It is with great honour and excitement that we extend this invitation to you, to welcome you to a very special centre of animism and Hindu spiritual practice, Bali. This offer is a special opportunity to participate in a either one or both gatherings Bwiti Ceremonies in Bali, facilitated by South African medicine man, Sean Hamman, who has undergone full initiation in the ancient African spirituality of Bwiti, originating within Gabon.

We look forward to welcoming you on the 16th-19th July or the 22nd-25th July in the new year. Throughout the month of July in Bali, we will be blessed to visit during the dry season with a lower humidity range and comfortable temperatures between 20-30 degrees.

Our location at Retreat Centre is far from the hustle and bustle and is located within the unspoilt, verdant and panoramically stunning, terraced valley of Sidemen, East Bali. Our soon-to-be Bwiti temple is set amidst the tree clad, river valley overlooked by the sacred mountain, Gunung Agung, the highest point in Bali and an active volcano.

Let us join together, as we embrace the sacred wisdom of the Wood and the ancient teachings of Bwiti. May this ceremonial retreat be a transformative journey that nourishes your soul, deepens your connection to the divine, and illuminates the path to your true self. If you are interested in attending or require further information, please do not hesitate to reach out to Sean or Nicole to begin the conversation.

Beauty be, Sean (December 2024)

Please make your applications to join and have a consultation to stillnothingness@fastmail.fm

This invitation is open to all light workers across various occupations and walks of life. However, we specifically call upon those who are deeply devoted to the path of transforming all aspects of their being into higher consciousness.

These gatherings are designed for the courageous at heart, those who persistently seek deeper presence and stillness. The Sacred Wood, offers a profound interruption from our habitual behaviours, allowing us to engage in a process of long-lasting presence, deep embodiment, and connection to the natural and simple truth of our being. Through this transformative journey, one can gain awareness and personal insight in daily life, which would otherwise require years of extensive meditation practices.

It is crucial to understand that each individual's experience is profoundly personal and unique. Each interested participant will need to email and arrange to have a consultation with Sean to discuss the reasons for coming and to establish personal preparation and understanding about the journey ahead.

Supporting Medicines and Practices

  • An eye medicine for clearing spiritual delusion (‘nisun’) and blockages (‘panema’) from the energy field and body. Just as Kambô assists the process before the Iboga ceremony, Sananga is the perfect companion medicine. Assisting in energetic realignment and heart centreing after the Iboga. These spiritual eye drops also have a renowned ability to cleanse our third eye and heal physical ailments to the eye area.

  • Movement is our birth-rite of living in a body And we will be dancing as a way to explore self reflection and meditation in a dynamic way. There are no right or wrong ways to move. This dynamic and spontaneous movement of dance allows for a discovery of how to let ourselves be and to see how we are in every changing phase of the 11 day long journey.

Itinerary Outline (16-19 July & 22-25 July)

Wednesday afternoon : Arrival

Wednesday evening: settle in, group meeting and light dinner afterwards

Thursday: Day of Wood Awakening: Sleep in, leisurely breakfast and free time until 12 pm. Fasting will proceed from after breakfast time.

Thursday evening to Saturday afternoon: Wood Awakening, Death and Rebirth process formally begins. Closing Circle concludes by 4:30pm, departure by 5:30pm.

(for the in-depth understanding of the stages of the ceremony, please arrange a consultation)

or

Listen to the podcast - a thorough introduction to the journey with the Wood.

Ceremonial Retreat Cost

  • AUD $1100/€680 - Early Bird price (when you pay in full before Monday 10th February, 2025)

  • AUD $1300/€805 (when you pay a 50% deposit of AUD$650 before Monday 10th March, 2025)

  • AUD $1500/€929 - After 11th March, 50% deposit of AUD$750 required.

Price does not include

  • Airport transfers

  • Scooter hire

  • Flight

  • Additional tours and activities

  • Additional nights of accommodation

Price includes

  • one ceremony

  • 3 nights/4 days of accommodation

  • meals

The retreats will commence and conclude over 4 days. During both of these 4 days there will be Awakening journey with the Sacred Wood. During the 4 days we will include supportive practices and medicines.

Should you wish to dive deeply into the initatory journey with the Wood, there will be the opportunity to join with us in rest, retreat and play in the two days between the ceremonies. Extend your trip at either the Centre. Single Room accommodation is IDR900,000 for a single room, or IDR1200,000 for a double room.

Or book one of the beautiful nearby villas according to your travel budget. During the time in-between the ceremonies there be the opportunity for exploration of the local arts and culture, guided walks in the exceptionally beautiful Sidemen valley and discovery of ‘Hidden Bali’s’ pilgrimages to sacred sites and holy springs. Or simply retreat within the beauty of this silent and meditative centre to complement the transformative work and take ample time for quiet, rest, integration and reflection.

The Retreat Accommodation

Centre for Living Awareness

Sidemen, Karangasem 80864, Bali

Whilst staying at Nirarta Centre there is the opportunity for cultivating inner quiet towards to the human-ness of yourself while navigating experiences of humour, humility and self compassion.

The gardens and grounds are ideal as a quietly supportive and spacious setting which provides a profound backdrop for personal growth, reflection and restoration.

Each villa offers a beautiful experience. There are villas by the river, others overlook views of the rice paddy fields, all are scattered amongst the beautiful gardens. When you you participate in this residential retreat you will be hosted with a shared single room or double room with your own bathroom with hot water, mini fridge and tea facilities. We will graciously be prepared vegetarian and semi-vegetarian food in a shared dining space over looking the valley.

The Centre is a short walk away from the small village of Tabola. A little further on is the medium-sized market village of Sidemen. Tabola and Sidemen are primarily weaving and farming villages, relatively untouched by tourism. The beach coast line is only half an hour away from Nirarta. The key tourist centre, Ubud is only one hour away, Canggu is 1 hour and 20 minutes away and International Airport in Denpasar is only 1 hour and 15 minutes from the Nirarta. Airport transfers and taxis can easily be arranged by request with us.

Local Amenities and Services:

  • Guided visits to places of local interest and beauty

  • Guided walks through the Sidemen Valley

  • Airport transfer by per-arrangement with Still Nothingness

  • Massage

  • Wifi

  • Hike in the hills

  • River swimming in quiet pools

  • “Jacuzzi”

Should you desire, there will be the opportunity to extend your trip at either the Centre or at one of the beautiful nearby villas according to your travel budget. During the time in-between the ceremonies there be the opportunity for exploration of the local arts and culture, guided walks in the exceptionally beautiful Sidemen valley and discovery of ‘Hidden Bali’s’ pilgrimages to sacred sites and holy springs. Or simply retreat within the beauty of this silent and meditative centre to complement the transformative work and take ample time for quiet, rest, integration and reflection.

Visits of pilgrimage will be made during the time in-between ceremony to visit the Sacred Mountain: Gunung Agung and Pura Lempuyang, the Temple of Purity on Mount Seraya, and to Ujung Water Gardens to swim in holy waters.

Please read more and please visit: https://www.awareness-bali.com/BaliGetaways/Tours.php

To book please inform us in advance of your interest in going on a tour so we may arrange the numbers and book for our trip.

Extending accommodation between ceremonies or before and afterwards…

 

Kubu Taru villas

Kabu Taru is a sustainable guesthouse just a few minutes from Nirarta Centre of Living Awareness. This guesthouse boasts traditional teak guest bungalows and views of the paddy fields.

Costs vary between €29/AUD$47 to €64/AUD$104 per night. Discover more information >here<

Natya River Sidemen

Only 20 minutes away from the Centre in Sidemen. Natya provides an exquisite natural location and glamping of the highest convenience and comfort.

Costs vary between €36/AUD$58 to €45/AUD$73 per night. Discover more about this accommodation >here<

Ongoing stays at Nirarta Centre of Living Awareness are available before, during and afterwards the 3rd June and 13th June. Due to prior bookings by other guests, there are a limited number of only 4 beds available for the period between the 6th of June and the 10th of June.

The price per room per night is 900,000IDR/€54/AUD$87 per room per night. Please inform us at the time of booking to join the ceremonies if you would like to stay for additional days at The Centre.

We can also suggest two amazing accommodation options in the local Sidemen area only a short distance from the Centre. Kubu Taru Villas and Natya River glamping are exquisite locations and provide budget prices for charming aesthetics, comfort and views and access to natural beauty of the surrounding river, rice paddies and forests.