It was a pleasant surprise to receive a message from my friend Kayan Ratnam this morning, which read, "Just saw something on Facebook about you planning something in Terengganu, I like the idea and I have got a place on Kapas you could use. Keen to help."
My response:
The Kapas Retreat Sanctuary: A Vision by Shamsul Bahari "A space to return to simplicity, creativity, and soulfulness."
Pulau Kapas—its pristine shores and gentle rhythm of island life have stirred in me a calling to give back in the way I know best: through art, meditation, and heartfelt human connection.
As a lifelong artist, seeker, and spiritual wayfarer, I have long dreamed of establishing a small retreat space—modest in scale but rich in spirit—where children from the mainland can learn art for free, and travelers from around the world may find a safe haven for silence, creativity, and reconnection with their inner selves.
The sanctuary I envision would blend the essence of a Zen hermitage with the warmth of a kampung classroom. Children would be invited during weekends or school breaks to explore painting, drawing, storytelling, and basic mindfulness. Adults—travelers, artists, seekers—would find a space for contemplation, meditation, journaling, and spiritual dialogue.
Core Intentions:
To offer free creative education for children, especially from underserved communities.
To create a space of stillness and simplicity, where spiritual practices such as zazen, dhikr, and reflective journaling are nurtured.
To use art as a bridge between cultures, generations, and inner worlds.
To embody the Middle Way—balancing form and formlessness, service and solitude.
Why Kapas? Its quietude. It's raw beauty. Its removal from the distractions of urban life. And most importantly, the potential support of a kindred spirit in Kayan Ratnam, who has expressed a willingness to help. I see not employment, but a partnership of purpose—where my presence and practice on the island can contribute to something healing, sustainable, and meaningful.
This is not a business model. It is a living offering, a way for me to leave behind something of peace in the twilight of my years.
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