Many people, particularly those of a spiritual inclination are great advocates of being in the moment because it is as if you are in a constant meditation, sublimely focused on what is going on right now. For a number of reasons, including Hindu philosophy and the Indonesian culture of jam karet (rubber time, where time basically means nothing and can be bent at will), Balinese naturally operate in the now.
In modern times, however, this is not always such a beautiful thing because often the future is forgotten—particularly when it comes to our environment. I’ve noticed that few local people these days are aware of the fact that what we do (or don’t do) in the present may have consequences far into the future. ‘Tomorrow’ needs to be meditated on more in terms of the big picture: we are a fragile tropical island on a volatile planet that’s currently undergoing tremendous environmental pressure.
Kids merrily throwing rubbish on the ground; adults burning piles of plastic right in front of their own banjar; and the pious dumping aqua cups in the river next to their own temples raise eyebrows with all visitors to Bali. In fact, it puts many people off visiting the island, which is ironic because everyone who lives in Bali depends on people coming to Bali for their survival. The lack of awareness and callous attitude to the natural environment is shocking, considering that religious life here is based on concepts such as karma and Tri Hita Karana (living in harmony with God, nature and fellow man).
Burning toxic rubbish, overusing plastic bags, littering, dumping rubbish in waterways, fogging for mosquitoes, exterminating animals etc. are all quick and easy solutions which can result in far dire consequences further down the line. Who likes to live with a constant smell of burning rubbish, look at plastic-clogged rivers and negotiate packs of stray dogs? Many Balinese comment to me that there seem to be more illnesses these days—gee, I wonder why?
Many people, particularly those of a spiritual inclination are great advocates of being in the moment because it is as if you are in a constant meditation, sublimely focused on what is going on right now. For a number of reasons, including Hindu philosophy and the Indonesian culture of jam karet (rubber time, where time basically means nothing and can be bent at will), Balinese naturally operate in the now.
In modern times, however, this is not always such a beautiful thing because often the future is forgotten—particularly when it comes to our environment. I’ve noticed that few local people these days are aware of the fact that what we do (or don’t do) in the present may have consequences far into the future. ‘Tomorrow’ needs to be meditated on more in terms of the big picture: we are a fragile tropical island on a volatile planet that’s currently undergoing tremendous environmental pressure.
Kids merrily throwing rubbish on the ground; adults burning piles of plastic right in front of their own banjar; and the pious dumping aqua cups in the river next to their own temples raise eyebrows with all visitors to Bali. In fact, it puts many people off visiting the island, which is ironic because everyone who lives in Bali depends on people coming to Bali for their survival. The lack of awareness and callous attitude to the natural environment is shocking, considering that religious life here is based on concepts such as karma and Tri Hita Karana (living in harmony with God, nature and fellow man).
Burning toxic rubbish, overusing plastic bags, littering, dumping rubbish in waterways, fogging for mosquitoes, exterminating animals etc. are all quick and easy solutions which can result in far dire consequences further down the line. Who likes to live with a constant smell of burning rubbish, look at plastic-clogged rivers and negotiate packs of stray dogs? Many Balinese comment to me that there seem to be more illnesses these days—gee, I wonder why?
