a new life

Tonight is the full moon. The offerings made today are done especially in honor of this occasion. This full moon is big, bright, white, powerful, and meaningful to the Balinese. Today my friend is acknowledging the beginning of a new life. Having finally been able to sleep at night and enjoy life again after his marriage ended, he has endured the pain of the tattoo on his chest, shaved his head, and is now bare-chested, wearing a sarong and going to pray under the full moon. He has prepared incense and a flower offering and has told his two young children to join him at the family altar located in the garden, where they sit on an improvised mat on the ground, to pray together. The four year old boy is busy running after the dog in between sitting with them at the altar. The seven year old girl already knows the standard prayers by heart and recites them seriously and with intention along with her father. I am on the porch watching them during this ten minute prayer ritual. It reminds me of how the Jews have a short prayer recited in the synagogue after one has survived a life threatening incident. He sprinkles holy water on his daughter and son, and on himself. They run off to watch television again. He remains there to pray his own personal prayer now. He is beginning a new life of a deepened connection with God. May he be blessed.