Earth & People Care (Rainy Season 2023)

Jenna, USA: Reflecting back on my four weeks spent at Jiwa Damai, I feel a sense of peace and gratitude. We went into this experience (our first time WWOOFing) with only some information, so I wasn’t exactly sure what to expect, but our decision to come was an easy one.

We began each morning with movement (usually a yoga video), and ended it with a very special heart meditation which progressed over the four weeks. This practice was very powerful for me, and I will take it with me wherever I go! I think I will always be reminded to “go to the heart”. This part of the experience really feels like a gift, especially when paired with some of Margret’s transpersonal psychology books, which dive deep into ideas on the Self and personality & other psychodynamic structures (which I highly recommend reading to add to the experience, especially “Our Inner Actors”). 

The rest of our time was spent working outside in the gardens and creating bamboo fences, creating a video montage to celebrate Jiwa Damai, and eating fresh, home cooked meals. I so enjoyed time spent with Margret, the local Balinese staff (who are so kind and fun to work with), and the other volunteer, Natalie! My four weeks were filled with peace, connecting to the heart, movement, and interesting and thought-provoking conversations. I will look back on this time fondly and with deep gratitude. 

Tinder, USA: I am closing out on a month spent here at Jiwa Damai. It was an incredible month, and I shall not forget it. I learned first hand the danger of snakes-that they must be respected and watched for. I learned intimate details about the lives of local balinese people, which was an experience I feel extremely lucky to be a part of. Being invited for a karaoke night will be memorable forever. I appreciated the jungle noises: frogs, geckos, birds, and maybe even spirits…it blended into a beautiful cacophony of chaos and natural order, and was very soothing for my dreams. Margaret’s encouragement for morning yoga, and her evening meditation sessions were a type of disciple that I was not used to. I struggled with this for the first two weeks, but now I have struck a rhythm that feels very beneficial for me. Working outdoors and with my hands was nothing new to me, but always appreciated. A jungle garden, however, was a new work space that was relaxing and fulfilling. The only thing about this experience that I will not miss is the fire ants, but even they weren’t that bad. Thank you Jiwa Damai!

Natalie, Germany: Thank you Margret for this amazing time. 4 weeks of yoga, learning and practicing the HeartSelf-Intelligence meditation and permaculture in such a peaceful place helped me to grow inside.