The 5-Step Balinese Intention Setting Ritual That Actually Works

You’ve heard the phrase “set your intentions,” right? It usually pops up somewhere between your best friend’s yoga class recap and that one influencer lighting sage in her bathroom. The truth is, intention setting isn’t about hashtags or aesthetic incense smoke—it’s about aligning your energy with what you truly want. And no one does it better than the Balinese.

In Bali, spirituality is not a hobby. It’s woven into the rice paddies, the morning offerings, the temple bells, and even the way the locals greet you. The Balinese understand something most of us forget: life is not random. It’s energy. And energy, my friend, needs direction.

So let’s stop pretending your vision board alone will manifest that villa by the beach. Here’s a five-step Balinese-inspired ritual that takes intention setting out of the “woo-woo” zone and plants it firmly into a practice that works.

Step 1: Begin with Purification 

Before you manifest your dream partner, a yacht, or just a week without inbox anxiety, you need to clear the static. In Bali, purification is sacred. Locals perform melukat (water purification) at holy springs before any big transition.

At home, you don’t need a Balinese temple, but you do need water. Run a bath, step into a shower, or dip your hands in a bowl with sea salt and flower petals. The water doesn’t just clean your body—it signals to your mind and spirit: We’re starting fresh.

Think of it as hitting “refresh” on your energetic browser. Because no matter how gorgeous your intention is, if you’re still carrying yesterday’s frustrations, you’re basically trying to download abundance on dial-up.

Step 2: Create a Sacred Offering (Yes, Snacks for the Universe)

In Bali, you’ll see canang sari—small palm-leaf baskets filled with flowers, rice, and incense—everywhere. They’re offerings to the divine, a daily thank-you note to life itself.

Your version doesn’t have to look like a Pinterest DIY fail. Keep it simple: a candle, a crystal (we recommend Clear Quartz for focus, Citrine for abundance, or Amethyst for calm clarity), and something symbolic to you. Maybe it’s a sprig of rosemary, a handwritten word, or, if you’re bold, a piece of dark chocolate.

The point? You’re showing gratitude. The universe loves good manners. Don’t just demand your dreams like a spoiled toddler at the candy aisle—offer respect first.

Step 3: Anchor with Breath and Stillness (The Pause Button for Your Soul)

Balinese rituals often begin with a pause: a moment of silence, breath, and connection. Before setting intentions, they center themselves.

Here’s how you do it: sit comfortably, spine tall, hands resting on your lap. Close your eyes. Inhale deeply through your nose, hold for a moment, and exhale slowly. Do this for at least seven breaths. Seven because it’s sacred, but also because anything less is just you hyperventilating.

Notice your body soften, your thoughts slow down. This is where the noise of daily life melts, and the signal of your true self gets stronger. Without stillness, intention is just wishful thinking. With stillness, intention becomes clarity.

Step 4: Speak Your Intention (Out Loud, Like You Mean It)

Here’s the mistake most people make: they keep their intentions locked inside their heads, like an unread email to the universe. The Balinese know the power of sound. Chanting, mantras, prayers—they all turn invisible thought into vibration. And vibration? That’s manifestation fuel.

So, once you’re centered, speak your intention out loud. Keep it clear and specific:

• Not “I want happiness.” (Too vague—are we talking gelato happiness or soulmate happiness?)

• Say: “I set the intention to welcome supportive, loving relationships into my life.”

• Or: “I set the intention to create financial freedom through my work.”

Say it like you believe it. Whispering it like a guilty secret won’t cut it.

Step 5: Seal It with Action (Because the Gods Respect Hustle)

This is where most rituals fall apart. People light a candle, say a few words, and then go back to doomscrolling TikTok. Not in Bali. There, rituals are always tied to action.

Sealing your intention means anchoring it in the real world. If your intention is health, maybe you commit to a walk after dinner. If it’s abundance, you finally start that side project. If it’s love, you send the text you’ve been drafting for two weeks.

Even the smallest step signals to the universe: I’m serious. Think of it like putting a down payment on your manifestation.

Why This Ritual Works

Because it combines the three pillars of effective intention setting:

1. Purification clears your energy.

2. Offering aligns you with gratitude.

3. Stillness connects you with your inner truth.

4. Spoken word activates vibration.

5. Action anchors it in reality.

It’s not just spiritual theory—it’s practical energetic psychology with a Balinese flair.

Bonus Tip: Crystals Make Excellent Ritual Wingmen

Crystals are not decoration. They’re tools. The Balinese use sacred objects to focus energy, and crystals are perfect for this. Here are a few to keep nearby:

• Citrine: Amplifies abundance intentions.

• Amethyst: Deepens spiritual clarity.

• Black Spinel: Shields your energy while you focus.

• Clear Quartz: Magnifies whatever you set.

Hold one in your hand as you speak your intention. Feel the weight, the texture, the coolness. This is your intention’s anchor in physical form.

Closing Thoughts

The Balinese intention-setting ritual is not a superstition—it’s a system. One that balances reverence with practicality, gratitude with action.

So the next time you feel scattered, uninspired, or just suspicious that your vision board has turned into expensive wall clutter, try this five-step ritual. Do it with humor, with elegance, with sincerity. And don’t forget: the universe is listening, but it also loves a little follow-through.

Now go—set your intention, seal it with action, and let Bali’s wisdom do the rest.