As one of Malay ethnic root Balinese have the same thinking
toward the problem of health, and this thinking got
influence from Asia mainland tradition. In the course
of times the spirit of new religions such as Hindu,
Buddhist and Islam have given also their concept of
solving the problem of health. The most original Balinese
healing is now can not be seen anymore except the tradition
which has been mixed up with various elements originated
from the outside influences.
The present traditional method of Balinese healing can
be seen from the character of the healers which are
various. First is the healer using traditional medicine
extracted from plants, animals, and others. This type
of healer is called " Balian Usadha " They have books
as a reference of various sickness and its medicines
including the materials to make the medicine. Their
technique of treating the patient is not only based
on the material concept of healing, but they also use
charms or amulets or mantras to give more power to the
medicine. It is clear that from the mantras the influence
of Tantrayana thought has been taken into the activity
of patient treatment. Some healers from this type also
suggest the patient to conduct certain ceremony, a traditional
Hindu ritual to the evil spirit to neutralize their
bad spiritual influence. The thought of potential power
of human being which is nestling at the bottom of the
backbone called " cakra" is also one way to self healing
for human being. By bringing cakra into alive the diseases
can be neutralized. To develop the potency of cakra
one has to train himself through meditation and fasting
of certain meal and action. Every one is said to have
six cakras, and if all cakras can be brought to live
one will radiate a nimbus or aura around his/her body.
This is the indication hat his/her health has been reaching
complete enlightment of health. One famous Balian usadha
in Bali is found in the edge of Bangli known which can
be visited during
Kintamani tour with prior arrangement with
tour guide. Or at Batumakaem village, can be visited
with prior arrangement during
Bedugul Jatiluwih tour or when a visitor
take short tour to
Tanah Lot tour. A famous balian usadha yet
mixed with modern technique of treatment is at Besakih
village. Many tourist have already visited his practice
while joining
Besakih temple tour
Second type of Balinese healer is not by learning a
book of medicine, but through revelation of natures
power or spirit of the invisible. This type of healer
also giving medicine but not formulated one, usually
consist of water, flowers and other materials which
are not necessary have name. This materials after given
a ceremony at healers family temple or special room
at his/her house then given to the patient to be used
as powder or pounded to drink or to use as paste. It
is often also with this healer that the patient is asked
to conduct a ritual at the home to the bad spirit who
can affect human body and minds. This type of healer
in Bali is called " Balian Taksu ". Taksu means personal
potency which is given the enlightment by invisible
power of nature or holy spirits. It is hard to find
this type of Balian, if it is exist he/she often over
visited not only by common people but also those educated,
high rank, and rich people because of his/her magic
result. It is often that a patient has been consulted
by modern physician and even punished of uncured can
be recovered by this type of healer. The basic concept
of this healer is very ethical way of dedication to
human life. As it is said hat the healer can not expect
good return of his/her profession. As long as he/she
can bring this concept in helping patient the treatment
will effective, and once changes their orientation into
money the treatment will not work. So they will live
from voluntary donation from patient which is put on
the offering in the form of small money called " Sarin
Canang " which is actually the essence of voluntarily
donation. Even sometimes the balian work without reward
at all.
Third healer is a kind of medium to invisible spirits.
A medium is mostly women, who can speak and hearing
and discuss with invisible being including the ancestors
of the patient. This is actually not a healer, but by
her advises, often a long chronicle disease can be cured
with hope and changing of perception in their daily
life which is disclosed during the meeting of this balian.
But still in Bali this medium is called " Balian Matuun ".
Matuun means ask advises from invisible spirits,
ancestors and others of the problem the patient is facing.
Normally the patient has asked help or consult his/her
sickness to both traditional healers and modern physician
but has been no hope. With this situation the family
decided to go for a " matuun" and come to the balian.
The balian does not give any medicine, but normally
advises that both the patient or the ancestor of the
patient have ever done something worrying, such as building
a house at wrong place, put some thing at wrong place,
promise to make ceremony yet not realized, and many
others. In this way the patient is informed of any misdeeds
or promises even done by him or his/her ancestors. Bad
side of this advises is often give clue to a person
who has bad intention to the patient and his family
with very vaigue indication. The indication then can
be fall to wrong person. It is often said that the person
who in the case it is the cause, live an west side of
the patient or a cross the river and others. This is
indeed a dangerous hints for anybody.
Among three type of traditional healers in Bali almost
all hold the opinion that diseases can be caused by
the deeds of human. There are human who created the
disease ( the leak ) and there is a healer ( balian
) to neutralize their sickness. The leak and the balian
often involve in a serious battle to resist each purpose
which is reflected by the bolt of fire in the darkness
even though here is no rain, no thunder. |