Renungan tentang "Ngayah": Identity and Reflection


Last Saturday, I had an honor to meet this very famous dancer from Indonesia, Mas Didik Nini Thowok
It wasn't actually a meeting it was just 7 of us bugged him in his changing room after his performance
As he is a really really nice person, we got the chance to "talk" to him
Well, it was actually like we ask questions and he answered them
Anyway...
The meeting still lingers in my mind... I learnt a lot from that few minutes meeting
And here's a glimpse of it


"Ngayah" 
a Balinese word which means giving service for a greater good in a peaceful and humble way


If only I or people can really do ngayah to any work that they are doing.
No arrogance
No claim of authority
Since, every thing, knowledge or things that we create are just merely finding ways through us
And it is an honor to be the barer, to be the presenter of that
Just like how Liz Gilbert sees her inspiration & creativity as a different entity outside of herself
Freeing her from the burden of being creative, feeing her from the burden of being "the creator"


Learn the word
As a Balinese, seeing my identity as a part of the culture in which this particular word exist
I have to re-learn it, see how the word was and is still synonymous with the people & the culture
As a citizen of the world realizing that "ngayah" is not the only currency around, there are money, politics, respects and dozens of others
I have to re-learn it and find it's place... in the world...in my life.... 


Thanks to Elly Elviana for the opportunity to meet Mas Didik
And thanks a lot to Mas Didik for bringing this thought to me
Also.... I have to mention you guys, thanks a lot to my husband & Made Adi... :)