Have you ever noticed that you sleep deeper in Bali? It is not just the thread count of the sheets. It is the alignment of your soul.
If you pay attention to the layout of a traditional Balinese home—or a resort like Merusaka that respects local wisdom—you will notice nothing is random. Every wall, every door, and every bed is placed according to an ancient architectural code known as Asta Kosala Kosali.
Often called “Balinese Feng Shui,” this philosophy dictates how humans should live in harmony with the environment and the spirit world. And the most important rule concerns where you lay your head.
The Sacred Axis: Kaja vs. Kelod
In the West, we navigate by North and South. In Bali, we navigate by the Mountain and the Sea.
- Kaja (The Mountain): This is the direction of Mount Agung, the holiest volcano and the home of the gods. It represents the “Head,” purity, and positive energy.
- Kelod (The Sea): This is the direction of the ocean (in South Bali), representing the “Feet,” the underworld, and where impurities are washed away.
This is why, in your room at Merusaka, the bed is positioned so your head points North (towards Mount Agung). The belief is simple: When you sleep, your spirit is vulnerable. By aligning your head toward the holy mountain, you are recharging your soul with divine energy throughout the night. If you were to sleep with your feet toward the mountain, it would be considered deeply disrespectful—like pointing your feet at a temple.
The Aling-Aling: The Wall That Stops Spirits
Have you noticed that when you enter a traditional Balinese compound (or the temple gates within the resort), you often cannot walk in a straight line? You are forced to step left or right around a small barrier wall.
This wall is called the Aling-Aling. According to Balinese mythology, bad spirits and negative energy travel only in straight lines. They are fast, but they cannot turn corners. By placing an Aling-Aling directly behind the gate, the negative energy crashes into the wall and is repelled outside. Humans, however, walk around the wall, entering the space with a curved, gentle path.
Architecture as Protection
This is why a room in Bali feels different. It is not just a box to sleep in; it is a ritually protected space. The layout is designed to filter out the noise and chaos of the outside world (Niskala) and keep the interior safe for your dreaming mind.
So, when you wake up at Merusaka feeling unusually refreshed, do not just thank the coffee. Thank the architecture. You have spent the night aligned with the mountain and protected from the spirits.
Sleep in harmony. Book Your Sanctuary
