A group of 17 French travelers led by Gorka Etxarri visited several places across Yogyakarta and Central Java in a rather unusual journey. The trip kicked off with historical destinations like the Borobudur and Prambanan Temples, followed by a trip to a remote village on Mount Lawu named Anggrasmanis, not far from the Cetho Temple complex.

At the village, the group stayed at one of the locals' houses to meet and learn from a Hindu-Javanese religious leader named Mangku Jito.

Gorka Etxarri pays respect to Javanese spiritual teacher Mangku Jito.(JP/Stefanus Ajie)

"This trip is more than just for tourism, where we explore, make recordings and take pictures," said Etxarri, adding that they came to Anggramanis to learn and truly immerse themselves in the world of Javanese spiritualism.

At night at the village's Buana Agung Temple, Mangku Jito led a prayer and meditation ritual that was accompanied by various offerings and incense. Afterwards, he shared his knowledge of Javanese spiritualism with his French guests, many of whom later consulted him regarding their own spiritual issues.

The next day, the group meditated again while welcoming the sunrise at Menara Dewa, a bamboo tower that sits at the top of a hill not far from the Buana Agung Temple. The trip later continued to the other side of Mount Lawu's slopes at a village named Pablengan. The travelers visited a sacred site called Sapta Tirta, a seven-water springs that used to serve a fortress and as a praying place for Raden Mas Said, the first Mangkunegaran King.

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One visitor practices the ritual of purifying the chakra at the sacred Sapta Tirta site.(JP/Stefanus Ajie)

At the springs, the group was welcomed by Sugeng, a spiritual teacher who maintained the sacred site. Sugeng shared his knowledge of Javanese spirituality, also known as kejawen, especially regarding nine chakra (points of spiritual power located along the body) purification rituals done through a water-based meditation. Afterwards, the visitors practiced the rituals one at a time. They included bathing and soaking in the seven water springs.

Etxarri told The Jakarta Post how he was really impressed with the journey, especially their visit to Mt. Lawu. "It's more than tourism; it's a spiritual journey. Almost everyone experienced enlightenment. When we return to France, we will be different people than we were before," he said, adding that Javanese spiritualism basically offered universal lessons about good attitudes toward life, such as humility, humbleness and harmony with nature.

"We cannot simply describe these things to other people. They have to experience them themselves," he added. (kes)

A group of French travelers stay at one of the locals' houses to explore Javanese spiritualism. (JP/Stefanus Ajie)