Spiritual Vibrations and Vedic Philosophy as Foundations of Balinese Culture and Global Appeal: The Sakala-Niskala as Parā Vidyā-Aparā Vidyā Paradigm
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.24843/JKB.2025.v15.i03.p10Keywords:
spiritual vibration, Balinese Hinduism, cultural preservation, spiritual geographyAbstract
This article aims to explain how the Balinese sakala-niskala (visible-invisible) as Parā Vidyā-Aparā Vidyā paradigm produces the spiritual vibrations that form the foundation of Bali's sustained international appeal. Utilizing a qualitative methodology, this research synthesizes classical Advaita Vedanta and modern Vibration Theory. The data includes ethnographic observations and systematic interviews with key religious and cultural informants. Symbolic Interactionism is employed to interpret how these subtle energies are perceived and communicated by global visitors. Findings reveal that the concept of sakala-niskala is operationalized through Balinese rituals, which generate a dynamic vibrational field that influences both the environment and individual consciousness. The novelty lies in demonstrating that Bali’s sustained global appeal is directly attributable to the systematic maintenance of this vibrational ecology. This study contributes a new analytical model to spiritual geography and provides actionable insights for policymakers on establishing sustainable tourism governance that prioritizes the preservation of these unique vibrations.
References
Ambarsari, N., et al. (2025). Transformation of yoga in Bali in the era of global tourism. Jurnal Kajian Bali, 15(1), 37–60. https://doi.org/10.24843/JKB.2025.v15.i01.p02
Beck, G. L. (1993). Sonic theology: Hinduism and sacred sound. University of South Carolina Press.
Bhajanananda, Swami. (2012). The light of the modern world: The universal significance of Sri Ramakrishna’s avatārahood and message. Advaita Ashram.
Blumer, H. (1969). Symbolic interactionism: Perspective and method. University of California Press.
Capra, F. (1991). The Tao of physics: An exploration of the parallels between modern physics and Eastern mysticism (3rd ed.). Shambhala.
Chatterjee, G., & Chatterjee, S. (1996). Sacred Hindu symbol. Shakti Malik Abhinav Publications.
Covarrubias, M. (1972). Island of Bali. Oxford University Press.
Diarmita I.K., Tantra D.K., Duija I.N. (2019). Animal Welfare Aspects at Religious Slaughter of Animal in the Ritual Caru in Bali. Adv. Anim. Vet. Sci. 7(8):664-667. http://dx.doi.org/10.17582/journal.aavs/2019/7.8.664.667
Donder, I. K. (2001). Panca Dhatu: Atom, atma dan animisme. Paramita.
Donder, I. K. (2006). Brahmavidya: Teologi kasih semesta. Paramita.
Donder, I.K. (2009). Meditasi Bio Energi Ratu Bagus: Meditasi Tarian Jiwa, Spiritual Holistik, dan Pembangkin Kesadaran Kosmis. Paramita.
Donder. I K. (2017). Unsur-Unsur Sains dan Teknologi dalam Ritual Hindu: Analisis Kritis terhadap Beberapa Sarana dan Pelaksanaan Ritual Hindu Pendekatan Interdisipliner. Paramita
Eiseman, F. B. (1990). Bali: Sekala and niskala (Vol. 1). Periplus Editions.
Feuerstein, G. (2003). The deeper dimension of yoga: Theory and practice. Shambhala Publications.
Flood, G. (1996). An introduction to Hinduism. Cambridge University Press.
Fox, R. (2002). Bali and the praxis of identity. In J. A. Schiller (Ed.), Out of the shadows: The anthropology of Bali (pp. 97–120). Center for Southeast Asian Studies.
Frets Keriapy. (2023). “The Significance of Eco-Theology in the Perspective of Christian Eschatology: As an Attempt to Embody the New Heavens and Earth”. Jurnal TumouTou, Vol. 10 No.2 (2023): 148-157.
Goffman, E. (1974). Frame analysis: An essay on the organization of experience. Harvard University Press.
Gupta, S. (2006). Advaita Vedanta and Vaisnavism: The philosophy of Madhusudana Sarasvati. Routledge. https://www.routledge.com/Advaita-Vedanta-and-Vaisnavism-The-Philosophy-of-Madhusudana-Sarasvati/Gupta/p/book/9780415864602
Ha, Y. (2024). Mythologizing of characters: Chinese character archaeology evidence of ancient Chinese totems related to “Yi (一)” cognate. Journal of Chinese Writing Systems, 8(3), 177–190. https://doi.org/10.1177/25138502241277998
Hibatullah, N., Fasandra, F., & Nova, S. M. (2022). Contribution of spiritual tourism to Bali’s economy: A study at Tirta Empul. Journal of Tourism Sciences, Technology and Industry, 2(3), 45–60.
Jitatmananda, Swami. (2006). Vedanta, science and spirituality. Ramakrishna Mission, Swami Vivekananda’s Ancestral House and Cultural Centre.
Keene, M. (2006). World religions (Agama-agama dunia). Kanisius.
Lansing, J. S. (2006). Perfect order: Recognizing complexity in Bali. Princeton University Press.
Lokeswarananda, Swami. (2012). Religion and culture. The Ramakrishna Mission Institute of Culture.
Marvinkurve, R., D’Souza, S., & Vora, P. (1995). Spiritual and science: The turn of the tide in scientific thought. New Zealand: Sathya Sai Publications.
Mulvaney, K., & Cooper, D. (2025). Culturally imbued trees: Physical and metaphysical connections. Archaeology in Oceania. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1002/arco.5349
Panda, N.C. (1999). Māyā in Physics. Motilal Banarsidass Publisher
Permadi, T., Guzzini , A., & Kurniasih, E. (2025). Sacred Paper: Exploring the Materiality and Symbolism of Daluang in Balinese Hindu Rituals. Jurnal Kajian Bali (Journal of Bali Studies), 15(2), 443–471. https://doi.org/10.24843/JKB.2025.v15.i02.p01
Peterson, N. (2025). Challenging postclassical beliefs: A comment on Paul Burke’s ‘From Dreaming Ancestors to Human Ancestors?’ Oceania. https://doi.org/10.1002/ocea.70003
Picard, M. (1996). Bali: Cultural tourism and touristic culture. Archipelago Press.
Radhakrishnan, S. (1994, 2010). The principal Upanishads. HarperCollins.
Radhakrishnan, S. (2014). The Bhagavadgita. HarperCollins.
Runtuwene, H. C. M. (2025). Ecotheology: Integrating Faith, Creation Care, and Contextual Practice in Indonesian Protestant Congregations. Educatio Christi, 6(1), 145–170.
Rubik, B. (2002). The biofield hypothesis: Its biophysical basis and role in medicine. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 8(6), 703–717. https://doi.org/10.1089/10755530260511711
Sahimi, M. S., Mir, S. A., Kirin, A., Jaes, L., & Mad Said, A. H. (2024). Sociology of Totems, Myths, and Tawhid: Exploring the interplay between symbolism and theology with critical analysis of the theological or mythical stage of August Comte’s Law of Three Stages. Revista de Gestão Social e Ambiental, 18(7), e06104. https://doi.org/10.24857/rgsa.v18n7-079
Sanden, S. A., Fenton, M. S., & Lane, N. (2024). Rapid hydrolysis rates of thio- and phosphate esters constrain the origin of metabolism to cool, acidic to neutral environments. iScience, 26(12), 107779. https://doi.org/10.1002/ocea.70003
Srianan, S., Nanthaamornphong, A., & Phucharoen, C. (2025). Analyzing emotional experiences through UGC: Insights from Bali and Phuket. Journal of Quality Assurance in Hospitality & Tourism. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1080/1528008X.2025.2484576
Stewart, I. B. (2017). E.E. Fournier d'Albe's fin de siècle: Science, nationalism and monistic philosophy in Britain and Ireland. Cultural and Social History, 14(5), 599–620. https://doi.org/10.1080/14780038.2017.1375721
Suamba, I. B. P., & Sutama, I. K. (2020). Materiality and spirituality in Bali tourism: An ethical reflection on the Tri-Hita-Karana. International Journal of Applied Sciences in Tourism and Events, 1(1), 10–24. http://dx.doi.org/10.31940/ijaste.v1i1.189
Sulistyawati, A. (2018). Teo-kosmologi arsitektur Bali dan transformasinya. Surabaya: Paramita.
Sutarya, I. G. (2020). The Potentials and Prospects of Yoga Pilgrimage Exploration in Bali Tourism. International Journal of Religious Tourism and Pilgrimage. 8(2020). (pp. 127 - 135). http://arrow.tudublin.ie/ijrtp/
Sutarya, I. G. (2024). On–off hybrid spiritual tourism in the new normal era. Southeast Asia: A Multidisciplinary Journal, ahead-of-print. https://doi.org/10.1108/SEAMJ-09-2023-0063
Sutarya, I. G., & Sirtha, I. N. (2017). The modifications of spiritual healing in Bali tourism. E-Journal of Tourism, 4(1), 1–15. https://doi.org/10.24922/eot.v4i1.30167
Sutarya, I. G., & Widana, I. K. A. (2024). Space of Conflict in the Reproduction of Hindu Sacred Places into Spiritual Destination. Space and Culture, India. 12(1). 110 – 102. https://doi.org/10.20896/saci.v12i1.1493
Timothy, D. J., & Conover, P. J. (2006). Nature spirituality tourism: Market growth and segmentation. In D. J. Timothy & D. H. Olsen (Eds.), Tourism, religion and spiritual journeys (pp. 139–155). Routledge.
Tresna, I. G. A. P., & Saputra, I. M. G. N. (2024). The symbolic and spiritual role of flowers in Hindu rituals in Bali: A qualitative analysis. Vidyottama Sanatana: International Journal of Hindu Science and Religious Studies, 8(2), 101–118. https://doi.org/10.25078/vidyottama.v8i2.3618
Vivekananda, Swami. (2008). Vedanta Philosophy. Advaita Ashram
Welz, K. H. (2004). A course in cosmic consciousness: Oneness with the divine. Woodstock, GA: HSCTI Publications.
Whicher, A., Camprubi, E., Pinna, S., Herschy, B., & Lane, N. (2018). Acetyl phosphate as a primordial energy currency at the origin of life. Origins of Life and Evolution of Biospheres, 48(2), 159–179. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11084-018-9555-8
Yamaguchi, S. (2016). Rites of passage in Balinese Hinduism: A study of Telubulanin. Journal of Indian and Buddhist Studies, 64(3), 287–294. https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/ibk/64/3/64_287/_article/-char/en
Yamaguchi, S. (2022). Character of Balinese Hindu Sanskrit text: Vedaparikrama. Journal of Indian and Buddhist Studies, 70(3), 1063–1070. https://doi.org/10.4259/ibk.70.3_1063
Yan & Zhang (2024, Sept 10). HTS Teologiese Studies / Theological Studies, 80(2), Article a9910. https://doi.org/10.4102/hts.v80i2.9910
Zou et al. (2024). Humanities and Social Sciences Communications. Communications. Humanit Soc Sci Commun 11, 1263. https://doi.org/10.1057/s41599-024-03707-w
