UBUD, balitourismnow.com – In Bali, not many people know Master Ketut Arsana as a practitioner of Kundalini Tantra Yoga. However, his name is widely recognized overseas. The founder of Om Ham Retreat & Resort Ubud is well known and sought after by people from various countries who come to him for guidance and advice as an internationally acclaimed healer.
Like many great spiritual figures, Ketut Arsana’s journey was not always an easy one. Born into modest circumstances, he experienced hardships, painful moments, and personal struggles that ultimately became the starting point of his quest to discover a deeper meaning and purpose in life. His personal story is expected to resonate with many others as they navigate their own life journeys.
His remarkable life story is now documented in a biographical book titled JENGAH: Jejak Sang Manah, written by his daughter, Sawitri. The book chronicles the life journey and philosophy of Guru or Master Ketut Arsana. Spanning approximately 200 pages, it was officially launched at Ashram Munivara, Ubud, Bali, on November 9, 2026.
More than simply documenting a life journey, the book offers profound reflections on how life experiences shape one’s character, awareness, and understanding of existence.
“This book explores the philosophy behind the word JENGAH. It is not merely about feeling ashamed or dissatisfied with one’s circumstances, but rather about awakening an inner energy that inspires us to rise, improve ourselves, overcome limitations, and make more meaningful contributions to life,” Sawitri explained during the launch.
The atmosphere at Ashram Munivara that afternoon was quite different from usual. Spiritual seekers, yoga practitioners, healing figures, and international visitors gathered at this venue, which radiated a distinctive spiritual atmosphere. The pavilion-like building, reminiscent of a traditional Balinese wantilan, was beautifully decorated. Copies of the book were neatly displayed along one side of the venue, while two painters worked on their canvases, creating portraits of Ketut Arsana. The resonant sounds of traditional Balinese selonding music further enhanced the spiritual ambience of the occasion.
Through Ketut Arsana’s story, readers are invited to explore a long journey of self-discovery, learning, spirituality, and service to others. His experiences demonstrate that success is not measured solely by material achievements, but also by one’s ability to manage the ego, cultivate compassion, and translate life’s values into meaningful actions.
From Personal Notes to a Published Book
Sawitri, the author of the book, admitted that writing a book was far more challenging than she had initially imagined. The process of completing JENGAH itself took many years. She had actually started collecting small notes about her father, including his messages and advice, when she was still in high school, more than 20 years ago.
Over time, these notes gradually accumulated into a substantial collection. As she grew older and became more emotionally mature, Sawitri began to understand the deeper meaning behind her father’s thoughts and teachings. Although he often repeated the same words and advice, she eventually realized that they carried profound messages. This inspired her to preserve those notes in a book so that their meaning and wisdom would not be lost.
On a personal level, Sawitri acknowledged that her father was far from perfect. In fact, some people might see many shortcomings in him. Yet, through those very imperfections, she learned that every journey and life decision made along the way carries its own profound meaning.
At the same time, her father is a spiritual practitioner who is admired by many people, including those from the international community. Sawitri believes that his life journey, thoughts, and experiences deserve to be documented so that more people can learn from them.
“Initially, I felt that writing something simple would not quite do justice to his story. So, I tried approaching several writers to document my father’s life journey and philosophy. However, despite several years of effort, the book never really materialized. The writing process remained stuck between Chapters I and III,” she recalled.
Eventually, Sawitri found the courage to write the book herself. She revisited the small notes she had collected over the years and supplemented them with various materials, themes, and writing outlines gathered from several senior writers. Through this lengthy process, JENGAH was finally completed and officially launched.
JENGAH: An Inner Energy to Rise Above Life’s Challenges
The word JENGAH is actually an expression her father frequently used. According to Sawitri, he often uttered the word with intense emotion, tremendous enthusiasm, and sometimes even anger. His way of teaching, therefore, was not always conveyed through gentle and comforting words. At times, his messages could be harsh and even painful.
“From this, I learned that love does not always come in a perfect form. Sometimes, love is expressed through strong emotions which, when managed properly, can guide us toward success. We hope that our father’s life journey, as documented in JENGAH, will inspire many people, especially our family and the wider community,” she said.
Meanwhile, Guru or Master Ketut Arsana expressed his gratitude to his daughter, Sawitri, for successfully writing and documenting his life journey in JENGAH.
In today’s context, he believes that the spirit of jengah is an important value that everyone should embrace, particularly when it comes to preserving Bali’s natural environment, culture, and traditional customs. This is especially relevant for younger generations who will face increasing exposure to foreign cultural influences and the challenges of global interactions. They must develop a strong sense of jengah to protect Bali and uphold the noble values inherited from their ancestors.
“I feel happy today because I finally understand the meaning of what I have been sharing with the community all this time. It all began with the hardships and struggles I experienced in the 1960s. Yet, I have always loved Bali. Every step taken by the Balinese people, as well as everything we strive to preserve and share with the world, carries its own meaning,” he said.
According to him, Bali, widely known as the Island of Paradise, must be carefully protected, including its spiritual energy and unique values. Through this book, he hopes that the wisdom, thoughts, experiences, and life struggles he has encountered will inspire many people.
He also expressed his hope that JENGAH will eventually be translated into several foreign languages, including English, Japanese, and others, allowing its messages to reach a wider international audience.
The book JENGAH is envisioned as a space for reflection rather than merely a ceremonial publication. The launch event featured a documentary screening, a dialogue with the author and the central figure of the book, an interactive question-and-answer session, and the official book-launch ceremony.
Carrying the theme “Every Great Journey Begins with a Story,” the book is expected to become more than a documentation of one individual’s life. It is intended to inspire readers to understand their own journeys, rise above limitations, and live with greater awareness, purpose, and meaning. [buda[