Meet Shankari, also known as' Shankari the Alchemist, "which has Balian, a village on the west coast of Bali, on the card by a mix of creativity, spirituality and hard work.
Tell us about your childhood and how you came to Bali.
My Australian family thought I had lost my mind when I arrived with my four children in Bali in April 1989! There was no internet, not to mention or email. It was a, crazy, wild extremely brave thing to do, but when the strength God is there, you can not say yes
in August 1988 was the Harmonic Convergence !; an astronomical alignment, providing an energetic catalyst that sent many across the planet to pursue their true destinies. In Sydney, as a single parent I was working non-stop to survive as an artist, a waitress and a ceramics teacher. I attended the University of New South Wales for a while, but my passion was creativity, so I went to have my first son and explore the world.
I am authorized by my children. I've never been sorry I had both and I celebrate their diversity and engineering. Today I have eleven grandchildren in four countries - the abundance indeed! During the 70s, I had a son and gave birth to twins, followed by another son and was suddenly the mother of four children. Study around children, I became first a goldsmith and sculptural ceramics winning numerous local awards for my art and design.
Shankari Ashton and his family
What were the early years as a single mother?
The first years were very difficult stay in Bali. There was virtually no infrastructure; erratic supply of electricity, no telephone connection, no schools, and the language barrier. Quitting was not an option. - I am engaged
I must have finally passed all the tests because I "discovered" by a Beverly Hills designer interior, Tony Duquettein in October 1992. I was his new assistant and my life and my family's life changed forever. He designed "Baghdad by the Bay", a costume ball for royalty at Musée de la Légion d'honneur in San Francisco. I designed and managed the color jewelry, umbrellas at three levels and costumes for doormen and porters, snake charmers and jugglers! Life was becoming interesting!
How did your life change by marrying your husband Balian?
In 1993, after a brief courtship, I married my husband Bali, Dewa. The ceremonies lasted three days! We loved everything about it! Suddenly, I had someone in my back; I became much more concentrated and powerful in my design and my writing. Love always makes us stronger!
In addition to your unique designs, making your jewelry line stand out from others?
I have a strange skill that defines my work as a creator apart from others. I can hear the color of the sound, which is called "synesthesia." I create songs of power to the wearer by color, which describes their notes or vibration. Stones are the vibration of memory that can be harnessed and directed by intention. Today, the wife of the Prime Minister of Japan wear my pendant design Lapis Lazuli to strengthen and protect it from negative energy. My clients include model Rachel Hunter, rock star LaToya Jackson, Hilary Duff and Patti LaBelle.
What inspired you to create Sacred River Retreat?
In 1995, I got pregnant and I thought I was cursed with black magic. One afternoon I went for a walk across the bridge, I sat in the shade and fell into a dialogue with the spirits of the earth. "Look between your feet," they said, and I did, and it between my feet was a large fruit called Sirsak (Soursop). "Eat everything," the voice asked, I did so with some trepidation. Sour and strange at first, it actually tasted like heaven. It was the perfect solution for my digestive chaos and I'm so happy I could cry.
Finally, sitting under a tree jack fruit I heard them say, "As you have received healing here, so will many others." I am directed by the spirit of the land to build one of the first yoga centers in Bali. They kept saying, "This place out of time and space" they named the place and purpose, then they organized the financing My husband and I were just their human servants Work and... money he drew helped build the town and the people into a powerful force on the west coast of Bali.
You started life by Balian in a simple house built in place over the years. What other arts do you support?
palace Balian began in 1997 and was funded by the sale of my home in Palm Beach, Australia. Today, I am proud to say that I am sponsoring a foundation for dance, where 64 children in the sanggar or school studying traditional and modern Balinese dance.
How does dance and arts enlighten us?
I believe in the power of art in all its forms, as a healing force on Earth. When I look at the children dance, I can only weep for joy. They are so precious, so innocent and so talented. When you dance you forget and fall into the arms of the cosmic flow.
Like all art forms, dance has the power to heal by resting the mind and engages the mind.
Tell me some of the most important practices that you have learned more.
I believe in healthy, so everyone who worked with us committed to start at 8am, and for the first time their only job was to practice yoga, meditation, share grievances and focus. When they came out in the working day, they were balanced and fully prepared for their work. Here is how you prepare to create life as a sacred journey.
Is there something in your life that you still want to do?
There are so many things. I want to write a book on the Crocodile Temple in Lallang Linggah. I would like to inspire a creative arts school here in Indonesia and online. I want to learn about making jewelery, precious stones, sacred geometry, mosaics, silk painting, music, dance, costume design and theater. Anyone interested in joining is welcome!
I am very happy for the future. I am blessed to have shared my life with the people of Indonesia. I love deeply; their smiles and humor filled me with joy. It is the place on earth where I feel most comfortable. I simply believe in the little things. With love and care for each other, we can heal the world and inspire the future.
Thank you, Shankari! To get in touch, email Shankari33@gmail.com or visit www.shankaribaliretreat.com