Jonathan Sutomo
Google
Why do tell our friends we are 'rooting' for them when they are turning over a new 'leaf'? Why do we tell people closest to us that they are 'glowing' like the sun, when our love for them is 'blossoming'? I wonder if the first ever idioms ever made by humanity were all about nature; the earth and its flora and fauna. I mean what else, before language truly sprouted, could be so relatable. So primal. So natural. To us?
Those questions all came to me over my 2 hour session at Jamu Spice. Ive come to realize Jamu in a sense is a language in it of itself. Mother nature, speaking. Every word I write here means something on its own and has its own power, but putting it in sentences takes time, knowledge, and wisdom. Every spice and herb plays a part in our world. Like words arranged into a sentence by a loved one, letters crushed together in a wooden and pestle, these herbs have the power to heal. The power to convey the beauty of nature.
Nature never lies. Can you swallow the truth?
The jamu spice session started with a history of jamu and an introduction to spices. Our teacher, Somya, was very warm and welcoming. The garden tour felt like a walk through an ancient library, vast in knowledge from eons of scripture. It was grand, organized, and beautiful. Somya taught us about each plant, each herb. Allowing us to open the pages and read slowly.
See, smell, feel, taste. Those four senses aroused by the new understanding of these herbs.
Yet, the strongest sense was that these plants were the loudest. I heard them. Mother nature. Whispering to me like thunder from the mountains.
MEMAYU HAYUNING BAWANA.
I made my Jamu and drank it with a smile on my face. We proceeded to make our own oil and skincare scrub. Each step was well thought out and flowed easily like a river. We left with perfect souvenirs to take home. Two hours had gone by quick, but the warmth in my core lingered. Regardless if you are staying at the Ayana or not (my group of 6 friends were not) this experience in bali is definitely one you must venture into.
Stop looking for other things to do if you havent done this. Stop looking for answers in places that give you more questions.
Instead, go to nature.
Nature never lies. Can you swallow the truth?