August 12, 2025
After we spent the morning floating on the surface of the Indian Ocean with masks and flippers, watching lots of colorful fish, our group returned for lunch and a lecture on customs and manners in Bali. We learned why you never touch a Balinese person on the head, why you never point your the bottom on your foot at a Balinese person, how to gesture for a waiter to come closer to you, why you should never stand with your hands on your hips in Bali, and much more. Judy taught us some basic Balinese phrases.
And afterwards, we all settled into the bale on the back corner of the property for an all-group orientation. As soon as we formed our circle and I sat in the teacher’s seat, everything clicked into place for me. Oh, this is something I know how to do. This is my gift—creating sacred space for a group.
I set expectations for the retreat, we went over issues of confidentiality, I had everyone introduce themselves, and then we talked about some core principles I’d like our community to honor: Respect, risk-taking, curiosity, open-heartedness.
That feeling was definitely awakening in the room—that grounded, connected energy we all came for. That magic container where the truth is told, bonds are formed, and insight happens.
I always take a lot of time to set the container at the beginning of a retreat, and it always pays off later.
After our orientation session, we took a little break. Then we came back and talked about writing.
Then without any fanfare or specific instruction (that will come tomorrow), I gave them their first writing prompt: “Since I came to Bali. . . .” We wrote together for ten minutes and then I asked for volunteers to read. And just like that, our voices were in the room and I could feel people start to ease in and open. It was a good beginning, and tomorrow we ‘ll go deeper.
It’s been a very long day and I’m finally getting to this post this late at night, so this will be a short one. But before I sign off, I wanted to share this great photo Joanie took tonight: Lotus Bungalows at sunset.
