A TRIP ABROAD FOR GROWTH AND UNDERSTANDING
2015 the group was privileged to receive over 16 hours of training in traditional Sunda Silat (Martial Arts). The groups training began with Abah Gending of Garis Paksi. "Garis Paksi" is an organization dedicated to the preservation of traditional Sunda Silat systems so as not to loose the traditional culture and ways of the Sundanese who have inhabited the Archipelago for centuries. Abah Gending is the head of the organization he personally instructed our group to 8 hour of traditional training in the Indonesian sun.
It really was not that bad and we had very nice bathroom facilities and for certain there is a different camaraderie that you develop when you are with a group. If you know Guru Daniel Prasetya at all you know that he is going to keep you very busy and that in itself in an under statement.
Thursday was once again full of activity. After our morning visit to Mas Siget’s for breakfast we headed off for a festival and special brunch with one of the martial arts school. We then watched one of the best martial arts demos ever presented. Master Reid was recognized with the special guest and ranking Masters and both he and Guru Bahati performed as part of the Masters Demonstration. A full day already behind us we next visited a special spiritual location that was utilized by the Hamengkubuwono I - the first king of the Mataram-Jojia Kingdom (of which Guru Danial Sulestya Agung Prasetya is a direct descendant). Here we participated in a very special water ceremony before finally retiring for the evening.
Adji Saka who demonstrated a number of very high level energetic demonstrations of Gendam that are normally only written about in a book or spoken of in a documentary. Everyone there was blessed to see his demonstrations and here his instruction.
On Friday our group traveled deep into the mountain jungle to help raise the roof on the new Inti Ombak complex that will be utilized for tourism and for martial arts camps and training and healing
and internal retreats. Once the roof was raised the group headed off to one of the waterfalls to cool off and enjoy nature.
Sunday May 31, 2015 - Yojakart. This was a big day. We traveled to meet Guru Daniel’s teacher who as an Ambassador for Silat for Indonesia to Russia in the 1950’s and 1960’s and we also traveled to the homes of several of the ranking Guru’s and Pendekar’s who had been helping with the camp at the compound
Next came the biggest martial arts parade that any of our group had ever seen. The number of participants ranged between 5,000 to 7,000 participants.
RSMA was represented by Sifu Wes Otto, Sifu Taylor Nichols and Mr. Kireeti Sangadala. Sifu Wes, Sifu Taylor and Kireeti were just behind the Inti Ombak, banner and flags and just ahead of the drums. Throughout parade stops they performed Fu Jow, Mustika Kweetang, Mande Mudha, Musteeka Kweetang Applications and Mr. Kireeti Sangadla had a special performance Flying Fu Jow Before the Indonesian Prime Minister of Culture and Education. Master Reid and Guru Bahati filmed and took pictures.
Our group loved Bali. The first thing they did after arriving was train with Guru Besar Bangbam Suwanda at Guru Bernard Chongs Southeast Asian Martial Arts camp. After that is was fun in the sun time as the group relaxed
on the beach, bartered with venders, spent time in Kuda, Hbud and Sanuar, did some sigh seeing, ages some great food and looked for bargains! Overall a great trip and the group is looking forward to possibly doing it again in
the not to distant future!
Reid's Shaolin Martial Arts - "Personal Development Through Traditional Martial Arts!"