An interview with Balinese Magic man I Gusti Ngurah Harta.
In the history of Western culture, theology, and science, a strict dichotomy exists between religion and magic: religion as the intellectually and morally superior one – magic as the primitive, superstitious, demonic other.
Written by and translated from Bahasa Indonesia: Ayu Dewi Sri
Edited by: Chris L. and Jessyca Y.
Magic, supernaturalism, and mysticism. Call it what you want, they are not primitive or even superstitious. Actually, it is part of the culture and heritage of local Balinese wisdom that should be known to the public. As long as humanity has had beliefs in deities and the supernatural, the power of magic has been featured widely across cultures. These beliefs are very much entwined within human nature and have continued till the present day.
Indonesia, or the Republic of Indonesia, lies in the south eastern region of Asia and is a country which consists mostly of several islands. With more than three hundred kinds of ethnic groups existing here, there are many rituals and rich cultural diversity. Magic is a part of the rituals and culture. Quite a prevalent happening, it can be found on almost every island of this vast archipelago. A belief in magic crosses cultural and religious barriers in Indonesia.
Some of the islands in Indonesia, such as Banyuwangi, Sumbawa, Baten and the island of Bali, are places that have a strong following among magic practitioners. Many who have visited these islands surely get to know about the prevalence and get to see the various kinds of magical practices.
The Ancient and Powerful Magic in Bali
As one of islands with tremendous diversity of cultures and traditions, Balinese magic is very commonplace in real life. It has become one of the most interesting and alluring aspects of Indonesian culture. The roots of the phenomenon are found in the island’s Hindu-Animist religion. Stone Age Balinese Animism, the worship of the spirits of nature and ancestors, has changed little even down to the present day.
In the middle of downtown Denpasar City I meet I Gusti Ngurah Harta (Turah). He is a respected spiritual figure and renown among magic practioners in Bali. He explained to me the finer points of magic and the power of Balinese magic known as Leak.
The legend of Leak in Bali refers to a horrible black magic inspired drama called Calon Arang. The story written in a manuscript describes that, during the reign of Erlangga in 11th century there was a widow called Calon Arang. At the village of Girth, she is said to have a beautiful daughter. Her daughter’s name is Ratna Manggali, who has reached her adulthood, but no one among the youths from the village and surrounding area had the courage to approach the alluring virgin. This is because her mother, Erlangga, is known to have black magic knowledge, and practiced it maliciously. This caused many people were dead even hatred was increasing among the people, yet this is used as a temptation to her thirsty black magic need.
The magic of the widow appears in the shape of Rangda has a horrifying appearance with its aggressive bulging eyes, long tusks, and red tongue extending down to the waist. Rangda is related to the Durga goddess of India, the spouse of Shiva, the creator and destroyer, and a kind of personification of holy wrath.
Many people in Bali believe that this myth is based on reality. In some communities on the island, it is still practiced in a form of theatre laden with magical meaning.
Stories about Leak are sometimes hard to believe. Some are taboo to explain and on the other hand, it will make you very curious. But Turah explained Leak as a benevolent form of magic, it’s a heritage, culture and art as well. He isn’t shy to show what he is capable of and provides a difference perspective that enables him to take the issue to a larger audience.
Interview with Balinese magic man I Gusti Ngurah Harta
Om suastiastu Turah (respectfully greeting of Balinese to others)
Om suastiastu.
What is your view on Leak phenomena around us today, is this Leak myths or facts?
In Bali, Leak (pronounced: ley- ak) is real but people have a bad image of Leak. They believe that Leak can make one fall sick or killed. A leak has a power to change its appearance into an animal, a flaming ghost (endih), a demon devil, and others that he wants. Actually Leak is a part of the Balinese culture which is rarely talked about. It is a very sensitive issue to study or receive detailed information about and it is taken very seriously amongst the Balinese. It was told anyone who has been accused of practicing Leak will deny it and may even become aggressive over the accusation.
Figure and images of leak was very creepy how was that?
At the beginning the practicing of Leak is strongly opposed because villagers fear it and know that it will cause death or mishap to another person’s soul. It was told that the villager believe that Leak can make one fall sick or killed. The leak is considered to be lower than mankind because what he eats include corpses and everything putrefied. Reputedly mentioned that Leak has several ways to change its appearance. It can change completely into animals, a change facial expression or change into flaming fire. As you know all these stories are for just frighten them.
Are you saying that the Leak is a bad or black magic?
If leak is said to be a bad thing, I do not agree. In fact, it will entirely depend on individuals themselves. If leak is used for healing purposes, then it means good but when leak is used to harm people, it means bad. Actually, Leak is not as bad as people think. It is like a knife. It can help us or hurt us, depending on how and what we use it for. People just see it from the negative side. They do not realize that leak is just like other kinds of science and it is not bad as people think Leak more is like a sharpened knowledge. It can be used to help people although it can hurt people, too.
Peoples say that in Leak is a wicked witch. She was a human being who practiced magic and needed blood to live embryos. It also said that Leak can turn themselves into a pig or a ball of fire. Is that true?
No, it is not true at all. People often misinterpret and label Leak as bad magic with the aim to hurt someone. Actually, Leak is not for hurting people. Leak was the science that’s good enough for those interested. There is lot of magic out there meant to hurt people. Because of some purpose, such as revenge, envy, or superior desire to others. This is often referred to black magic, but it’s not Leak. Leak is an ancient knowledge passed down by the ancestors of Hindus in Bali. Today times have changed and Leak is also changing according to the era.
So, what exactly has changed appearance for those who learn or study Leak?
Basically, Leak is the science which aims to seek enlightenment through holy script. In Bali’s characters or Balinese manuscripts, there is no characters called Leak. Leak characters consisted of “Liya” and “Ak” which means five characters. This Five characters are “Si” reflected God, “Wa” means a blessing, “Ya” means the spirit, “Na” means a force that covers the intelligence, and “Ma” means the egoism that imprisons the soul. This five characters called Panca Gni or mean five fires. This is may be confusing you and I would make a little more clearly explained … as you know peoples who those studied spiritual would recognize so-called “aura”. This aura have same meaning of the five fires. When you learn Leak you will have the ability to release out the five fires through the five elements of the body senses, like the ears, eyes, mouth, the fontanel, and genitals. In human being this fires generally to be visible throughout the eyes, mouth or up of their head. The practitioner of Leak will get the tremendous sensation when they have the ability to apply this fire in real life. And this sensation called astral journey (in Balinese known as Nge-Lekas) means the existence of an astral body separate from the physical body and capable of travelling outside in the form of light or fire. This is where the change can actually happen.
Wow, very interesting. Can everyone learn Leak or have that sensation?
I learned about this ancient magic starting more than 20 years. But in this era everyone can learn about it, depending on the level you learned. In my college of martial arts and mysticism “Sandhi Murti” you can learn about the magic or the power of spiritual only for six months, but it depends on your perseverance and belief. It’s tough but is not difficult, it’s just like, “awaken your inner powers and start using them“. This inner power manifests as the ability to achieve something better and discover the good in you and surrounding you. This requires time and effort to achieve. However, sometimes, due to various factors, this might unexpectedly happen, in certain circumstances. The importance is, that you need special training and an experienced teacher if possible. You can read all the books that you want, but in the end you should speak with other practitioners to learn from their experience.
Yes, it makes sense for me. So do you think the perception of Leak as Balinese magic all this time was misunderstood?
Lot of magic can be observed in Bali’s history. The Balinese believe each history has the capacity for good or evil (black or white magic) and everyone has their own perception. But as a practitioners who have learned about this science for decades, I don’t agree with the term, “Leak is bad or black magic“. In fact, it will entirely depend on individuals themselves. If Leak is used for healing purposes, then it means it is good, but when used to harm people, it means bad.
How about you? Why are you interested in the study of Leak?
Well … at the beginning I studied the traditional Martial art (pencak silat) beginning in elementary school. When I was in college I became interested to learn about Lontar or, ancient Balinese manuscript. Since then, I grew more interested studying mysticism and spiritual. During the journey, I meet a spiritual teacher and started learn more about Balinese magic including Leak. Firstly, Leak is a part of our culture. It’s a form of transcendental knowledge that used a Balinese ancient scared alphabet as its vehicle and its keep taboo. Then I started thinking if it’s kept taboo, one day we will lose it. I have tried to explain this to other practitioners and finally in 1990 I founded the martial arts and mysticism school called Sandhi Murti in Denpasar city. I have thousands of members from Indonesia and overseas. Currently we are starting enrollment in several European countries.
Did you experience turned yourself inanimate object (Leak) in public?
Yes. I demonstrated what a Leak was in front of many audiences and in a seminar on Leak in Bali University. Also in local TV station a couple of years ago.
What did people see and feel at the moment when you changed your shape or performance?
Yes, some peoples said it is like a supernatural phenomenon. It doesn’t frighten them at all. Generally they could see the changes in me in form of bright light throughout my eyes or my mouth. This lasts only few minutes and everything is back to normal. There is no change in the appearance of being animal, things or any demon.
Did you spell a magical mantra during the show?
Yes, as Leak practitioners I have to spell a magical words (mantra). This mantra which enables successful completion of the change of my performance. Mantras is an ancient magical word formulas. Mantras are a form of magical prayer-chant that originates in the Hindu tradition. They were designed specifically to have dramatic transformative effects on those that recited them. This mantra helps me to change into a specific vibration, strengthen and improve my psychic abilities.
Those who practice supernatural or magic often keep it in secret, but for you it seems there is no boundary between magic and reality anymore?
I don’t see a good reason to hide in the dark. In indigenous, tribal, or oral cultures, magic is the way of the world. There is nothing that is not in some way magic, because the fact that the world exists is already quite a wonder. That it stays existing, that it continually keeps holding itself in existence. Balinese magic and all magic in the world is the way of the world. It’s that sense of being in contact with so many other shapes of awareness and it is real.
You are now in position to bring the tradition out in the open. What is next?
Yes…I had a long tour to out of the world in United States and European. I frequently speak in front of audiences about this subject. Some people say there is no scientific evidence that proves magic or supernatural are exists. I think the question is kind of too general, because if you want to see it scientifically, you would have to ask more specifically and feel it by your own experiences. Scientifically it can not be explained. But lack of scientific evidence does not mean that forms of magic don’t exist. Here in my school in Denpasar Bali, you can see it and prove it …you can see it that this so called “magic” has a scientific explanation
Thank you so much for having me in interesting interview …and good luck for you mission.
You’re welcome, Ayu.
May 24, 2016
Ayu Ngurah Sry
Denpasar – Bali