Lessons of the Human Spirit: A Journey Manifesting Open Flow Learning Centre in Bali
The Pandemic’s Crucible
In the midst of the global pandemic’s uncertainty, a unique story of sacrifice, conviction, and the pursuit of a Conscious Education space unfolded in Bali. Over the past 3 1/2 years, myself and Dr Nicolene embarked on a remarkable journey, founding the Open Flow Learning Centre. This article chronicles our ongoing epic saga, which is a testament to the enduring power of Love, Truth, Relentless Creativity, and Liberation.
In 2020, I made a profound sacrifice, dedicating precious time away from my two young children, ages 3 & 5 at the time (now 6 & 8) to establish a sanctuary of knowledge, enlightenment, and liberation for a globally diverse community. Open Flow became a haven for children, youth, university students, academics, entrepreneurs, and curious individuals seeking an alternative, transformative educational experience. The sanctity of Bali’s ancient Land and Spirits held us in a divine presence of feeling.
Feeling Good through Obstacles of Challenge
Our journey, however, is most definitely not without its share of ups and downs, ins and outs. Along the way, we have encountered both positive and challenging scenarios that tested our resolve. Yet, it is through the condensed intensity in trials of late — that deep transformational leadership circles and personal and professional introspection were called upon in order to spiral up into our next phase of collective metamorphosis and growth. Despite myself and Dr Nicolene’s intense release of shedding the old and inviting in the new, in others we instead unearthed silent traits and shackles of lurking truths in heart, mind, and soul.
The Presence of Betrayal
This emergence from the shadows saw silent partners whose ambitions became clear upon meeting their physical presence. The once faithful team at Open Flow Learning Centre saw cracks of division and deceit. The once united community saw gossip and hearsay enter the weak minds and hearts of the weak. The ground began to tremble beneath us but still we held presence and light for the Land and those who felt. Still we held space for our precious children and families that entrusted myself and Dr Nicolene as the heart and soul of Open Flow.
Deceit, betrayal, corruption, the lure of more, and intent of dark energy from human beings that play with such black magic (quite common in Bali though rarely spoken) began permeating our membranes of Light. Lastly, it began entering within the hearts and minds of people we had developed and cared for since Open Flow’s initiation back in 2020. The damage was done — the process in motion.
A Courageous Flight
Ultimately, this shift in atmosphere and feeling from our initial intent led to a heart-wrenching forced exit from the premises inclusive of threats and seizure of personal belongings with a mere 1/2 days’ notice. Dr. Nicolene and I, together with Nicolene’s son, her brother, and two South African interns we hosted as part of a new initiative for global youth exchange, fled the situation under the darkness of the third New Moon as the community surrounded us and dark ceremony and ritual took place at the once light filled sacred temple next to Open Flow — changing the Land in an instant.
We left behind the space we had devoted our hearts and life energy into. It was a stark reminder of the darker aspects of human nature, driven by greed and the lust for power and control. And a light-filled reminder of the power of intuition and instantaneous response.
This is a true story. This is Emergence.
Triumph of the Human Heart
Our desensitized world and most minds will delegate this to the category of a fanciful tale. This brief paragraph right here asks you to pause in the experiential truth of that which you have just read, and now begin to feel through the experience of another’s thinking and feeling. Through my heart to yours.
As human beings upon an Earth so brutally, and consciously divided and disconnected by a few — we reunite in a presence that knows nothing of space, location, and time — only in omnipresence of feeling.
My resolve remains unbroken. Dr. Nicolene and I vow that this setback marks a rebirth, a Genesis, a banishing from Heaven to Earth as the beginning of our contribution to Conscious Education for Humanity and Nature. This is a microcosm example of that which is mirrored in the macrocosm of the capitalist world picture and the trauma of generations of human beings around the world who are silenced by fear, poverty, displacement, violence, enslavement, corruption, lies, and false promises. Mercenary colonizers still exist on this earth, simply masked through personas of everyday people.
Transcending Material Loss
Our 3 1/2 years of tireless work, ideation, conversation, actualization, and reflection had yielded something far more profound than physical spaces, material wealth, or personal accumulation and gain.
These experiences serve as a profound education in human nature itself. From the heights of the mountains to the depths of the underworld, we have encountered various facets of humanity’s instinctual traits that remain as remnants of the old world mercenary and colonization traits upon innocent beings and sacred generational lands, customs, Song Lines, and Dreaming. It is within this current intricate web of emotions and interactions that I have been gently offered the raw materials and freedom to alchemize a process of deep healing and immensely humbled enlightenment. An enlightenment that shares Truth and Love as an evolutionary antidote.
Rediscovering Liberation
Throughout our journey, I discovered that the human heart has the incredible capacity to triumph over greed and the desire for control. I have borne humble witness to the resilience of only one beautiful Balinese woman who stood tall in their inner Truth and Courage in the face of fear tactics and the manipulation of human beings through control of money and threats. All others fled for the darkness of the safety of monthly salary, riddled with lies leaving themselves behind into the arms of the ones who promise the world.
In the end, the memories created during these 3 1/2 years of unwavering dedication to Conscious Education are remnants of artifacts that cannot be taken away. These memories remind individuals of all ages that they are, indeed, liberated and free as boundless individuals on a planet often designed to control and enslave our hearts and minds.
A Deep Weaving for Deep Healing
My journey and Dr. Nicolene’s journey stand as a testament to the enduring spirit of humanity and the transformative power of education rooted in Love, Truth, and Relentless Creativity. My commitment to Conscious Education remains unshaken, an ‘Al Fanar’ (lighthouse) of hope for all those who yearn for a brighter, more enlightened, and liberated future through diversity and inclusivity — Conscious Education.
As I continue on my path, I hold within me the profound learnings of human nature, reminding us all that even in the face of adversity, the human spirit that is freed can only rise above, heal, and inspire. It cannot fall from Grace for it is Grace that lifts the human soul into new heights of perception and feeling.
This is a story of resilience, hope, and the enduring quest for a new world feeling — a story that will continue to inspire generations to come.
This is my Life as it is, not as it will be.
A Life of Love.
Life lived as Love.
