Fred B. Eiseman Jr.Bali: Sekala & Niskala: Essays on Religion, Ritual, and Art

I jumped right in and started on Chapter 11: Tooth filling! The writing is excellent and offers the Who, What, Where and Why this ceremony is so important to remain on a positive course of behavior.I'm looking forward to reading the other chapters to learn more about the Seen & Unseen, or duality that is central to Hinduism and how to relate and fuse to my Western thinking.

Though this book was originally published over a decade ago, it remains the best source in English for learning about the Balinese through their rituals, daily life, and cosmology. It is not casual reading, but it is also not academic, because Eiseman has such love and interest in the Balinese themselves, not just Bali as a 'paradise for tourists.'As one reviewer said, "he has produced the most detailed descriptions yet of most aspects of Balinese life and culture. He lives down in Jimbaran on the south coast, so many of his descriptions relate particularly to that area - practices change a bit in different places. He understands the Balinese language, which is not the case with many academics, who visit Bali briefly and write learned treatises, and don't always get it right."The Sekala and Niskala are ways of saying 'the seen and the unseen," the outward appearances of things and all the symbolic, or mystical, or ritual meanings of all the things he describes. The book is not a tourist guide to places--it's a guide to what makes Bali the fascinating place it is beyond the beaches, massages, and spas. I didn't read it until after I'd come to Bali; but a friend read it before coming and said it really helped him understand some of the things he saw. So either can work--I carry it around on my Kindle and refer to it often.I would recommend this book to people who find the Bali life around them fascinating and want to know the 'why' of so many aspects of it. From ceremonies to masks to why garbage is placed in a certain part of the house compound, he provides the answers. Because the book is essays you can go to any chapter and not feel like you should have started at the beginning.

After my trip to Bali, I was puzzled and wanted to learn more about the religion, art and culture.The observations and puzzlement I had from being there were answered in amazing detail. I am thankful that these authors were able to go into so much depth and research, and shared their knowledge. It's the history as well as current happenings - without the concentration on wars and political interference of a history book.Some pictures and a great detailed index, in case one wants to look up a particular topic.Due to it being written as "essays" rather than chapters, there is some duplication of topics, but because it is so detailed, it probably helps in reading it from a different perspective.Highly recommended for reading this before AND after a trip to Bali.

During a recent visit to Bali, I became fascinated with the practice of Hinduism there and how it influences every aspect of daily life. I recorded my guide's explanations as we went along, but I wanted to learn much more. This book, based on first hand experience, has provided all I was looking for and more. If you are interested in world religions and Balinese culture in particular, I can't say enough good things about this book. Unfortunately, the author passed away in 2013. I would have loved to correspond with him.

My dad had the author as a teacher in school and loved this book as a present.

There is so much material here about the amazing culture of Bali. A behind the scenes insightful look at the rich customs and practices of Bali. It's like having an informed guide at your side.

It is pretty deep Hindu doctrine reading, so I wasn't prepared entirely for that. As I do not have a hardcover copy only Kindle I can't really skip around as I would like to see if I just need to slog through it.

This book is fabulous. It is an in depth view into the Balinese culture and why they do the things they do. Fascinating and well written. Love it!

Perfect

Great book.

Très beau livre.Reçu dans les temps.Je suis actuellement en train de le lire donc je ne peux vous donner mon avis sur le contenu.

For anyone who really wants to understand the spiritual and ceremonial side of the Balinese people that is so important to them this is a must read book. I started reading it before my Bali holiday that I have just returned from.My Balinese guide was impressed with my understanding as we visited temples and witnessed a village ceremony.You owe it to yourself and to the people of Bali to read this book before going there.Visitors miss out on the depth of Balinese life otherwise.Now I am back I am rereading it with even more pleasure.

Consiglio questa lettura per chi vuole approcciarsi alla cultura balinese. Si tratta di un libro che può chiarire molte delle domande che un turista avrà modo di porsi girando per l'isola ed entrando in contatto coi locali.