What is it?

This Xpedition is an opportunity to come into contact with the island civilizations of Indonesia through their sacred places, artifacts, and people — their creators and guardians.

To open to a knowledge that cannot be gained through history, books, or external observation alone.

The manifestation of a consciousness of unearthly, cosmic intelligence into our world is both an opportunity and a task for a person capable of reaching such forces. Or, more precisely, capable of being drawn to this force. By their very nature, they carry a similar — or perhaps the same — charge.

In Indonesia, this is the Empu. A master of manifesting essence into form.

The Empu reaches toward and is drawn to the consciousness of a higher intelligence, extending and fixing a connection with it — through a silver thread — into a physical object in the material world.

In Indonesia, this is the blade. A work of art and nature.

And so the Keris/Kris comes into this world. A friend and Teacher to those of Earth.

Why

The Indonesian Archipelago is a space of earlier island civilizations, shaped through a unique interaction with the ocean, volcanoes, and the unseen world. Over the centuries, sacred centres, temples, and ritual traditions emerged here, preserving the connection between human beings and deeper levels of reality.

In this XPEDITION, we will encounter the principal sacred places of Bali and Java, coming into contact not only with their history and culture, but also with what continues to live beyond their visible form.

The central thread of this journey will be our meeting and acquaintance with the Keris of the Malay Archipelago. The Keris are not merely ancient ritual blades and works of art. For us, they are particular forms of presence — the consciousness of cosmic Teachers manifested through material artifacts and connected with the centuries-old spiritual tradition of this land.

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Gunung Kawi

A unique 11th-century temple complex. Its ten monumental shrines, each approximately seven metres high, are carved directly from solid rock.

An ancient place of the rishis, carved into the cliffs of the sacred Pakerisan River valley. Their places of meditation and transmission of knowledge have been preserved here.

The space is structured as a spiritual mandala — a path of inner purification, the opening of the centres of consciousness, and ascent toward liberation.

Empu

An honorific and sacred title in Indonesian culture. Historically, it was bestowed upon recognized masters of the highest rank, spiritual teachers, and creators of sacred artifacts.

An Empu is a blacksmith and alchemist, a spiritual medium and magician who forges the sacred dagger and connects it with a consciousness of a higher level of development. A creator who infuses consciousness and power into the Keris. The Empu is the central figure in Keris culture.

Mangku

The guardian of sacred space. One who keeps the power of the Keris pure, “awakens” it for rituals, and serves as a link between the Keris and people.

A spiritual guide and healer who performs rituals and helps a person restore harmony with themselves, their ancestors, and the divine realm.

Borobudur

The world’s largest Buddhist temple, conceived as a monumental stone mandala and a path of ascent for consciousness.

Its nine levels symbolize the journey from the realm of desire toward enlightenment, transforming the temple itself — and one’s movement through it — into a gradual spiritual journey.

Prambanan

Indonesia’s largest Hindu temple complex and one of the great monuments of 9th-century Java.

Its central 47-metre tower is dedicated to Shiva, its walls are covered with reliefs depicting the Ramayana, and the entire ensemble of hundreds of shrines was conceived as an earthly manifestation of the sacred Mount Meru.

Gedong Songo

An ancient and extraordinarily picturesque Hindu temple complex. One of the most mystical places in the region.

Located on the slopes of the active Mount Ungaran volcano, at an altitude of approximately 1,200–1,300 metres. A predecessor to Prambanan and Borobudur. Between the temple sites, hot sulphur springs emerge from the earth and geothermal gases rise to the surface.

The volcanic activity of this area is a direct manifestation of the divine energy of the earth.

Favorite moments from the past Xpedition