Ketut Arsana

Ketut Arsana was born in the village of Padang Tegal-Ubud, and grew up in a Balinese family of traditional shaman healers (Balian). The healing tradition was passed on from his grandfather and previous ancestors. Balinese shamans have always played a central role in public health care and have remained virtually unchanged since ancient times. The Balinese lineage of healing skips a generation and is normally passed down through the male line. Ketut Arsana was the only boy in the family and his grandfather hoped to keep this lineage alive within the family through Ketut Arsana.

As a child of this healing lineage, there were many challenges and dangers. Ketut Arsana was a sickly child. His mother told him that when he was 6 years old he became very ill and was unconscious for a couple of days in spite of all efforts. Desperate, his grandfather took him to the family temple and placed him on the ground. He said to God something like ‘please take him away or make him well.’ That night the grandfather went to the village's Temple of the Dead (Pura Dalem) and later came home with some holy water. Miraculously, Ketut Arsana woke after being sprinkled with the holy water. Three days later, however, his grandfather passed away.

A few days after his death, the grandfather came and woke Ketut Arsana several times in the middle of the night. He asked his grandson to sit up to receive his healing knowledge. He also told him that his death was a consequence of his visit to the Temple of the Dead. His death apparently was a substitute for Ketut Arsana's death.

The great grandfather also came to inform him about the books of healing (Lontar Usada), which he had left behind in the old family compound. He followed his great grandfather's instructions and found the lontar – manuscripts. Reading lontar scripts is very dangerous if one is not spiritually ready. People have been known to fall ill or become insane. These sacred scripts (Aksara Modre) are actually energy that has to be read precisely.

Ketut Arsana continued to study the scripts, despite warnings and concerns from his family. He started with Usada Buda Kecapi, sacred inner light healing technique, and gradually studied the rest. Consequently, his healing power and abilities grew.

Ketut Arsana began his healing practice with his own family, and gradually extended it to neighbours and eventually anyone who heard about him. Continuing, he improved his knowledge by way of learning from other healers, by praying in temples and other sacred places, and through spiritual discipline. Most importantly Ketut Arsana found his spiritual teacher, Maha Guru, and surrendered to God (Lord Siva).

Ketut Arsana is the owner of Ubud Bodyworks Healing Centre and the founder of the Ubud Aura Retreat Centre and Ashram Munivara. Please contact us for more information.