Full Moon Hike: Bali 2017
On occasion I will come to realizations that nothing has been an accident. As I write this my understanding of the moon and its spiritual meaning is limited but I don’t think the following was a coincidence:
In April of 2017, I was in Bali with friends and we each chose an excursion they couldn’t leave the country without doing. My excursion of choice was to complete the sunrise hike on Mt. Batur. It took some convincing and I don’t think anyone was as excited about it as I was but I was absolutely willing to trek it alone.(Though, one of the girls was my ride or die travel partner and she would have never let that happen)
The only way to hike to the top of this mountain is to purchase entry way to the trail and hire a guide. The night the trek was finalized between a driver, guide and us three girls, the country was also worshiping the lunar goddess for the Full Moon. My spirituality had yet to be fully open to what this meant but I knew this was going to be life changing. My understanding of the full moon now is that it is a time to let go of negative things in your life such as past behaviors and all that no longer serves you. The full moon allows us to merge with our full potential, and is a time for new revelations. In hindsight, there couldn’t have been a more perfect night to fully place our trust in each step and in our guide.
I say fully trust our guide because we began our hike and we’re basically in a single file line with other guides and travelers in pitch black darkness. I was prepared with my own flashlight and the one provided but I didn’t realize how dark this hike was going to be or how difficult. Maybe none of us travelers did because there was complete silence as we walked. One step in front of the other I set my intentions and honestly learned lessons.
Lesson one: LET GO! Let the universe guide you on your path no matter how it twists or turns each moment is a lesson waiting for you to learn. #bars.
Lesson two: Give in! Give in and be present, Give in to understand where you have been and where you are going. Just take one step at a time in mindfulness and gratitude as there is no one on this planet like you. You have accepted this journey long before you knew you were on it.
Maybe a quarter of the way up and again midway there were alters dedicated for the guides to take a moment to pray. Our guide asked us for permission and while he prayed, so did we. I can only speak to my personal experience and say that I prayed for peace and ease of mind, clarity and certainly trust. I thanked the goddess for having us but I prayed to whoever was listening. I truly believe in something greater and as we got toward the top I certainly felt it. Each step grew more difficult as the trail became rockier, then ash, and a lot smaller. My fear of heights had no space in that moment as I was determined to make it to the top. There were tears, doubt and fear but we all made it…together!
Lesson three: You are stronger than you think you are! We could have stopped at 3/4 of the way but why? If we made it that far we might as well watch the sunrise at the very top and as high as we can go.
Lesson Four: The beauty at the top of that struggle is indescribable, as are the lessons learned after reaching rock bottom. We had to start somewhere, learn the lessons along the way, but never stop pushing. We knew we’d get there eventually, we just had to give it our all and trust that our time to rest was achievable and the views were certainly worth it.
In moments of doubt I picture myself at the top that day and the feelings I had when I saw the sun clear the darkness. While that happens everyday, I’ve never felt so grateful and connected to the earth. My soul needed that trek and it will forever be my inspiration.
