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.
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| 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.
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| 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.
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| 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.
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| 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.
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