Each day i make offerings in the morning and in the evening. The morning offerings are for our nutrition. They are made by placing some of the rice ( or whatever it is that is nourishing you today) on a small square of banana leaf. Sprinkling a few grains of sea salt on it symbolizes the purification of the offering, since the sea is the ultimate purifier and the salt is made from the sea.
In each household there are a number of points of interest that deserve an offering; starting with the element of fire, which transforms us and our food on this new day of life. So one is placed on the rice cooker, or gas burner…Next comes the element of water, which purifies and renews us on this new day of life. So one is placed on the water tank, faucet, or water cooler. Next comes the ceremonial table where all of the incense, trays and baskets and items needed for preparing the offerings. I call this the element of air, since we are dealing with the Spirit here. A small pedestal is placed on the table, as on the bed, and other areas of importance like the meditation room or dining area, and the offering is placed on it, since what is on the ground or floor is in order to nourish the evil forces so that they won't be hungry and prowling around looking for something, but rather will have a permanent place to come to and be cared for and thus won't need to bother us. The bed is next, and is the place where we offer thanks for being nourished and empowered, and healed by dreaming and while we sleep safely. so i have a small wooden pedestal on the bed near my pillow where i place them. next is the place of eating our meals since our bodies are nourished physically there, but can also symbolize the nourishment we receive in body mind and soul from impressions too. now we leave the living quarters and place an offering for the element of earth, on the ground in front of our room. we have been supported by the earth, our abode is built on it, we ground on it. this is facing either east or the sea, which is where evil comes from, and needs to be recognized and acknowledged for allowing us to live in peace and safety. next is the small temple (which is "empty") that symbolizes a place for recognizing Gods' presence, where we can sit and talk with God, or pray there. for me the emptiness allows me to realize and remember that God is everywhere and everything and the "space" that is in the empty little temple also reminds me of the "space" that is within me and allows me to observe life, without identifying with it and know that all is perfect. next, our ancestors need to be remembered, for without them, we would not be here now, and because of all the efforts that they made so that we can continue in their steps and make efforts for their sake too. so a small temple, facing the mountains, where wisdom and knowledge reside, is in their honor, and again, empty. and lastly are 3 offerings placed at the entrance to the house to feed the Dark forces, and keep balance with the Light. for me it signifies Body, Mind and Soul, and also Brahma (Creation) Vishnu (Preservation) and Shiva (Recycler/Destruction/Death).
So, each day i cook some rice in the rice cooker, and arrange the banana leaves with the rice and salt on little squares of them and place them on a tray with a glass with water and a fresh flower. i shower, dress in a clean sarong and blouse with a sash on my waist (which symbolizes that "i am serious") and hold the tray in my left hand at shoulder level and go around to each of the places and place the offering there, sprinkle it with water by means of the flower held between my second and third finger of my right hand, and make up my own little prayer, to say thank you.
after making the offerings you can then eat breakfast. the same ceremony is done around dusk, to say thank you for our day of life. the banana leaf squares now become little cups or young yellow palm leaves designed into decorative trays. in them are placed fresh flower petals and shredded pandan green leaves that give a nice fragrance. cooked rice is placed on a few of the offerings on the ground along with a slice of onion and ginger and salt so that the evil spirits will have a tasty meal, and a few grains of uncooked rice sprinkled on the little flower offerings to symbolize abundance and nourishment. once these are all placed on the tray, again with a cup of water and a fresh flower for sprinkling the water, the life force, on them, also sticks of incense are lit and one is placed on each offering in order that their scent attract God to hear our prayer of gratitude and praise.
what i have discovered, as i prepare and place these offerings twice a day, is that i am grateful for a set time everyday for just stopping everything else, cleaning up my surroundings, showering, and blessing God in a very intimate and personal, creative and spontaneous way. each time when i stand at one of the places i am placing an offering it is a moment of reflection on what it means to me at this moment, for today. and i see that each time, a different prayer and understanding arises, as if the occasion invites a new openness and receptivity to life and God in the here and now of this unique moment in my life.
making the offerings is also a time of intention. nowadays the balinese women are often busy working and have less time for the handicraft of making the offerings and just buy ready made ones at the kiosk on the corner. for me, it is nice quiet time, and a challenge to learn how to shred the greens thin without cutting my fingers, and how i want to arrange the flowers each time, and being all clean and fresh (after that cold shower!) is just a nice feeling of renewal each day and gratitude for the miracle of my life, today.
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