Dwi took me to a priest in his village, Peliatan. The priest’s name is Ida Pedanda Putra Jelantik Jenggala Wisaya. He performed a cleansing ceremony for Dwi and me. We took our shirts off and he poured holy water on our heads, in our hands, and on our backs. Afterwards, we sat and prayed in the temple.
Dwi told the priest about my visions of the Barong and Wayang Kulit (shadow puppets), and the priest said they are good signs, and that it means that I am protected and watched over by spirits or gods. The priest said that some day I may be a very holy man in Bali.
I was planning to ask the priest questions, including how to find holy water in America, but I didn’t get a chance to. Dwi came to the rescue, though, suggesting a spot in California that he had felt to be a place where holy water might exist (when he visited). He gave me instructions for blessing the holy water and for praying at home. He also purchased an altar and yellow and white cloth for me to use at home. I asked Dwi to drop me off at Goa Gajah (the elephant cave). This is an ancient place of worship and, while it is quite impressive, I am more connected to the buddhist temple that was left behind in the small valley below the elephant cave. The last time I was in Bali (in 2001), I had a strong feeling that I had been born there, and I had wanted to stay there a long time. This time, I walked to the lotus pond in front of the buddhist temple, sat down, and prayed. I then walked up the stairs to the site of the temple. I felt an overwhelming sense of spirit. There was a very powerful presence near the temple platform. The power there was staggering. It held me in place and made my breathing labored. Again, I felt like I would like to spend a long time there.
As I left the elephant cave area, many Balinese people placed their palms together and bowed to me. I am sure it was because I was dressed in temple clothes with rice on my forehead from the cleansing ceremony.
