Chapter 13: The Island of the Gods ( Seventh Part )

Marlon nodded, then looked at Riri and Romo. The three of them exchanged glances, and although many questions still lingered in their minds, a sense of calm arose from within.

"Thank you, Pedande," Marlon said finally, his voice full of gratitude. "We will continue to try to find that balance."

The Pedande simply smiled and nodded, giving them the freedom to continue their journey—with a deeper understanding and full awareness of this complex world.

With that, the discussion ended, and they all felt that their inner journey was still long. But they also knew that at this point, they were beginning to understand one thing: that life, with all its good and bad, is about balance—about accepting and learning to walk between the two.

Sophie, Marlon, Riri, and Romo continued their journey around Bali, an island full of contrasts—between deep tradition and ever-evolving modernity. They began their day early, their car winding through the curving roads, with Sophie as their guide. The weather was bright, the warm Balinese air caressed their faces, and the stunning green scenery accompanied their travels.

Midday - Legian

Legian, with its famous beach, was teeming with tourists enjoying the sunshine. They stopped for a while to stroll along the shore, witnessing how daily life interacted with tourism.

"Here, we can see how culture and tourism mix," Sophie said, looking around, "Bali has always attracted attention, but sometimes there's tension between local culture and the presence of tourists who come here."

Marlon nodded, his eyes observing the interactions between foreign tourists busy with their phones and local vendors trying to offer their wares. He asked Sophie, "What do you think is lost in Bali with all this tourism development? Is there something deeper that's affected?"

Sophie paused for a moment, gazing at the waves washing the shore, then replied, "Bali has long been a spiritual and cultural center. However, as tourism has grown rapidly, we can see a shift. Culture is often marginalized, replaced by a more materialistic economy. It doesn't mean Bali should stop accepting tourists, but something is lost in their interaction, between the two—tourists and locals."

Riri, who had been listening intently, jotted down some notes, then said, "So, in your opinion, Bali needs to find a way to preserve its traditional culture amidst the booming tourism? How can culture remain alive in the context of modernity?"

Sophie smiled, responding seriously, "That's the challenge, isn't it? Maintaining a balance between developing and still appreciating cultural roots."

Marlon interjected seriously, "Maybe that's also what we learned from this research, right? About the balance between virtue and vice. Bali, in many ways, faces the same paradox."

Journey to Tanah Lot

After Legian, they continued their journey to Tanah Lot, a place famous for its temple on a rock jutting out into the sea. They stopped to enjoy the scenery and walk around the temple area, which was crowded with visitors.

Here, the atmosphere began to feel calmer, far from the hustle and bustle of the city. The vast ocean view, with the Tanah Lot temple standing majestically in the middle, gave an impression of tranquility and silence that contrasted with the lively city life.

Romo, who had rarely spoken before, seemed to be lost in silent contemplation. He observed the sea and the distant temple, then asked, "Why do you think we feel the need to seek something greater than ourselves? This temple has stood for so long, giving the impression that something bigger than this world exists here. Why do we feel the need to experience that?"

Marlon replied in a serious tone, "Maybe we feel empty without it, Romo. There's something within us that wants to connect with something bigger, more eternal. That could also be part of our search."

Riri added, "Maybe it's also our way of seeking meaning in life. When we don't know where to go, we look for guidance, something that can give us direction."

They walked closer to the cliff, listening to the sound of the waves crashing against the rocks, and became immersed in their own thoughts. A contrast between the peace and the busyness of the world, as if Tanah Lot gave them space to reflect.

Nighttime - Seminyak and Balinese Nightlife

As the sun began to set, their journey continued towards Seminyak. Nighttime in Bali offered a very different scene. Seminyak was filled with brightly lit bars, restaurants, and nightclubs, filled with the booming sound of music and neon lights.

Marlon, Riri, Romo, and Sophie sat at an open-air cafe, enjoying the cool night breeze. They watched people come and go, mostly tourists looking for entertainment.

Riri gazed at the partying crowd, then said, "Look, this is another face of Bali. Earlier we saw a Bali full of culture and tranquility, now we see its commercial and consumerist side."

Sophie responded casually, "That's the reality, isn't it? Bali isn't just about natural beauty and spirituality. There's also a dark side to tourism, with consumerism that makes people drown in desires."

Romo, who had been silent, now began to speak. "This is also what we discussed earlier, isn't it? In this world, there is a duality that constantly exists side by side—good and evil, peace and anxiety. Bali, with all its contradictions, reflects our own lives as well."

Marlon looked out the window, watching the tourists enjoying the Balinese night. "Maybe that's what we've been looking for all this time," he murmured. "A place that can give us happiness, but also a place full of its own confusion."

That night, even though the atmosphere was busy and noisy, they all felt something connecting them—the understanding that this world is full of contrasts. However, as they had learned throughout their journey, virtue and vice cannot be separated. Both exist, and they must learn to accept both.

Marlon finally spoke calmly, "Maybe, like Bali, we all need time to find that balance. Between peace and anxiety, between tradition and modernity."

Riri nodded. "And maybe, we have to keep looking for that balance, within ourselves and in this world."

They laughed softly, while enjoying the colorful and contrasting Balinese night. A long journey that gave them many lessons about the world, and about themselves.

For more than a month, Marlon, Riri, Romo, and Sophie continued their journey exploring various corners of Bali, not just in Denpasar and Ubud, but also to various cities and rural areas far from the crowds. They explored the lives of communities far from the glitz of tourism and delved deeper into how the values of the Seven Deadly Sins and Seven Heavenly Virtues interact in their daily lives.

Kuta - A Different Life Their journey began in Kuta, which was already very famous for its nightlife and beaches that were always crowded with tourists. But this time they tried to focus more on seeing how the local community, especially traders and small business owners, interacted amidst the progress of tourism. They discussed whether the development of tourism in Kuta provided fair benefits for all parties, or only benefited a select few.

Marlon, who was always curious about everything deeper, asked, "What's lost here, in your opinion? What can we learn from Kuta besides the crowds and parties?"

Sophie replied, "Here we see how ambition and the desire to profit can suppress the spiritual values that previously existed in the local community. Kuta used to be a very quiet place. But now, many people are seeking profit, not only from tourists, but also from fellow traders. There's a lot of confusion."

Riri added, "The abuse of nature is also very clear. Kuta used to be known for the beauty of its beaches, but now, with so much development, we can see an imbalance."

Spiritual Journey in Bali: Tracing the Footsteps of Wali Pitu and Traditional Life

Their journey began with a pilgrimage to the tombs of Wali Pitu, seven figures who spread Islam in Bali. These tombs are scattered in various locations in Bali and are a pilgrimage destination for Muslims who want to honor their services in spreading Islam on this island.

Some of the tombs they visited included:

Tomb of Pangeran Mas Sepuh in Seseh, Mengwi: Pangeran Mas Sepuh, or Raden Amangkurat, is known as one of the important figures in the spread of Islam in Bali. Tomb of Habib Umar bin Yusuf Al-Magribi in Candi Kuning II Village: Habib Umar was an ulama who also played a role in spreading Islam in Bali. Tomb of Habib Ali bin Abu Bakar bin Umar Al Khamid in Kusamba Village: Habib Ali is known as a figure who spread Islamic teachings with a peaceful and loving approach. Tomb of Syekh Abdul Qodir Muhammad in Karangasem: Syekh Abdul Qodir Muhammad is one of the respected figures in the Muslim community in Bali.

Sophie, who felt very connected to this place, said, "Here we can feel peace. This tomb is not just a final resting place, but also a place for us to reflect on life and our purpose."

Romo, who had been absorbing every experience since the beginning of the trip, added, "Perhaps what we've been looking for all this time is inner peace, like what the Wali Pitu taught. They didn't just teach religion, but also about the balance between this world and the hereafter."

To Tenganan Village - A Still Traditional Life After visiting Bangli, they continued their journey to Tenganan Village, a village located far in the eastern part of Bali. This village is known for its very strong traditions, especially its traditional ceremonies and hereditary ikat weaving.

In Tenganan, they saw how the community highly valued tradition. Every corner of the village was filled with symbols depicting the noble values of Bali, which were very different from the modern life they encountered in other areas. The people of Tenganan firmly uphold the principle of mutual cooperation and greatly respect nature.

Marlon, who was always fascinated by deeper values, asked, "Here, we can see how the community preserves their cultural heritage, even rejecting modernization that could change everything. Is this a form of the virtue we are looking for, or could it instead be a form of arrogance in rejecting change?"

Sophie replied, "In this village, we see how tradition can be a profound strength. They don't reject change entirely, but they are more selective in accepting new things. It's a form of awareness not to lose their identity."

Riri, who was observing the atmosphere, expressed, "But, can we learn from their way of life? Is this something we can apply in our daily lives?"

Penglipuran Village - Life in Harmony with Nature

Next, they headed to Penglipuran Village, known for its cleanliness and simplicity. This village is very famous for its unique traditional house structure and strictly maintained cleanliness. The community here lives in harmony with nature, maintaining a close relationship between humans and the environment.

Marlon, who enjoyed philosophical thinking, asked, "What if this village illustrates the 'Seven Heavenly Virtues' in their lives? There's harmony, there's order, and of course, virtue in how they live together with nature."

Sophie replied, "In Penglipuran, we can see how values like harmony and togetherness live in every aspect of their lives. But by maintaining those virtues, are they hindering their progress? Or is balance the answer?"

Journey to Trunyan Village - The Concept of Life and Death

Their journey to Trunyan Village took them to a very different experience. This village is famous for its unique burial tradition, where corpses are not buried or cremated but are placed under the Taru Menyan tree and left exposed, surrounded by thick fog. This tradition illustrates how the community here understands the concept of life and death.

Upon visiting this village, they were greeted with an unusual view of life and death. The community here believes that the souls of the deceased will not be disturbed if buried in this way, and the Taru Menyan tree will ward off odors from the lying bodies.

Romo, impressed by their perspective, said, "This is their way of understanding life and death. For them, life is not a linear journey, but part of a larger cycle."

Marlon pondered, "Life and death seem intertwined here. They are not afraid of death, but instead accept it in their unique way. Like what we learned about duality within ourselves."

Riri, who always thought rationally, concluded, "Maybe this is one of the most honest ways of life. They accept life and death as part of the natural process. That might be what's missing in our modern lives—the courage to face reality."

After a month of traveling around, they finally returned to Denpasar. However, their journey this time brought more than just an understanding of Bali. They gained much deeper lessons about how the balance between virtue and vice, tradition and progress, as well as life and death, must be lived wisely, in line with the changing times.

Bali, with all its richness—be it culture, history, or its challenges—had taught them many things. And although this journey had ended, the understanding they gained would remain part of their never-ending life journey.

After this long journey, Marlon, Riri, Romo, and Sophie gathered to reflect on their experiences. They realized that Bali, with all its cultural diversity and traditions, taught them about the importance of balance between worldly and spiritual life.

Romo, who had been absorbing every experience since the beginning of the trip, said, "This journey has taught us that life is about balance."

Marlon added, "And that every tradition, though different, has deep values and meanings."

Sophie smiled, "As we learned from the Wali Pitu, the spread of Islam in Bali wasn't just about religion, but also about universal values that teach peace and tolerance."

Riri concluded their conversation, "And that all of us, though different, have the same goal: to live in peace and harmony."

Their journey in Bali was not just about exploring new places, but also about understanding and appreciating diversity, and finding peace within themselves and their surroundings.

After spending more than a month in Bali, Marlon, Riri, and Romo felt a mix of emotions as the time to say goodbye arrived. Their journey in Bali, filled with insights, reflections, and spiritual exploration, had given them many valuable lessons. They now had to continue their journey to Jakarta and return to Bandung to complete the final stages of their research.

That morning, they gathered at Sophie's place, outside the warm self-healing space, with a bright Bali as the backdrop. Bli Komang, Sophie, and other members of the self-healing community were already waiting to bid them farewell.

Bli Komang, who had been a wise figure and provided much guidance since the beginning of this journey, spoke in a warm and loving tone. "I feel your journey has given many lessons, not just for you, but for all of us. Don't forget what you encountered in Bali," he said with a sincere smile.

Sophie, who had accompanied them throughout, seemed a little emotional. "Don't forget to always maintain balance within yourselves, as we learned in Bali," she said. "This world is not black and white, and you have seen how we can live with all its complexities."

Riri, who was calmer and wiser, greeted everyone around them. "Thank you so much for the time you gave us. Bali taught us many things about how humans can live side by side with themselves and with others," she said with a grateful smile.

Marlon, who had felt Bali open new perspectives within him from the start, said with feeling, "What we learned here will always be a part of us. Thank you for giving us the space to grow."

Romo, with deep gratitude, added, "Although our journey must end here, our inner journey will continue. May we always be able to bring balance and peace within ourselves."

After saying goodbye, they all stepped into the car waiting outside, ready to continue their journey. This journey was not just about research, but also about self-discovery, understanding, and harmony between virtue and vice, as well as understanding how the two interact in daily life.

Marlon sat in the front seat, watching Bali slowly disappear from his view. "So, after this, we're going back to Jakarta, Riri. What are we going to do with everything we encountered here?" Marlon asked, sounding enthusiastic but also a little anxious.

Riri smiled, "We will write down everything we learned, Marlon. Organize the data we collected, and maybe... try to find a way out of all the confusion."

Romo chimed in, "This journey wasn't just about answering big questions, but also about how we can be more human, and accept the world as it is."

They all laughed softly, enjoying the hopeful farewell moment. After a while, they continued their journey to Jakarta, with hearts full of thoughts and the spirit to uncover more deeply what they had encountered in this research.

During the journey, Marlon thought about everything they had learned. He knew their journey was not over. This was just the initial stage, and the journey towards deeper understanding was still long. But for the first time, he felt sure that they were on the right track.