Subud
Subud (pronounced [ˈsʊbʊd]) is an international, interfaith spiritual movement that began in Indonesia in the 1920s, founded by Muhammad Subuh Sumohadiwidjojo (1901–1987).
[note 1] The basis of Subud is a spiritual exercise called the latihan kejiwaan, which Muhammad Subuh said represents guidance from "the Power of God" or "the Great Life Force."
Rather, he suggested that, as a result of following the inner guidance from the latihan, members could be guided towards a religion that was right for them, whether it is Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, etc.
He said he found himself enveloped in a brilliant light, and looked up to see what seemed like the sun falling directly onto his body, and he thought that he was having a heart attack.
He said he went directly home, lay down on his bed, and prepared to die with the feeling that maybe it was his time, and that he could not fight it, so he surrendered himself to God.
This same kind of experience reportedly happened to him for a few hours each night over a period of about 1000 days during which he slept little but was able to continue working full-time.
As these experiences proceeded, Pak Subuh explained, he gained spontaneous insight into people and situations that he had not possessed before.
It was at this time that many UK followers of George Gurdjieff were initiated into Subud, including Bennett himself, though he later left the group.
Pak Subuh gives the following descriptions of Subud:[4] This is the symbol of a person who has a calm and peaceful inner feeling and who is able to receive the contact with the Great Holy Life Force.
This exercise is not thought about, learned or trained for; it is unique for each person and the ability to "receive" it is passed on by being in the presence of another practicing member at the "opening" (see below).
After a period of sitting quietly, the members are typically asked to stand and relax by a "helper" (see below), who then announces the start of the exercise.
They are advised not to focus on any image or recite any mantra, nor to mix the exercise with other activities like meditation or use of drugs, but simply to intend to surrender to the Divine or the transcendent good or the will of God.
[8] During the exercise, practitioners may find that, in terms of physical and emotional expression, they involuntarily move, make sounds, walk around, dance, jump, skip, laugh, cry or whatever.
[1][7] The experience varies greatly for different people, but the practitioner is always wholly conscious throughout and free to stop the exercise at any time.
[9] Supposedly, the regular practice of the latihan will enable people to experience positive development in various aspects of their daily life and being.
The official website talks of "a deepening of the natural connection with wisdom, one's higher self, the divine, or God, depending on one's preferred terminology".
A simple statement or agreed set of "opening words" is read by one of the helpers that acknowledges the person's wish to receive the contact.
Many people who have been practicing the latihan for some time claim to be able to recognize indications or intuitions "from their inner feeling" in response to questions that are put forward.
Such indications may take various forms, including sounds, visions, vibrations and/or spontaneous physical movements similar to, though perhaps more intense than, those experienced in the usual latihan.
However, it appears that such indications often defy intellectual analysis and that the supposed guidance can be obscured or biased by the mental or emotional attitudes of those present.
Testing is generally viewed as an instrument for helping to clarify issues in the present, but may lead to confusion if treated as a kind of fortune-telling.
Pak Subuh's book "Susila Budhi Dharma" cites examples of situations in which testing may be useful, including self-training in putting any benefits of the latihan into practice.
Respect for the diversity of personal backgrounds and the uniqueness of each individual, along with a general absence of "thou shalt nots", are aspects of the organization that have been attractive to many members.
In a talk given on 5 March 2010 to a National Gathering in Semarang, Indonesia, Ibu Siti Rahayu explains how she came to be appointed "spiritual advisor" by the Subud International Congress.
Subud affiliates (sometimes called ‘wings’) are subsidiary organizations that focus on specific projects at a national or international level.
But in the 1950s - 1970s when Subud was growing and spreading there were a number of current books in print that reached library shelves and there was a community of all ages so that new people had a peer group to join.
The recommended three month introductory period, which in the 1950s - 1970s seemed a reasonable test of sincerity, in today's high-speed culture is a far greater deterrent than it was 70 years ago.
As an organisation Subud tends to be change-averse, so the challenge these days is how to renew group membership, maintain properties and running costs, and fill committee positions.
