Why A Winter in Bali Will Rebalance You

By: Naomi Matlow

Winter is coming (in the Northern Hemisphere). If you’re the “let’s build sandcastles over snow forts” type, this is not your season. But lucky for you, we live Unsettled in Bali all year long. We live and love the island’s tropical climate 12 months a year (did you know Bali is only 8 degrees south of the equator?)!

For one month this November, 2 weeks this December, and all through the winter of 2020, we are learning, working, adventuring, and rebalancing between the colorful beaches, yoga shalas, monkey forests, and rice fields of Ubud. Summer and balance is just a plane ride away. And if you are looking for a cool breeze, the mountains and volcanoes are waiting to be hiked. The Indonesian islands are also quieter this time of year at the major tourist sites (and the traffic is often less congested too), if you are also not one to relish in a line-up.

Winter is often a time of hibernation and introspection under a fleece blanket, but during Balinese winter, we can experience introspection of another kind, guided by the 2,000 year old ancient philosophy of Tri Hita Karana. Tri Hita Karana, roughly translates as “three causes of well-being”. The philosophical triangle at play here is harmony with (1) nature, (2) the human world, and (3) the spirit. This spiritual triangle that both surrounds each one of us and lives within us, is only in balance when each aspect is nurtured and nourished.

It is not a coincidence that Bali is synonymous with healing, well-being, and spiritual awakening. If you are craving a newfound sense of harmony, the interconnectedness of nature, humanity, and the spiritual world is both physically present and deeply felt throughout the magical Indonesian islands. We will look for it, and live it, for one month or two weeks this winter.

If you are wondering if a Balinese winter is for you, we have a little game.