At SUKHA Container Cabin nested in Sidemen, nature is not only part of the view, but part of the philosophy. The gardens surrounding the cabins are more than beautiful greenery; they reflect a way of living that feels slower, softer, and more intentional. They are part of the story of intentional living and sustainable lifestyle, reconnecting with the land, and remembering that well-being often begins with the simplest things: soil, water, food, and care. Behind much of this inspiration is Amandine Dubourg, someone whose presence has quietly helped shape the soul of SUKHA.
Amandine has been helping me a lot, especially when it comes to the plotting of the gardens and imagining how the land could grow into something meaningful. We have shared many ideas over time, and even though she now lives in France, her support and influence remain deeply present in the journey of SUKHA. She is one of the biggest inspirations behind the edible gardens at SUKHA, and the more the space grows, the more I can feel how much her perspective has contributed to it.
“Some people plant seeds in the soil, and some plant them quietly in our lives. Amandine has done both for SUKHA.”
A Life Rooted in Nature and Well-Being
Amandine Dubourg has always been passionate about nature and how it reflects our inner well-being. Her journey has taken her across the world, working in sustainable agriculture, fair trade, and social impact projects, while continuously searching for deeper meaning in the relationship between people and the land. Along the way, she found clarity through permaculture, a design science that teaches how everything in nature is interconnected.
Today, Amandine helps people grow their own food, reconnect with nature, and find balance in their lives. She is also the founder of RASA Ayurveda, where she shares her knowledge of holistic health, Ayurvedic principles, and nourishment through plants and food. Through her work as a gardener, Ayurvedic health counselor, and chef, she combines her love for growing food with healing practices that nourish both body and soul.
Where Our Journey Began
I first learned about permaculture from Amandine years ago when we worked together at a spices company. That experience taught me so much, not only about plants, food systems, and regenerative ways of thinking, but also about the deeper philosophy of living in harmony with nature. I learned a lot from her during that chapter of my life, and those lessons stayed with me long after.
Later, when the vision for SUKHA started becoming more real, I naturally carried some of that inspiration with me. What I had learned from Amandine began shaping the way I imagined the land, especially my desire to have an edible garden that feels thoughtful, rooted, and alive. In many ways, the gardens at SUKHA are also an extension of seeds she planted in my mind years ago.
Visiting the Land When It Was Still Bare
There was a time when SUKHA looked nothing like it does today. After I had to flatten the plot, the land was still mostly brown and bare, with only one or two native plants left on the ground. There was not much greenery yet, only open earth and the beginning of an idea. It was during that stage that Amandine visited Bali, and we managed to visit SUKHA together while the land was still in that raw condition.
We stood there looking at the space, trying to imagine how to build the gardens and how to bring life back into the land. Even though the plot looked empty at the time, we were already picturing what it could become. We talked about the layout, shared ideas, and tried to sense how the gardens could grow in a way that felt aligned with the energy of the place. Looking back now, that moment feels very special, because it was the beginning of the edible garden story at SUKHA.
“Even from afar, Amandine continued to nurture SUKHA with ideas, drawings, and the kind of support that still feels deeply grounding.”
Nurturing SUKHA Across the Distance
Not long after, Amandine moved back to France. But even with the distance between us, the exchange never stopped. We kept sharing photos, thoughts, and drawings, and she continued to nurture and accompany me from afar, almost like a consultant, always offering inspiration and thoughtful ideas. Through pictures of the land, small updates, and our conversations, she helped me keep seeing possibilities.
That kind of support means a lot, especially when building something as personal as SUKHA. She has this beautiful way of being present even across countries. Her guidance reminded me that meaningful collaboration does not always require physical closeness. Sometimes, care travels across distance and still feels deeply grounding.
Witnessing How Much SUKHA Has Grown
At the end of February this year, when Amandine visited Bali again, she was able to spend one of her weekends at SUKHA. This visit felt especially meaningful because she got to witness how much the land had changed since those early days. Back then, she had seen the plot when it was mostly dry, brown, and almost empty. This time, she arrived to see green everywhere, lush plantations, thriving growth, and a space that felt so much more alive.
It was amazing to witness her seeing that transformation in person. For someone who had been part of the garden vision from the beginning, it felt incredibly special to have her return and see how much SUKHA had grown. It felt like a full-circle moment, as if the land itself was showing her what had become possible through patience, care, and time.
An Afternoon in the Garden
During her stay, we spent the afternoon gardening together, and it felt so natural, grounding, and joyful. She brought gotu kola with her, both the kind that grows in soil and the kind that grows in water, and that gift felt incredibly meaningful to me. I always love receiving gifts that come from a living being, especially plants. There is something so beautiful about receiving something that will continue to grow.
We spent time planting, sharing knowledge, and simply being present with the earth. It was not only about gardening, but also about connection, connection to the land, to the process, and to each other. Those quiet moments in the garden say so much about what SUKHA is meant to be: a place where people can reconnect with nature, experience the beauty of permaculture, and embrace a more mindful and intentional way of living.
“I always love receiving gifts that come from a living being, and the gotu kola she brought felt like such a beautiful expression of care.”
A Shared Evening at SUKHA
Amandine arrived with her friend Marina, and together we shared not only the daytime in the garden, but also a beautiful evening in the space. That night, Amandine cooked dinner for us, and it felt so special to experience that side of her at SUKHA too. Knowing her love for food, healing, and nourishment, it made the evening feel even warmer and more meaningful.
We spent the evening sharing stories, enjoying the cabins, and simply being together in the atmosphere of SUKHA. It was one of those simple yet beautiful evenings that felt full in the most natural way. To share that moment in a place that had grown from an idea into a living, breathing space, with someone who had helped inspire part of its journey, felt incredibly precious.
Growing Together, Even From Afar
Amandine’s role in SUKHA is special not only because of her knowledge, but also because of the energy and care she brings. She has been an inspiration behind the edible gardens, a guide in understanding the land, and a reminder that nature always brings us back to balance. Through permaculture and her way of living, she reflects so much of what SUKHA stands for: slow living, intentional living, and inner well-being.
Even though Amandine now lives in France, her presence is still deeply felt in SUKHA. Her recent visit felt like a full-circle moment, seeing her return to a place she once knew as bare land and witness how lush and alive it has become. Looking at the gardens today, I can clearly see how much of this journey has been touched by her influence.
“Every green corner carries a little piece of that story."
Discover more reflections in our SUKHA Journal, where community stories continue to unfold.
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