A Few of My Favorite Things: Bali & Being in Service

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Doctor Neha: Hi, everybody and welcome today I’m filming in falling and I have such a special guest. This is my dear friend Ngyoman. He is a brave soul willing to come on and have a dialogue with me when he doesn’t even know what we’re talking about. So this is good.

Ngyoman: So I’m Ngyoman. Make me surprised.

Doctor Neha: I’ve come back here a few times now, and you have been so kind to a drive me around and help me see all the beautiful healers and temples in this country.

Ngyoman: Thank you for coming to Bali.

Doctor Neha: Yes, that’s our pitch to all of you to come—it’s such an incredible place. I write my books when I come here because I feel so deeply connected not only to myself, but also to you, to this culture and to something much bigger. It’s almost like when I’m in Bali I feel that humans and animals and mother nature are all in harmony.

Ngyoman: In Bali, we believe in that we are all in relationship with God, in relationship with humans, in relationship with nature. So we are all together, and we keep in balance.

Doctor Neha: Ah, so it’s part of how you’re raised?

Ngyoman: Yeah

Doctor Neha: I see that nature is integrated into the building structures. Then there are the indoor-outdoor spaces because the weather is so incredible here. You’re going to take credit for that one too? [Ngyoman laughs.] I love it.

So what I’m actually exploring at first is why I feel so connected here. And it’s because of the visuals and the sounds of nature and the weather is warm. I love the warm weather. So it’s like all my senses—even good food—sense that everything’s connected here. And then I was wondering about this nature in the Balinese people. There’s this nature of kindness and generosity and customer service is what we call it customer service. But really is that it is compassionate kindness to one another, like a gentleness. How is that brought into the culture? Because even the animals don’t seem react. They’re very calm.

Ngyoman: In Bali, we see the spirit. And if you’re good with the spirit, the spirit will give goodness back to you. We like good karma. So if we do bad things, then in the future we will get bad things. If we do good things, then maybe this time we will get good things in the future. If you don’t get it this time then maybe next time, you’ll get it or maybe you’ll get payback for your children.

Doctor Neha: So it’s connected. It’s karma.

Ngyoman: It’s karma.

Doctor Neha: So it’s like the deeds you do, the way you are, how you treat other people will either come back to you this time, or in another lifetime or come back to your children and your family. So in generations to come? There’s something so beautiful about the fact that you see beyond today. It seems like so many cultures only care about today and making the most money today, getting everything for me today—a very self-centered culture. Here, you see the bigger connected picture of not only this lifetime, but also the next lifetime of generations coming into the world.

Ngyoman: So we see ahead. We open our minds to connect with the mind of the next person or creature.

Doctor Neha: And it’s the way you’re raised from when you’re children?

Ngyoman: Yes, we tell that from generation to generation. Parents tell the children to be like this. And in our schools, they teach how to be in the world.

Doctor Neha: So in school they teach how to live in the world? Like a class?

Ngyoman: Like a class, because in Bali, we have a lesson for the Hindu and that everything, even one day is about giving into the system and in the community.

Doctor Neha: You know, it’s so funny because speaking of transportation, when I walk on the street, I see everyone travels on scooters. So when the men on the scooters ask if I need a taxi or want something, if I say no, thank you, they say, “OK, maybe tomorrow.” They are so pleasant. They don’t even get mad and annoyed. They have such a positive attitude. And then when I actually do say yes, I need a taxi and get on the back of the scooter, I was a little bit nervous because I have to hold on to their waist. But they’re not creepy. They’re very nice and professional and I don’t feel bad. I feel safe. So the men here act and behave differently.

Ngyoman: Yes because they are doing their jobs. They are just thinking about doing the job, just drive, just get the money. They aren’t thinking about anything else. And for the taxi driver, he won’t get mad because maybe he’ll get the job tomorrow.

Doctor Neha: But you think forward. You don’t think about this moment only. You do it in generations. You do it in spirituality. You do it in karma. You are truly in service.

Ngyoman: Yes, so we can be our best with people and best with our friends.

Doctor Neha: Yes, it’s a belief in loyalty and service in the world. So thank you!

Doctor Neha: For all of you listening, take a moment to ask yourself: Where is it that you feel really aligned? I come to Bali because I get so connected to myself. I feel in community with others, and I feel like there is a greater power that’s connected to the world. So where is that place for you? And how might you be able to put yourself in surroundings that allow you to feel empowered and in service? The world needs your gifts.