Rudrakshas and Malas: Bali, Indonesia
FINDING
YOUR
TRUE
AUM
If a yogi, you may already have some. And if on a spiritual journey, you may be wearing them. Rudraksha seeds have been treasured by Hindus and Buddhists for centuries and are considered the jewels of the gods. so, although these sacred seeds originated in India, it comes as no surprise that the 'island of the gods' is a mala-making destination.
Aum rudraksha designs in Bali, have been granted one powerful mission… to restore global peace by sharing rudraksha seeds to the world… one precious mala at a time.
Global Sense Aum Rudraksha Designs | Destination Bali, Indonesia | Interview with Raven Feliz Dunk fondly known as Gopal, (CREATIVE/BUSINESS DIRECTOR)
Photos by Falkwyn De Goyeneche
MANY MAY KNOW THE SPIRITUAL POWERS AND SYMBOLISM OF A RUDRAKSHA SEED. THESE SACRED SEEDS HAVE BEEN THREADED INTO MALAS AND USED FOR PRAYER AND RITUALS BY HINDUS, BUDDHISTS, SIKHS AND MUSLIMS ALL OVER THE WORLD FOR CENTURIES. RUDRAKSHA SEEDS ALSO HOLD TREMENDOUS HEALING POWERS, PROVEN TO HELP DIMINISH ILL-EASE AND PROVIDE THERAPEUTIC BENEFITS FOR BODY, MIND AND SOUL. PLEASE SHARE THE ARD VISION WITH US?
More than 25 years ago, the famous guru Sir H.W.L Poonja, (lovingly known as Papaji) pulled Soma Temple aside (my mother), to tell her that her ‘dharma’ (destiny) was to spread the knowledge of Rudraksha seeds with the western world.
“The world would be at peace if everyone was wearing rudrakshas,” he told to her. He believed the world needed Rudraksha seeds. Their precious properties had been hidden in India for long enough, so he granted my mother this duty as her calling.
To this day, Aum Rudraksha Designs follows this gifted path in honour with intention to fulfill this vision that Papaji gave my mother.
GOPAL' IS AN UNUSUAL NAME. WHAT DOES IT MEAN OR WHERE DOES IT ORIGINATE?
My birth name is Raven Feliz Dunk, but I also go by Gopal, which is my Hindu name given to me when I was very young, by Papaji himself. He felt the name Raven sounded too much like 'Ravana', (the ten headed demon). ’Gopal’ is the childhood nickname of Krishna who I have adored since I was a boy.
WHERE DO YOU LIVE, WHERE ARE YOU ORIGINALLY FROM AND HOW DID YOU LAND INTO THIS BEAUTIFUL VISION? WHAT IS YOUR ROLE?
I was born in America but my family moved to Bali when I was just 2 years old. I’ve lived in a few different countries over the years, both for school and to try something different, but my home and my heart have always been in Bali, where I am happily living now. I’m the Creative/Business Director at ARD and you could say I was born into this job as it was my mother’s company to start with. I took over the day-to-day operations 5 years ago. Mum and I work together, mostly harmoniously.
Mum is the Head Designer and Spiritual Visionary for the company. We like to say I am the head, she is the heart and the staff are the life force.
IT IS SAID THAT THE RUDRAKSHA TREE WAS FORMED BY THE TEAR DROPS OF LORD SHIVA AND THAT THE SEEDS HOLD PROFOUND HEALING PROPERTIES. THE RUDRAKSHA TREE IS ICONIC TO NEPAL AND ALSO GROWS WELL IN INDIA AT THE FOOTHILLS OF THE HIMALAYAS AND IN INDONESIA. WHERE AND HOW ARE THE RUDRAKSHA SEEDS SUSTAINABLY GROWN AND HARVESTED FOR ARD?
All of our rudraksha seeds come from Indonesia. The overall quality and energetic vibration of the rudrakshas here seem to be much higher than in other parts of the world.
Already living close to the source of the best rudrakshas was a big part of the reason Papaji was so specific to give us this mission in Bali.
All of our seeds come from local plantations. No heavy machinery or pesticides are used to harvest, thus not creating any pollution or harm to the environment. Rather, the trees purify our air, provide habitat for native animals and jobs for local farmers.
Photos by Lynn Theisen
IS THERE A TRADITIONAL METHOD STILL USED TO HARVEST AND PREPARE THE SEEDS FOR MALA PRODUCTION? (Apparently the seeds can sometimes be covered by a blue outer shell and be called blueberry beads.)
Yes. It’s actually a stunning metallic blue that is very rarely found in nature. Beautiful! But unfortunately they don’t taste very good.
We still harvest the seeds the traditional way which is actually very simple. Once fruit is ready to pick, (ripened on the tree) they are hand-picked and left to dry until the fleshy part of the fruit is easier to peel off to separate the seed. Seeds are then boiled to remove any excess flesh and then left to dry again. And that’s it!
MALAS NOW COME IN MANY DESIGNS AND MORE COMMONLY WORN AS JEWELLERY TO PROMOTE INNER-PEACE, WELLBEING, GOOD LUCK, HEALTH, PROSPERITY AND SPIRITUALITY. ARD MALAS ARE NATURAL AND TRADITIONALLY CRAFTED BY LOCAL ARTISANS IN BALI. THAT SOUNDS LIKE A LOT OF SEEDS TO THREAD EACH DAY. HOW MANY ARTISANS ARE EMPLOYED AT ARD AND HOW DOES A TYPICAL DAY MALA-MAKING IN BALI GO?
Haha… a lot of beads is the truth! We go through our fair share of Rudraksha seeds to say the least. We now have 23 employees and most have worked with us for many years.
Every working day at ARD is different and could be anything from designing new collections to helping fix a leak in the roof, directing staff from the office, or sitting on the temple floor praying alone. Whether overseeing international clients, talking about the score of last nights game, signing bank documents or visiting a newborn baby to one of our artisans, every day is a surprise and a gift.
Photos by Falkwyn De Goyeneche
WHAT IS THE MOST ENJOYABLE PART OF WORKING WITH THE LOCALS?
The Balinese are so incredibly talented, creative and have a very strong understanding of the spiritual realm.
Lessons that I learn from daily. But what stands out the most is to me, is being part of a real family. We all really look out for one another and share our lives together, and we also know that when any one of us slips, everyone else is here to help them back up.
PLEASE SHARE ARD’S INTERPRETATION FOR THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE NUMBER ’108’?
There are many significances with the number ‘108’, ranging from scientific to the metaphysical. Too long to list here as there are entire books written about this number. What resonates most for us is that there are 108 different names of Lord Shiva. And as the Rudraksha tree derived from his compassionate tears, we honour Lord Shiva above all others. Our malas are threaded with 108 Rudruksha seeds.
MOSTLY KNOWN FOR NATURAL BEAUTY, CULTURE AND CHARM, BALI IS A PLACE IN TEH WORLD THAT MOST VISITORS KEEP COMING BACK TO. THERE ARE SO MANY REASONS TO LOVE BALI. SO WHAT IS IT REALLY LIKE TO BE A ‘LOCAL’ IN BALI?
It is an absolute honour. As mentioned earlier, I moved here as a toddler so didn’t have a choice, and in danger of sounding to cliché, I would have to say that I am extremely blessed and very lucky.
The constant exposure to spirituality and other ways of thinking have been gifts in my life. Combined with the direct contact with a mix of people and cultural influences visiting Bali from all over the world. Those of us fortunate to have been brought up here in Bali have a colourful wealth of life experience that others may never have the chance to embrace.
HOW DO YOU BELIEVE RUDRAKSHA SEEDS CAN HELP INFLUENCE A MORE PEACEFUL WORLD, POST PANDEMIC?
Absolutely! Rudraksha seeds can and will help! We have an unbreakable faith in the power of these seeds and their ability to help heal and bring us closer to the light. We have endless feedback from so many of our customers and friends all over the world, who have shared their stories of healing and positive influence from wearing them. It is our mission, not just a job, and we understand that we are a channel being used to help share this ancient wisdom with the world.