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Thought Bubble

Astrology Talk at The Yoga Barn July 6, 2016

Astrology Talk at The Yoga Barn

GPS waypoint: 8°31'08.4"S 115°15'52.4"E
Location: The Yoga Barn, Ubud, Bali, Indonesia

Astrology Community Service
The Yoga Barn, as part of its community service, offers free talks and free yoga on a regular basis. One such talk was about Astrology. A lot of familiar faces from the yoga classes and meditation classes were also there. The teacher, a veteran astrology practitioner, asked the participants what they wanted to know. Astrology Basics was one of the requests to which the teacher nodded to.

The Question
I don't believe in Astrology and my purpose in attending was to find validity in the practice. What exactly am I missing? The talk commenced but there was nothing about the basics. I had a burning question to bring the talk to the basics but I was reluctant. I asked it anyway careful that I wasn't presenting myself as a hecler. It was a long question:

"I am reluctant to ask this question as it may come across as irreverent. But you say the celestial bodies affect us because they are a part of nature and nature affects us. I agree that the moon and the sun affect us...photosynthesis, tides, the seasons, etc. But how do you begin to explain how distant celestial stars and galaxies, whose light alone will take a few million years to reach us, to actually affect our day-to-day? I would like to know what anchors astrology to reality as we know it. I am not asking for proof or science. To cite an example, the Chakras are not detected by any scientific instrument, but the deep meditators, the mystics and the sages acknowledge it and even independently describe its shape and colors. Through that anecdotal concensus, I am willing to accept the existence of Chakras. Another example - string theory in Quantum Mechanics. The theory cannot be proven, but its connection to reality as we know it, is an elegant mathemetical equation, devoid of all known anomalies, that perfectly describe the 'string'. So, back to astrology, what is it anchored to, to reality as we know it?"

The Answer
I thought that question is the usual first thing asked about Astrology...that the speaker must have answered that question a million times. Surprisingly, he didn't seem to be prepared for such a question. He attempted to give an answer (eg. - that celestial mapping is common in a lot of cultures), but it fell disappointingly short of its mark. In the end, his final reply was that my question was not covered by today's talk. What???? I could have pressed-on, but it would only put him on a spot. That was not my intention. I gave him a polite 'thank you'.

Thought Bubble
How could it not be covered when that question is as basic as it gets? Without that anchoring to reality as we know it, astrology remains nothing more than an articulated concept...just a concept. Nothing to base our life decisions on.

Surprise!
In the course of the coming days, I was stopped 3x by complete strangers who say, "You're the guy from the astrology talk!". Self-deprecatingly, I would say, "yes, I asked the irreverent question". And they would say that I echoed exactly what was in their minds. That they were glad I asked the question...and that I should continue asking such questions. One of them even stated that without that reality-validation, astrology becomes a religion...based on nothing but faith that you can't question.

--- TheLoneRider


Google Map Bali, Indonesia

tourist attractions in Bali tourist attractions
  • Pasar Seni Ubud (market) in Bali Pasar Seni Ubud (market) - main market in Ubud with everything touristy you can ask for
  • Goa Gajah or Elephant Cave in Bali Goa Gajah (Elephant Cave) - 9th century Buddhist temple
  • Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary in Bali Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary - there really is a monkey forest right in the heart of Ubud!
  • Jalan Kajeng in Bali Jalan Kajeng - animated street similar to Hollywood's Walk of Fame
  • Nyuh Kuning in Bali Nyuh Kuning - wood carving village with a burgeoning chic cafe and resto scene along Jalan Nyuh Gading
  • Ubud Royal Palace in Bali Ubud Royal Palace - home of the royal family
  • Campuhan Ridge Walk in Bali Campuhan Ridge Walk - spectacular ridge view and hike ending 1km to the artists' village, Bangkiang Sidem | 8°30'13.0"S 115°15'16.9"E
hotels in Bali - hotel
  • Ubud Backpackers Room Ubud Backpackers Room - newly constructed, all new and clean, lockers, good water pressure, compli tea and coffee, spacious and alfresco chillout center
    Jalan Nyuh Kuning, Pengosekan, Ubud, MAS, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali - 8°31'36.5"S 115°15'41.3"E
  • Nando House Nando House - free WiFi, restaurant, terrace, free private parking, pet-friendly accommodation, private bathroom, room service
    Jalan Subak Sok Wayah, 80571 Ubud, Indonesia - 8°30'14.4"S 115°15'28.6"E
yoga in Ubud, Bali yoga
  • The Yoga Barn The Yoga Barn - full service yoga studio, holistic healing retreat center
    PT. Yoga Barn, Jalan Raya Pengosekan, Ubud - Bali, Indonesia - 80571
    8°31'08.4"S 115°15'52.4"E
  • Ubud Yoga House Ubud Yoga House - yoga for Every Body...all shapes, sizes, ages & levels
    Jl. Raya Ubud No.23, Ubud, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali
    8°30'07.0"S 115°15'30.5"E | 0821-4418-1058
  • Taman Hati Yoga Taman Hati Yoga - Pranawayu yoga and Kundalini yoga
    Jalan Nyuh Gading No.7, Ubud, MAS, Kec. Gianyar, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali
    8°31'32.7"S 115°15'24.6"E | +62 (0)361-974-058 | tamanhatiyoga.bali@gmail.com
  • Ubud Yoga Centre Ubud Yoga Centre - Ashtanga Yoga
    Jalan Nyuh Kuning Raya / Singakerta Raya, Ubud, MAS, Gianyar, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali, Indonesia
    8°31'43.0"S 115°15'15.5"E | +62 812-1020-389 | hello@ubudyogacentre.com
  • Intuitive Flow Intuitive Flow Yoga Studio - Healing, Yoga, Meditation with a breathtaking view
    Jl. Raya Tjampuhan, Penestanan Kaja, Ubud, Bali, Indonesia
    8°30'10.8"S 115°15'07.8"E | +62-361-977-824 | contact@intuitiveflow.com
  • Ambar Ashram Ambar Ashram Laughter Yoga - Healing, Laughter Yoga, Meditation
    Jl. Nyuh Bojog No.5, MAS, Ubud, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali, Indonesia
    8°31'21.2"S 115°15'22.0"E
  • Radiantly Alive Yoga Radiantly Alive Yoga - Vinyasa Yoga, Tibetan Heart Yoga, Iyengar Inspired, Pilates, Fly High, Roll and Release, Ashtanga Mysore, Yoga Dance, Salsa, Arm Balance Foundations, Beginners Yoga
    Jl Jembawan no.3, Padang Tegal Kaja Ubud, Bali, 80571
    +62 (0)361 978 055 | 8°30'33.7"S 115°16'01.2"E
  • White Lotus Yoga & Meditation Centre White Lotus Meditation Centre - Meditation classes | Meditation retreats
    JL. Kajeng 23, Ubud, Ubud, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali, Indonesia
    +62 899-0134-962 | 8°30'12.9"S 115°15'43.1"E
  • ONEWORLD retreats ONEWORLD retreats - yoga, meditation, spa and discoveries
    Jl. Suweta, Banjar Sambahan, Ubud, Bali, Indonesia
    +62 361 289752 | info@oneworldretreats.com
restaurant in Bali - restaurant
  • Warung Eateries warung eateries - a cluster of roadside eateries, essential for those on a budget or those who want authentic Balinese everyday food at local prices
    across the Pertamina Gas Station - 8°31'28.2"S 115°15'49.0"E
  • Nando's Warung Resto Nando's Warung - delicious Balinese food at local warung price in a garden setting
    Jalan Subak Sok Wayah, 80571 Ubud, Indonesia - 8°30'14.4"S 115°15'28.6"E
motorcycle rental in Bali - motorcycle rental
  • D&D Rental D&D Rental - motorcycle and bicycle rental, tours, tourist information center
    Pengosikan Street, Ubud

Ubud FYI / Tips

  • the tourist area where most of the hotels, restaurants, ticket offices, tour operators are, is concentrated within the rectangular area covered by Jalan Raya Ubud, Jalan Hanuman and Jalan Monkey Forest. Best to book your hotel within this area

How to Get to Ubud from Denpasar Airport (Ngurah Rai International Airport)

  1. best, cheapest, fastest and most comfortable (this is what I did for Ubud and in Singapore) - at the airport, talk to other white travelers waiting on the same gate if they are going to Ubud. Arrange for a taxi pool. With 3 guys, you split the taxi fare (usually IDR 200k + IDR 5k for airport entrance) three-ways. You end up paying just slightly more (IDR 68k) than roughing it through a series of bemos and vans.
  2. take a bemo (public bus) to Kuta (IDR 6k) then take a shuttle bus by Perama to Ubud (IDR 50k)

Ubud Cost Index

(US$1 = Indonesian Rupiah IDR 13,140 = Philippines Php 47.00 as of July 1, 2016)
  • IDR 30-35k one small bottle beer with live band
  • IDR 4.5k 1.5 liter drinking water
  • IDR 70k one hour massage
  • IDR 15k warung food in hawker style food cart
  • IDR 15 coffee in trendy cafes
  • IDR 35k bicycle rental
  • IDR 20k per kilo or IDR 2k/piece laundry (although I've seen one at IDR 8k per kilo)
  • IDR 60k shuttle to airport
  • IDR 130k bunk bed in a dorm room, shared toilet
  • IDR 8k internet cafe
  • IDR 50k haircut
  • IDR 80k cultural performances
  • IDR 130k standard drop-in yoga class
Currency Converter

Indonesia Blogs by TheLoneRider

    Jakarta, Java

  1. A First-timer in Jakarta June 23-25, 2016
  2. Bandung, Java

  3. Visiting the White Crater (Kawa Putih) of Bandung Jun 28, 2016
  4. Bogor, Java

  5. Exploring Bogor, Indonesia Jun 25-27, 2016
  6. UBUD, BALI

  7. 21 Days of Abundance, Yoga and Friendship in Ubud June 30-July 21, 2016
  8. Hatha Yoga with Andrea Paige at The Yoga Barn July 21, 2016
  9. Roll and Release by Rusty Davis at Radiantly Alive Yoga Studio July 20, 2016
  10. Kundalini Yoga with Ketut Bandiastra at Taman Hati Yoga Ashram July 20, 2016
  11. Kundalini Meditative Movement with Sandeh at White Lotus Meditation Center July 19, 2016
  12. Andrea Paige - Health Crusader and Yogini July 18, 2016
  13. Power Yoga with Ni Made Murni at The Yoga Barn July 18, 2016
  14. Vinyasa Yoga with Daniel Aaron at Radiantly Alive Yoga Studio July 17, 2016
  15. Mass Cremation (Ngaben) in Ubud with Louisa July 16, 2016
  16. Mysore Ashtanga with Laruga at Ubud Yoga Center July 15, 2016
  17. Kalimasada at Yayasan Segara Giri July 14, 2016
  18. Hiking Campuhan Ridge July 14, 2016
  19. Vinyasa Flow with Nina at Intuitive Flow Yoga Studio July 14, 2016
  20. Laughter Yoga with Kadek Suambara at Ambar Ashram July 12, 2016
  21. Dance til you Drop at Bollywood Night with Punnu Wasu July 11, 2016
  22. Mayan Calendar Readings by Vasumi July 10, 2016
  23. Yoga Pranala with Chiara at Intuitive Flow Yoga Studio July 10, 2016
  24. Visiting the Elephant Cave (Goa Gajah) July 9, 2016
  25. Pranawayu Yoga with I Ketut Bandiastra, S. Ag at Taman Hati Yoga Ashram July 7, 2016
  26. Astrology Talk at The Yoga Barn July 6, 2016
  27. Yoga with Sasha Lang at the Ubud Yoga House July 6, 2016
  28. Ananda Mandala Meditation by Punnu Wasu at The Yoga Barn Jul 4/5, 2016
  29. The Wild Monkeys of the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary July 7, 2016

»» next story: Pranawayu Yoga with I Ketut Bandiastra, S. Ag at Taman Hati Yoga Ashram
»» next Thought Bubble story: Abandoned
»» back to Thought Bubble
»» back to Homepage

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Ubud Hotels

Hotels

Ubud Backpackers Room, Ubud, Indonesia
Ubud Backpackers Room
backpacker dorm beds
Jalan Nyuh Kuning
Ubud, Indonesia

Bicycle Rental

Dayu motorcycle rental, Ubud, Indonesia
Dayu Rental
motorbike, bicycle, car rental
Jl Raya Pengosekan
Ubud, Indonesia

Yoga

Taman Hati Yoga Ashram, Ubud, Indonesia
Taman Hati Yoga Ashram
Pranawayu Yoga
Jl. Nyuh Gading #7
Ubud, Indonesia






Ubud, Bali, Indonesia

Hotels
Ubud Backpackers Room, Ubud, Bali, Indonesia
Ubud Backpackers Room
dorm beds
Jl Raya Pengosekan
Ubud, Bali

Yoga
Taman Hati Yoga Ashram, Ubud, Bali, Indonesia
Taman Hati Yoga Ashram
Pranawayu Yoga
Jl. Nyuh Gading #7
Ubud, Bali

Rentals
Dayu Rental, Ubud, Bali, Indonesia
Dayu Rental
car bike motorbike
Jl Raya Pengosekan
Ubud, Bali




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