Ubud, Bali – Beneath the vast, cerulean canopy of Ubud, where the golden, post-harvest vistas of the rice fields met the light, peaceful vibration of Junjungan village , a profound alchemy of the spirit unfolded this past Thursday, December 25, 2025. At Om Ham Retreat & Resort, the traditional boundaries of spiritual practice were dissolved not by silence, but by the transformative power of a belly laugh. The “Laugh, Share, Care” Retreat, a cornerstone of the resort’s Master Series, offered a sanctuary for 19 seekers to reclaim joy as their divine birthright.
The Alchemy of Joy and the Divine Trickster
The practice of Kundalini Tantra Yoga (KTY) served as the retreat’s dynamic core. In a revolutionary departure from the stoicism of modern yoga, Master Ketut integrated intentional laughter exercises into the flow of movement. This biochemical medicine was designed to flood the body with endorphins while simultaneously flushing out the shadow of cortisol.
The shala erupted into a sea of spontaneous giggles that soon blossomed into roars of uninhibited joy. Then, in a final, delightful twist that embodied the playful spirit of the afternoon, the Hanoman—the legendary white monkey deity who had greeted them at the threshold—stepped onto the mats.
Initially a charming presence for photographs, the Hanoman joined the final yoga sequences in full costume. Seeing the divine warrior-monkey flow through the poses with mischievous grace was the ultimate catalyst for the guests’ amusement, shattering any remaining vestiges of self-consciousness through the shared language of laughter.
As the tropical twilight began to settle, the high-vibration energy of the yoga transitioned into the soul-stirring resonance of Kirtan. Participants gathered in a sacred circle, their voices merging into a tapestry of ancient mantras and chants. In this space, the pursuit of vocal perfection was abandoned in favor of heart-opening vibration.
This collective sound healing forged a profound sense of belonging, a reminder that though we are “different in routine and character, the heart is the same”. The retreat reached its quiet crescendo in a deep meditation, allowing the joyous energy of the day to ground into a state of exquisite inner harmony.
The afternoon concluded with a nourishing dinner shared among the participants as they looked out over the golden, harvested landscape. As they departed Om Ham, they carried with them more than just a memory; they carried a renewed spark of the divine—and the enduring wisdom that the most sacred path to enlightenment is often paved with laughter that we share and care together.
