Subud Voice Newsletter
Subud Voice Newsletter
Subud Voice Newsletter
NOVEMBER
2004
SRI LANKA’S
NEW HOUSE Attending the opening of Sri Lanka’s new Subud House.
International Helper Murray Clapham Subud in Sri Lanka All this came out and as it has universal
writes how Subud Sri Lanka hosted application I record it here.
Ibu Rahayu at the opening of their The Sri Lankan members have for the
magnificent new Subud house… most part being doing latihan for many Ibu Rahayu’s final talk reinforced some of
years and receive extremely well. But their this - particularly when she said we must
After completing, the visit to Bangalore problem is they are an ageing group with be willing to share the latihan with others
Ibu Rahayu and party arrived in Sri Lanka few young members. for this is the way we can thank God and
on the 14th of September. show our gratitude for the gift he has
The primary reason for this has been the given us.
Ibu's visit and the gathering were to be prolonged political problems that
centred on the opening of a magnificent started after Subud came to Sri Lanka and Uses for the Building
new Subud House. which led to large-scale migration abroad
by Subud members and their families. Many ideas came up for the potential use
At midday on the 14th it looked like a of the building: enterprise, art gallery, res-
miracle would be needed to complete the Now the members’ hope is that the won- taurant, and meeting/function centre. It
building for the scheduled opening on the derful new premises can be a catalyst and remains to be seen where the energy and
evening of the 15th. Many of us watched can somehow be used in ways that will expertise will come from to make any of
the miracle unfold over the next 24 hours help rejuvenate Subud Sri Lanka. This these ideas viable and acceptable. In this
as workers laboured round the clock to became apparent in seeking topics for dis- context the group’s relative isolation from
have the place looking great only minutes cussion and testing in the Kejiwaan ses- the outside Subud world is a disadvantage
before Ibu arrived. sions. that was discussed and it’s important that
they form links to the Wings. I noted
A colourful ceremony saw Ibu open the I was very moved by the willingness of fledgling SDI, SICA, SIHA and SES ac-
building in front of about 80 Subud mem- many to become involved in trying to tivity but no links to the relevant Wings.
bers and 60 non-Subud invitees. Speeches evaluate both the group’s situation
from the President V. Sinnadorai and and their own particular roles. While help- Obviously age and the Internet are not
then by Sharif Horthy, and entertainment ers and committee worked on self- help so I encourage the Wings to try and
highlighted by particularly attractive Sri evaluation the members tested their own engage them - particularly now they have
Lankan traditional dancers and songs from commitment to Subud and then undertook a building, which can host Subud gather-
Barney Wijesinghe, plus a fabulous dinner a constructive evaluation of their helpers ings, zone meeting, Wing activities etc.
and socialising into the night completed and committee.
the program. Another issue discussed which could be
Not the Building Alone relevant to the group’s growth was the
Ibu gave two talks, a testing session and a need in Sri Lanka and India for the transla-
question and answer evening. I recom- It was clear that the building on its own is tion of Subud literature into local lan-
mend that all read Ibu's talks. not the answer and that certain changes guages.
were also necessary within the group.
The men’s testing session tested not only
They must be more outward looking; more Tamil may be a starting point, as it is com-
the men but also the building, when mon-
inclusive, more willing to share the lati- mon in both southern India and Sri Lanka
soon rains caused the testing session to be
han, make more effort to put the latihan and both countries have capable Tamil
terminated - indicating some leakages in
into practice in their daily life. members who have expressed some inter-
the building needed to be addressed. In
est in such a project. This could possibly
spite of the rain and acoustic problems it is
Helpers need to be more caring and will-
quite the most impressive Subud House I
ing to let go of past personality problems. Continued on page 2.
have personally have visited.
The dates are set for 21st In my many years in Subud I have never
July - 4th August 2005. been at a meeting with such harmony and
ISC has appointed me flow. The Inn River flows through the
(Hussein Dickie) to act congress site.
as an extended arm in
coordinating the organi- And “to flow” seems to be an emerging
sation and I have started Hussein Dickie, World Congress Co-ordinator. theme. An amazing amount of work was
recruiting a congress done and attention given to the coming
organising team (COT). organised by Harry Norman and attended event.
by about 50 UK members at Glansevin,
The Team consists of 9 members who Wales. I did the computer stuff. A first draft agenda was created. Much
have committed to manage the main areas attention was given to input from members
of the organisation, while engaging more What we found was that there was no around the world who share their vision
members for further support in specific problem in getting people at the Spokane through the online survey.
tasks. congress to help collect post and circulate
info (we had prospective reports all over The team will have the congress registra-
So far this includes members from Austria, the place). There were also many members tion form up online in a few days as they
France, Germany, Portugal and the UK. around the world who wanted to be part of work out the bugs.
Needless to say, that this is just a begin- the action so moving info and posting it on
ning and many more volunteers will be a site was OK. The excitement got a bit I saw it and it is wonderful and very infor-
required to make it a great congress. bubbly as the thing got set up. mative.
Hubert Talib (Indonesia/Austria) won the However we did have a major problem in The congress site is beautiful and has won-
competition for a Logo whereby the 25 that there were very good facilities avail- derful spaces including a modern college
participants worldwide were involved in able at the congress which would enable campus across the street with many well
the selection process in time for our first us to process and distribute the informa- equipped classrooms full of AV equip-
milestone to design the website and a so- tion and there was nobody at the front end ment.
phisticated database which should facili- who could improve the situation.
tate the whole registration process. The University is on holiday so it will be
Another difficulty we had was that there ours. The city officials are being very co-
We are working very hard to launch the seemed to be some personal agendas being operative.
website by the 1st October 2004 worked out at Congress which affected the
(www.worldcongress2005.com). whole distribution of the news agenda. It will very open to the community as was
the Spokane World Congress.
Translated into six languages, the website So from our experience, if you can prop-
will provide all relevant information in- erly fund, provide the equipment and or- A number of young members were at the
cluding the fees, registration form, and ganise good communications in Austria meeting and joined in actively which was
details addressing the questions you may you will have no problem finding people excellent. I have felt a great synergy there.
have in the course of your registration. to do good quality work off site.
The COT (Congress Organizing Team)
Also, there will be volunteer forms and It is highly likely that it would be best for will have a "Participant Form" up online
other useful information regarding venue, the international communication group at for those who wish to offer their talent in
timing, transportation, etc. Of course the Congress to be a completely separate and the many cultural events planned or give a
organising team will be introduced so that dedicated team with their own allocated workshop.
everybody knows who to address for spe- equipment. A policy on the content or a
cific issues. We hope to see many of you way to manage it should also be agreed in It will be found at the Congress site:
in Innsbruck soon! advance so that it will be easier to control www.worldcongress2005.com soon.
or not go out of control when everything is
MORE ON VIRTUAL CONGRESS… under way.
QUOTE OF THE MONTH
I noticed in the October Subud Voice that Please forward to whoever will be respon-
a Virtual Congress has been proposed for sible for the communications at Innsbruck “What I have gained from my forty
Innsbruck 2005. 2005. Thanks. years in Subud is that I can now regard
my total lack of success with perfect
In 1997 Subud Britain ran a “Virtual Raymond Harding-Cox, UK equanimity.”
World Congress” in the UK. This was ray@raymondo.demon.co.uk
Food is also much more expensive than (extracts) The huge area of influence of In December of 2003, MSF approved a
before, but I cannot complain because my Ivan covered more than 200 km around its grant of US$15,000 and a loan of
mother has told me I can come to her centre with strong winds and heavy rain. US$15,000 to help the Sao Paolo group
house if I get hungry here, where I live Even in Havana City it was raining con- buy their own Subud House. The grant
alone. tinually for two days... and loan, along with contributions from
the members of Subud Sao Paolo, enabled
I used all the pretty candles that you sent The authorities worked hard to prevent the the group to avoid taking out a mortgage --
me last Christmas. It is so cheery to get a loss of human lives. As far as I know, which at 26% are some of the world’s
little light rather than to be alone in the there were no "casualties". 100% of the highest.
dark. Most people go down to the street population in the areas of most danger had
and chat with neighbours, but I am so tired been evacuated to safer places inland. Thanks to the efforts of many dedicated
after work, that I don’t feel like going members, Subud Sao Paolo was able to
down three storeys of stairs with a chair, As for the Cuban economy, the effects will locate a house in a safe and accessible lo-
so I stay home and sing to myself. be felt mostly in the tobacco plantations. cation and recently filed contracts pro-
The western part of Pinar del Rio is par- claiming their ownership.
Because I live on the third floor, also I ticularly famous all over the world for pro-
hardly get any water since the motor that ducing the tobacco leaves which are used Sam Trosman, the Chair of Subud Sao
brings the water to my floor broke down in the manufacture of Havanos. Paolo, made this comment in his letter of
from the electricity going on and off. thanks to MSF: “Funnily enough, some old
The Subud people are OK. We will go on members are coming back already as if the
I have to go down the stairs to the street working in preparation for our house worked as an iman. We will make
to get water in a plastic pail to wash, cook National Congress. Subud Sao Paulo a great organization, not
and take a shower. only to receive the latihan but to give
NOTE: In September $1000 in humanitar- something back to society.”
I do not want you to think I am just com- ian aid was sent by Subud USA to Subud
plaining, but you did say you wanted to Cuba, and more may have come in since. Congratulations, Subud Sao Paolo!
As there is not sufficient space for the affected by our own self-interest, or the
whole of this talk, INNER VOICE has self-interest of one group or another. The Rungan Sari, Tengkiling, Kalimantan.
made a selection, and shortened the result is that we are not sufficiently 13th June 2004, Recording 04 TKL 4
questions below. aware of the feelings of others. This is Final Translation by Raymond Lee
one reason, one of the temptations we
About enterprise failures: a question face.
from Rachman Connelly that you have in latihan. In this way, your
But our human weaknesses aren’t limited business activities will be based on the
Ibu, my question is whether you see some to self- interest - sometimes we are not normal evaluations that non-Subud
reason from a kejiwaan perspective, as to strong enough, or we don't have enough people can accept. That’s necessary
why, 33 years after Bapak commenced faith, when we face difficulties. This is because you have to deal with people
this initiative on enterprise, that really it because we don't fully understand what who are not in Subud. You need to do
doesn’t seem to have happened in any we are doing. When I say that we don't this because you can’t even agree when
substantial manner throughout the understand what we are doing, I mean we you deal with Subud members, let alone
world? Thank you. are not able to do the work in the right when you deal with people who are not
way - instead of doing the work, often in Subud.
Ibu Rahayu: Do you mean enterprises in our work is “doing” us. It’s upside down;
Subud? it’s like Bapak used to say: “You are not So, even when one Subud member works
eating the food, the food is eating you.” with another, many problems arise - in
Question continued: No, I am just fact, you have more problems. This is
talking about Bapak’s initiative to As such, we still fall short when we try to because each one feels they know best.
motivate members to start enterprises for do enterprises, because ability to do
their own personal development, and enterprise is linked to the development of This is all I can say to you about
also so that some of those proceeds could the soul. But, if you then ask, “Why do enterprises. In the realm of the soul there
be committed to the objectives of Subud. people who are not in Subud succeed in is no such thing as enterprise. So the
enterprises, but Subud members find it difficulty lies in the relationship between
Whether those are two people enterprises hard?” The answer is that as a Subud enterprises and the growth of the soul.
or 100 people enterprises, it seems that member you have said that whatever you But, once someone has the capacity to do
there has been a lack of success in that do should accord with God's Will. You enterprise - by capacity, I mean that they
area, and I am interested in - not so said that so that whatever the are ready, that they are ready as a human
much the business reasons because I can consequences of running an enterprise being with the inner quality needed for
analyse that for myself – but are there may be, you won't be affected and have enterprise - that person will find that
any reasons from a kejiwaan point of to bear those consequences. many things come easily. They find they
view, or from the way we approach them have good relationships with people who
having done the latihan, which is maybe But people who are not in Subud don't have the same way of thinking and same
not appropriate..? understand this. They simply follow the objectives. They find they are helped in
wishes of their heart and mind, and they everything they do, and that whatever
Ibu Rahayu: With regard to the give no thought to the price to be paid by comes to them proves to be beneficial.
enterprises that Bapak constantly advised doing so.
us to do, so that we would start We haven't reached that level yet. We are
enterprises in Subud, and that many This is why, brothers and sisters, Bapak not ready to do that in Subud yet. Well,
members tried to do, the question is, why recommended that when you do an we don't know why, only God knows
did those enterprises fail? Why didn’t enterprise, you should use your mind. why. I too am concerned and saddened, I
they turn out as we hoped? If we look at Don’t use your soul. That’s because if too want to see enterprises succeed, and I
this, or feel about it, from the spiritual you use your soul, you will face many wonder why they don’t succeed, and why
viewpoint, the reason is that we are not problems that are closely connected to they can’t help with the development of
able to run enterprises yet with the inner the soul. I can't explain all of these to you Subud yet.
quality that God requires of us. here, because human beings face all
kinds of temptations. But when it comes to those members
Why is that? We can say that for most of who work by themselves and become
us in Subud, we are still in the process of However, you still need to feel - even successful, that’s because they work at
developing our self, and as we go though you run an enterprise using your
through this growth, we are frequently mind - you still need to keep that feeling Continued on page 8.
met Bapak there. But it wasn't Bapak like After that, I always travelled with Bapak
Questions & Answers Bapak was in this world. on his journeys overseas, and I often had
to leave my husband behind. I had to
All this took place in just one night. But leave him alone at home. But before I
Continued from page 8. after that night, after I had returned to left, Bapak told my husband that I would
earth, I still had to go through many have to travel with Bapak in his work
Bapak never gave us lessons – “us” experiences lasting 100 days. outside the country and my husband
being Bapak's children - to become would have to accept the situation if I
people who could guide you. So, if I can I know they lasted for 100 days, because left him on his own.
do so, it has come about by God's Will. that was when Bapak's wife, Ibu Siti
You can say that I have been taught and Sumari, died. Then Bapak’s voice told This was a sort of announcement, and I
tested by the Power of God. me that I would be called on to often had to leave my husband behind -
accompany Bapak after Ibu Siti Sumari sometimes for a month, or two, or three -
And of course, the way God taught me, died. but he could accept it, because he knew
the way God teaches us, is not the same that the work I was doing was not
way a teacher teaches his or her pupils. After I returned to earth, I had ordinary work.
When it happened, it was as if I was experiences of one kind or another every
summoned. To be summoned means you night, and I did not sleep for 100 days. That is how it began, and after that it
have to leave this world. The experiences I had were similar to grew in me by itself. I have never told
this experience here - I could guide you, you to listen to me talk, to hear me
Well, this sounds like a fairy tale, but it I could be close to you. In other words, I speak, or asked you to trust me. How has
is a tale that is true, so while I was there, could be close to Subud members. this happened?
it was as if I was given many
explanations and I also saw people doing Of course, there were many experiences It has happened because God has
latihan. That's why I know that we don't that I can't tell you about. The reason for arranged a meeting in our feelings, as a
just do latihan in this world; we do that is that in Subud this kind of result you trust me and you feel close to
latihan in the next world too. I was tested knowledge - even though you may find me. That is God's Will, not my will. I
there, and when you are tested there, it is out for yourself later on - is a secret of will only talk to you or speak to you if
not like being tested here. When I test life; it is the reality of human existence. you ask me to.
with you here, you can pretend to receive
and I won’t know the difference. So after this experience - well, Bapak Well, that's a brief history of why people
was still here and I could ask Bapak say I am close to God. But I am not - we
Over there, I had to witness many about my experiences - Bapak only said, are all close to God.
experiences, and one time there was a
voice - well, of course, it wasn't God's “Yes, that's what it's like. It is God's
That's the story.
voice, because we cannot give any kind Will. ”
of form to God - and it turned out that I
Paula Blacking continues the memories of her visit to Cilandak in 1964… M’bakju immediately reassured me:
(Part 5) “Think, when your baby was ill, you
looked after her all you could. In the
end, God still took her and is looking
after her. You can no longer look after
Latihan with Bapak her. Trust Him. By serving Him, you
purify yourself and your children.” She
One day Bapak said I was to do latihan added that Bapak had told her I needed
with him, Ibu and M’bakju, also Alfatha, more latihan.
the lady from Sri Lanka, in his bedroom.
“Bapak will supervise your latihan,” he You must die thinking of God
said.
M’bakju was there, receiving deep, deep, One day I went by betja (the tri-cycle)
deep, at Bapak’s feet. After the latihan, and bus to visit M’bakju. I felt so safe in
Bapak tested us: “Where is God? Indonesia. Much, much more safe than
Gurdjieff?” And other body movements. in my own country. M’bakju was glad I
had come this way. It was necessary, she
Why Gurdjieff? I wondered later said, to see how the poor lived.
because I had never been interested in
him, but of course at that time I knew A little while after that, Bapak again
plenty of people who were, or had been. “supervised” the latihan in his office,
Perhaps it was to cleanse me of the with two other visitors who had arrived
contact? Whatever, it was very low. Bapak's wife Ibu Siti Sumari from America. It was a latihan full of
Pointing to his heart, he said, “Much Thanks to SAI for this photo movement for me and when it was over,
better”, and Ibu added, “Her feeling.” I again wept. Bapak said: “That’s good”,
don’t know the peace (pointing to her and M’bakju added that I was crying
Around this time, in a latihan, I was with inner happiness because I was
stamping and cleaning my arms – one of chest) that one has. One cannot be
touched.” getting clean. I could not sleep at all that
the usual movements that occur in the night. M’bakju explained that that
Latihan. Ibu came to me and said: happened when our bodies were alive.
“That’s right, clean your body, your She also said that when you feel the
mind, your feelings’. latihan and you are with non-Subud
people, it is a protection. And that a Although I have given the impression
glass full of water can have nothing that M’bakju was always at my side,
Afterwards she said I was cleaning my comforting me, giving me strength,
passions. My heart and soul were good added; not so, a glass partially full. So
we need to be protected. nonetheless, sometimes she kept to
and wanted to worship God, but the herself and as it were, avoided me.
desires didn’t want it. Fortunately I respected this and didn’t let
She said to ask for forgiveness constantly
for we sin constantly every day. When it worry me that she kept to herself.
One day, one of the guests and I had an
intense meeting with her. She had a lot you wake up tired, she said, it is because
you go to sleep thinking about your Then one day she explained why. “You
to say and said it rather sternly. She said see, Paula, I am busy with my praying,
that we must never criticize others and children and money and other material
things. Your mind is restless all night. so I don’t speak to you. It is also to
that we must never harbour hurt. That if make you strong.”
we were hurt by others, we must go on You should go to sleep praying.
being kind to them, and help them. That Later, she again spoke to me about
eventually we would be strong and see Leaving Cilandak?
teaching me before she dies. “I may be
the hurt, but be unaffected by it. By dead before you come again.”
allowing ourselves to be hurt, we were The time is approaching for me to leave
allowing the lower forces to work. Cilandak. I am cleaning Bapak and Ibu’s
room. Ibu asks when I am leaving. I must have looked startled because she
“Next Saturday”, I reply. went on to say, “Yes, I may be. I have
A lot of what she said that day probably been preparing for my death a long time
was meant for me and my difficult home “So soon?” says Ibu.
And Bapak comes in: “So soon? Stay already.”
circumstances. So she also said that if
one’s husband was difficult, one should another month,” he says. (In the end I
stayed two more months.) And she went on to say, “You must
remain quiet and do the latihan whilst always have God in mind. If you die
preparing his food. That it was necessary thinking of (I have written stone in my
to go out at night with one’s husband if “Another month?” I ask. “But Bapak,
what about my husband and my diary), you will die in a material state.
he so wished it, but that really from 6 pm You must die thinking of God.”
onwards belonged to God. The day children? Won’t my husband be angry?”
belonged to the world. “I don’t think so,” says Bapak. “Send
him a cable.” She says that whenever her mind is
“But he doesn’t even do the latihan,” empty, and she is idle, she exercises,
That it was good to do charitable works. praying: “Allah, Allah”, to fill her mind
By helping others, you purify yourself. says me.
“Not yet,” replies Bapak, who knew with God rather than nonsense. She
everything after all, because much later comforted me by saying: “When I’m
That by working for Bapak, you ask his dead, I cannot help you, but perhaps my
blessing. my husband did come to Subud!
soul will.”
Then she said again: “You think it is Ibu then said I was not to think about the
children. They would be cared for. I am sure I have been conscious of her in
pleasant here. You don’t know how my latihan from time to time over the
happy we would be in Heaven. You years.
They were God’s children and I was not
to be sad.
12
www.subudworldnews.com name, address, card number, card expiry date
VOLUME and your signature as on card and fax to the
subscription fax above. International Bank
AVAILABLE NOW Drafts and Money Orders should be made
HOUSE FOR RENT IN WISMA payable to SUBUD VOICE and sent to the
subscription address above.
PRICE (Incl p&p) UK £13 ·
House in Wisma Subud for rent. Four
Europe £14 · Other £16 · ADVERTISEMENTS: 50 cents a word.
bedrooms, study, large living and din-
ORDER NOW Minimum charge AUD$15.00. (Third World
ing room. Servants' quarters. US$550 Pay by UK Bank cheque or Credit Card: countries - no charge).
per month. Available for Ramadhan, Subud Publications International
Loudwater Farm, SUBMISSIONS MAY BE EDITED:
one month for $875.00. Please con- Loudwater Lane,
tact: Rickmansworth, Submissions to Subud Voice may be edited for
Herts, WD3 4HG, UK a variety of reasons including the need to
Halimah Brugger, Tel: 44 (0) 1727 762210 shorten them or improve expression. If you do
hbrugger@boisestate.edu or Fax: 44 (0) 1727 858080 not want your submission to be edited in any
01-208-338-1739 way, please mark it clearly NOT TO BE
e-mail: spi@subudbooks.co.uk EDITED.