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Writer's pictureAndrew J Calvert

Nyepi (The power of the pause)

Updated: May 4, 2021

Nyepi is a Balinese "Day of Silence" that is commemorated every Isakawarsa according to the Balinese calendar (this year it's March 14th). It is a Hindu celebration mainly observed in Bali, Indonesia. Nyepi, a public holiday in Indonesia, is a day of silence, fasting and meditation for the Balinese

Observed from 6 a.m. until 6 a.m. the next morning, Nyepi is a day reserved for self-reflection, and as such, anything that might interfere with that purpose is restricted. The main restrictions are no lighting fires (and lights must be kept low); no working; no entertainment or pleasure; no traveling; and, for some, no talking or eating at all. The effect of these prohibitions is that Bali's usually bustling streets and roads are empty (One million liters of fuel is saved during Nyepi’s silent day), there is little or no noise from TVs and radios, limited access to Internet and few signs of activity are seen even inside homes.

An entire island pauses for a day.


Now we don't need everyone to do this simultaneously (but I think that might be really cool), starting with each of ourselves individually. How do each of you pause? A digital detox? Step away from electronics at given hours of the day or days of the week? I've seen groups that go off grid for 1-2 weeks a year, camping with no electricity at all. Whatever the method, pausing, to reflect, to re-center, to refresh, is proven to help you do more, be happier and stay healthier. And if that's the case, what and when is YOUR Nyepi?

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