(Sequel article of A Conversation with a Mangku)

Kendrick strolled along the sandy beach, sat on a rugged chair, and mused over his life.

Am I on my way to the moksa? Can I say that? Or does it only belong to the Hindus?

If I could only find my moksa because I'm Hindu, what about many people who are searching for God? Do they have their own practices which are at the end will only lead into another term of moksa or are they different? But, if there are many different concepts, there wouldn't be many of You, right? There is only one God, the Creator of the Universe. He mused.

"Oh God, what should I do? Maybe I should seriously begin my meditation. Things are just getting more confusing," he mumbled.

The more Kendrick thought about everything, the more perplexed he became.

Kendrick gazed at a modest woman selling the beach clothes with a bamboo basket and a small child wearing humble clothes. He was dazzled.

There were many differences in terms of wealth. Some people were very poor and others were amazingly rich. Why are there so many differences in our life?

Why do some people deal with so many difficulties in this mortal coil when others seemingly live their lives easily? Is it karma? Or is there another reason? Did some people come to this vain world destined to suffer? Can they change their destiny? Is it we who really should decide our own future or is it merely in God's hands?

If it's solely in God's hands, then what about our effort? Will it be justified that people taking too much leisure and simply bestowing their faith in God's will?

All right, all right. I know the term ora et labora. Pray and work. So, it must be the combination of two. But then, what can we do if we have already prayed hard, burned ourselves out but don't get an answer on what we are looking for? He pondered.

Kendrick looked over the moving ridge on the ocean. He inhaled the air deeply and took out his diary from his brown backpack.

God, in my search for You, so far I only became more baffled. I knew that not all people were confused like me. I could see from the Mangku's radiant eyes when talking about faith that he had found the ultimate essence of his life but God, I'm still not convinced. My heart was still trembling inside and I took that as a sign that I haven't found what I was looking for.

Tomorrow, I'm going to begin my meditation class. I hope all the ears inside my heart were on and widely opened to the inner voice yearning.

Kendrick smiled, put his diary back to his backpack, and slowly stood up.

Author: Damien Dematra
He is a novelist, writer, painter, and photographer.
www.damiendematra.com

You are allowed to copy and to distribute this article with limitation only for non-commercial purposes and with credit to the author.

(Sequel article of New Friends)

Meeting in front of Starbucks, Kendrick Lovington and the Mangku walked along the Kuta Beach, Bali. The beautiful panorama before them infiltrated fresh and relaxing sensation. They watched people water-skiing, swimming, playing on the beach, and shouting in pleasure exchanging their bliss. Some people were cheerful with many activities involving body movement and others just sat leisurely under the big shelters or giant colored-umbrellas drinking their beer and coffee, enjoying the lovely scenery and the hot weather.   
   "It's a nice place you have here," Kendrick remarked.
   Ida Marendra, the mangku, curved his lips shooting a sweet smile. "Yes, this place is blessed."
   They walked into a café in wood concept, sitting facing the beach. The Mangku ordered a glass of fruit juice while Kendrick asked for iced white coffee.
   "So, how can I assist you?" Ida Marendra asked, smiling sympathetically at him.
   "I've read a lot. You know that I'm teaching about human beings and their minds. Yet, somehow, the deeper I went into myself, the more I knew that something was missing," he paused momentarily and gazed at the splendid view in front of him. "Would you share your spiritual experience with me?"
   "I'm living my life, reaching out for what we called moksa. It is a state of freedom, from karma, birth, death, and suffering on the Earth."
   "And have you found your freedom?" Kendrick tasted his coffee.
   The Mangku's eyes shone in happiness and he said, "All of us are going to reach it. We divided the process into four paths. The first one is keeping praying whole-heartedly. God is near the people who are seeking and searching for Him and His will in life. The second one is doing good deeds without expecting anything in return. We simply do it to serve others and for the kindness of mankind."
   Kendrick grinned. "Guess, the last two paths are rather difficult to do in our limitation as human, aren't they? We tend to have a self-fulfillment tendency, if you don't want to call it selfishness."
   "Yeah, that's the body inclination," Marendra added.
   "That's about our deeds. When we've already received many blessings, in terms of material, sometimes we find it's difficult to lose our possessions and share it with others especially to ones we don't know. We consider them as ours. After tasting some richness, we simply can't stand being poor anymore." He paused momentarily and then said, "I guess, it's very human."
   "From my experience, the hardest thing is to give up something or someone you love," he said.
   Kendrick sighed. "So true," then, continued, "What are the other paths?"
   "It's the philosophy. In short, it is said that every existing thing; material or immaterial is temporary. Nothing is absolute except for the Source."
   Having read it before, Kendrick nodded.
   "And the last one is through yoga."
   "The concentration of the mind."
   "Yes, it emphasizes the self control of our being."
   Thinking he might find the enlightenment during a meditation, Kendrick said, "I'd like to join one. Do you have any recommendation?"
   "I'll give you the address and map for the location." Marendra drank his mixed tropical fruit juice.
   "Sure. I'll certainly go."  He sucked his iced coffee from the straw. "I believe you have the five foundations of faith if I'm not mistaken?"
   "You read much, don't you?" Ida Marendra smiled approvingly.
   "Yeah, but reading is not the same with experiencing, and having been living it through is not the same with believing. Well, you know believing is yet far from practicing."
   "Yeah," Ida Marendra said slowly. "If people just spend more of their time nourishing their inner health, the world would be so much happier, don't you think so?"
   Kendrick chuckled. "So, do you believe in karma?"
   "Yes, that's one from the five foundations of faith, the faith to God.  Secondly, a belief that there is a part of His particles living among us."
   "Oh, I see."
   "Then, there is karma. I believe you've known about it already," the Mangku stated.
   "Yes, good deeds will bring you good results or the contrary. I believe that, either. Practically, why do we want to hurt other people, anyway," he said rhetorically.  "And then, the reincarnation?"
   "Yes, the rebirth of the soul into this world or a higher place."
   Kendrick nodded in agreement.
   "The last one is moksa."  
   "That's the end of the spiritual journey."
   "Correct." Ida Marendra opened a wide smile.
   They took a couple of deep breaths in silence. Then, Ida Marendra asked, "So, what's your next plan?"
   Kendrick gave a wide smile. "First thing first. I'll join the meditation class."  
   "Sure." Ida Marendra wrote an address and phone number in the rustic paper-napkin, and handed it to him. "Do you want to be picked up?"
   "No, no." Kendrick waved his palms to the air as a gesture of polite refusal.  "I'll be fine. I'll meet you there?"
   Ida Marendra nodded.
   Kendrick asked for the bill and they stepped out into the pavement together passing by many people of various ages. Most of them were in drips covering their tanned skin from the ocean water.

Author: Damien Dematra
He is a novelist, writer, painter, and photographer.
www.damiendematra.com

You are allowed to copy and to distribute this article with limitation only for non-commercial purposes and with credit to the author.

(Sequel article of 'Where are You God?')

Having plenty of time on the plane, Kendrick pulled out his new small diary. On the first page was a brochure of his destination and
he read it again for the tenth times:
Bali is an island between Java and Lombok Island with the vast majority in Hindu.  It is famous for its artworks and music and
considered to be number one for tourist attraction destination in Indonesia.
"Hi, is this your first time to Indonesia?"
Kendrick squinted at a friendly young man sitting next to him. He had trimmed dark hair with welcoming black eyes and a pair of
eyeglasses in silvery frame.  From his outer appearance, Kendrick knew that he was an Asian man.
"Yes, it is," Kendrick answered politely, "And how about you? Are you from Indonesia?" He tried to prolong the conversation.
"Yes, I'm from Bali," the young man replied. "I'm a university student."  He studied Kendrick's profile guessing his new
acquaintance's job. He guessed him right.
"Oh, really? I'm a psychology professor. I'm on a long leave," he paused a moment, then continued. "So, tell me about the place!"
"Well, it depends on your interest. Are you going to stay long?"
"I don't know exactly. I'm attending a three-day conference and then, well, I guess, I'll just have to follow my instinct."
His eyes widened. "Oh, I'm Putu Ray by the way," he extended his hands.
"I'm Kendrick Lovington," he replied offering his hand.
"Bali is a superb island. You shall like it. It has sacred nuance of religious aura."
Kendrick's face was wreathed in smiles. "That's exactly what I'm looking for."
"Oh, yeah? Well, you'll come to the right place, then. Bali is an exotic island with the depth understanding of God. You'll also love
the beaches.  It's a melting pot between the west and the east."
"Yes, I surely will."
"And, hum, you'll definitely need to change your suit there," Putu remarked observing his conventional clothes.
Kendrick smiled shyly. "I guess, I will."

After being on the plane for almost a full day long, the plane finally landed in Denpasar, Bali.  Kendrick stretched out his numb
legs, said good bye to his companion, and hailed for a taxi.
He entered into a private resort where he was warmly welcomed. It was rather quiet with a shady green garden in the center, next to
the restaurant, and a medium-sized swimming pool.
Soon after checking in, Kendrick changed into the creamy pants with long-sleeved white cotton shirt, getting ready for his very first
start journey. He strolled along the sidewalk of the streets.

It was a sunny day and warm breeze greeted his pale skin. Almost everyone in the street wore beach-suits and cotton garments.
The streets were full of small stores selling many types of merchandise; clothing, souvenirs, and metal works. The cozy ambiance of
semi-outdoor cafés straggled between the stores.
Kendrick bought some T-shirts and long cotton-motif-pants and then ambled at the streets enjoying the new scent of his life, spending
more than half of his day, and sat leisurely on a semi-outdoor café reading a book.

On the next day, Kendrick attended the conference.    
He entered the huge ballroom with white tablecloths and comfortable red chairs lining up tidily. He walked into an empty seat in the
center next to a white turbaned man.
"Hi, is this seat taken?" Kendrick opened the conversation politely.
"Oh, no, no. Go ahead." He gave a wide smile to Kendrick. "Hi, I'm Ahmed Badullah."
"Kendrick Lovington."
"Coming alone?" Ahmed asked him.
"Yes."
"Religion is my passion."
Kendrick beamed. "Same as here."
"Excuse me." Their ongoing conversation was interrupted by a white-dressed man in a white cotton toupee. He looked modest and warm
with black eyes and tanned skin.
"Hi," Kendrick greeted. He noticed him secretly. He assumed the man was around his age.
The man took a seat beside him.
"Hi, I'm Ida Marendra," he introduced himself, and they delivered their warm handshakes.
They paused for a while.
Kendrick reached the inside part of his backpack.  Ugh, what's the word for the Hinduism leader in Bali? I've written it down in my
diary. He grabbed his white soft leather book, opened it quickly, and fingered the lines.
Aha. Here it is! he said inwardly.
Kendrick turned his head to the direction of where Marendra was sitting. "Are, are you a Mangku?" he asked.
The man nodded smiling. "Yes. Why?"
"Well, I'm interested in Hinduism, and hum, actually I'm in search for God."
"Oh, really?"
Well, maybe we can get together after the conference is over."
"Oh, sure!"  
"Good morning, ladies and gentlemen," the moderator opened the speech commencing the conference. All participants paid their attention
to the stage.

During the lunch break, they sat by each other having fried-rice with chicken and shrimp chips.
"So, what do you do?" Kendrick took a spoon of his rice.
"I'm a businessman."
"Oh, I see.  Where you from?"
"I'm from Dubai."
Kendrick chewed up his food. "Oh, I believe it's a beautiful country."
Ahmed grinned. "Indeed. Thank you."
"How long will you be staying in Bali?" Ida Marendra asked.
"I'm still having to do some business after the conference. Maybe I'll stay for two weeks or so."
"Oh, really?"
They continued talking and became close friends during the seminar.

Author: Damien Dematra
He is a novelist, painter, and photographer.
www.damiendematra.com

You are allowed to copy and to distribute this article with limitation only for non-commercial purposes and with credit to the author.