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Subud was founded by R.M. Muhammad Subuh Sumohadiwidjojo (1901 - 1987). Of noble Javanese descent Pak (a common Indonesian reverential name for father) Subuh went through a series of deep inner changes. In it he received what he termed the "Great Life Force", a manifestation of the Power of God. He received that he had been given this power to transmit to anyone who asked for it in all sincerity. The inner contact received would lead that person eventually to a communication with his deep inner nature. He/she in turn would be able to transmit this contact (called: opening) to someone else at a later stage, etc.
The small groups that grew around Pak Subuh were combined after the war under the name of Subud. It reached the West in a remarkable way. Pak Subuh had told years before that an Englishman, who spoke many languages, would come and bear the torch to other countries. His prediction came true in 1950 at a time that Java was immerged in a struggle for freedom.
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Hardly any foreigner was allowed to enter the sultanate of Yogyakarta in Central Java, where Pak Subuh, also affectionately called Bapak (= father), lived. Yet, by a series of coincidences an English linguist, Husein Rofé (1922 - 2008), found himself in Yogyakarta in 1950. There he met Pak Subuh. He became convinced of his spiritual gifts and asked to be opened. The results were so impressive that he decided to devote himself to the spread of this inner contact.
He commenced a number of groups in Indonesia and later in Japan, Hong Kong, and Cyprus. In the latter group both Greeks and Turks participated, although the island was torn by conflicts between these sections of the population.
In 1957 Rofé met John G.Bennett who had a number of groups all over the world working along Gurdjieff's principles. Bennett remembered that Gurdjieff had intimated that one should watch for a teacher to come from the Dutch East Indies.
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Bennett was so impressed by the state of consciousness that could be reached through the latihan in a short time that he advised his groups to test it.
(Photo Bennett at Subud Congress in Amersfoort, Netherlands 1963)
Subud has spread all over the world since. Yet, little is known about it as Pak Subuh indicated that Subud ought not be spread by any form of propaganda. Persons who are ready for it will be drawn to Subud members, or be presented with an opportunity to come in touch with a group.
Subud claims not be a teaching. It does not have a ritual, nor a teacher. It is open
to members of all races and beliefs. Pak Subuh, being brought up in a Javanese
mystical tradition, has explained the process of inner receiving in terms of his
own culture. An exposition in line with our present-day state of knowledge about man and the world he lives in is left to the members.
The process evoked by the latihan makes Subud members experience an inward view of their nature, makes them understand their fellowman better. It brings them in a state of mind in which they can see clearly the right decisions to be made and the proper course to follow. Thus it will help to develop a different meaning to their lives, inner feeling and a deeper insight into their religious or spiritual believes.
Subud is based on the experience that man can open himself to a divine power
that can heal and purify him. At the centre of Subud activities is the practice of a spontaneous spiritual exercise, the latihan. In it members give free expression to a process of purification. Tensions in body and mind will disappear eventually resulting in a harmony permeating their body and mind. In this state of wholeness a deep inner communication takes place. A silent prayer takes over dependent
on the ability to surrender and yield to the majestic force felt. Eventually it will result in a regeneration of being, a wholeness of the fractured self, leading to a deeper spiritual life in harmony with the Divine.
Although countless other benefits - material, physical and mental - have
been reported, a warning is given not to be guided by expectations.
Subud lays no claim on the individual. The object is not Subud, but man himself. Subud is an association of people dedicated to the wish to be guided from within. Its members will gain as much from Subud as they devote themselves to the art of living in harmony with their deeper Self.
For a deep-going purification process an inner stability is required. Therefore Subud is not recommended to everyone. Psychiatric patients are not advised to take part. Applicants should not be addicted to drugs, or alcohol. A member is expected to stand on his own feet - contribute to, instead of lean on the group.
Normally a waiting-period of three months is observed before a person can be opened. In this period of time the applicant's possible questions will be answered and he/she may meet members of the group. This is also a time for him/her to come to a definitive decision to be opened.
As pointed out, the results are strongly dependent on the way the individual is prepared to apply what is received by him in Subud to his daily activities. Pak Subuh has emphasized strongly that contact with our fellowman in our jobs, enterprises, duties, studies, art, etc. present the primary challenge to show and develop inner qualities. He has encouraged members to start enterprises together. A number of them exist, as do Subud charitable institutions all over the world.
Subud is still in a state of growth. It does not favour publicity. Exemplary life of members, who live from within, is the best way of drawing attention to the movement, according to its founder.
Michael Rogge
For dutch readers:
For those who understand Dutch: Ook in Nederland bestaan groepen. Voor een nederlandse inleiding, adressen en verdere informatie klik op: website Subud Nederland"Subud®" and the seven circles symbol are registered marks of the World Subud Association.
© text, photo's and video clips: Michael Rogge 2022. (Email address: manandu@NOSPAMxs4all.nl , delete 'NOSPAM' from the address.)
Latest revision date: 18th Feb 2023