Finding Practical Answers in Tri Hita Karana
Finding Practical Answers in Tri Hita Karana
by Gove Donal DePuy
Our social relationships are, “every bit as powerful as adequate sleep, a good diet and not smoking,” in terms of affecting long term health and lifespan. In line with a recent trend of supporting ancient wisdom with science, a recent article by Harvard Medical School has re-stated this long standing truth.
Here at Fivelements we couldn’t agree more. The Balinese philosophy of Tri Hita Karana (translated loosely as the “three paths to prosperity”) has promoted for centuries that the most important relationships in our human lives are those with God (or personal spirituality), with our natural environment, and with our fellow humans.
Focus on People, not plans
Too often in modern life we treat our relationships as decorations to be enjoyed after work and on holidays. Under the pressure of deadlines and a daily schedule, the people in our lives can too easily become obstacles for our personal goals. Many of the new technologies and gadgets we invent attempt to erase the need for a previous relationship.
Tri Hita Karana tells us that the real work in life is to maintain our relationships with all aspects of the world around us in the same way that we would care for a child, a garden, and even for ourselves.
Look for what you need in Nature It could be said that the unnatural situation that we as modern humans are currently confronted with is an unfortunate side effect of the comfortable lifestyles that more and more of us are afforded these days. There was a time when we found everything we needed to survive in our immediate, natural surroundings.
Tri Hita Karana does not discourage comfort, but reminds us that Nature almost always has a more complete answer.
Respect the power of the Universe
At Fivelements we have learned much from the island of Bali. We often rely on Balinese philosophy as a spiritual compass to turn to when relationships, and life itself, become challenging and unclear.
Time and again, the simple structure of Tri Hita Karana reminds us to understand that we are not in control. This piece of philosophy guides us through many issues, whether immediately foreseeable or not.
And finally…
Though the choices for self development are almost endless, in many cases looking for guidance in the well tested ideas of ancient cultures brings the most lasting results.
We at Fivelements are finding sustainability in the re-emergance of ancient culture. Listening to the whispers of wisdom such as Tri Hita Karana teaches us every single day to believe in the magic of the spiritual, the natural and one another.
Fivelements Puri Ahimsa is proud to have four certificates of achievement in recognition of consistency in maintaining the high standards of the Tri Hita Karana Award.
