Kebatinan, kejawen and tenaga dalam are some of the mystical practices in the island of Java, Indonesia; spiritual methods that predate even Hinduism and Buddhism. In this episode, Li Kim travels to Yogyakarta to personally learn and experience these energies that come from Gunung Merapi and the southern sea of Parangtritis, which seem to be still alive in the hearts of the Javanese. But can it withstand the test of time and how far has it changed since its historical inception? Here, Li Kim sees whether kejawen, meaning your internal power, is more potent, or what is outside of you. The ancient practice is definitely more mystical whereby there is focus on invincibility (can’t be hurt by weapons) and in today’s context, it focuses more on emotional wellbeing. Why? Because in the olden days, there were physical wars and the warriors were in battle. Today, all wars are actually mental and in the business world. Thus, is the mystical practice of Java still pure and relevant?
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TVTranscript
00:00 I am now in Yogyakarta, Indonesia.
00:07 It is home to Kepatinan which is unique to Javanese wisdom and mysticism that is known
00:13 as Kejawin.
00:14 Far from being a formalized religion, Kejawin embraces the cultural beliefs, lifestyle and
00:19 spiritual guidance of Java.
00:21 It is the aim of every Javanese to be wise, psychic, perfect and to finally unite with
00:25 the universal spirit.
00:32 Javanese mysticism, it has evolved from a basic animistic and solitary meditative practice
00:41 to gain that inner self to modernization where people perhaps are looking for quick fixes.
00:50 So my question, can the essence of Java mysticism sustain modernization and commercialization?
00:58 Yes.
01:05 Thank you.
01:31 To the Javanese, the world of spirits is not separated from the physical reality that we
01:43 live in.
01:44 Communing and working closely with spirits that are found in nature, like in the mountains
01:48 and the sea, form part of their mystical practices.
01:58 To understand this belief better, I am going to speak to a Belgian anthropologist and practitioner
02:03 of Java mysticism, Patrick Von Hobrak.
02:07 The one thing that caught my attention was this Kepatinan which I understand as inner
02:12 transformation of some sort, yeah?
02:14 And this strong sentiment on communicating with spirits.
02:19 Yes, so through austerity practices, ascetic practices, meditational techniques, fasting
02:24 and you start to know your energy body.
02:26 Now when you get to the astral level, you start being on the same plane as spirits and
02:32 subtle beings.
02:34 Whether the goal is higher, because the highest spirit would be God, you're going to, whether
02:40 you want or not, come across other sources of basically communicating with other sources,
02:47 yeah, other beings.
02:53 Why is it for the Javanese not a contradiction, Kepatinan spirituality and spirits?
02:58 Because certain spirits are representing the word of God in the name of the form of ancestors,
03:05 higher ancestors, which are considered enlightened beings.
03:10 I mean the world may be materialistic, but we need to see it in a way that when we have
03:24 got materialism, you will automatically get mysticism.
03:29 Because when you're materialistic, after a while you realise that you can never ever
03:33 be satisfied.
03:34 That's when you start going inward.
03:39 How do these stories change behaviours?
03:41 You cannot expect the regular Joe or the regular Jane to understand mysticism.
03:47 It's just too deep.
03:49 You want people to do good, you have stories telling them to do good, to help the whole
03:53 community and they just follow.
04:02 Going beyond stories that inspire, mysticism manifests physically in practices such as
04:06 martial arts through feats of indestructibility known as debus, which is more than just a
04:11 circus act.
04:14 Mas Joko, an accomplished Javanese spiritual master and martial arts practitioner, will
04:19 demonstrate to us the power of debus.
04:23 Mas Joko, can you explain to me what is debus and why do people practise debus?
04:32 Debus is governed by two principles.
04:34 One, it is for invincibility.
04:37 It is used to protect ourselves but it is not meant to show off one's ability.
04:42 Many say that debus relies only on physical strength and action.
05:04 It is not an entertainment but a strong potential in ourselves whereby we live our life based
05:10 on knowing what is right from wrong and as such we are brave to face the truth.
05:15 What is the relationship, what is the connection between debus and kebatinan?
05:24 Kebatinan awakens the sixth sense in us so that we can feel that there is a spiritual
05:29 dimension that draws us away from the physical world which are driven by lust and desires.
05:36 Then we are more peaceful.
05:38 Through debus we experience the spiritual energy of the sixth sense.
05:53 Mystics will choose certain sacred spots to do their trainings and meditations to enhance
05:57 their experiences and power.
05:59 In Yogyakarta, two favourite locations are at the volcanic site in the north, Mount Merapi,
06:05 and at the southern beach, the home of Ratu Kido, both symbolising the father and mother
06:09 elements.
06:10 And interestingly, the royal palace of Yogyakarta is built right in the middle of this axis
06:14 of power.
06:15 The ying and the yang, the two extremes, trying to find the middle point where the balance
06:24 of both is cornered and controlled.
06:28 So this is what was replicated in later time also including with Sufism in the Mataram
06:34 kingdom.
06:35 Fire is always related to a male entity.
06:39 Water is related to a female entity.
06:42 This is the palace of the humans.
06:43 These are two spirit palaces.
06:45 So there's a palace in the sea.
06:47 I will tell you, a lot of mystics here on the mountain where we are sitting now, on
06:50 the Merapi, some of them see not a mountain but they see a hierarchy of buildings with
06:56 a palace on the top.
06:59 Practitioners of Java mysticism also work with the fire element as part of their training
07:03 of indestructibility.
07:05 Does this have anything to do with the male energy as represented by the volcanic lava
07:09 and heat of Mount Merapi?
07:15 Its physical shape is a mountain but from a spiritual point of view, it is actually
07:19 a keraton or a palace.
07:21 When it erupts, it is actually building something.
07:24 Well, if you take the mountain as a palace, that means that the palace building is being
07:32 expanded.
07:33 Merapi indeed blesses us.
07:36 It provides us with clear water, fertile soil, it gives us sand and stones.
07:42 But if we are not careful, this will be disastrous because Merapi's yard should not be ruined.
07:48 It goes back to the understanding that the world has given us enough.
07:52 But for a greedy man, it will never be enough.
07:55 That is why Merapi is not happy with a greedy man.
08:00 As for why people here do not want to leave Mount Merapi, it is because the mountain is
08:05 a spiritual palace.
08:07 It provides protection, it fulfills our complete needs for the living in this world.
08:12 We are more prosperous living here than anyone else.
08:19 So far, I find that the practice of mysticism in Java relates strongly to nature and the
08:23 environment that the people lived in.
08:25 The Great Mount Merapi is perhaps personified as a male spiritual palace for the community
08:30 to understand its wrathfulness during each eruption.
08:34 In the next segment, we will visit the home of Ratu Kidu in the Southern Sea and learn
08:38 about her mystical powers over the people of Java.
08:42 Ratu Kidu, whose palace is in the Southern Sea in the Indian Ocean, when she comes to
08:48 our palace, we will prepare offerings and ceremonies for her.
09:11 After visiting the male element that is seated on Mount Merapi, I am here at Pantai Parang
09:15 Kusumo, home of the Southern Queen, Ratu Kidu.
09:26 Today is a holy day known as Malam Jumaat Kliwon, whereby many kebatinan, practitioners,
09:32 spiritualists and seekers come to pray and make offerings to the Queen herself, a practice
09:37 that is still diligently observed until today.
09:47 Romo Jalati is the Juru Kunci, or key custodian, of the Southern Beach, Parang Kusumo, who
09:52 is said to have offered many prayers to Ratu Kidu.
09:55 In these 50 years of serving in your position and looking after this place, have you ever
10:04 seen Ratu Kidu, or has she ever given you direct signs of her presence?
10:13 Because Ratu Kidu is a spirit, so it is not easy to see her directly.
10:19 But I can meet her spiritually through meditation, asking for her blessings for me to do my duties
10:25 as a key keeper.
10:31 What I do here is that I assist the visitors, people wanting to pray, asking for her blessings.
10:37 When we ask for something, some may be granted, some may not.
10:42 It is not spontaneous.
10:43 It's not possible to ask for something concrete.
10:46 Perhaps after 50 years, it is just pure faith.
10:50 Dr. Argyle, would it be accurate to say that the spirit of Ratu Kidu played an important
11:00 part from the beginning of the Mataram Kingdom until today?
11:04 In the eyes of the Javanese, the Southern Sea is extremely vast, while the ruler is
11:10 powerful.
11:11 It is a representation of a divine power, or the power of the surrounding environment,
11:16 something that can communicate with them.
11:19 That is why they pray for protection or to ask for something from it.
11:23 What is the role of Ratu Kidu in the essence of kebatinan?
11:29 The Javanese world treats both the physical realm and the spiritual realm alike.
11:33 It does not discriminate.
11:35 The key principle is that the two realms should be in harmony.
11:39 This is the core of kebatinan.
11:42 Kebatinan is the belief of the Javanese in supernatural or spiritual beings and objects.
11:47 It is part of the local culture and practices.
12:02 Do you mind if I ask you to open your bandana to check your head?
12:12 You hit here?
12:17 Not a single mark and we're talking about a pretty serious break here.
12:27 As explained by Dr. Argo, kebatinan is a Javanese spiritual practice that harmonizes both the
12:31 material and the spiritual worlds.
12:34 And as witnessed through this act of invincibility known as debus, it shows that the younger
12:38 generation is still keen to learn this art that involves the ancient practices of kebatinan,
12:43 internal strength and spiritual trainings.
12:46 What's the meaning of the story between Ratu Kidu and the first Mataram king, Senopati?
12:55 The union of Penambahan Senopati with Ratu Kidu symbolizes the meeting of two worlds.
13:00 The mortal physical realm in which Penambahan Senopati lived in and the spiritual realm
13:06 where Ratu Kidu resided.
13:08 Such meetings would result in great occurrences and it is believed that those who could experience
13:12 these meetings were people of great power.
13:19 This belief is clearly reflected in the Javanese culture for the royal family of Solo that
13:24 is part of the Mataram kingdom.
13:27 According to the princess, Gusti Kanjeng Ratu Wandansari, the mystical spirit queen of the
13:32 southern sea, Ratu Kidu is actually the spiritual power of the royal palace.
13:41 For the Kraton Surakarta or the Solo royal family, it holds a special duty bestowed by
13:46 the founder of Mataram kingdom, Penambahan Senopati, who is directly connected to the
13:52 queen of the sea.
13:58 According to our beliefs, Ratu Kidu whose palace is in the southern sea in the Indian
14:02 Ocean, she will visit us here anytime.
14:06 When she comes to our palace, we will prepare offerings and ceremonies for her.
14:17 It is interesting to note that not only do the royal families regard Ratu Kidu as a power
14:22 source and she is seen as the spiritual wife of the Mataram kings of Yogyakarta and Solo,
14:27 but even the then president Soekarno claimed that Ratu Kidu was his spiritual companion.
14:32 Until today, specific rooms in some hotels and resorts are kept vacant for Soekarno and
14:36 his spirit queen.
14:38 These rooms are decorated in green and filled with an elaborate Ratu Kidu shrine.
14:42 The same applies to palaces whereby special chambers are reserved for the meeting and
14:46 union between the current king and Ratu Kidu.
14:53 One of the buildings behind me is known as Bangung Sanggabuwana and it is the meeting
14:58 place for the Surakarta king and Ratu Kidu.
15:02 Many rituals are observed during this ceremony to ensure that the government achieves success
15:07 and peace.
15:08 Ratu Kidu will manifest as a spiritual wife to the lineage of King Senopati right until
15:14 the current ruler Sultan Paku Buwono Hangabehi XIII.
15:20 This becomes a symbol of confidence to the people of Jawa.
15:25 A person who is sincere when asking for blessings will be protected by Ratu Kidu and God.
15:30 We generally believe that all offerings have a certain blessing.
15:46 The bus is used to protect ourselves but it is not meant to show one's ability.
15:51 Some of them see not a mountain but they see a hierarchy of buildings with a palace on
15:56 the top.
15:57 Merapi indeed blesses us.
16:03 When I was at the southern beach, I also paid my respect to Ratu Kidu.
16:11 Something unexpected happened as I was making offerings to the Divine Mother of the Sea.
16:17 Earlier, when I made my offerings to the Queen of the Southern Sea, as the waves were taking
16:25 it away and it brought back, you were taking things.
16:30 What were you doing?
16:31 I am seeking for blessings by picking a particular type of flower known as a campaka or the magnolia
16:38 with the hope that I would receive blessings for me and my family.
16:41 Why do you not make offerings yourself?
16:44 Why do you pick up offerings of other people?
16:49 I strongly believe that people can ask for blessings from Ratu Kidu by giving the offerings
16:53 through Lapo Han but we can also receive the extra blessings by picking up the offerings
16:58 from others that are stronger and more positive.
17:01 What if the person making the offering is having negative thoughts?
17:07 Are you not going to pick up double negative?
17:11 A person who is sincere when asking for blessings will be protected by Ratu Kidu and God.
17:15 We generally believe that all offerings have a certain blessing.
17:19 However, if a person has negative thoughts when making an offering, well, we will leave
17:23 it to Ratu Kidu whom we are faithful in to help us.
17:28 I made an offering and it was between me and Ratu Kidu and it's mine but yet right in front
17:34 of me they are receiving back.
17:37 It really doesn't make sense and probably it doesn't make sense to many of you too but
17:40 I guess it makes sense for them.
17:43 In many ways it's just left to faith and deep belief.
17:55 Is Ratu Kidu real as in a person, a princess or is she a legendary, perhaps even paranormal
18:06 existing spirit?
18:07 In the context of Javanese culture, she is real.
18:11 The many different versions of stories emerged as people have different experiences concerning
18:17 spirituality.
18:18 Also, the stories differ because they were told only in spoken language.
18:24 In the eyes of the Javanese, she is not only a legend.
18:27 Modern or academic perspectives may find it hard to understand this.
18:36 Watching demonstrations like Debo's can easily mislead the viewers to think that such acts
18:40 are pure entertainment and not sincere practices of mysticism for spiritual growth.
18:48 Especially when the worship of Ratu Kidu can appear to be unsubstantiated and superstitious.
18:53 But when we probe a little deeper, we might start to understand that it could be otherwise.
19:01 Ever since I was nine years old, I was attracted to the unseen and the unknown.
19:07 I am 46 now.
19:12 The true teacher or guru exists inside of you.
19:16 That is the best and I also learn from my experiences.
19:20 Until today, I'm still learning.
19:24 I am very appreciative of the people and Mas Yoko who have come together this evening
19:30 to show us a traditional practice called Debo's which works towards the inner discipline and
19:38 towards achieving that inner control and also development towards a higher level.
19:44 I am not in a position to judge the accuracy or to judge the faith behind something that
19:50 has been practiced for a long time.
19:52 But from my observations, there are some particular actions that give me as an observer some scepticism
20:00 and it's only natural.
20:08 I personally think that in this modern materialistic era, Javanese beliefs can still survive.
20:20 But it may provide answers for questions that the modern age could not answer.
20:25 Of course, the materialistic world may exploit these beliefs.
20:29 However, the palace of Yogyakarta has also taken efforts to bring Javanese mysticism
20:35 back to life again through maintaining the harmony between the physical and spiritual
20:39 realms.
20:40 This is the spirit of Java that continues to survive even in this modern age.
20:50 Mysticism in Java is still indeed a part of their daily lives.
20:54 Whether it is to pursue inspiration, aspiration, connecting with nature, calling on the powers
21:01 of the universal energies, whatever it may be, it is still very apparent.
21:06 Although I would observe that it is slightly diluted, but I don't see it as entertainment,
21:14 but perhaps a way for people to hold on to history, culture and unity among communities.
21:22 [Music]
21:51 (dramatic music)
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