Ratu often mentions in his talks that the East and the West have to learn from each other and help each other in order to create a balance in the world and to become one big family. This is a feeling which all of us have experienced who have been in contact with Ratu or stayed in his ashram in Bali. The West is well developed on the material level but lacking in spiritual life - the East is rich in spiritual practice but poorer on the material plane.
By learning from Ratu and by supporting his social projects we help this process of rebalancing the world and ourselves greatly. He wants all of his students to become happy and to have a balanced life. This can only happen if we are doing well spiritually and materially. He works on and for us on all levels simultaneously and feels a big responsibility for us. His social projects are the means to look after and help his students on the material plane. Ratu’s wish is to help his people get a better life.
Westerners are now familiar with the Medallion as one of the pillars of Ratu’s material assistance to us. Another pillar, which many may not be aware of yet, though of equal importance within the material aspects of Ratu’s help is the “Koperasi” (Cooperative).
The Medallion and the Koperasi are two important projects that Ratu became involved with some years ago; both of which have been growing steadily ever since. We are aware of Ratu’s motivational message regarding the Medallion and now Ratu has asked that the Westerners become aware of the Koperasi.
The Balinese already have been a part of the Koperasi for a number of years now. Ratu’s hope of assisting us on the material plane can only be achieved if his projects are growing. Through the growth of both the Medallion and the Koperasi, everyone benefits. That is why he became involved in the social project of the Koperasi. Ratu’s main aim is to raise us spiritually, to set us all free - but seeing that many of his Balinese and some of his Western students struggle on the material plane, he ‘joined’ systems that would solve this dilemma in the long run.
The Koperasi is a Government-certified initiative within Indonesia. They are numerous within the Country. Ratu’s Koperasi was initiated by Ratu and is run by the Ashram Balinese within Government guidelines, which are monitored regularly. Its original Indonesian name is “Giri Murti,” which translates to “Powerful Cycles.” It is a self-regulated social capital fund with many members within Ratu’s Koperasi at present. Basically it is micro-finance and is of great importance for the Balinese people connected with Ratu. The Koperasi offers a way for Balinese - not only those within the Ratu circle - to take out small loans to invest in their own business ideas, or better one’s family, which may be a ‘simple’ as buying a cow. Also for a wedding and a cremation ceremony - of which 
cremations are out of the financial reach of many Balinese.
The board holds regular meetings with the members to make decisions about which projects should get funded, and to discuss any problems or issues arising. The Koperasi is run by its own members, therefore all eventual profits are shared with members and cared for by members, regulated by a local Government agency. It is not an institution trying to make money for its own profit but shares all eventual profits with all its members.
Westerners can support the Koperasi. For those who would like to assist this project, a minimum of a yearly investment of €100 or ₤70 is asked. Western membership may become available in the near future by way of investing-profit sharing but at present investment-only are the guidelines for Westerners. A change in this is currently underway. Larger investment amounts are welcome and all money is secured in the bank and can be returned on notice at the completion of the term. Your financial investment can either be paid during retreats in Rome or when staying at the ashram in Bali.
With a desire to support this social project of Ratu, building the asset of the 
Koperasi is assisting poor people in Bali in a very direct and productive way, giving them a chance to become responsible for themselves and their families. Anyone joining in is helping and supporting Ratu`s mission.
To be able to borrow money from the Koperasi, a Balinese person must present reasonable security (such as a motor bike registration or something of redeemable value) which the Koperasi has to approve. As the loans are of small value, which no bank would enter into and because of the high interest rates which the banks demand, the Koperasi lends money to people in need with minimal interest rates, starting from 2%, with repayment terms of two years or more if necessary, in whatever way is convenient for the member, either in monthly installments or in full at the end of the lending term. People can also deposit their personal money in the Koperasi for however long they wish, earning 0.5% interest monthly. It is professionally structured with Ratu being the chief adviser guiding the Koperasi. There is a democratically elected board of officers, consisting of a chairman, secretary and finance director and all records are held electronically.
For further information on the Co-operative contact Wayan by emailing ashram@ratubagus.com
