By Richard Buggs, Dean of Alumni and Director of Travel Programs
Are you looking to getaway this summer to a breathtakingly beautiful South Pacific island that also provides an immersion into the arts? Look no further than the CIIS Travel Program, which is hosting a tour to Bali.
The Arts and Spirituality of Bali tour is a unique opportunity that combines deep relaxation with an exploration of Bali’s most important religious and artistic traditions. Wake up early and stroll through verdant rice paddies; snorkel in startlingly clear, warm water, with miles of coral reefs and schools of technicolor fish to gaze upon; put on your finest batik sarong for the full moon festival at goddess Saraswati’s temple; and learn the ancient art of shadow puppetry.
While Bali has shares many commonalities with other Asian cultures, it’s set apart by its Bali-Hindu religion (a blend of Hinduism, Animism, and Buddhism). According to Balinese Hindu tradition, the arts are seen as powerful bridges, connecting the sekala (tangible world) and niskala (intangible world of spirit). In this way, Balinese Hindu tradition invokes transformation on an individual and collective level through its arts, rituals, and festivals.
Our Bali tour will be based in the city of Ubud, considered the center of Bali’s artistic life. Participants will study a wide range of artistic practices, from Balinese gamelan music to dance, batik and woodcarving. We will take a 3-day tour of the island and visit various religious sites, including the most sacred Mother temple, Besaki Temple.
Join us this summer from July 20 through August 7. For more information, please send an e-mail to rbuggs@ciis.edu.
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