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  • Writer's pictureTina Chan

Bali Usada: Transformative Meditation, Healing, and Inner Peace

"Resisting pain is a form of hatred, clinging to pleasure is a form of attachment. Ignoring both is a form of ignorance. Feeling them with a harmonious mind is the beginning of healing." - Pak Merta Ada

My experience with Bali Usada was truly transformative. In 2022, I decided to explore a Meditation Center that offered both healing and a week of profound silence. Based on glowing recommendations from many relatives and friends, I enrolled in Tapa Brata 1 at Forrest Island. The moment I arrived, I was struck by the center's breathtaking natural setting. Nestled deep within a forest on a steep hillside, with a gentle stream below, it was a serene oasis. The facilities included a meditation hall, canteen, and separate sleeping quarters for men and women.


What made this experience even more special was the diverse group of individuals who gathered here. Some were newcomers like me, while others were returning participants, often accompanied by their children or partners. The first day was filled with introductions, and then we surrendered our phones, laptops, books, and even notebooks. From that moment, we embarked on seven days of silent meditation, an experience that felt surreal yet deeply enriching.


The journey was profoundly healing for everyone, and this became evident as participants courageously shared their testimonials towards the end of the program. They shared stories of their ailments and how meditation had worked its magic in restoring their well-being. Our guide, Pak Merta Ada, played a pivotal role in this transformation. He not only taught us the art of healing through meditation but also provided individual consultations to guide us on our personal paths to healing.


Pak Merta Ada's dedication to healing and his method of meditation were truly remarkable and deserved a Spotlight. He emphasized the importance of daily meditation, encouraging us to dedicate at least one hour to this practice. His mission to help individuals find inner peace and healing through meditation deserves both recognition and a prominent place in the world of holistic well-being.


Pak Merta Ada, could you elaborate on your background, and personal journey that led you to become a meditation teacher and holistic healer, and how your experiences as a healer have influenced the development of the Bali Usada Health Meditation Technique?


Ever since I was a child, I've held a deep fascination with traditional healing practices. Over the years, I've had the privilege of getting to know numerous traditional healers on a personal level, and I even embarked on a journey to become one myself. During my time as a healer, I had the opportunity to treat many patients with a wide range of illnesses. However, I soon came to a profound realization - many of these ailments were not solely physical in nature; they often stemmed from issues within the mind and memory.

It became evident that what most of these individuals needed was a powerful tool to aid them in achieving and maintaining both physical and mental well-being. This realization marked the inception of my meditation technique and the founding of Bali Usada.

At Bali Usada, we delve into the practice of meditation to manifest a state of "harmonious mind." This state not only contributes to mental tranquility but also serves as a valuable resource for cultivating our overall health, both in terms of our physical well-being and our mental fortitude.


What is the concept of a "Harmonious Mind" in the context of the Bali Usada HealthMeditation Technique, and how does it contribute to healing on various levels?


Imagine a "harmonious mind" as a mental state with four key aspects: concentration, mindfulness, loving-kindness, and wisdom. Think of it as a robust and adaptable mental quality that equips you to confidently navigate life's many uncertainties. This state of mind isn't limited to dealing with external challenges; it's equally relevant when we explore the depths of our own bodies.


When we tap into this harmonious state, it empowers us to remain balanced and composed regardless of whether the sensations we experience are pleasant, unpleasant, or even painful. By maintaining equanimity in the face of adversity, we prevent the generation of negative energy and, instead, continue to radiate positive energy despite the circumstances we encounter. This is where the true process of healing begins.


How does Bali Usada Health Meditation set itself apart from other techniques by

integrating mindfulness, concentration, loving-kindness, and wisdom? Could you provide specific examples illustrating how this technique addresses diverse levels of existence like the meridian, chakra, mental, mind, and memory bodies?


Bali Usada represents a harmonious blend of diverse holistic healing traditions. Drawing from practices like meditation from India, ancient wisdom from China, traditional Balinese healing, and modern medicine, we weave together multiple perspectives to gain a profound and comprehensive understanding of an individual's health.


Often, people come to Bali Usada with a sense of discomfort in their chest, only to find that conventional medical tests yield no apparent issues. In these cases, we recognize that the source of the ailment might not lie in the physical body alone. It could be rooted in the subtle realms of the meridian body, the energy centers of the chakra body, or even the intricate landscape of the mental body.


By acknowledging these subtler layers of our being, we are empowered to embark on a more holistic healing journey. This approach not only fosters physical well-being but also nurtures a profound sense of inner peace and calm, paving the way for a healthier and more balanced life.


Bali Usada provides different meditation programs from One Day Learning, Regular, Tapa Brata 1, 2, and 3. Can you share some insights into the curriculum and progression of each program, particularly how they cater to both beginners and experienced meditators? How do participants benefit from participating in these programs in terms of mental, emotional, and physical well-being? What role do the Daily Mixlr, Zoom, and YouTube platforms play in making the meditation technique accessible to a global audience?


The Usada Tapa Brata meditation program is a multi-level journey designed to help you cultivate a harmonious mind and unlock its full potential.


Here's how it works:


  1. Usada Tapa Brata 1: This is the foundational level where we lay the groundwork for nurturing a harmonious mind.

  2. Usada Tapa Brata 2: Building upon the foundation, this level is all about refining and enhancing the skills of your harmonious mind.

  3. Usada Tapa Brata 3: At this advanced stage, the focus is on achieving one-pointedness, which means reaching a high level of concentration and inner clarity.


While these levels are structured sequentially, each serves a distinct purpose, catering to various aspects of our well-being. Whether you're seeking basic tools for self-care, a proactive approach to addressing health concerns, or a path towards spiritual growth, the Usada Tapa Brata program offers a tailored experience to meet your needs.


Our online practice is a community-driven endeavor where we embark on this meditation journey together. With the support of our community, we can consistently refine and strengthen our meditation techniques, fostering personal growth and well-being.


Can you share any specific anecdotes or examples of individuals who have experienced significant healing or transformation through the Bali Usada Health Meditation Technique?


Certainly, here's a recent testimonial from one of our students who completed our meditation programs:


“My name is Michael, and I live in Australia. I decided to embark on the Health Meditation journey after my older sibling highly recommended it. They had previously participated in Bali Usada meditation in Bali around March or April, and their experience left a lasting impression on them. My own motivation to join came in May when I began experiencing a tingling sensation in my hand. Concerned about my health, I sought advice from a local specialist.


Being relatively young, the doctor initially didn't pay much attention to my symptoms. However, as a precaution, the doctor recommended an MRI test. The results of that test triggered a late-night phone call from my doctor, and the next day, I was informed of an issue in my cerebellum, the small brain.


This unsettling news became the driving force behind my decision to embrace meditation as a means of healing. I began practicing meditation almost daily, usually dedicating an hour to it after returning from work. My goal was clear: I wanted to explore the healing potential of meditation before considering surgery, and I was determined to validate its effectiveness firsthand, beyond what I had heard from others.


By September, I was due for a second MRI, marking the fourth week of my meditation journey. Remarkably, the MRI revealed that the issue in my brain, initially measuring about 1 mm in size, had reduced to 0.86 mm.


I have an appointment with my doctor at the end of this month, and based on the reports and discussions with my sibling, who has a background in medicine, it seems that what was once deemed concerning is now showing signs of shrinking. If this progress continues, there is a strong possibility that it may further shrink or even disappear entirely. This incredible outcome has solidified my belief in the power of meditation, and I remain committed to my practice, hopeful that it will lead to complete healing."


This testimony serves as a testament to the potential healing benefits of meditation, as witnessed by one of our dedicated students.


Pak Merta Ada, the driving force behind Bali Usada, has carved a significant niche in Indonesia as a meditation luminary. His innovative "Harmonious Mind Meditation" seamlessly melds the principles of concentration and wisdom meditation. Since 1993, Pak Merta Ada has fervently propagated the profound benefits of meditation across Indonesia and internationally, touching the lives of more than 127,000 individuals through diverse platforms.


Pak Merta Ada's Tapa Brata Meditation Retreat offers a transformative experience characterized by profound silence and solitude, a practice known as "noble silence," which prohibits all forms of communication, even non-verbal. This structured approach creates an environment conducive to profound self-discovery and personal growth. Beyond meditation, Pak Merta Ada is celebrated for his captivating storytelling, enriching his teachings with anecdotes from his experiences with students, Indonesian folklore, and narratives from various cultural sources. Despite his Indonesian-Chinese heritage and Buddhist beliefs, Pak Merta Ada maintains a secular approach, ensuring that his teachings are universally accessible to individuals from all walks of life. At the core of his teachings lie the Bali Usada health meditation techniques, designed to nurture a harmonious mind capable of healing various ailments, showcasing his unwavering commitment to inner well-being.





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