V9 The Shanti Agung Temple Opening Celebration

By Jewel Levitt

Marriage Celebrant Coolum Sunshine Coast Queensland

In 2007, friends of mine were holidaying at their regular destination, the traditional Balinese village of Jasri. There, they were to learn about a family who had become destitute since their mother had died.

During an early morning climb to the summit of Mt. Agung, the highest and most sacred mountain on Bali,…. my friend Gwyn, in pitch black darkness, was able to truly sense the depth of silence and the stillness it offers.

Within this space he felt the first vision towards the creation of the Shanti Agung project. This was later clarified during a long Stradbroke Island beach run where all doubt disappeared and the vision was clarified.

Thus they began the first steps to put their plan into place.

1. purchase land in Bali for their friends in need, the Komang family;
2. construct a house and vegie garden for the family home;
3. construct a 10m x 10m structure on the land;
4. hold the first Zenthai intensive at the new temple aiming for September 2009;
5. open the new centre infused with the traditional therapies and Paramahansa Yogananda’s teachings.

As soon as I received this inspiring vision via a newsletter, I felt compelled to offer my services with an opening ceremony and to support the first Zenthai Shiatsu course in Bali.

This inspiring vision was manifested with divine grace, focussed intention, lots of Zenthai treatments and assistance from others.

At sunset on the 9-09-09 we celebrated the opening of the Shanti Agung Temple. There were thirty three guests from all over the world and Balinese musicians.

We began with a silent procession from the front of the property to the temple, where we offered incense and prayers. Each guest was given a flower to offer their blessing to the Shanti Agung Temple. The daughter of the family, who had received the gift of this land and home, graced us with a traditional Balinese dance in full costume and invited each one of us to dance with her.

My friends who created the project were invited to speak of their intention and we followed with a group song, a reading from Paramahansa Yogananda and declared the Shanti Agung Temple open. We finished the ceremony with everyone on their feet dancing to the tribal rhythms and afterwards celebrated with a wonderful feast.

Click on photos to enlarge

The entire ceremony lasted about an hour and a half, but seemed to go so fast. It was a very sacred and moving ceremony for everyone involved.

Working with the Balinese people and my spiritual friends was a big lesson in trust as most of the ceremony only came together in the few days prior and some of it spontaneously on the night. This was definitely one of the highlights of my ceremonial work and such a privilege.

ACCN thanks Jewel Levitt for submitting this story and photos.

For more information about Jewel Click here