SYNOPSIS OF IBMF 2009

DAY I: 14 NOVEMBER 2009

A. PLENARY SESSION

In this plenary session, Mr. Anand Krishna, the initiator of International Bali Meditators’ Festival (IBMF) 2009, explained that this event is a personal sadhana for him. He believes that everybody has his/her own way to understand him/her self and his/her relationship with the Devine. Their successful in applying their certain way to find their true-selves usually will make them feel that their methods are the best. He reminded that here there will be ego and this ego will make us compete with each other.

He also mentioned that Buddha has always taught us to go back to ourselves, without following certain specific methods. In Islam tradition, people have to do ‘sholat’ but how to do sholat had never been taught. In Christian tradition, people are told that the Kingdom of Heaven is within them and Hindu tradition says the same thing.

In his speech, he also quoted from a book written by Mario B. that greediness, violence, and materialism are natural conditions, whereas altruism, anti-violence, sacrifice, and spirituality are unnatural. The good news is our brain is a quantum system. By concentrating to one idea, we can change the nervous system in our brain by loading our mind consistently with certain conditions.

In Bhagavad Gita (3000 BC), Krishna talked about the same thing. He said that by practicing constantly and continuously (Abhyaas), the mind can be controlled. So, abhyaas means ‘a constant and continuous effort’. In this way, we can change our way of thinking to have a better understanding. Hitler is one of the experts in applying this Neuroscience. Hitler had used this method to fulfill his ambitions. For him, a lie can become a truth when was spoken loudly and repeatedly. We have Hitler in our home, it is television.

B. PANEL SESSION I

RATU BAGUS

The first panelist who spoke that morning was the Ratu Bagus. He said that a happy and peaceful world needs mankind’s cooperation for universal awareness. He also discussed that all the scriptures are good when are studied without any burdens and with positive thoughts. We are all the sons of God who are able to go back to Him with faith. He also mentioned that in a good soul, we can find a healthy body. On that opportunity he showed us how to heal ourselves by opening our hearts which will help us to connect to the Devine Love. He also demonstrated to the audiences a technique called ‘shaking meditation’ where the meditators will laugh expressively while the body shaken. A movie about his ashram as well as the shaking meditation has amazed the audiences.

PRABHU DARMAYASA

The second panelist was Prabu Darmayasa. Beginning with a prayer, Prabu brought his discussion about ‘Anka Meditation’ (number meditation). Prabhu talked about the release of ego to be able to reach the essence of Devine Love. Love is the beginning of life. The love that we owned needs to be matured in order to be spread in life. We must be humble and we will get the essence of Divine Love. Prabhu described some simple meditation techniques. There are techniques that make people become abnormal after meditating. So a number of meditations have been developed in order to avoid such deterioration of the meaning of meditation. Most people meditate according to his personal expectations, which is not the real meaning of meditation itself. He also mentioned that meditation, which is the original tradition of Indonesia, comes from the Sanskrit word 'samadhi' which means unite with God. There are 2 parts in meditation those are using literary media and number.

Question Session:
1.    Question 1: How to use numbers as meditation technique?
Firstly, the use of numbers initiated with the liberation from any kinds of differences because numbers are owned by everybody, any kinds of people. Secondly, it must be understood that numbers as the power of God can control and fulfill the whole things in the world. If one wants to practice the anka meditation he/she must have shaktivat and it can be programmed.

2.    Question 2: How to apply meditation for the younger generation?
In search of identity and the spread of love for others.

3.    Question 3: Meditation is an event. How to get there?
Ratu: With a positive mind and release the burden.
Prabu: Collapse your mind and open your heart

C. PANEL SESSION II

The second panel session of IBMF carried out by Mr. Merta Ada and Brahmacarya Indra Udayana. Mr. Merta Ada brought about Usadha Meditation. Br. Indra Udayana discusses about the Karma Yoga, meditation through real actions.

Merta Ada (R) and BR Indra Udayana (L)

MERTA ADA

Mr. Merta Ada was the initiator of Usadha Meditation or meditation for health. His discussion began with sharing his experiences in his clinic in Sanur, where many patients have been sick because of 3 things, body, mind, and memory. Usadha Meditation is a way of harmonize the mind and body, which are derived from Balinese Lontar, modern medical, experiences, and Masters. First, the mind must be associated with the truth so that the mind can be harmonious. Mr. Merta Ada specialized in meditation for the harmony of mind. The mind consists of the conscious, subconscious, and unconscious mind. About 95% of things we have done without consciousness. With the training, the percentage of the conscious mind can be improved. In the achievement of 100% consciousness or samadhi, all kinds of diseases can be cured.

BR. INDRA UDAYANA

Question Session:
1.    Dwipayana (social worker): Is there a way to motivate young students to the spirit of learning?
BR. Indra: It is a common problem that children in the western part of Karangasem have low motivations to learn even though they've got a facility supported by some foreigners. The problem is that aid did not accompanied by good guidance
 Mr. Merta: the economic situation has become obstacles for a self-development in the mind, mental, and personality of people. So the financial supports must be accompanied by counseling and debriefing about the mindset and education about the human values.

2. Question 2: How does the development of meditation nationally?
Br. Indra: IBMF is a real example of socializing meditation. From event like this, good things in meditation can be spread.
Mr. Merta: Meditation has many good things that affect many aspects of our lives. So events like IBMF can support more numbers of people who want to do meditation for life.

E. EVENING OF DEVOTION

A special program from Mr. Anand Krishna had been carried out just before the evening of devotion. After that, the Evening of Devotion started with the speech from Cokorda Raka Kertayasa who is the Bendesa of Ubud. He told the audiences that Ubud is a place where cultural diversity is not a problem, especially when is empowered with harmonization. Just like the ways of meditation are varied, but it has the same goal. He also hoped that such activities (IBMF) could be done every year in Ubud.

Offering dance and gamelan by Sanggar Nataraja from Banjar Mertasari Ubud, became part of this Evening of Devotion. This dance performed by 6 girls. After that the night filled with devotional music and songs presented by devotional singer from  Sai Center, Ashram Gandhi, Hare Krishna, and Anand Ashram.

Devotional songs performed by men and women from Sai Centre accompanied by Indian musical instruments. The next few young people from Gandhi Ashram have amazed the audiences. The songs were accompanied by drums and clapping. Hare Krishna brought about worship songs and all the audiences had joined to sing the song with clapping and dancing. The same thing happened when devotional singers from Anand Ashram which uplifted our soul on that beautiful night. At the end all the participants were singing and dancing accompanied by funcky spiritual music by Anand Ashram.

From the DAY-1, read also Spiritualist Anand Krishna Shared His Almost Certain Death Experience

DAY II: 15 NOVEMBER 2009

The second day of International Bali Meditators' Festival has been attended by more participants than the previous day. There were more than 1000 people have attended the event on that day throughout the whole programs. Some of them were gathered around the Sjaki Tari Us when the panel sessions were going on, or in Bale Banjar Ubud Kelod for experiencing the workshops on meditation or around the market place (bazaar) in the Astina Field of Ubud.

A. PANEL SESSION III

Panelists who spoke in the panel session III on this second day (15/11) were Ida Pedanda Gede Made Gunung and Prof. Luh Ketut Suryani.

IDA PEDANDA GEDE MADE GUNUNG

Ida Pedanda Gede Made Gunung started his talk by telling his experience from being a self-defense practitioner to become a meditation practitioner. For him, meditation is a basic need of life that opens our awareness to Divinity through servitude towards God, humanity and the environment. Meditation brings us closer to our Creator. On his speech he also talked about consciousness. How awareness could lead people to be able to distinguish between kindness and evil. Awareness can be achieved by meditation. God consciousness is realized by compassion which is the way back to Him. A conscious human realize what life is for. We will bring our Karma after death. Humans are special creatures who can choose what to do for their life.

L. K. SURYANI

The second panelist was Prof. Luh Ketut Suryani. She told the audiences her experiences from an early age when she was advised that meditation can cure people. She wanted to do meditation for curing her mother. After one year doing meditation, she had got 'whisper' to spread the meditation. Various restrictions and trials should have been passed in order to fulfill these responsibilities. She also told us her experiences after marriage and become a spiritual healer doctor. Through meditation she cured his patients. Meditation focuses on self-centered, as opposed to prayers. But if meditation and prayers can be combined, the presence of God can be felt. Trance is the top condition of self spirit-awareness, where all things can be done beyond the limits of human thought. The meditation developed by her is a meditation in which doing a concentration to the breathing without controlling it. The impact of this meditation is a state of deep sleep and a 'dream screening' occurs. The use of the meditation can also be developed for the treatment of trauma. Early age in the womb and childhood are the keys to a lifetime of human memories. If an interruption occurs at the time, only meditation becomes the alternative healing.

Question Session:
1.    Ima: Often dream things that eventually happened. How was that?
If a dream obtained in a deep sleep is a dream that can be studied.

2.    Marhento: Why the use of black magic does not work for the Dutch in colonial times?
Black magic can only influence the people in the same path. People who ever use black magic are the ones who most quickly affected by it.

3.    Manto:
i) What incident was the turning point for Ida Pedanda Gunung?
ii) For Ibu Suryani, What do you think about the collective trance in Sumatra?
Answer:
i) The essence of the turning point to be the selected one is consciousness, whatever the background of that person..
ii) There are two types of trance, good trance is the result of meditation or trance in religious ceremonies. But trance because of negative spirit is pathological.

B. PANEL SESSION IV

Panel session IV of IBMF carried out by Prof. Amina Wadud and Margot Anand. Margot Anand  talked about chakra opening and Prof. Amina Wadud presented about remembrance (zhikir) in Islam.

MARGOT ANAND

Margot Anand was focused on sexuality and orgasm through spirituality or meditation. Her talk began with such awareness that she had experienced. Sexuality is a bridge to consciousness. Meditation is the essence of the orgasm that can be experienced when we realize that our body is the centre of the chakras. The energy in our body can be refined step by step, with the same concept as changing iron into gold. Each breath brings prana and prana brings light into the body. Margot invited the audiences to do chakra meditation exercises by relaxing the body, repeating the word 'Om', and letting the vibration fills the body. She mentioned that such meditation will awaken the chakra around the abdomen and generate positive energy for the body. It makes us love to ourselves, others, God, and everything. Chakra brings us out of the body to the unlimited space like the sky, eliminate all forms of doubts and anxieties and clarify the essential emptiness which brings peacefulness.

AMINA WADUD

The next panelist is Prof. Amina Wadud, who explained about the procedures of prayer (Sholat) in Islam and its meaning. Remembrance (Zhikr)is part of the prayer. The Zhikr was initiated by the Prophet of Muhammad. Sunnah Zhikr can be done by repeating 3 words within 3 times. Remembrance is the repetition of the name of God and things associated with God. This is a manifestation of men's relationship with God. She also explained the sayings of certain Zhikir and its meaning. She invited the audience to practice the remembrance. All the participants expressively joined her to chant the name of God in Islam.

 Question Session:
1.    Atmo: What is the mantra in Islam?
The word used without knowing its meaning. Mantra in Islam is a repetition like a circle which will make advantages to the body itself. So the problem is not what the mantra is, but what can be carried by the mantra itself. In Islam it is known by Jahu.

2.    Question 2:
i) To Prof. Wadud: Is ALM related to AUM?
ii) To Margot: Is the chakra just a imagination or metaphor?
Answer:
i) ALM is an abbreviation, in contrast to AUM.
ii) Chakra is not a metaphor but the energy associated with hormonal balance. When the third of the chakras evoke during sexual intercourse then the orgasm will be better achieved.

3.    Maya: What happens after the explosion of an orgasm?
The first thing to note is how to improve sexual role in life. The second is to consider when we feel the sense of weakness. Chakra empowerment will sound out the feeling from the throat while orgasm, which bring into the top of releasing and peacefulness.

At the end of this session Mr. Anand Krishna explained about the relation of mantra and remembrance/zhikir. (Remembrance is 'japa' in Sanskrit). Zhikir contains repetition, while mantra is the tool to do zhikr. AUM is not a word, but an abbreviation of Angkar, Ungkar, Mekar (AUM) which later turned into OM. Mr. Anand also added about development of the women who have been abused or had bad experiences in sexuality, where they hardly experience orgasm. Meditation is the only way to fix it.

C. WORKSHOPS

WORKSHOP 3: BY SUNDARANDA DAS

The first workshop on the second day is about Japa meditation performed by Sundaranada Das. Meditation is a mind concentration, which at the end will turn into the way of releasing all material things in the world. As an Avatara, Krishna reincarnated to the earth as a messenger of God and as well as a worshiper to God. Avatara came when the evil beats the goodness (dharma). God came as a re enforcement of dharma. Avatara comes in every age. In this age of Kali, Lord reincarnated with his sacred name. At the present time it is difficult to connect people directly to God, but Love as the nature of God can be found through the love we get from our parents or by chanting the sacred name of God repeatedly which is called 'japa'. The holy name of God is very strong because of all the nature of God that He embodied. The chanting of the Holy name of God will be done for 108 times with a 'japamala' that made of intaran seeds as a tool. Meditation is done by repeating the word 'hare', 'krishna', and 'rama' with the certain pattern. But before that, a mantra should be said to reduce errors. The chanting is: 'Hare Krishna hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna hare hare, hare Rama hare Rama, Rama Rama hare hare' that is repeated 108 times from the base of the beads to the ends.

Some advantages of this meditation are:
1)    Clean the heart
2)    Extinguish worldly desires
3)    Calm
4)    Improve spiritual knowledge
5)    Multiple joy
6)    Happiness and peace of mind

WORKSHOP 4: BY SURAPSARI MEGUMI/SADDIQ PABLO

The workshop 4 was presented by a meditator from Japan. She discussed the four elements of nature which were the media to do meditation. Four elements are referred to the earth, water, fire, and air. Not the literal meaning of the four elements that are referred to, but the essence is presented. Earth represents support, just as unconditional love of mother who will be there in any conditions. Water symbolizes the love which is always flowing. The fire symbolizes the desire to achieve what is not inconceivable to achieve. Air symbolizes the inspiration derived to be reissued as well as the air to breathe. Each element lies in a different place when associated with chakras. Earth is located at the base chakra which is near the tail bone. Water is located on the second chakra below the navel on the genitals. The fire is located in the navel chakra at the top and bottom of the chest. Air element located at 2 places because when we breathe there are 2 relevant organs of the throat and chest (the lungs). So there is the air element in the 2 chakras. At the end of meditation, all kinds of elements were balanced by feeling the chakra on our heads which is the highest chakra.

The next presenter was Saddiq Pablo. The workshop was quite different compared to the previous workshops. Mr. Pablo invites all the participants to stand in a circle and move while saying mantra repeatedly and singing, by holding hands to the people next to us. The meaning of all this movement is how enlightenment can be gained from meditation and applied into real actions which are also called karma yoga. In this meditation all forms of relationships and actions we do in life will change significantly, and the enlightenment can be applied with real actions.

WORKSHOP 5: BY I MADE ASTAWA

Last workshop presented by dr. Made Astawa. He began his workshop with an explanation of the reasons why people do meditation. Some do it for healing, some do it to get something, some do it with the reason for calming themselves, and some do it for other things.
He explained about Padma flower. It is an example of how flowers anywhere give beauty. Padma Light is a form of love that will spread into any circumstances. The energy gained can be used to treat. Once this energy is open it will be taken through life.
The energy gained can be transferred to another person. When we get the energy we will probably divide the energy of love to others, even to the whole world.

In the implementation of this meditation, he said that it prior to the purification of the five senses, five karmendriya, and five mahabuta (body-forming elements), five maya kosa (five layers of the body), and the last is the atma (soul). Purification carried out while saying the word 'OM' in every part of the cleaning. After purification then the padma light meditation can be applied. Meditation is the spread of padma light energy throughout the body. It allows us to feel the vibration of every cell in our bodies. This makes us become a padma light itself and can be transmitted to others. Radiant energy gives joy to the people who we care about. Padma light can also be used for burning hatred of the people who disagreed with us. At the end of meditation, we put our hands on the chest and thanked our father and mother who has given life to us and the teachers who have educated us since childhood. After that, rub both hands, then on the face, then the whole body.

D. SUFI NIGHT

The Sufi Night started by Gede Kurniawan and Gus Wicak with a song of Om Swatiastu to welcome all the audience. The next Nyanyian Dharma Song followed by the appearance of Anak Agung Ocha, Anggi, and Ayu Laksmi. At the end of her appearance, Ayu Laksmi discuss a bit about Dharma Song, which is a collaborative album with Dewa Budjana, which includes spiritual songs that are packed with modern pop music. As the last appearance, all the artists sung the song of 'Tat Twam Asi'.

As a climax of the event, 7 of the Anand Ashram dancers brought about poems, songs, and the famous Sufi dance which is called Whirling dance. The dancers were spinning guided Anand Krishna's voice. The dancers spin for more than 30 minutes and eventually felt into the floor which becomes a symbol of the falling the ego.. The dancers got up as new persons who have peace of mind. The event then followed by devotional songs and poems from Anand Ashram. After that, we are so blessed that Mr. Anand Krishna gave a speech about Sufi and also sung some beautiful songs.

At the end, some souvenirs were handed to the initiator of Ubud Writes and Readers Festival, Ibu Janet and Pak Ketut who inspired Mr. Anand Krishna to hold the IBMF, and also to all supporters such as from Sjaki-tari-us and the Head of Ubud Distric as well as the Head of Banjar Ubud Kelod.