Issue # 142

Summer/Fall 2010
Issue # 142
SUBUD USA NEWS
Tell us what you think
see page 13
SICA 2011 Calendar
Gardening, Love, Social
Justice and Purses
Now THAT’S a Congress!
page 3
SICA calendar artwork by Jonathan Bray; Child’s Garden of Peace photo:Illene Pevec; Congress photo Marius Hibbard
The 2010 Subud USA Congress Shoshanah Margolin with help from Rasjidah Franklin
The 2010 Subud USA Congress was a splendid event. Two hundred and fifty-one members came to the Hilton Hotel in
Vancouver, Washington. Although it is difficult to convey the feeling of an event through an article, many who were there
can attest to the sense that this congress was wide, joyful, and like a family.
We had a fair share of visitors: Luke Pennseney (WSA chair), Hamilton Schraegan and Elaina Dodson (IHs), Kumari Beck
(SDI chair), Rayner Sutherland and Lillian Shulman (Executive Director and Administrator for MSF), Dave Hitchcock (Zone
7 rep.), and guests from countries such as Canada and Europe.
Prior to the start of the congress, one kejiwaan day for helpers and a second for members was scheduled. On that second
day topics were posted on the walls around the room so that those in attendance could select the one that most interested
them.
The business congress began in the traditional way with a delegate roll call to ensure that a quorum was established and
then reports. We heard from the national committee chair, committee councilor, the trustees of the Subud USA endowment
fund, and the national helpers. Reports from WSC included one from the WSA chair, zone 7 rep, and MSF personnel.
New Officers: On the second and third days, testing and elections were conducted. Officers for the coming term
are:Rasjidah Franklin (Chair); Shoshanah Margolin and Sonya Conrad (co-vice chairs); Lucian Parshall (Committee Councilor); Marston Gregory (treasurer); Rifka Bullen (secretary); Rosetta Narvaez (SES); Hadidjah Gregory, Lusana Stokes,
and Honora Hildreth (SYA); Lorraine Tedrow chair and Mary Wold vice chair (SICA); Malama MacNeil (SIHA); and Liza
Ramey (SD).
Visioning: What was different about this congress was the inclusion of visioning. The first session focused on core values.
Attendees were asked to share one of their core values. A list of nine was developed. Attendees were first asked to go to
the table with the value that most resonated with them, and then to one they most wished to avoid. They then shared stories of what the value meant to them. On the final day, visioning continued. Participants were asked to share a significant
experience each had in a Subud community. Although more was planned, the sharing took most of the two hours designated, and there wasn’t time for anything else. Most of those present enjoyed these sessions, but some felt that the visioning should have been more focused on the work of the congress.
A third visioning session occurred one day prior to the end of the congress. It focused on the wings. After latihan, members tested the significance and purpose of each wing. Then, the delegates and other congress participants met together in
five groups to share what each wing meant to them and to create a group picture that expressed the core need for each
wing.
Recommendations and Resolutions: The following were passed during the final congress plenary session:
1. Creation of a policy and procedures manual for Subud USA;
2. Establishing a governance committee to review bylaws concerning the board of directors;
3.Caring for Subud members experiencing material difficulties;
4. Researching and providing a report about a national center for the next congress;
5. Defining membership and the best means of communication with members.
Other Congress Activities: There were many other activities that went on during the days we were together: three latihans a day; a morning sharing circle; national council and Susila Dharma board meetings; two nights of well organized and
very enjoyable entertainment; workshops on everything from writing poetry to fundraising; a silent auction that netted
$1400; late night soirees in which Susanah Rosenthal held forth with her X Game Board; lots of socializing. We witnessed
an amazing willingness to test for leadership positions, and to work in on-going work groups such as policy and procedures
and organizational governance. The result seems like a new vitality in the organization!
MANY WARMHEARTED THANKS TO THOSE WHO WORKED TO MAKE OUR NATIONAL CONGRESS SO
WONDERFUL! Check out the photos at http://picasaweb.google.com/melinda.wallis/2010NationalCongressMarius #
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Subud USA newsletter #142
Summer/Fall 2010
From the National Helpers
It was wonderful to have so many people doing latihan together at the National Congress and for almost everyone to be
involved in the kejiwaan activities. The kejiwaan activities and personal testing continued throughout the whole congress,
thanks to the willingness and hard work of the Regional Helpers and others who supported the National Helpers, who
were busy testing with various committees. This work contributed to a feeling of lightness and harmony noted by many.
It feels like we are all becoming more and more aware of how important it is to have harmony among us and between
us. We liked a T-shirt we saw with the words “Harmony is more important than being right!”
Often at the Congress when starting the latihan, the helper said, “Relax,” paused, and then, “Begin.” In some local
groups the word “Relax” is omitted, but helpers who use it are remembering that Bapak often started the latihan that
way. In a talk at Anugraha in 1986* he explained what he meant by “Relax.” He said, “It means you must not think about
anything, just feel yourselves. Don’t look at your friends, don’t be disturbed by anything outside you.”
Some helpers felt that this was a reminder given to all of us that if we are truly surrendered and trust God, we can be
assured that the latihan we are receiving, no matter how subtle it may feel, is exactly what we need at this time. Even
though we sometimes wish we could get big flashing lights to dazzle us, it is often the subtle flickering that may be pointing the way for us. Accepting where we are in the moment seems essential for moving forward.
Usually after the group latihans we tested something general. One test that was a follow up of testing Ibu Rahayu did in
New Zealand was about the “I.” In discussing the “I” Bapak explained the function of the latihan as “God who is showing
you and guiding you in getting reacquainted with your true “I” (59 OSL,1)*
On the kejiwaan day for helpers it became apparent that many helpers are really yearning for a way of being in touch
with one another and having a venue to address their concerns through testing. We remember past weekend gatherings
devoted specifically to helper development and wonder if it isn’t time for another one? Or would it be better for the Regional Helpers to organize gatherings for helper development in their own regions?
Some of us felt the “Visioning” process was a great way for us to come together, to get to know one another, to share
our Subud experiences and to try to put into words what is really important to us that brings us together and commits us
to making space for the latihan in our lives through thick and thin. It felt very upbeat and encouraging -- laying the
groundwork for harmoniously working with and respecting one another as we move forward. One of the fun things about
any congress is seeing people who live far away from you and whom you really only know through these congress experiences but have come to love. Sharing through the “visioning” added another dimension to getting to know one another.
We also loved getting to know the Wings better and are now much more aware of how their activities are an expression
of how we manifest the latihan in the world as an organization. We hope that we can find more and better ways of putting their work out for the broader world to enjoy and appreciate.
We feel we learned some lessons about what we could do differently another time. We should be careful to build in time
for everyone to go through their own processing. We also remembered how important it is for those testing for a position,
who receive a positive response for themselves when the helpers do not, to feel satisfied. That may involve talking or
follow-up testing if it seems necessary.
And lastly, or really firstly, it was such a pleasure to be together as a National Helper Dewan. It was so important to have
the time to work together before the congress got under way, to spend quality time together and bond in a way that
helped us feel connected even when we were not together. We developed a good sense of one another and of how to
work together as a team.
We are grateful to all the people on the congress planning team, who spent many hours planning a wonderful congress.
We deeply appreciated the willingness of members testing for various committee positions and the sincerity they bring to
the work they were called to do. Volunteering to do this work, while technically we say it is for Subud, is really a way to
serve one another and ultimately, Almighty God. We feel the new committee & wing teams hold great potential to shepherd our developing organization along a safe path. We look forward to serving with our wonderful new National Dewan.
With love from your National Helpers:
Aminah Ulmer • Laurie Lathrop • Suzanne Renna • Hoan Toan Phan • Sjarifuddin Harris • Rachman Ulmer
*Bapak quotes excerpted from Canada’s SCAN newsletter, Summer 2010
Subud USA newsletter #142
Summer/Fall 2010
3
SUSA Welcomes New National Committee
Personal Profile: Rasjidah Franklin, Chair
If you think Rasjidah Franklin is a new face on the Subud
scene, think again. She was opened in San Francisco in
1966, and in 1971 she was appointed a helper by Bapak.
She would later serve as a Helper and/or on local committees in Marin Co., San Francisco, Berkeley, and Contra
Costa County, California and as a member of the USA
Board of Directors. From 2002 – 2004, Franklin chaired
National SES followed by a term as California Regional
Chair from 2005-2007. Most recently she was Chair of the
Subud USA Endowment Fundraising Campaign.
National Committee Members (l-r) Sonya Conrad, Rasjidah Franklin
and Shoshanah Margolin photo:Lucian Parshall
Franklin retired in 2004 from the University of California at
Berkeley, where she chaired the Dept. of Education Extension. “While my primary occupation was Education, I have always had a hand in the property business. I have owned
several residential rentals over the years, as well as a resort and ranch property in the Texas Hill Country,” she says.
When not filling her time with Subud responsibilities, she enjoys “raising pecans in Texas, walnuts in Chico, California,
and dogs at ‘Tree Canyon Ranch’ in the Oakland hills.”
Despite all her years on the west coast, Franklin now hails from her hometown of Wimberly, Texas. “I guess you could
say that I am returning to my roots,” she explains.
Personal Profile: Shoshanah Margolin, Vice Chair
I remember, while in high school, saying to myself, “You need to find a path that will allow you to keep growing for the
rest of your life. So many adults in your family have gotten stuck, and you don't want to be like them." In my twenties I
searched. I finally chose Subud because (1) I had a deep experience during one of the early latihans and (2) it seemed
so much easier than other paths because there were no funny positions to get into early in the morning.
The first thing that happened to me after I made this commitment was that my eyes opened, and I could see the detours
I had recently taken in my outer life. I turned myself around and got back on track, returned to school, became a school
social worker, and eventually wound up teaching social work in the university’s master’s of social work program until I
retired in 2005. I married Victor and gave birth to Myra. I took on jobs for Subud and never stopped: secretary of the local, regional and national committees for Subud USA, board member of Susila Dharma USA, local, regional, national,
and international helper, and now co-vice chair of Subud USA. A sign I once read posted on a church lawn said, “The
sign of God is that you will be led to places you least expected.”
Personal Profile: Sonya Conrad, Vice Chair
Hello, I am Sonya Hubbard Conrad and I live in Kalispell, Montana. I have a husband, Sean, and three young children,
Sawyer, Basil and Cowan. I grew up in Subud, was opened in1994 and started getting involved in the committee side of
things when I was 18 as Rental Coordinator for Subud Sonoma. I got more involved when I was 28 as Center Chair in
Kalispell, and then as SYA co-chair from 2006-2010. In my professional life, I am a Certified Life Coach for the last 3
years, and am co-founder of Heartfire Project. Stepping into this co-vice chair role with Shoshanah is a huge opportunity
for me to work on creating a vital, supportive, loving Subud community through various avenues with an amazing group
of talented and guided committee. It is my pleasure.
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Rasjidah Franklin (Chair) [email protected]
Shoshanah Margolin (Vice Chair) [email protected]
Sonya Conrad (Vie Chair) [email protected]
Rifka Several (Secretary) [email protected]
Marston Gregory (Treas) [email protected]
Lucian Parshall
Councilor)
[email protected]
Subud(Committee
USA newsletter
#142 Summer/Fall
2010
National Subud Spirit Day October 10, 2010
What does Subud mean to each of us? This year’s National Subud Spirit day is being refined and envisioned (through
testing and conversation) as a day to explore the essence of what Subud means, how we can get back to the roots of
why we became members, and how that essence can be made manifest. The event continues a theme that arose from
numerous conversations across the country and was explored at our 2010 National Congress.
In July 2010 members of the national Board of Directors discussed and tested the content and intention of supporting a
National Subud Spirit Day. It was clear that this day has a lot of “juice” for us as group and regional members, for centers, and for the growth and development of our national organization. We unanimously felt that this year’s National
Subud Spirit Day should be kejiwaan or spiritual in nature rather than outer-activity oriented. We decided to ask the national helpers to assist in formulating suggested test questions which can, if people wish, help get the event started
wherever they live.
Last year was the first time Subud USA had a National Spirit Day. It started because of a suggestion to have a national
day of prayer. Then, people wanted to include latihan, so it became a national kejiwaan event for those who participated. A national call-in joint latihan was available. Some centers organized an activity as well, like making sandwiches
for the homeless. Having the event be nationwide enabled us to experience and celebrate the sense of national unity
and connection with all others who also receive the latihan of Subud, whether as part of a center, a group, a 'pod', or
more remotely.
This year National Subud Spirit Day falls on October 10, the second Sunday of that month. It continues last year’s theme
of developing our connections to one another- across the country and within our smaller groupings. But it also aims to
explore, strengthen and/or clarify our connection to Subud. The National Board of Directors are committed to working to
create the communication and support for all members to participate in the opportunities of this day.
—Sonya Conrad, Liza Ramey and Shoshanah Margolin
2010 National Congress, Vancouver Washington photos : Marius Hibbard
Subud USA newsletter #142
Summer/Fall 2010
5
Money As Energy Marston Gregory, SUSA Treasurer
I wish to offer a huge THANK YOU to all those who, this past year, have contributed to support our National Office,
Helper Services and our wings. We budgeted to take in $74,700 the first six months and were very close to meeting that
target. A heartfelt thanks to our Regions, centers and members who donated each month to make this possible. It is
particularly heartening when we all know many are cutting back on charitable giving. THANK YOU FOR SHARING
YOUR ENERGY!
Here I am your new National Treasurer for Subud USA. I just completed a term as Regional Treasurer for Subud Pacific
Northwest and now find myself with a much bigger job as your National Treasurer. My goal is to concentrate primarily on
fund raising, but also continue the excellent work of the last committee on good funds management. My first role in
Subud was Treasurer of Subud California in 1977 and have held this post during Robert Mertens term as Chairman of
Subud USA. Treasury jobs seem to satisfy me...maybe its that "energy thing ." When I tested at congress if I should
consider the job, I received I was holding a vessel in my hands and that money was flowing into it from all directions and
as I held it the vessel grew and grew and my hands had to expand to hold the ever increasing size needed to contain the
money and the energy it created.
My prayer and wish is that we all understand the role of money in our lives and we find space to share it. A famous
monologue from Thornton Wilder's "The Matchmaker", Dolly Levi says to her departed husband, Ephraim: "Money - pardon my expression- money is like manure: it's not worth a thing unless it's spread around encouraging young things to
grow." Subud is a young thing and indeed needs to grow. We have lots of plants that need nourishment: more National
Helper Travel, replenish our Care Support Fund (formally the Almoner's Fund), upgrade our communications, support
our wings etc. Subud USA is the umbrella for this country and serves a key role in the life of our organization. I am fortunate to have lived in a condo next to our vibrant national office for years and witnessed as both a volunteer and as an
observer, the tremendous work it supports from keeping the publications flowing, supporting National Helper work, planning our wonderful national events, producing a National Directory, working with the international level of Subud plus an
amazing hub of communications to keeps us linked through our National Newsletter, website and communications. All
done amazing by one full-time and two part-time people and on a very small budget. Amazing! So, if you feel moved,
please consider a donation. USE the return envelope in this paper, or you can go online to www.subudusa.org and donate online or mail in a donation. Call your donation in to 425-643-1904.
YES! I support Subud USA today with my enthusiastically written:
□ check
Type of card Visa
□
□ credit card donation
MasterCard
□
Am Express
□
Card # ___________________________________________________
Expiration date_______ CVV _________
Name on Card _____________________________
Address:_______________________________
City/State/Zip______________________________
Mail to: Subud USA 14109 NE 8th St #A, Bellevue, WA 98007
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Subud USA newsletter #142
Summer/Fall 2010
Subud USA newsletter #142
Summer/Fall 2010
7
SCA/SICA-USA Lorraine Tedrow, Chair
At the national congress we had a rich field of candidates for the role of chairperson of our cultural association. Each
candidate is a talented individual, with many skills, abilities, and wonderful gifts. Eventually I was selected for the chairperson role for this term, and Mary Wold, of the Midwest Region, is the Vice-Chairperson.
Among the first gifts of my new role are beginning to know and work with Mary and our National Helper Liaisons, Aminah
and Rachman Ulmer. Together we are exploring how to practice moving from inner quiet into action, build on the work of
our predecessors, be open to the winds of change, and explore and develop new possibilities.
We are also examining how to continue and expand the production of a SICA-USA calendar. By the time you read this, I
hope we will have this project well in hand, with pre-order available on-line on the Subud USA website,
www.subudusa.org as well as through the national office for those who prefer that method.
It is my hope that our cultural association will continue to evolve and to support the development of a greater understanding and experience of the true Human culture within each of us. I encourage everyone to ponder, and perhaps
share with us your response to some questions proposed by Mary Wold, Vice-Chairperson of SICA-USA: “Who are
you? What do you do? What do you love to do? What do you aspire to do? How can SICA-USA help you fulfill this? If
SICA-USA cannot solely fulfill what you want to do, how can we utilize a combination of one or more of the joint wings?”
I also ask, “How might what you and I love and do be expressions of our worship of Almighty God?”
As new members of the SICA-USA team, we plan to continue the production of a SICA-USA art calendar featuring the
work of Subud artists. The 2011 calendar will be available for pre-orders by emailing [email protected] or by contacting the national office at 425-643-2904. Please watch the website http://www.subudusa.org/SICA-USA/SICA-USA.html
for information about submitting artwork for the 2012 calendar.
We also are seeking candidates for the SICA-USA board of directors. If you have an interest in culture, the arts, and/or
the development of SICA-USA, please contact me, Lorraine Tedrow, at [email protected] or 360 854 9339, or
Mary Wold at [email protected].
For those who want to know something of my Subud and professional background, I have served as both a local chairand vice-chairperson in Seattle and regional vice-chair and chairperson in PNW, as well as a local helper and regional
helper. Professionally I am a couple’s and family therapist, in private practice working primarily with couples and individual adults. Previously I worked with kids and adults, fostering creative expression with art materials in a variety of settings, including fairs, corporate parties, workshops and weekend retreats. I have also been a hair stylist, chief cook and
bottle washer, and caterer. I love to cook, garden, quilt, and play with paint, fibers and fabric.
SICA-USA
Another beautiful calendar featuring the work of Subud Artists
2011 Calendar
$16.00 plus shipping & handling
Pre-Order Now to arrive for the holidays: Makes a great gift!
Email: [email protected] or call the National Office: (425) 643-1904
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Subud USA newsletter #142
Summer/Fall 2010
2011 SICA-USA Calendar: Call for Submissions
We are inviting everyone (including artists!) to consider submitting an image of your choosing that
reflects and celebrates your true Human culture, your expression of worship. Our theme for 2011
seems to be about bridges to self and to each other, the formation and interiors of these connections.
However, we will have to wait to see what emerges from what you send us.
So, come on, all of you gardeners, architects, chefs, dancers, builders of cabinets … all of you stewards of the tremendous possibilities of human endeavor … send us images of your creations.
It would be best if you could send 4 or 5 images, so we have a good selection of your work. The
deadline for consideration is Sept. 15. We are having a juried selection this year.
As for the technical stuff …
The optimal specifications for printing:
File type:
TIF
Resolution:
300 bpi or more.
Color:
CMYK (standard, 4-color offset printing model)
Measurements:
Approximately 9" high x 12" width
If you can't create the image as a TIF file in CMYK color, then a JPG with RGB color will do, if the
other specs are met. If you need any assistance with the technical aspects of image transfer,
Leonard Dixon will be happy to help you.
Please forward your submissions to: [email protected]
Help us make this our best calendar yet with your participation for its production and distribution.
Let’s get the Word Out!
Your SICA-USA Team
Lorraine Tedrow, Mary Wold, Leonard Dixon
SIHA (Subud International Health Association) Launches New Website
Dr .Rachman Mitchell, SIHA Co-coordinator writes : ‘SIHA offers an integrated approach to health with spiritual values at the core. The new website is a valuable resource for health professionals working in Conventional, Psychological, Alternative & Complementary Medicine as well as people in the ancillary health professions. Visit
www.subudhealth.org to become a member.
Full SIHA membership is open to practicing and retired professionals. Anyone interested in health and wellbeing
can subscribe to an occasional e-newsletter.'—Silvana Evans
Subud USA newsletter #142
Summer/Fall 2010
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Subud Enterprise Services (SES) USA Rosetta Narvaez, Chair
Hello, and welcome to SES USA to our new, budding, or seasoned entrepreneurs! I’m excited to start tackling several
of the many ideas that people expressed at the Subud USA congress pertaining to enterprises. Note that I did not expect
to take on another Subud position (just had shed the Committee Councilor position), so I really have to lay the blame
squarely on my friend from Washington, D.C Alexandra Blond!
Here’s what happened: we started to get excited brainstorming on an idea of hers for a compassionate elderly care facility run by Subud using SES as the vehicle to kick start the project. There were also a number of ideas that I felt should
be looked into and attempted. These mirrored some of what Emmanuel Williams summarized so eloquently at the Congress.
Here are my goals for the coming two years as the SES Chair:
1.
Put together a feasibility and implementation plan for developing a microfinance or finance vehicle to fund
new and expanding businesses (focused on the niche of those with limited access to the lending or capital markets in the US);
2. Start the process for an elderly housing system and care in the US;
3. Develop a resource and information clearing house for entrepreneurs. We have so many resources available to us in the US that should be tapped into.
A couple of other ideas have been circulating in the Subud community, such as a Subud coalition for purchasing distressed properties and a community housing block in the inner cities. These are great ideas, but require some thought
and a business plan. To that end, Humphrey Williams has helped put together a social networking site Subud Enterprise
Services Resources at http://sesusa.ning.com/
Please join us by becoming a member on the networking site and helping us build the enterprise resource center or join
one of the sub-groups. Check out the start of the resource clearinghouse for entrepreneurs that I’ve put together – and
please feel free to use this information or add to the body of information.
We can use the ning site to discuss and build on the ideas above in the weekly take-a-break chat session. Feel free to
contact or email me anytime at [email protected].
Hope to chat with you soon from Rosetta Narvaez, SES Chair. SES wing advisors and resources: Rashad Pollard, Aliman Sears, Humphrey Williams, Hamid Kaber, and Melinda Wallis.
Here’s a little introduction about me (Rosetta Narvaez):
Professional: Current VP at an international financial institution in Boston; recent
10+ years in the financial/banking world. Owned a small management consulting
company (5+ years) RN and Associates, focused on: statistical modeling, forecasting, program evaluation, and market research. Clients included state, quasi-state,
universities, federal government, and partnerships/subcontracts.
Education: MA, Applied Economics (Econometrics; International Trade and Finance) from American Univ in Washington, D.C.;
Community/Personal: Active on a number of Subud, non-profit, and community
boards. Former actress, coach, and surfer/bodyboarder. Raised in Indonesia and
Hawaii. Lived in California, and Washington, D.C. Currently residing in Rhode Island, USA as a member of the Boston group.
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Subud USA newsletter #142
Summer/Fall 2010
Susila Dharma Project Usaha Mulia Abadi Alexandra Woodward
Mexico 2010: The Human Force completes another successful volunteering camp!
This month, 12 Subud and non-Subud youth from four countries gathered
for two weeks in Puebla, Mexico to work with Susila Dharma project
Usaha Mulia Abadi (UMA). Volunteers completed ecological tasks to help
UMA promote environmental awareness, hosted educational activities in
the community, and did personal development exercises that challenged
them to feel their responsibility to uplifting the human condition locally and
globally. The result was an experience that visibly affected many volunteers' lives, regarding issues from eating disorders to life transitions.
As we move into preparing for next year's camp, we invite everyone to
think about several things:
— How are you involved in your community?
• How are you contributing to peace and goodwill in today's hectic
photo: Osanna Favre
global society?
— What youth (maybe that's you? Your children? Their friends?) would you wish could attend such a camp?
— Why not talk to them about it and support them (financially or morally) to attend?
Practicing nobility and the latihan in our outer lives is a universal cause - and a shared one. Young or old,
short or tall, able to attend a camp or not, spread the word! Encourage others! Challenge yourself! Donate! Write to us (we love to hear from you)! Join hands and help support The Human Force!
***We are donating countless hours, but we need financial contributions to keep this good work up!! Please visit
http://donations.susiladharma.org/donate_now/ to make your tax-deductible donation. We thank you!! ***A heartfelt
thanks to everyone who has supported us to make it this far. We're making it happen, one camp at a time!***
Oh, Baby!
Matiana Pullom was born on
March 8, 2010. Alejandro Pullom
(l) Roekmini Pullom (Mom, center)
Rahim Pullom (r).
Suzanna Eve Armes,
daughter of Geoffrey and
Grace Armes of New York
City arrived July 8, 2010.
Lucas Leonardo Ramos arrived
July 17, weighing in 8 pounds 2
oz. Proud parents are Benedicto
Ramos and Rohana Mertens.
Welcome Alice Elizabeth O’Bar Dugan! Born Feb 24 8 lb 7 oz 20 ½ inches long to parents Sarina O’Bar
Dugan and Tyler Dugan. Her proud Grandmother is Hadidjah O’Bar.
Subud USA newsletter #142
Summer/Fall 2010
11
Gardening, Love, Social Justice and Purses Illène Pevec
Ten years ago I began “A Child’s Garden of Peace” to create gardens and good health with children in an economically
challenged community in southern Brazil. Using gardening, nutrition, recycling and environmental education as our
springboard we have grown to encompass micro-enterprise. In December 2007 we started a women’s cooperative called
Realizing Dreams to re-use aluminum pull tabs to create unique eco-responsible fashion accessories: purses, belts, dog
collars, water bottle carriers and pony tail holders. We call our line Alluminate Accessories. Twelve women create these
unique, beautiful items and I sell them in the US to fund the educational activities in our program. Two local women get
scholarships and in turn they run the children’s gardening and recycling educational program three days a week. Carine is in her 3rd year at a local university, the first person in her family of 14 kids to attend university. Denise is
doing a high school completion program for adults.
I send all the purchase price to Susila Dharma International. 50% buys another item from the women’s cooperative and 40% goes to the educational
fund for the women and children. I donate 10% to SDI to help fund other international development efforts. My most successful way to sell these is
purse parties. You can help if you wish. If a person will host a party in her
home and invite 10 people or more
the hostess earns a $60 purse or that amount towards a purse or items of her
choice. I pay the shipping to and fro and I send a 12 minute documentary on
DVD made by Carine’s sister, Tatiane, when she was 18. It describes poignantly a day in her life and the challenges she faces to complete a basic education and open her future to more than domestic labor. Hurdles loom high for
economic bottom rung people in Latin America to complete higher education.
This women’s cooperative and my and your help in selling what they make
helps to enrich people’s lives. The kids get together to plant and tend the garden and do recycling, art and writing activities to develop their skills and environmental awareness three afternoons a week and their adult instructors earn
their way to college by working with the younger generation. It’s all funded by women exercising their talents making
things together. You can help those items reach new owners by inviting your friends over for a cup of tea or a glass of
wine and a chance to see the documentary and accessories.
Please consider hosting a purse party to bring the opportunity to your friends to purchase and use beautiful handmade,
environmentally and socially just accessories made with love. You can help kids and women realize their full potential by
inviting your friends to join you in buying a personal accessory made with love and social justice.
If you are interested, contact Illène Pevec, [email protected]
The gift of Grace from Almighty God does not simply fall out of the sky. It is given as God gives his
grace to human kind, to us, according to our individual capacity and in line with our prayers to Almighty God. Although the fast is an instruction from Almighty God to human kind, the purpose of the
fast is a benefit the human because through the fast, Almighty God shows his love and through it we
can feel the closeness to the Power of God, due of the separation or reduction of the influence of the
power of the nafsu. —Ibu Rahayu Cilandak, January 10, 1999
from the provisional translation of Raymond Lee
Copyright © 2007 the World Subud Association. All rights reserved.
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Subud USA newsletter #142
Summer/Fall 2010
Dreams for the Future of Subud East Coast
Margaret Aldis, SEC Chair
During the election of new officers at the East Coast Regional Congress, I told those present that I wanted the job of
chair for two reasons: That I saw the need of finishing fundraising and construction of the DC house, and the importance
of promoting Florida’s feeling of inclusiveness in the region. The membership responded positively to my concerns, and
after witnessing my positive testing, elected me as the new chair.
Hussein and I had lived in Metro DC from 1996 to 2008 and then chose to retire to Florida. We were active in the group
as both helpers and committee, and were so convinced of the importance of the new house that we, along with Damanhuri and Rohana Alkaitis, guaranteed the loan on the property (owned by Subud Washington DC) in Prince George’s
County Maryland. Conversion of the old house into our meeting space did not prove smooth sailing. In fact, the group
has had multiple problems deciding how to deal with Prince George’s County. Gradually, the project took on a larger vision, and many of us began to see the necessity of planning for a regional or even national center. Thanks to the hard
work, major contributions of money and dogged perseverance of several group members, change of use is finally within
sight, and fund-raising can begin in earnest.
Being very “join-in” types, Hussein and I were delighted to be welcomed to Florida by the current committee. Florida has
had legal description as a “center” since the late 1950s when it first got the 501c3 designation. This setup has been both
useful and cumbersome in the past, and a cause for confusion. Membership is as diverse in Florida as anywhere in the
world, and the latihan continues to be the unifying factor. However, language, culture, religion, age differences and tradition can be barriers to cooperation. Our plan is to visit as many groups and individuals as possible, always advocating
cooperation and harmony.
The regional helpers have plans for dividing up regional members between them, and each being responsible for keeping in touch with “their” people. Also, they plan to offer mini-kejiwaan days all over the region so that each member can
have the opportunity for at least one large group latihan a year without having to travel over a hundred miles or so. Already we have arranged a small gathering at the Contessa’s home in New Hampshire over Labor Day Weekend. Also,
we have made arrangements for a joint gathering with the Midwest at the Kearns Retreat Center in Allison Park, PA on
the first weekend in October. We have heard that our National Chair, Rasjidah Franklin, is planning to attend, as well as
the former Zone 7 representative Mariamah Flores and her fiancé from Mexico!
The regional dewan had an Appreciative Inquiry session on a conference call. It was interesting to see how priorities developed on the call. There was a great deal of agreement on the four main issues, and the range was from most important to least: opportunity for latihan, communication, houses, and finances/organizational structure.
We are in the process of developing a regional “super fund” to be used to buy houses. The fund will be secure, overseen
by a board of directors, and invested very conservatively.
The regional helpers have been very reliably doing special latihans for members in great need. Hoan Toan Phan, national helper, has been joining with the men in regular weekly special latihans. We feel grateful that our helpers are so
concerned with the well-being of the members.
Thank you for giving me the opportunity of giving a regional report to the national membership. I am a great believer in
efficiency and cost savings measures. And I also believe that the DC house is of national interest and importance.
The Subud East Coast (SEC) Congress was held at the premises of the Claymont Society in West Virginia from May
28 to 31. There were about 67 persons in attendance. SEC has its elections for new committee on Memorial Day Weekend on even years, and this year a new committee was chosen. Margaret Aldis tested and was elected as chair, Anna
Grace tested and received to continue as vice-chair, and is joined by Suzanne Donner who tested and received to be co
vice-chair. Frederic Casilli graciously volunteered to continue his excellent job as treasurer, and Veronica (Retsy) Lauer
has agreed to be secretary. The committee is grateful and optimistic to have all positions filled, and looks forward to two
years of active work with the entire dewan. Two new regional helpers were also announced at the regional gathering,
Lisa Bonelli and Bustami Pollard. They join the helpers dewan of Kenton Hensley, Mustafa (Michael) Ulmer, Hussein
Aldis, Sharifa Morag Benepe, Lorraine Arden, and Lorena Kreda.
Subud USA newsletter #142
Summer/Fall 2010
21
The twenty-first volume of Bapak's
!
ble
a
l
i
Talks comprises fourteen talks given by
va
wA
Bapak
in Mexico, USA (Los Angeles and
o
N
Honolulu) and Canada (Vancouver) during the period
20 April to 13 May 1968. Most of the talks in this volume have never been translated before. English translation with Indonesian text.
Some of the topics covered are:
Why it is vital to put surrender truly into practice and
not to test about everything.
Accepting suffering as a test.
The meaning of acceptance - and the necessity of suffering. Why it is forbidden to give in to despair.
God's law about suffering and happiness.
The reasons why the influence of the material world
overpowers us.
Why Abraham, Moses, Christ and Muhammad, with
their books, needed to be sent in turn. And the stories
of what they each symbolize.
What will happen as your inner feeling begins to know
your soul.
What will happen as you reach the different stages in
your latihan.
The proof that the latihan is willed by God. Why is God
now leading human
beings directly in their being?
How a soul is affected by its vessel.
How purification is a necessary part of the latihan. Why
relying only on the
heart and mind is dangerous for humanity.
The need for helpers to work, together, as equals.
How to be in order to receive a revelation.
Comparing the soul to a rolled up umbrella and how its
unfurling effects the low forces.
What God's will is for humanity in this world and beyond.
The need for Subud groups to have their own houses
and to run social projects.
All prices include shipping in the USA, add postage for foreign orders
Send to Subud USA, 14019 NE 8th ST #A, Bellevue, WA 98034
Fax to 425-643-2725 Call 425-643-1904
Order online at www.subudusa.org
________Bapak Talks #21 @ $ 23.00
_____________
________ National Directory 2010 $16.00
_____________
TOTAL
ENCLOSED
$____________
(WA State-add 8.8% sales tax)
Name______________________________________
Address( must match credit card) ____________________________________
City, State Zip _____________________________________
___VISA ___M/C # ______________________________ Exp _________
CVV___________ or ____ Check enclosed for $___________
Shipping Address (if different from above)
___________________________________________
___________________________________________
Addl postage fees added for out-of-country orders.
Fax orders to 425-643-2725 E-mail to [email protected]
Call 425-643-1904
22
Subud USA newsletter #142
Summer/Fall 2010
Saving Our Subud Local History
Daniela Moneta, SUSA National Archivist
Quite a bit is happening in our local Subud groups that is not being recorded as part of our Subud USA history. A number of Subud groups do produce newsletters and we should be collecting them. To remedy this problem, we are requesting that Subud groups send a copy to their newsletters to the National Office, Subud USA, 14019 NE 8th St. #A, Bellevue, WA 98007. So, if you are the editor of your local newsletter, please add the National Office to your mailing list.
As archivist for our USA National Archives and the Subud International Archives for our part of the world, I often get
questions from members about what they should be collecting and what they should send to the archives. As some of
you may know, we have an archives storage facility here in Phoenix, Arizona where I live. The National Office sends
boxes of records, that they no longer need on a daily basis, to me in Phoenix. I inventory the boxes and change the
older folders to new acid-free ones, and then I take the boxes to our Iron Mountain Storage facility where they are kept in
a climate controlled area.
Just recently, I received an email from an officer of an East Coast group saying that she was changing her committee
position from membership secretary to group treasurer. She wanted to know what she should be sending to our National
Archives from her old files as membership secretary and what she should collect as treasurer. Here is my response to
her and to all members at the local, regional, and national level:
Dear Subud Member,
I think that the local membership records are important to save and should be in our Subud USA National Archives. Do
you usually send them to Melinda Wallis, Office Manager at the National Office? If so, we already have these reports and
there would be no need to send a copy to me at the National Archives. The same goes for the treasurer stuff. If you have
sent it to our National Office, then we already have it. Melinda is the one that packs up material from the National Office
to send to me for preparation and inventorying and I sent the boxes on to our archives storage facility.
If you have any additional documents and reports about your group and how it is growing, it would be good to sent these
things to me for the Subud USA National Archives. Do you have documents pertaining to your Subud House, reports on
decisions you made as a group to increase your membership, information about group or member’s enterprises, etc. We
would like to have in the National Archives any letters or reports that show how your group is progressing. This does not
mean every scrap of paper but the important decisions that show the history of your local group.
If we do not make an effort to collect this material, it will be lost forever. Do you have some older Subud members in your
group who might have memoirs about what it was like to be in Subud in the early days? Do you have photographs of
group activities? Things like that would be interesting for the National Archives. Early newsletters from your group would
be an excellent contribution to the Archives. Just recently we were sent early newsletters from Subud Chicago going
back to its first issue in September 9, 1959! What a treasure that is. When did you group start? Does anyone in your
group have your group’s early newsletters?
Anyone who would like to ask specific questions about what to send to the Subud USA National Archives, please email
me at [email protected].—Love from you Subud USA National Archivist Daniela Moneta, Subud Phoenix
Did you know? The Susila Dharma International Association (SDIA) supports the Susila
Dharma network of 24 National SD organizations and 48 projects in 28 countries. Find
out more! Read the full 2009 Report online at
http://library.susiladharma.org/sdia_annualreports/index.shtml
Subud USA newsletter #142
Summer/Fall 2010
23
Preserving Bapak’s Original Indonesian Words Abdullah Pope
Recently there has been a lot of discussion about how we translate and use Indonesian words in Subud. ‘Helpers’, for
instance. When Husein Rof︠ e stopped me in a corridor at Coombe Springs and told me I was to be appointed a ‘deputy
director of the latihan’, I thought he was joking. But it turned out that this was his first attempt to translate in to English
the Indonesian words pembantu pelatih − which literally mean ‘servant, or assistant, [of the] training’. Our usual use of
the word ‘helper’ seems − with its over-tones of ‘do-gooderism’ and active involvement − to lose much of the real meaning of the Indonesian. I personally prefer ‘assistant’, but I think we are probably stuck with ‘helper’.
Another one. Last January, outside the Christchurch Town Hall, I asked Sharif Horthy why he always translated Bapak’s
reference to God in his talks as ‘Almighty God’, when in fact the Indonesian words Bapak generally used are Tuhan yang
Maha Esa which literally means ‘God which Most Great’, or ‘the One Great God’. This seems much more universal and
also much less forbidding. In New Age circles − particularly here in Australia − the use of ‘Almighty God’ with its overtones of judgement and punishment inherited from the Bible, has caused dismay and suspicion of Subud. Sharif admitted that the translation was not literally accurate, but defended the use of ‘Almighty God’ on the grounds that a committee of European and American Subud members had, in the early days of Subud, decided that ‘The One Great God’ was
too Islamic; and, as most Subud members then came from Europe and America, the more Christian ‘Almighty God’ was
more appropriate.
Bapak sometimes used the words Tuhan yang Maha Kuasa − literally ‘God which Most Powerful’, in other words ‘Most
Powerful God’ or ‘All Powerful God’. This is certainly closer to ‘Almighty God’ but avoids the Christian element of judgement. The two lady helpers in our group in Perth refer to themselves as a ‘Helpers’ Dewan’. Having lived in Indonesia for
many years, I find this very difficult to accept. Dewan is used all over the Middle-East for official gatherings: but in Indonesia it means ‘assembly’ or ‘council’. For instance the Indonesian Parliament is called Dewan Pewakilan Rakyat − literally, ‘Assembly of the Deputies (or Representatives) of the People’.
Now, in my opinion, the International Helpers, when they all meet together, are justified in calling themselves a Dewan
because there are a good number of them: but for the rest of us, especially in our small local groups, what is wrong with
just ‘Helpers’ Group’? This seems much less ego-building!
Let’s now consider the use of the words latihan kejiwaan, which literally mean ‘training [of the] soul’, or perhaps more
comfortably ‘spiritual exercise’, which I personally prefer to the harsh word latihan which, for new or perspective members of Subud, may suggest an alien and secretive cult. For me, ‘latihan’ has a harsh, even metallic, military sound and,
in Indonesian the dictionary tells us that latihan perperangan means ‘military exercise’ or ‘war games’. However I accept
that we are probably stuck with the day-to-day use of latihan. I don’t know about other languages, but in French latihan
phonetically sounds like ‘ler lutteehorn’, whereas (again phonetically), ‘exersees spirituell’ seems − to me − to have a
much more pleasant sound.
So how does all this affect the future of Subud? I suspect hundreds or perhaps even thousands of years from now, endless discussion will centre around these words, just as it does today about early Christian texts. This is where the International Archives are so important. The Christchurch World Congress passed a resolution stressing the importance of
Archives, and how they have been neglected recently: and how a new push to look after them properly is really needed.
Amalijah Thompson, the WSA Archives Coordinator, stressed the need to preserve Bapak’s original words both in print
and on recordings, so that future generations can go back to what he originally said. So let us get behind this push to
save Bapak’s own words in the Archives! And if you feel inspired, send your donation − individual or group − direct to
WSA, ear-marked for the World Subud Association Archives.
reprinted from Subud Voice, March 2010. Copyright 2010 World Subud Association
Wanted: Circle Dance
Does anyone have a copy of Circle Dance you would be willing to sell me? I ordered three copies of the book because one of my poems is in it. I was going to give one to each of my sons and keep one for myself. Well, as luck would have it, I never received my three
copies of Circle Dance. When I emailed Emmanuel and told him my sob story he regretfully informed me all the copies of the
book were sold. The way my luck has been running recently, this disappointment was just another straw on this tired old camel's
back. I cried, brothers and sisters, I cried. Yeah, I know I am a real pantywaist and self-pity is disgusting but hey...I'm an old lady and
subject to mood swings. (That's my story and I'm sticking to it.) Anyway, if you have a copy and are willing to sell it to me (I'll even pay
you twice what you paid for it.), please let me know: Sofiah Sexton 606-756-9941 [email protected]
24
Subud USA newsletter #142
Summer/Fall 2010
Member Musings
The opinions expressed in this section do not necessarily represent the views of Subud USA, the National Committee,
National Helpers or the editors of this publication. Send your thoughts to [email protected]
Most of you know by now that I was recently engaged to Cedar Barstow, psychotherapist, ethics consultant, and author in Boulder, Colorado. I think you may also know that
she was opened in Subud just over a year ago. As I write this, July 12, 2010, she is
teaching her ethics course in Tokyo and Kobe, Japan. Because she doesn't speak Japanese and her students speak only limited English, an interpreter was hired to work with
her during her entire eight days there. We both prayed for God's guidance before her
trip, her first time doing training in Japan, though she works internationally all the time.
She is also trying to sort out some tricky ethical issues in her psychotherapy community
Ruslan Feldman and Cedar Barstow
while there; hence God's help would be especially useful. So--here's the point--out of the
ca. 128 million Japanese of whom perhaps 100 are active Subud members--her assigned interpreter turns out to be
Saodah Matsudah-Hayashi, former International Helper who was quite close to Bapak, Ibu Sumari, and family; who
owns a home in Rungan Sari, Kalimantan , and who is a leading Subud member in Japan. I have known Saodah since
the 1971 World Congress in Jakarta. We all have experienced in less or more dramatic ways that God takes care of us
in all times and circumstances, but lest there be any doubt, I wanted to share this "coincidence" in Japan with all of you.
—Reynold Ruslan Feldman
P.S. It now turns out that one of Cedar's trainees, a woman, was also a Subud member and the Japanese psychotherapist who organized Cedar's visit has since read Rozak Tatebe's Subud memoir (in Japanese), has met with him, and is
now a Subud candidate. God is indeed great!
~~~~~
I’ve spent a lot of my last twenty two years doing committee work for Subud and I have some observations that I would
like to pass along. Committee work can be incredibly rewarding or extremely agonizing. Very rarely is it in between. I
believe that when a person does a Subud job correctly it is a source of immeasurable Grace. On the other hand,if a person does a Subud job poorly, it is worse than never doing it at all. It actually drags that person backwards. Doing a job
well results in great blessings and feeling great, doing a job poorly results in regression and feeling terrible. So, you
have just tested and received a committee position. Just receiving the position tells you that Almighty God has wonderful blessings in store for you. How can you benefit from all the Grace that God has planned? Everything revolves
around the latihan. This is the source of all our strength.
DO your helper-committee latihan. Never miss it. It is the most essential thing you can do to assure your success. If
your group does not do a helper-committee latihan, start one. If you can’t get everyone involved, grab as many people
as you can and run towards the latihan hall! Your group will never have a proper dewan if you do not do this latihan
regularly.
DO your regular latihan. Now this may seem so basic that it’s not worth mentioning. But, I can’t tell you how many times
I have seen people attempt committee work who are not doing latihan regularly. There is no way you can succeed without the latihan.
DO the latihan before your meeting. It will clear the air and put everyone in the correct spot for the meeting. After the
meeting, do another short latihan. There is no sense dragging all of that stuff home. Give yourselves enough time for
the latihan. It’s more important than anything that you will ever discuss.
PRAY. Pray for your success. Pray for your committee’s success. Pray for your dewan’s success. Pray for Subud. This
has been my experience. What separates the successful from the unsuccessful in committee work is not outer knowledge. It is a willingness to out the latihan first. If you happen to be feeling any difficulty or heaviness in your committee
work, try following these guidelines. You may be very pleasantly surprised.
Also, if you feel that you have learned something additional, I would be grateful if you would let me know.
—Evan Padilla
Subud USA newsletter #142 Summer/Fall
2010 (originally published 10-27-94)
25
Member Musings, continued
Heart-struck
Living in Guatemala, you can’t help but be struck by the warmth, humour and generosity of the people, and the level of
poverty, especially in the rural areas. You can’t help but want to assist, however you can. I feel I’m doing the work God
inspires in me, when an opportunity falls to my hand and the chance to provide help opens up. This impulse has developed into a preschool project in one of the poorest, most traditional villages around Lake Atitlan--San Pablo--and a project for single mothers in San Pedro, started by two young local painters, and augmented with my help. Seeing the light
in young children’s eyes as they work with interactive materials, instead of sitting still and copying from the board, and
knowing you are activating bi-lateral thinking, imagination and creativity – receiving tearful thanks from the mothers for
food and clothing for their children, and seeing the focus of their children as they learn to draw and paint (viable occupations in this town known for its artists) in our Saturday classes is all the thanks anyone needs. Rich rewards. Please see
websites www.letsbeready.org for the preschool project and www.paintmyfuture.org for the painters’ project. And lucky
for me the only two other Subud women in Guatemala live ½ hour away across the lake! So latihan continues for me
after 43 years.—Miranda Pope [email protected]
~~~~~
Old Old Old Emmanuel Kennedy will be moving to Virginia to live at the farm where he and the Donners,Stefan and
Suzanne, established "Natural Beef Farm" in the early 1980's. Anyone interested in a collection of his books (mostly
notes) can reach him there. Emmanuel has been in Subud since 1948 when an angel opened him to the Great Life
Force.—Emmanuel Kennedy c/o Donners 2641 Old Charlestown Rd. Berryville VA 22611 540-955-4410
~~~~~
From Russia with Love
As many of you know, Solihin and I have been living and working in Moscow, Russia for the last year. We were asked to
bring our work – our model of personal development based on the Life Forces that we have been working with for twenty
years – into a corporate setting. We are working with a large organization that includes a bank and about twenty other
companies, with a workforce of over 30,000 people. The primary shareholder is an extraordinary and visionary man, and
we are working to support his vision of bringing a new corporate culture to this organization, and introducing a more human, holistic and spiritual approach to business in Russia.
We are introducing an integrated approach of personal and business, inner and outer, masculine and feminine, right and
left-brain, so that people can develop their own Self, while also developing their organization. We have done over forty
workshops during this last year, and the work is exciting, challenging, rewarding and exhausting! We do not know how
long we will be here, and will take each year as it comes. We are living in the center of Moscow, a twenty minute walk to
Red Square and the Kremlin, and every morning my walks take me around the heart of this beautiful historic city, with its
gold onion-domes churches, narrow streets, wide boulevards, Stalinesque buildings, river and parks. We feel very fortunate to be having this experience here, in this very unique city and country. Visit my blog on life in Moscow:
www.messagefrommoscow.wordpress.com
I also wanted to let you know that we will be visiting Portland in September to do a Being Human workshop. This is our
personal development workshop for individuals and we are looking forward to being back in that milieu, albeit with the
added richness of this past year’s experience to bring to it. Much love to all, Alicia Thom
[Solihn and Alicia’s Being Human workshop will take place at Oregon House in Yachats September 16-19. The workshop is open to all, with no previous experience necessary. Full details are available at www.adhumanitas.com.]
The cause of disharmony is simply the influence of the lower forces and if you are unwilling to acknowledge this the
result is the degradation of your character as a human being and of your humanity. If those lower forces have become deeply inbreeded in your being, they form your character for you and they affect your nature so that you can
not any longer feel what is right and what is wrong. —Ibu Rahayu Cilandak, January 10, 1999
from the provisional translation of Raymond Lee Copyright © 2007 the World Subud Association. All rights reserved
26
Subud USA newsletter #142
Summer/Fall 2010
Transitions
Lavinia Swanson
At 6:18 pm, June 9, our longtime Subud sister Lavinia Swanson passed on. We around
her are glad she didn't have to suffer a long, long illness. In the old Subud newsletters
here at the office, you can see frequent writings by her and about her in her work with
Susila Dharma, and also as a communicator with isolated members. She also supported
Subud with her generous donations all these years. Prayers for her devoted self! She
served God and Subud so well. I'd like to thank the Subud brothers and sisters who
have given her regular assistance these recent years.—Melinda Wallis
Subud and the latihan warmed me whenever I saw her. —Benedict Herrman
Lavinia was a helper in S. Oregon for many years and opened several ladies. She was
very stoic and loved Subud and the latihan very much. When I first moved to the Ashland area in 1993, when I became a helper, Lavinia was living in Cave Junction. She
will be missed greatly by members here. I remember when she moved to Seattle and
would drive her red Thunderbird car from Seattle to Ashland and back. I was amazed at
her strength and resolve. She was very regal and commanded respect. No one knew
her age for sure, but she was a true example of a helper who gave so much to Subud.
Photo: Simón Cherpitel
—Margarite Charney, Ashland, Oregon
God Bless Lavinia - She was the first person from the US I met at Bapak's visit to Vancouver in 1969. We did dishes with
together in the Blue Boy apartments bathroom to help Amina & 'the party'—Latifah Brett, Canada
I loved that feisty woman, and loved spending time with her. She had some amazing stories to tell about Germany during
the war, her family, her childhood, her marriage, etc. She told them to me over and over again, but I never got tired of
hearing them. God bless her. There will never be anyone like her.—Lucida Garneau, Canada
~~~~~
Mhd. Laksar Rattay was one of first international helpers appointed by
Bapak in 1975 & established AOMAA, first social welfare project in the
USA, which was prior to the founding of Susila Dharma International.
Laksar left this world 13 July, 2010, preceded by his dear & devoted
wife Rohana on 6 March, 2009. They both had Alzheimer’s & spent
their last years in a care facility outside Detroit.—Simón Cherpitel
Raymond and I recently did latihan with him and afterward his memory
and speech came back to the complete amazement of the therapist
assigned to him. In an outdoor garden he talked to Raymond of Bapak
and Tjilandak and AOMAA the supplies he was able to gather, and Rohana, his wife[ who passed on last year.] Some of his parting words to
us that day was that he wished he could have done more in his SD enterprise. He was one of our first zone helpers, Int'l helper, Nat. helper- a
mainstay of the Chicago group. As a teenager, I loved his visits to our
house. What was a lesson for me was he didn't care what people
thought of him unless conducting business for AOMAA. He was always
travelling to get medical supplies or contacts, sometimes combined with
helper duties. Many times the finances came from his own pocket.
—David McCormack
Another legendary character leaves us. He - oh, where does one start!
He could curse and do good works with equal vigor and enthusiasm! He
could castigate us for not giving him enough financial help to ship all
this equipment, but if you offered to help, you help might be re(continued)
Subud USA newsletter #142
Photo: Simón Cherpitel Chicago, 1989
Summer/Fall 2010
27
Transitions, continued
jected! He was opened December 1, 1958. Laksar adored Bapak and the latihan He was bigger than life in so many
ways! Was he scary? Was he funny? Was he driven? Was he his own very unique self? YES. If I wasn't in Subud, and if
he wasn't in Subud ,I never would have met him. Boy, I am lucky.—Melinda Wallis
~~~~~
Farewell to a good sister…Mary Mulhausen passed away over the weekend of May 1-2,
2010. We hear it was very peaceful, and that she was surrounded by family. Rob and I
were trying to figure out how old she was. Best we can tell, she was 103 or 104.
So many people were on the receiving end of her and Elmira's (Ingersoll) graciousness and
hospitality over the years, first in Huntington, RI and then in Lyme, CT. They brought
many people into Subud, and those people stayed. Mary was unfailingly kind and upbeat,
and allowed her gorgeous lakefront home to be a home to Subud members as well as
friends from her other spiritual groups. Harmony House was a source of peace and respite. We will miss her, and miss those days. Love, Elaina Dodson Notes to her long time
friend and housemate can go to Elmira Ingersoll 42 Gungy Rd. Lyme, CT 06371
Photo: Simón Cherpitel
~~~~~
Mashud McGee passed away on June 4, with his children at his side.
I was lucky to have a Latihan with him before last week of Congress. He was at peace and went to sleep after the Latihan. May Almighty God bless his Soul. May God bless you all—Suryadi May
Ah, God bless a real brother of great sincerity --- I saw him suffer, change, grow...... love, Geoffrey Armes
I especially remember Mashud from an incident during Bapak's 1967 visit to NYC. Handsome and slender in a wellfitting plaid suit and sporting his usual Gene Kelly grin, Mas was putting a lavaliere on Bapak's lapel for an afternoon
talk. Bapak seemed to enjoy the efficient work of this young American son of his, this handsome young man from New
York, since Bapak was all smiles too. I felt so blessed to have had a
chance to share some words with Mas in Christchurch. Back in the
New York group of the early 60s, we were two young, recently married
guys doing latihan together every Sunday. Clearly very ill at the January Congress, he was far from that dashing youth of the 60s. But as
the Congress photo of him proves, he never lost his Gene Kelly grin nor
the loving presence that went with it. Horace's words give comfort as
the tears stream down my cheeks: "Frater, ave atque vale." "Brother,
hail and farewell!" I know you're now part of Bapak's team Up
There. With love and gratitude for your life among us, your brother always, Reynold Ruslan Feldman, Subud-Boulder
Mashud was an extraordinary helper. Testing with him was always a
Photo: Simón Cherpitel
rare and fine experience. He was the one that lead the final testing for
me to become a helper at a regional congress several years back. It was a very deep and revelatory receiving for me,
leaving me stunned at the depth of God's knowing of me - or better to say; I know myself far less than God does because I, along with everyone, am His creation.
Even with all of that Mashud received truths and even long hidden truths about me that were so surprising to hear from
one who did not really know me. Yet he accommodated them with grace and calm appropriate to telling another that
what he thought was true about this life was not and that another truth was there that only I knew in the deepest parts of
my heart, so deep that I had long assumed they were not true; all to say that God had been with me (I had been opened)
since early childhood and during a very serious crisis.
Ultimately I was passed as a new helper but knew that any good work I might have the good fortune to do in that capacity would only be done by God's Will and Bapak's willingness to give me the opportunity to be his helper. I recall feeling
that there could not be a helper anywhere more lowly than me, clearly without God's Grace I was nothing - but, I had
come into the posting and there was nothing to do but get to work. All of those receivings that night explained so much to
me about my relationship to Almighty God. Testing with Mashud was often like that for me and probably for many, many
others - just so clear and so deep and so graceful. I shall miss him and yet I shall always feel to do latihan with him.
Thank
you for helping us Mashud, forever
with
God.—Sanderson
Morgan 2010
28
Subudbe
USA
newsletter
#142 Summer/Fall
Transitions, continued
Mashud McGee’s Many Names
One of the things I shared with Mashud McGee was a progression through a series of name changes. The last time I
saw him face-to-face at Menucha, the Subud Pacific Northwest spiritual gathering in 2008, I asked him to write down all
his names in order: Thomas James McGee -- birth certificate name; Peter -- first Subud name, taken in New York, used
for decades; Maynard, then Mashuri (pronounced Moss-hooree) -- both very briefly; Mashud (pronounce Moss-hood) -taken after years in California, used until death. Back in the early 1970's in Los Angeles I once said to him, "Since your
name is McGee, I assume your family was Irish." He replied, "Actually, three of my four grandparents were Russian, but
my paternal grandfather McGee was Irish."
We were friends from 1972, when I moved from Northern to Southern California and met him in Los Angeles, until he
died. In the early 1970's both he and Rusdi Lane spent a lot of time at my home in Hollywood, and he sometimes slept
over on the couch, during a period when he was experiencing difficulties in his first marriage, which shortly after ended in
divorce. I visited him and his children from that marriage in Santa Monica five years later and sometimes slept over,
when I was going through separation and divorce myself. He also visited me in Bakersfield in the late 1970's, when he
was confused about whether or not to marry his second wife, and he eventually told me the story of how Bapak told him
he had been misled by "the Devil," and should marry. But that is a story with details for her to tell, if she wishes. I was
present at their wedding in North Hollywood. He also visited me in Pacifica in the early 1980's, and when I told him
about a latihan experience that made me stop drinking, he explained what it meant and why I should accept it and follow
it. In the mid-1970's we did some testing together in Orange County about various animal forces which influenced us. I
once told him I had experienced Bapak as having a vegetable quality like a certain kind of huge tropical tree, and myself
as having certain qualities like a walnut tree. We then tested what kind of tree Mashud was like. I received he was like
those straight tall cedars that are used as wind breaks and field borders in Europe and as decoration alongside residences in California, very straight and upright (symbolizing a strong moral sense), very decorative, and very unobtrusive
and non-interfering with people who passed by, but sheltering them from the wind nevertheless.
At Menucha in 2008 we tested the question he received to test, "Receive joy in your inner heart." For a full week after I
left Menucha, total strangers were coming up to me, chatting me up, and offering useful information and to do personal
favors for me. I have tested this a few times since then, only a few, and each time it has had significant results of a similar nature. It should not be used for selfish reasons, and the kinds of benefits received tend to be unexpected surprises,
as in you never know what a little joy can bring. Try it; you'll like it.— Ibrahím Butler
~~~~
Hannah Sanders passed on June 13. Subud friends held a selametan for her on Saturday, June
19, at the Subud Hall in Sebastopol. Many of us remember Hannah, from "the old days" when we
are all working together in so many ways to have a Subud School in Marin County. Hats off to
Hannah, who lived her whole life with physical difficulties. Last I talked to her earlier this year, she
still managed to have her sense of humor. BIG thanks to the members in Sonoma who have done
so much to help Hannah in so many ways. And thank you, Rosalyn [Neel], who went to Sonoma to
live with Hannah through these last few months of her life.—Melinda Wallis
Photo: Simón Cherpitel
~~~~
My ex-husband just passed on (August 6). Victor Wuamett has been visiting him in the nursing home in Albuquerque.
Levi Hummer Pleshe had lung cancer. We're glad he got to go, and pray-God speed!
— Melinda Wallis and sons Emmanuel and Hampton Pleshe
Subud USA newsletter #142
Summer/Fall 2010
29
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Subud USA newsletter #142
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