I’ve been coming to Ubud, Bali, since 2001, this being my fifteenth time here. I keep coming back for many reasons, one of them being the sensation of plugging into a love vibe, which nourishes, inspires and recharges me. Here in Ubud manifestations of love can be witnessed everywhere.

Love towards individuality, in the honoring of our bodies through very individual dressing, body art, hairstyles, and ornaments. Granted, much of it is ego-driven, and it can almost become a showcase of who’s wearing what in the world of yogic and spiritual attire in Ubud.

Nevertheless, these are people who are interested in self-development, self-growth and self-expression, and who strive towards authenticity. I smile when seeing the masses of yoga students, how alike they are, and what stereotypes they fill. However, they have come from all over the world, from environments, which may not have been supportive of their inner calling. Their journey here may not have been easy, and they have to work hard to achieve what they’ve set out to achieve here. Coming here, they find community, acceptance, and a space to express themselves freely. My full respect to them. Besides, I note with an inward smile of awareness, I am a big stereotype myself (rattle and shake go my hanging feathers, eagle, and ram)!

Love towards body, as expressed in certain bare-chested men, their muscular, sweaty pecs serving as the platform for an ivory tooth, eagle feather, sacred geometry amulet or possibly a combo of all three and more. They’ve worked hard to get those bodies, so why not enjoy them? I really don’t mind unless they have EGO written all over their face. Then there are the females with bared and bejeweled navels, and hair done up in fashionably messy buns. What brings me delight is to see every size and shape represented here, and a joy of one’s body taking place no matter what stage of their journey someone is at.

Love towards partners, visible in very public kisses, hugs, embraces and looks. I am here alone, but I find joy in the many authentic expressions of love. It makes me smile, and I find it amazing when two spirits connect on that level. Some people are just made for each other, and we should celebrate that they have found each other. Maybe the limit is when I have tongue-kissing taking place one meter from my face. That’s too much love too close to my face.

Love towards community is perhaps the one that has touched me the most this time around. The desire of being accepted into and belonging to a group where differences are overlooked by one or more unifying factors, sealed with love, is a strong indication to me of just how socially hungry many of us are. If you’ve ever wanted to belong to a group, and have watched them from a distance, craving to be a part of that group, this will sound familiar to you. The feeling of being initiated, through a look, a hug, or words, is like a home-coming, a cocoon of safety.

Love towards nature. Here, we automatically have more respect towards the ground we stand on, have built on, get food from, dump garbage on, and release waste into. Grounding is so easy here, because there’s less cement and more dirt and greenery. We also connect more with the air, water, fire elements, and many of us, with that invisible ether, spirit.

What other aspects of love do you feel I could have touched upon? I love to talk about love, so share the love with me via email.

I am designing a 2016 Spring Bali Retreat. This retreat is for women by women. Let me know what an ideal retreat in Bali would be like for you below!

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