He was not reacting to my change in behaviour.

We had a nice dinner and enjoyed good conversation where I discovered a lot more about myself. Elango started explaining to me what was happening to me using SIEP. Using the Spirit to accept that nature was teaching me through the events that were taking place. He then asked me to use the intellect to think what the lessons were and went on to explain the real reason I got upset at Potato Head and how it was my deeper level subs plans to return me to my old cycles. My emotions were calm again and I was happy. Elango’s response to my change in behaviour using SIEP allowed me to see the works of my mind clearly. It also allowed me to switch back into a clear and happy state in a very short time. Previously, not too long ago, I would have continued to entertain the negative thoughts and become chaotic and go into an emotional tantrum for days!

Dinner At Hard Rock Cafe, Kuta Beach, Bali

However, when I first looked at the photos after I got back I only remembered not getting a place ; the nice dinner, conversations and learning in Hard Rock I am only remembering as I write this blog!

Going back to my photo review, I had to use lots of will power to continue looking for good memories. My mind was saying no need, there are no nice experiences this time and the holiday was boring and I didn’t really like many of the things we did and was comparing to previous holidays. Luckily for me, Harsha was with me in this mission and she kept insisting that I keep going on to tell her about the photos I took and my experiences.

Flower Garden Restaurant, Bali

Me having lunch happily

I went on to the next few photos of places I went to and described it as too hot and I was tired etc. Then suddenly I saw a photo taken during lunch at a flower garden restaurant. I really enjoyed the food and view there and my heart was very happy indeed! Even remembered Elango saying “You really enjoyed the food here, don’t you?” Looking at this picture the happy memories came back. Then I saw the photo of the view of The Kintamani Volcano and remembered us having sandwiches at the view point restaurant. More happy memories came back.

Sandwiches and breathtaking view of Kintamani Volcano

I wanted to go to Bali for a holiday and was very happy when Elango booked the tickets and said, “let’s go”. However, when I was on holiday in Bali, I kept thinking what am I learning here and how is this related to my goals? Now I realise, one of the big learning is for me to experience how my mind is wired on finding faults and storing only unpleasant or ‘bad’ memories and forgets the good memories. How can I ever be happy wired this way? I need to take conscious effort to remember the good things and count my blessings …. slowly but surely on a daily basis. Thank you Elango for getting me to experience it and become aware of it.

Lunch at Bebek Tepi Sawah