SUBUD USA NEWS

Transcription

SUBUD USA NEWS

Fall 2010/Winter 2011
Issue # 143
¨
Kiss of Dawn by Robert Mertens
SUBUD USA NEWS
2010 Pledge Drive—Subud USA Needs YOU! See page 19
“Pillars at Dawn “Hellene Higgins Chapman
SICA 2011 Calendar p.8
photo courtesy Sulfiati Harris
Camp Badger p.26
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Subud USA newsletter #143
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Results of the National Communications Survey Shoshanah Margolin and Leonard Dixon
393 members (27% of the fully active members of Subud USA) completed the national communications survey on-line or on paper (from the newsletter). Data from the paper surveys was entered electronically, so the
results that follow include responses from both versions. A table is provided that analyzes the multiple choice
answers only; percentages reflect the choice of those who responded, as not everyone answered each question. Written comments are summarized separately. If you don’t see one of your comments captured, it is either because it was of a personal nature or not shared by others.
Summary of Written Comments:
Newsletter: Above all else, respondents wanted more international news and items with spiritual content.
Quite a few also expressed the wish for contributions about member’s personal stories and projects. Several
said they hoped the newsletter could be published more often and with more current news, with articles that
were factual and objective, and with an improved layout (e.g. more photos, standard font size, better spacing,
more colors, columns, content page with clickable access to articles one wants to read). Some suggestions
were to have a larger staff, on-line links to SCAN and other newsletters, upcoming events in calendar form,
articles about regional and local gatherings, and clear and concise instructions on how to submit an article.
Email: Many thanked Melinda for facilitating national communication. Some said they read all email from
Subud USA, but others said it depended on the amount of time they had, the total volume of email in their
mailbox at any one time, whether or not they were interested in the topic, and the length (with shorter emails
preferred). For those who were concerned about the frequency of emails, they said that it was important to be
more selective about what’s included and send them less often and more regularly. Some urged that members who receive a national email individually should not also get the same one because they are part of a
group list server. As for the content, members want it factual and brief with a tagline for each entry at the top.
Some wanted more from the national helpers and committee; they want to know what the national dewan is
working on. Others felt that some email (e.g. members’ projects, updates on people, resources, employment
and volunteer opportunities) should be in the newsletter rather than email; email should focus on such things
as upcoming events. In one member’s words, “I hope that the newsletter and the national communications
can be consolidated/divided out so that there is more clarity about what each is for.”
Listservers:
a. Helper Listserver: Many respondents were not sure how to join this listserver and suggested it needs
more advertising. Some who joined do not seem to be getting emails. One complaint was that only a small
number of helpers are conversing on the site. Although some contributions have been very meaningful, respondents said there are just too many of them. Some wondered about the purpose of the listserver (a venue
for discussion and sharing ideas?). One suggestion was that the site needs a moderator and a few participating regional and national helpers.
b. Prayer Network Listserver: Again, many respondents said that they don’t know about this listserver and
wished there was more publicity about how to join it. For those who were on it, there were mixed feelings expressed. One said that it hurt more than helped and another commented that there were often too many requests at the same time. Other respondents, however, really appreciated the lack of back-and forth communication and that the requests are usually appropriate, short, and legitimate. Some wished for follow-up to learn
the outcome of the situations described.
Recommendations for Other National Listservers: (1) death notices, (2) current news, (3) continuation of Congress Listserver, (4) SpiritualShare (facilitated by Jan Dunawiecz) that allows international participants to chat
and schedule latihans, (5) new members to address common questions when starting the Subud journey, (6)
jobs, (7) singles, (8) projects (national project, building an intentional community, (9) wings, specifically healing/medical issues, youth, and artists.
Facebook In general, Subud sites on Facebook are not used much by the survey respondents primarily
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because they feel they are already saturated with electronic news. Those who do use this tool find that it provides them with news, but because there is so little activity, people stop looking and interacting. Some other
social networking sites used by respondents include Twitter, ning (community site with privacy), MySpace,
LinkedIn, Meetup.com, Plaxo, Wiki, and Big Tent.
Website: A number of respondents asked that the website be kept updated. Some have directed people to it
who are interested in finding out about Subud, and others have used it as a resource for members and candidates. Suggestions for enhancing the website included: update the wing sites; add latihan times, places, and
contacts for each center to assist visitors; describe guidelines for buying and owning a Subud house; offer a
packet for new members; be a conduit for collecting funds; have more photos; add a column for resources
needed and offered; and contain forums and a wiki for U.S. members. Many would like the website redesigned so that it has a cleaner more aesthetic layout and is easier to navigate (e.g., use a content management system such as Drupal). Websites such as the ones created by WSA, Subud Canada, and Subud Seattle were recommended as models.
Regional Members: Suggestions offered to improve communication with regional members included: setting
up regional teams to work with regional helpers to stay in touch with regional members on a monthly basis;
more visits and regional get-togethers; phone latihans where those on the call could talk to each other before
and after doing latihan.
It’s HOLIDAY SHOPPING Time!!
Gift your Subud friends with a Subud Book!
AN EXTRAORDINARY MAN, compiled by Emmanuel Williams, is now available
from Subud USA for USA and Canadian sales.
AT $18.00 including shipping and handling, its a WONDERFUL gift!
Contact the National office at 425-643-1904 for a Book /Media List
or look and order online at
http://subudusa.org/books.php
Remember the Subud Gift Shop Online, where you deal directly with the Subud
store or artist/musician!
http://www.subudusa.org/GiftShopOnline.html
Check out the new Subud Enterprise Services Resource site! http://sesusa.ning.com/
This is your site to:
1. Access and tell others about resources for starting and growing your business and
2. Network and socialize on different topics during our weekly take-a-break chat time.
However, we can’t do this alone ~ we need your input and support to help keep the site alive. Introduce yourself as a member, and let’s begin!
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An Invitation to Join in Growing SIHA,USA Malama MacNeil
The Subud International Health Association has been established to encourage the development of health
care initiatives and facilities which engage Subud members who are professional health-care providers and
healing arts practitioners. Internationally, the focus at this time is on connecting health-care providers across
a wide range of specialties—allopathic and integrative medicine, psychology, social work, adjunct therapies,
facilities administration—and in the US, SIHA activities have manifested from time to time in distribution of the
international publication, Resonance, in support for providing medical supplies or services abroad—to less
developed areas in need and to augment local services at Subud World Congresses—as well as in efforts to
network health-care providers.
There has, however, never, until now been a sustained, organized presence of SIHA, USA, no SIHA committee, board, or team, no SIHA projects, no regular SIHA news [see elsewhere in this issue]. There have been
national and regional congress workshops focused in health-care practices or issues, and this past July, there
was a concerted inclusion of SIHA in the Wings Day at Congress. There, many members expressed their
interest in health and healing, their experiences with healing through practicing the latihan, and their visions
and wishes for Subud-informed heath-care options in the future.
With that momentum, SIHA in the US, along with the other Wings (SD, SICA, SES, SYA) is poised to emerge
as a vital agency for expressing the latihan in the world. As the conversations during the Wings Day workshops made clear, we all have a wealth of wisdom concerning the experience of health, of healing, and of living with a vibrant connection to surrender and guidance.
Elsewhere in this issue, we have shared the highlights of the SIHA, USA work plan for the coming year. It is
a modest plan, because at this time, SIHA is fledgling. As others join us, their efforts will enlarge the field in
which we may hope to succeed. Also in this issue, Marlena Knill pilots “Health Tips,” a feature we hope to
continue in future Subud USA News, as members share from their experiences of healing, and health care,
whether as practitioners, students, researchers, and/or consumers.
Please join us. Send a message to [email protected] expressing your interests and expertise, sharing
your “health tips,” or seeking further information. See also www.subudhealth.org.
Care Support Service Shoshanah Margolin
Care Support is not a new service. Subud USA has provided care support to its members for some time. Formerly, it was called the Almoners. The service provides one-time financial assistance of up to $500 for a
member who is having a short-term monetary need. Any Subud member is eligible to receive this aid. If such
an emergency exists, the first step is for the member to test with the local helpers about whether it is correct
to apply to Care Support for financial assistance. If the member is not part of a group or center, then the regional helpers can do the testing. If the testing is positive, then one of the helper’s who participated in the
testing should contact Shoshanah Margolin on the national committee at 312-583-0608
([email protected]) to inform her of the situation, the results of testing, and the amount of financial aid
requested. Shoshanah will then contact one of the national helper liaisons: Aminah Ulmer for the women and
Hoan Toan Phon for the men. The men or women national helpers will then test whether it is correct to provide monetary assistance and, if so, how much. If positive, the national office will disburse the funds.
Subud USA will be holding its annual pledge drive this autumn. For those who are blessed to have the monetary resources they need for living comfortably in this world, they may feel to earmark some amount for Care
Support Services. It will be included on the pledge form. Any amount is appreciated so that we can build up
the Care Support fund.
We know that these are difficult times. Unfortunately, Care Support is not able to provide on-going financial
assistance for Subud members; however other efforts are being made to help those who are struggling, such
as a micro-credit lending service. One goal of the national committee is to increase our ability to be a true caring community. We hope you will feel comfortable to contact us if you are experiencing a short-term need and
to provide funding if you feel moved to help others who are in need.
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REGION-WIDE LONG DISTANCE LATIHANS ARE HAPPENING!
Join in the latihan time of your choice! Thanks to the regional dewans for setting these up! This information is
also available on the calendar on Subud USA’s website www.subudusa.org
Midwest Region
Women's latihan every Monday at 12:30PM ET preceded by
a conference call at 12:15 ET (with part of that 15 minutes being a
quiet period). This is a call-in latihan. Those who wish to, stay on the line for the latihan. It is not necessary
for those wishing to do latihan, to join in the conference call.
RH contact info: Vanessa Nashold 815-539-7018 vnashold AT gmail.com
East Coast-Monthly East Coast Men and Women's Call-In Latihan
First Monday of every month, quiet at 8:45PM, latihan at 9PM.
Contact a regional helper for the conference call information.
Subud South Monthly Regional Latihan
First Tuesday of every month at 9:00 PM CENTRAL
Contact: Rosina Newton, Subud South helper 512-638-3401 if you need help or have questions.
Say hello to other members before latihan - any time between 8:45 - 9:00 pm - by calling into our conference
call number. We'll hang up at 9 p.m. and begin quiet time, then do latihan.
Conference Dial-in Number: (760) 569-0100
(Long distance charges apply)
(You will hear instructions to tell you what to do).
Participant Access Code: 968465#
Rocky Mountain Region Wide Latihan –just do it! No phone call at this point..
Every Second Saturday at 10 AM MDT, 9 AM MST
When Daylight Saving ends, it will continue at 10 AM MST
California Regional Monthly Latihan
Every Third Thursday night, 8 PM.
We announce the latihan a few days ahead of time on Subud Cal Events and ask people to tune in.
Pacific Islands: Regional Latihan (any or all participate): 2x month on Fridays. For example: Friday, Oct.
22, is "free for all" regional latihan. It alternates Fridays. Contact persons are, Hamid Versteeg—in Hilo (808)
966-6362
Mariam-- in Hilo.(808) 966-6362
Regional Latihans (conf. call 5:45, latihan 6pm): Dates in Nov, Dec: Nov.5,19; Dec.3,17
Pacific NorthWest
4th Wed of every month at 7pm.
Latihan for everyone! No conference call yet set up, but will be soon.
I hope my visit here will make you keener to do your work, the work of the latihan. The latihan is work, too.
Sometimes you are lazy to do it. But even though it is vital, don’t think of the latihan as a burden. You only
need to do it once or twice a week to keep your soul alive and growing. You have brought your soul to life, but
if you forget to do latihan for a week or so, it is as if your soul goes back to sleep and stops growing.
—Ibu Rahayu, Singapore, March 10, 2002
Copyright © World Subud Association. All rights reserved
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SCA/SICA-USA Lorraine Tedrow, Chair
Culture has many facets and faces. In Subud there are many creative people who are expressing themselves
in rich and amazing ways. This edition, we have a few news briefs about members:
Bangor (Maine) Symphony Orchestra commenced the fall season with a new music director, Lucas Richman.
He is described in the Bangor Daily News as “eminently personable and talented” and bringing “a new focus
on more contemporary and lesser-known works.” This concert was noted for its dynamism and varied pace,
a welcome change in the Bangor community. This opening concert included a performance of Aaron Copland’s “Lincoln Portrait,” featuring another well known subud member, Peter Mark Richman, Lucas’ father, as
the narrator. It seems Lucas will continue with the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra as well. He is also known
in the music world for his passion for music education for young people, emphasizing the power of music in
people’s lives.
In Atlanta, Dahlan Foah and Honorah Foah, founders of Mythic Imagination Institute cosponsored
“Testaments of the Heart” a production of music written during the Holocaust by prisoners in concentration
camps, Musicians from across the Atlanta area joined together for a sold out concert benefiting efforts to preserve the works of this time and place. Honorah said she found it an extraordinary privilege to help preserve
and share what was essential and most beautiful about these musicians. This concert opened a year-long
project titled “Creativity in Captivity.” You can go to www.mythicimagination.org to learn more about this project.
In the west an event featured the DINA REESE ART EXHIBITION: ABSTRACT WORLD OF COLORS with
hors d’oeuvres, & live performance by The Laksar Reese Trio, and Michael Cooke & special guests, This
event was advertised as a benefit for S.I.C.A/ Subud International Cultural Association. It was held Friday
Oct . 29th at Subud Los Angeles on Wilshire Blvd. Art, music and food are delicious expressions of culture.
Last but not least, Benjamin Drazen is completing his CD as this is written. Please see his letter of thanks for
a SICA grant and to all who contributed to it.
Time to Order Your SICA-USA 2011 Calendar
Another beautiful calendar featuring the work
of Subud Artists
$20.00 including shipping & handling
Order online at
http://www.subudusa.org/GiftShopOnline.html
or call the National Office: 425. 643.1904
“Tulips Opening” by Rochana Cash
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I wanted to update you on some news about my recording endeavor. Thanks to all of your contributions, I
was able to raise an additional $1,000 to be able to pay for recording expenses. In addition, I have just
signed my first recording contract with Positone Records out of Los Angeles! Their website is http://
www.posi-tone.com/ and my record will be available sometime in January 2011. For those of you who contributed I will hopefully get a CD out to you sometime in November or so. (Please reach out to me if you dont
get a CD by december. I will send you one right away) This is a great opportunity for me and could not have
happened without all of your support! So THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart!
—Benjamin Drazen, New York
If you are interested in the many faces of life expressed in and as culture,
and how we manifest our worship of Almighty God in the world,
Please consider being part of our SICA-USA team.
Contact Lorraine Tedrow at [email protected] or 360 854 9339.
I hope to form an advisory panel for SICA-USA as soon as possible. To be a panel participant you need to be
willing and able to contribute time, and communicate via email and conference calls.
Green Chair Gallery is an online-only art gallery at www.greenchair-gallery.co.uk. It’s the brainchild of Solihin & Sofiah Garrard, Subud members from the UK. We are a real, proper gallery
regularly showing 4-5 week exhibitions of original artworks to a global audience. And you can
click your way in, view - and buy - high quality original artworks at your leisure and in your own
time.
New National Committee Executive Secretary
After positive testing, Hannah Matteson has accepted my invitation to serve on the National Committee as
Executive Secretary. Join me in welcoming her!
Hannah brings much expertise in organizational development to the Committee. I feel blessed to have her
joining us. She is a Sr. Management Consultant and Executive Manager/Analyst. She has a Master's Degree in Social/Organizational Psychology. Additionally she is a professional, degreed pianist. (Perhaps you
heard her play at the Vancouver Congress.)
Hannah ( who just was given this new name by Ibu Rahayu this month) is an enthusiastic, relatively new
member of Subud South, living in San Antonio. She joined Subud after following the Gurdjieff School for
many years. As she says, she is "inhaling" Bapak's talks and loves the latihan. I feel that Hannah will make
a valuable new member of our team.
We'll all miss Rifka on the National Committee, and thank her so much for her great work as Exec Secretary.
May Almighty God bless us all in our work for Subud.
Rasjidah Franklin, Chair
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National Subud Spirit Day
Reports from Individuals and Groups who Participated
Women’s Latihan-by-Phone A total of 12 women were on the conference call, including two regional helpers, Renata Robb and Rosina Newton. There were women from California, Washington state, Wisconsin,
New York, Maryland, North Carolina, Florida, Texas, New Mexico, and Hawaii! Several of the women who
were on the call were isolated members. One woman – a relatively new member of less than 2 years – had
not done latihan in months since she had moved to her new home. When the latihan was over, the women
talked for a while. Many expressed a sincere gratitude for this opportunity and wished that it occurred more
than once a year. After the discussion, they tested:
1. How would God have me live my life using my gifts?
2. What do I need to cultivate and nurture, so that I live my life the way God would have me do so - using my
gifts.
3. May we each receive a special latihan that helps us to live our life according to God's will, using our gifts.
Lingering on the line a while longer, they also did some personal testing.
One of the women on the call wrote, “Will there be another long distance latihan like this??? It is wonderful!”
Another said that the beautiful notice about National Subud Spirit Day “had her name on it.” Some East Coast
regional helpers just went ahead and joined in without calling in; one wrote that it was an amazingly deep and
spacious latihan and that there was a need to do this monthly.
Men’s Latihan-by-Phone There were 5 brothers who called in at 5:00 PM Eastern time on National Subud
Spirit Day: Hoan Toan (national helper), David McCormack (regional helper), and three others including one
long time regional member. They talked and introduced themselves, got quiet, and then did latihan. Some of
the men remained on the line for 45 minutes more to test about ten questions from the list provided by the
national helpers. They then shared what they received. The general feeling about this latihan and testing over
the phone was very good.
Chico, California group Sanderson Morgan and Halimah Collingwood from Arcata went to Subud Chico for
a kejiwaan weekend. There was a small group, mostly centered at the MacNeil’s home. Halimah wrote that it
was wonderful.
Greater Seattle group For National Subud Spirit Day, the group had the "spirit" of service to others as their
theme. After latihan, about 15 “very happy folks” stayed and spent an hour making sandwiches for the local
Tent City (100 homeless people who live in tents). A wonderful spirit was present and lots of good cheer and
laughter. The prayer was that good feeling and joy made its way into the food.
Seven Circles, California Seven Circles had a board meeting during the weekend of National Subud Spirit
Day so there was a lot of latihan on 10-10-10!
Crestone, Colorado group The men and women did a special latihan after the regular group latihan on
Sunday morning with the express purpose of healing, healing for ourselves individually and healing for our
group. Spirit Day provided an opportunity to address this need, and it was good.
Chicago group After latihan, the women present tested three questions and then shared what they received.
1. How am I living my life at this time?
2. How would God have me live my life using the gifts I have been given?
3. What guidance can I receive in order to live my life as God would have me live it?
Atlanta and Surrounding Areas
Members had a MAGNIFICENT 2.5 day retreat, organized by Pat Babin. Pat and her husband Dave have a
cabin in north Georgia, as do Dahlan and Honora Foah, about 15 minutes distance from each other. Pat organized meals and lodging for three days between the two cabins. Besides Subud Atlanta, the ter Horsts and
the Thomas family came down from Asheville, NC, about a dozen in all. The weather was PERFECT, and
the Latihans fantastic. And, as usual for Subud gatherings, we ate a lot!
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The Girl Who Had Never Seen A Tree
A Story from Tierraviva sent by Alexandra Espada, affiliated with UPCN in Jujuy, Argentina, a supervisor of the Art and Awareness Program for Mothers and Children in Prison. Translated by Mardiyah Tarantino
The day we went to pick Diana up from the prison, her mother, Ana M. who was at her side, was very happy.
This was the first time that mother and daughter had ever been separated. Diana was dressed in a pinafore,
because her mother had explained to her -- so that this first outing wouldn’t upset her too much -- that she
would be going to a children’s garden.
After having signed all the papers, I told Diana she would be coming with Lua, my daughter and with me.
Diana did not like the idea at all. Her face changed from a happy expression to despair, and she began to
cry.
The prison guard looked at us without knowing what to do. Ana made up her mind right then and there. She
told me to take her anyway. She knew it would be good for her, and the psychologist had told her it would be
important for Diana to go on this outing.
Lua gave Diana her hand and tried to calm her down, but as we got into the car Diana became hysterical,
desperate to join her mother, and when I started up the car, she grabbed and pulled my hair crying,
“Mamma!” “Mamma”!
I slowed down and asked Lua to make her let go of my hair!
While we were driving along, Lua talked to her, showing her the sleek horses along the way to distract her.
Finally we arrived at the Parque San Martin, which has games and many things for children. Getting out
“Who is this? What’s his name?” She wanted to know the names of all the people she saw walking along the
plaza.
“Who is that? What’s her name?”
And then she stopped in front of a tall pine tree, placed her hand on it and asked,
“This, what is this?” She was four years old, and she had never seen a tree. Finally she stopped crying.
She was so taken up admiring these new things that for hours she forgot about her mamma..
We took her to see all the games, the tether balls, the little boats, the trampolines.
Then we went to buy ice cream, and it seemed incredible this little creature didn’t know what ice cream was,
had never touched a tree, or played games.
The hours flew by, and the three of us were enormously happy. We visited many places and were invited to
a friend’s birthday party. Diana was so happy to see them bringing in the birthday cake. She kept repeating
“Happy Birthday” while our friend’s wife picked her up and let her blow the candles out as we sang happy
birthday to him. She was ecstatic.
On the Saturdays that followed, we bathed in the hot springs and took her to see the mountains. Each time
she cried less and began to ignore her pacifier. Those visits were never stressful for us. During the hours between three and seven time seemed to evaporate.
Together, with our extended family, we celebrated my grandfather’s ninety-fourth birthday. Diana became
part of the family and for Lua she was like a little sister, hanging on to her and holding her hand. And when
they took photos, she joined in as if she were one of the great grandchildren.
One Saturday we went to fetch her as usual, but were told she had left the day before. Instead of being discharged December eighteenth, Ana and Diana were freed November eighteenth. We were so disappointed
not to have said goodbye, and Lua broke into tears.
I consider this to have been a unique experience, both touching and beautiful, which we will never forget.
Susila Dharma USA, France and Canada contribute to Tierraviva Civil Association, a project in Argentina that has
been working since 2001 in various ways to support the development of community and the welfare of children and families. From 2005 the focus has been on children growing up in prisons with their mothers, through delivering workshops in
art, awareness-raising and education through play in Ezeiza prison’s Unit 31 in Buenos Aires. In 2007, the Attorney General’s Office and the National Civil Servants’ Union (U.P.C.N.) became interested in getting involved in our activities in
order to develop a program to train regional teams in provinces where there are prisons with children. More info at:
Subud USA newsletter #143 Fall 2010/Winter 2011
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http://project-activities.susiladharma.org/programme_child/Tierraviva_Civil_Association.shtml
Helping The Homeless Mentally Ill in Hawaii Aminah and Rachman Ulmer
Community Empowerment Services (CES), a not-for-profit social work agency which provides help to persons
with mental illness, was started by Jan Rumi and Aliman Sears on the island of Oahu. When they started in
2007 they served 100 mental health clients or consumers, and currently serve 480. The need is great; there
are 15,000 identified mentally ill consumers in Hawaii and thousands of mentally ill still not in the system, so
they cannot access help. State funds are now extremely tight as a result of the national economic downturn.
Many consumers are homeless with debilitating mental illness and in addition have substance abuse problems. Drug abuse may bring on mental illness, and in some cases taking drugs is an attempt to self-medicate
their mental illness symptoms. In Hawaii and across the USA, persons with mental illness die 25 years
sooner than the average person.
To help meet this great need, CES is on the move upward. In the next few months their consumer population
will increase to over 600. CES is now a registered not-for-profit with the state of Hawaii, and their next step
will be to become a registered 501(c)(3) with the IRS so that they can fund raise and apply for grants. They
have outgrown their present office space where nurses and psychiatrists must grab a chair and sit with the
consumer in the corner because all the rooms are full. They are looking for a larger space. They now contract with two insurance companies to provide services as well as with the State of Hawaii Department of
Health.
When asked what gives Aliman the impetus to keep going with such overwhelming needs and shortage of
financial support, he says two things keep him going: the first being his guidance through the latihan and the
second is the meaningful work he is able to provide his dedicated staff. Another reward is seeing the small
improvements the consumers receive from their support.
The day Rachman and I visited the office at CES we found a friendly, helpful staff fully engaged in their work.
No one was sitting around wondering what to do... It was evident that there was ongoing work being
done. Everything seemed well organized, and the office had a very bare bones set up with just what was
necessary. There are three RNs on staff. Sabrina Gerber, a Subud member, is one of them. There are two
psychiatrists on staff, and various case managers. Aliman is Chief Operations Officer and Jan (another
Subud member) is Chief Executive Officer.
What does the program do? They help the mentally ill gain access to needed medical services, psychiatric
services, social, educational, vocational and other services. The program includes crisis assessment and intervention and a case manager is available 24 hours a day, seven days per week, 365 days per year.
What improvement can be expected for consumers? Aliman says everything happens in very small steps.
CES works to help those within their system with small incremental successes that may potentially help them
integrate into the community. The goal is to help them acquire the skills needed for mental and physical stability, housing, a job, and maybe even improved social relationships. However, in this time of extreme budget
cuts, stabilizing health, getting proper medication and finding safe places for consumers to live are first priority.
Goals are developed in conjunction with consumers. A full battery of social work assessments are done on
each consumer about every six months. A set of goals, called the Master Recovery Plan, is developed with
the consumer. Characteristics, skills, talents, environmental strengths, possessions, future aspirations and
interests are identified. The emphasis is on the strengths each person has, rather than the deficits of the illness. Case managers as well as registered nurses advocate for their consumers. Most of their work is performed out in the field (in the community as opposed to a clinic).
Sabrina Gerber described a day in the field when a consumer would not come in for help so she went out to
find them to provide help. She discovered that the consumer had put what little money they had in a bank
account. This was a positive step, but the consumer did not understand what they were doing, and they had
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agreed to “Bill Pay” service fees which were never used. Sabrina met at the bank with the consumer and the
bank manager to discuss the mistake and try to have the fees reversed since much of the consumer’s money
was paid to services fees, while the services were never used. The consumer was upset because his bank
account was in the negative, thus his bank account was put on hold, leaving him without any money at
all. These things happen when a consumer begins to take steps to gain control of their lives. This is one
small example of how Sabrina along with the other case managers at CES, are valuable advocates in helping consumers acquire needed information in getting various situations straightened out.
Most of the consumers are on the bottom rung of society and have multiple illnesses and problems. Many
have Federal Welfare and/or Food Stamps, but in Hawaii and in most states a mentally ill homeless person
without resources has to get arrested, or be suicidal or in other danger, before they can get additional help
such as case management. Sabrina shared with us that so many of these people have no self-identity and
low self-esteem. Their support systems and family have been burned out and they have nowhere to turn.
Most of these consumers have an inability to form permanent and lasting relationships unless
helped. Another case worker said that one of her biggest challenges was working with someone who has
Huntington’s disease and a substance abuse problem, in addition to mental illness. It is difficult to sort out
which symptoms stemmed from Huntington’s and which from the substance abuse. This makes it hard to
treat the person. Co-morbidity (two or more complicated illnesses) is not an uncommon situation with this
population. This is truly difficult work. On that note, anyone feeling moved to volunteer or receive a stipend in
order to get experience in psychiatric social work, in a real “hands on way,” should contact CES.
We were all deeply moved by the stories, the statistics and dedications of the staff we met at Community Empowerment Services. May they all be blessed in their work. With Aloha from Hawaii, Aminah and Rachman
Ulmer
Here is a brief interview Rachman and I had with Aliman when we visited CES:
A/R: “Aliman what motivated you to start doing this business?”
Aliman: “I had worked for other agencies in Hawaii doing Case Management and Supported Employment for
the same population base. Jan Rumi and I got together and decided to start our own agency. Because of
our good reputations (it’s a small state!) the Department of Health approached us and asked us to do case
management.”
A/R: “What was the hardest part of getting started?”
Aliman: “A year and a half into the new business, our funding from the state was cut in half due to the economic downturn. We had to find a way to recover that funding and we were able to get contracts with insurance companies. It became clear to us that we needed to diversify.”
A/R: “What kept you going?”
Aliman: “The latihan and providing dedicated staff with meaningful work.”
A/R: “Who are the other Subud members that work with you?”
Aliman: “Jan Rumi as Chief Executive Officer and Sabrina Gerber a registered nurse. Another Case Manager, Greg Lippert was opened.”
A/R: “What long range goals do you have”?
Aliman: “I would like to see us diversify with insurance companies, provide work for those consumers on SSI
and develop federal work programs. The trend now in mental health is for inclusiveness to help consumers
integrate into the community and obtain jobs.”
A/R : “What about long range goals for yourself?”
Aliman: “I would like to go back to school and get my PhD in Philosophy. That might be five years away.”
13
A Starving Jiwa Mardiyah Tarantino
What happens when the human body is denied food for a long period of time? You have seen malnourished
bodies on TV -- the starving, the homeless, the victims of war. We have all seen pictures of children that
make us want to rush right across the globe and feed them tonight's dinner.
But have you ever seen a starving jiwa (soul)?
Probably not -- but it can be sensed. As Ibu Rahayu has told us, the jiwa needs to be fed. It is an entity with a
need for nourishment. If we don't feed it, it shrivels, weakens, and falls asleep, just like the human body.
So the question, what do you feed the jiwa? And the answer, of course, is “the latihan”. The latihan is the food
of the jiwa. With the latihan, the awakened jiwa grows stronger.
We have experienced in our lives how the jiwa creates a balance with the working of the nafsu (lower forces),
making our lives consequential. We’ve felt how it guides us, reminds us of God and the worlds beyond our
world, changes our fate, and lifts us beyond the suffering that comes with living on this peculiar planet.
A well-nourished jiwa serves us. A starving jiwa atrophies, so that when we turn to it for help, there is not the
response there used to be. It has become too weak, which is what happens when we drift away from the latihan.
If that’s the case, then why do we have a tendency to drift away – to starve our jiwa? We don’t go about intentionally starving things. Usually we feed the creatures we care about – our kids, our pet cat, the goldfish. We
spend a lot of money on them. We’ll tote a 20-pound bag of Meow Mix from the car through the front door
without complaining.
Yet we have a tendency to neglect the latihan which is the only thing that nourishes our jiwa. Think about it.
Your average cat lasts maybe 10, 15 years, but a jiwa lasts forever!
All the reasons for neglect have been talked about and discussed in congresses and helpers’ meetings: apathy, lack of time, dissatisfaction because nothing seems to be happening – the latihan is too slow, too boring,
or it gets in the way of our committing sin.
The thing is, we have very real enemies within us who are eager to help us starve the awakened jiwa. They
have one mission: to prevent us from doing the latihan. Some of us aren’t aware of this war going on between
us and the forces that want to starve our jiwa, because these forces are very insidious and are expert justifiers. Because we are not aware of the on-going battle, we keep on losing it! How can you win a battle you are
not aware of – especially since the weapons used by these forces are in the form of our own thoughts and
feelings.
There are consequences to everything we do and don’t do. How can there not be consequences if we have
choices? So we are responsible for how we treat the gift God gave us – the gift of the latihan – and the jiwa
which God awakened within us at our opening.
14
MemberTalk: Why I Make a Pledge to Subud USA
I pledge to Subud USA because I am grateful for all I have been given from the latihan,
I pledge from a deep desire to help others in need and I was once told even when we
have little for ourselves it is ok to pledge $10.00, $5.00 whatever we can spare and
because I believe in all of the work Subud does in the world. Thank you and thank you
Melinda for keeping us all in touch every single day. —Rasunah Katz, Elk/Mendocino
I pledge to Subud USA because: I know the nuts and bolts of Subud must be supported. This way Subud
member's around the nation and world can find each other and share the gift of the Latihan. I have my pledge
taken directly out of my bank each month because I could never remember to do it on my own!!
—Nathanya Coonridge Isolated Member, Rocky Mountain Region
I pledge to Subud USA because - .it really never occurs to me not to. Of course all levels of the Subud organization need financial support. What, do we think, the fairies will take care of us? No, I contribute because it's
the right and sensible thing to do.—Margaret Aldis, Florida
I pledge to Subud USA because ..To help the latihan spread in this world, we need a good organization.
Subud USA is one of the best there is. We have to support it and help it do its work.—Anonymous, Phoenix
I pledge to Subud USA because I picture expansion of the donation going out with the help of people I love
and trust to pass it on.—Lilllia Davidson, Elk, CA
I pledge to Subud USA because:I would feel guilty if I didn't. —Chris Dorn, Spokane, WA
Congratulations to Ramon Hildreth , new Chair for the Pacific NW Region
Contact Ramon at 3037 S. 154th St #A102 SeaTac,WA 98188 (206)214-5686 [email protected]
Attention Subud U.S.A. Helpers:
This is a list server for all helpers and candidate helpers. It is hoped that it will be a useful tool for us to use.
In the beginning it will be for men and women together. If there is a need, it can be separated later.
HOW TO JOIN:
Join the list by writing a minimal message to:
[email protected]
Or can go to this web page:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SubudUSA-Helpers/
and click on "Join this Group!"
15
More detailed financial statements can be found online at
http://subudusa.org/documents.php?view=currentdocs
16
17
Your National Committee at Work—A Busy First Four Months!
Your national committee has been hard a work with one face-to-face meeting in Seattle in early September
and many conference calls to begin to address both the day-to-day work of Subud USA, but also work on a
strategic plan for the future. It is a very lively and skilled team. A wonderful addition to our work is Hannah
Matteson from Texas, our new national Secretary.
Your committee has worked on a number of initiatives:
A review of our National Office’s physical site and upgrades that might be needed.
Preparing a major fund drive to support our hoped for new programs.
Finding a site for the 2011 National Gathering on the East Coast.
Reviewing our Insurance and looking at a new and more extensive coverage.
Forming sub-committees as require by our bylaws.
Launching a communication survey, now completed, and beginning to evaluate it and implement upgrades
to our communications.
Creating a new 2011 Budget and reviewing our fundraising. This mailing went out last week in October.
Working with our 20 subsidiaries to insure proper IRS filings.
Visiting many Regional and Local meetings. A goal of this committee is to be more visible. Committee
members have visited, Subud PNW, South South, Subud East Coast, Subud New York and we plan to
visit more regional events.
Working on a Policy and Procedures Manual to clarify all our policies.
Planned and implemented a large Board of Directors meeting in Portland with over 25 attendees including
the National Committee, the Board, the Wing Chairs and all the National Helpers. The meeting on Nov.
10th and 11th was preceded by a two-day National Committee and Helper meeting which we hope will
give a firm foundation for a way ahead.
Helped facilitate the activities of our wings. The wings are working with new planning tools that we hope
will facilitate their growth and development.
Reviewed with legal advisor our Pension Fund to bring in it line with Pension Law. The goal is to have this
in place by December, 2011.
Worked with our new accountant in continuing good bookkeeping systems and reporting.
Established a good working relationship with our support team at our Bellevue National Office.
Preparing and mailing the National Census, which is now being processed and the 2011 National Directory
will be soon created.
These are highlights and many other projects are being worked on. A busy committee!
Which means an even busier national office. Thanks to Melinda, Hamp, and Hadijah!
—Your National Committee
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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]
On this 34th anniversary of the birth of our daughter, Fiona
MacNeil (dob 09/15/76), I offer a prayer of gratitude that she
has shared her rare and extraordinary life with us so long, so
much longer than was the original prognosis when the neurodegenerative disease with which she lives was first identified. She has been our teacher in surrender and simplicity, in
good humor, humility, hope, and endurance. She defines courage, and exemplifies unexpected grace. We love her, and
know the force of love which knits all beings together because
of her.
because of her
Photo: Simón Cherpitel
I learn what is essential
feel the earth through my feet
find the center of gravity
because of her
I know that rivers run deep
that the stars are innumerable
that time hangs in the balance
that to look long is to love
to listen is to know
that we are none of us all
or only what we seem
Please join me in gratitude. Thanks be.
—Malama MacNeil
Sharif Horthy’s Talk
My name is Christopher Kern and I have been a member of Subud since 1977. My experience in Subud has
grown deeper and deeper as these years have passed and there have been many times when I have found
myself in a situation where I am explaining Subud to a friend or family member. Now usually I am not at a
loss for words as my friends can tell you but as you/Sharif mentioned in the talk from 2000 about Subud and
his experience in it, it is not easy to explain. Many are the times when I have used the words "life force" or
"energy" only to watch people's eyes glaze over with confusion or reverie about something in their own past
that says "cult" "weirdo" ( ha ha).
I have found the talk by Sharif to be so helpful and clear that I now find that it is really easy to just direct interested people to read that talk. I generally have been telling people the same things but in a much less articulate way...so, Sharif and all of you. Thank you! My heart overflows with love, respect and gratitude.
—Christopher Kern, Subud Portland, OR
Member Musings,
continued
RAMADAN AGAIN - 2010 - The Eternal Pursuit
Ramadan is a slippery slope. Climbing it every year is a fraught endeavor to reach the pinnacle of the
Lailatul Qadar, but that in itself is a trap, for to strive for that reward as I have for these many years is to invite
a certain madness, where one believes that achieving this glorious reward is an achievement of the self, inviting an extraordinary focus on the details of observance requiring a commitment to the framework laid down
by perhaps generations of participants who may or may not have been divinely inspired.
To this end, I have over the years studied in great detail how to conduct oneself during the fast, making
meticulous notes of my feelings, utterances, attitudes; analyzing where I have made mistakes and diagramming how to avoid them in the future. Each year’s failure has added to my compendium and this year I felt
would be my year, although abandoning expectations and cloaking myself in the rags of humility when I commenced.
It was not easy; it never is, but that is part of the ritual observance, and not unexpected. I must say without
false modesty that I achieved perfection in the execution of my fast, gong so far even as to memorizing the
intentions in the mother tongue, an extra fillip that I included with no manifestation of pride, but as an offering
of my devotion.
Approaching the Nights of Power, I did not allow myself to consider how it might manifest, whether in some
incredible burst of divine awareness, or a gentle soothing golden rain bathing me inwardly and outwardly in a
profound purity. I had done this in previous years, then realizing that such imaginings were no-no’s and deal
breakers, or rather, fast breakers.
So when the 21st night, considered by many the prime night for receiving the sacred dispensation, passed
uneventfully, I took no notice, and dutifully continued the ritual observance. The same for the 23rd, the 25th,
and the 27th. I would allow myself no presumptions of glory on the final night of power, the 29th, and dutifully
continued, even though it too yielded no divine touch. I knew the fast was not over until the end of the thirtieth
day and as I was striving for perfection, I had included this in my strategy, sending off a Zakat offering to the
Subud charity, and expecting to observe Idul Fitri with new apparel and asking forgiveness of all those whom
I had offended in thought, word or deed because I had painstakingly compiled a list beforehand.
Following the feasting and after finishing my list, I repaired to my home, and, after asking forgiveness from
God himself, I could not help but ask, “Why did I not receive the Lailatul Qadar because I know I have performed a perfect fast?” not expecting an answer because I never have in the past. But this time a Voice replied.
“Because in your meticulous preparation and perfect execution, I saw a prideful, presumptuous attitude that
you could win the Qadar, which is what you have revealed in your impertinent question. Be it known that I am
God Almighty, and the Qadar is a grace that cometh from Me, not something you can buy with your pitiful
schemes.”
Well, at least I got an answer. Not many can claim that distinction. —Harris Boebel
Health Tips for Winter Colds and Flu
There are many approaches to healing the human body. I feel moved to share some of what I’ve learned in
the 35 years I’ve been researching and using natural treatments for illnesses and chronic conditions for myself, family members and friends. In 1976 I set out to break the repeat cycles of antibiotics that my 7 yr. old
daughter was taking for frequent attacks of bronchitis, sometimes starting into pneumonia. She was getting
weaker and the episodes were becoming more frequent. I bought copies of Back to Eden, the naturopathic
healing book by Jethro Kloss, and Childhood Diseases by Dr. John Christopher and took her through a healing crisis, knowing we might have to rush her to the hospital emergency room in the middle of the night. But
we made it through with herbs, supplements and a variety of treatments. Gradually the bouts came less often
until they became a rarity, easily healed. As a mother I felt very empowered by this healing ‘experiment’, and
began searching for other books and resources, as well as ‘cleaning up’ our daily diets.
So to begin this sharing of information, it seems timely as we’re approaching the winter months to begin with
natural approaches to dealing with colds and flu. We all need to take more responsibility (continued)
24
Member Musings,
continued
Health Tips for Winter Colds and Flu (continued from previous page)
for the care of our physical bodies. To most naturopaths, illness is not only the signal that our body is out of
harmony but it is also the process that gradually restores us to balance, and therefore wellness. So we can
first try to avert the illness, but sometimes our body insists on getting sick, then we work with it to help it heal
itself. Of course keeping the immune system strong is primary. To do this the basic advice is to get enough
sleep and exercise, drink plenty of pure water, keep sugar and junk food intake low, eat health giving foods
(think fresh veggies and fruits) and reduce stress in all ways possible.
There has been research revealing that most of us are chronically low in Vitamin D, especially in the winter
months and that it is a very effective antimicrobial agent. Some naturopaths say that adults and children need
as much as 35 IU of vitamin D per pound of body weight, or 2,000 IU for a 57 lb. child and 5,000 IU for a 150
lb. adult. There is a blood test for Vit. D levels. As far as preventative herbal supplements to take when flu
bugs are going around, there are many; Astragalus, 500 mg capsules, Echinacea, 400mg, medicinal mushrooms with Reishi, Shitake and Maitake mushrooms,(Fungi Perfecti or Gaia make excellent combinations).
Be sure to take at least 2 – 3,000 mg of Vitamin C with bioflavanoids per day. Use zinc lozenges, 20 mg. of
elemental zinc with glycine sweetener every 3 hours but for no more than 4-5 days.
If you start sneezing, feeling low energy or achy, or start a sore throat, you might be able to nip it in the bud
with Oregano oil, which is a powerful antimicrobial. I use Oreganol brand, 4 drops into ¼ c. water, gargle,
swish and drink it – it’s spicy but well worth it as it kills off bugs in hours! - but keep taking it for 1 ½ days to be
sure the bug is a goner. Take it about 4 times in a day. It’s amazing how effective this is. Children will probably have to take it in caps because it is ‘hot’. You can also try Olive Leaf extract, an anti-viral, 300mg 2 times
per day. For sore throat some folks swear by GSE (grapefruit seed extract.) - use 2-3 drops in 5 oz. water.
And don’t forget the most important need - resting the ailing body - Go to bed ! . Change your diet to eat alkalizing foods - that means lots of fresh fruits and vegetables, (organic is so much better for us), low animal protein, no dairy foods (they cause mucous) and no refined sugars or fried foods. Eat lightly - fresh simple foods,
whole grain cereals, low on wheat – try millet, quinoa, brown rice or buckwheat cereals and drink lots of water
and herbal teas (red raspberry with peppermint are healing).
For flu symptoms make a tea steeping elderflower, yarrow, linden, and ginger – and add boneset if you’re
aching all over. These can be purchased at an herbalist or large health food store. For fevers try drinking
lemon water and take homeopathic Ferrum Phos 6x to 30c. If the cold has moved down into the lungs there
are herbal combinations for the lungs on the market like Planetary Formulas Mullein Lung Complex or Natural
Factors Lung, Bronchial & Sinus Health tablets. Breathe steam with eucalyptus oil in it deeply into your lungs
and use a vaporizer at night. If infection starts to go into the sinuses you can try using a silver nasal spray
and herbal combinations for sinuses. Last year I used Argentyn 23 silver spray, bending my head toward the
floor after each spray to get it into the infected areas, and a Chinese herbal tablet called Pinellia 16 by Seven
Forests to cure a sinus infection. But be careful to not let it go too long, you may need to see a doctor as the
sinuses are so near the brain, and can be difficult to heal so sometimes antibiotics are needed.
These are just a sampling of ways to treat colds and flu naturally. I present them as a sharing of information
as I have no medical credentials of any kind. I think it could be interesting for other Subud members who are
medical doctors, naturopaths and body workers to also share information they have about healing illness and
physical challenges of all kinds. I belive it could be like a forum of information by which we could educate
each other, especially in these times when there appears to be increasingly stronger illnesses and more
prevalent chronic diseases, not to mention the A word – Aging and the challenges the body goes through as
that takes place. I hope you find this information useful. —Marlena Knill
25
Subud Youth Association Hadidjah Gregory, Tri-Chair
Thus far I would say that your new “tri-chairs” are finding their place in the scheme of things. We will do pictures and bios in the near future but the real news is that signs of dynamic and creative life abound.
Last weekend Olivia Pevec and her band (All The Pretty Horses) came to my home town, checked in at
Spring Street Center and provided a wonderful Saturday night of live music that was truly enjoyed by all and
we even danced! They loved staying and playing at the Subud House. It was as they say "ALL GOOD!" The
Band Left town before I could interview Olivia for an article for this newsletter but we will do it soon.
What is the Subud Youth Association...well it is the wave of the future for sure. Let's keep an eye on it. Let's
welcome it. Let's do our best to prepare for it in the best possible ways. At my age youth (Subud and otherwise) are all around me. The little ones, the young ones, the pre teens the teens and then the Subud Members...Members of Subud who practice the Latihan are not children but we can still call them Subud Youth
because they are young members of Subud.
So please contact me if you would like to be a Friend of The Subud Youth Association, or a member of The
Subud Youth Association Council. Contact me if you want to create a Subud Youth Association Cook Book
or just want to be supportive. Contact me if you want to talk about Subud Youth Association raising money for
travel expenses for our chairs and to assist Young Subud Members to attend Subud Gatherings. One of the
differences between Subud Gatherings and Subud Events is who shows up and what they do when they get
there. I guess that is two differences!! When I was a young woman and new to Subud, there was no association of youth and we just associated ... naturally and automatically, all by ourselves. The older people were
the helpers and committee members and they were the ones who "ran Subud." In 1983, the Association was
formed for some pretty important reasons. It does seem to be working sort of like a bridge: As time passes
and our numbers grow...all of our numbers .... we need to widen the path and strengthen the bridges. As one
person said ,"It is not what we know that makes us who we are, it is what we do because of what we know. "
A Subud life is lived every day. It is a walk of life and it is some kind of miracle that we are here talking about
an International Subud Youth Association.
With love from your new Tri-Chairs ,
Hadidjah Gregory 425-641-6725 [email protected]
Honora Hildreth
Lusana Stokes
Wanting to win and quarrelling are really useless. They not only shatter the closeness between you, but also
harm your own individuality, because they obstruct the process of your latihan. When there is something that
you do not agree on, you can immediately do latihan and test, so that you can receive the same answer about
whatever you need. In this way you will not encounter anything that could cause you trouble or damage the
closeness between you.—Bapak, Paris, July 18, 1964
Copyright © World Subud Association. All rights reserved
26
Children’s Programs Once Again at Seven Circles Sulfiati Harris
In July we had a lively children’s arts camp at the Seven Circles Retreat Center in Badger, in the foothills of
the Sierras in central California. There are two stories here. One is the camp story and the other is the story
of the evolution of a Subud group and a Subud project. On the second topic I won’t go into a lot of detail except to say that the local Subud group as a whole was not working with the management of Seven Circles for
years, but the combined effect of the New Zealand Congress and a visioning session with Leo Horthy brought
us back together with a renewed zest and commitment to finished what we started with our retreat center.
We worked together all spring to get the site ready for summer business, and to put on an ambitious fundraiser which raised $2300 for the camp. Rifka Several was also wonderfully helpful and came down two
weekends in a row to help with the fast turnaround necessary to sandwich the camp between two rental
weekends. Also we had help from the larger Subud community with a generous grant for two weeks of camp
from Suslia Dharma USA. Thanks to SD also and to Fredrick Branchflower for always being a champion of
youth projects in this area.
Now, a report on Camp Badger. It was a short camp, starting on Monday at 9 a.m. and ending at 4 p.m. on
Thursday. We had a happy and fulfilling time and were able to get a lot packed into those few days. I was the
camp director. Myra Margolin was our only other Subud staff member, along with Laura Horst who is the site
manager at Seven Circles. Most of the rest of the staff were people I work with at the After School Program
that I direct at the local K-8 school. There were 27 kids, mostly in the age range of 8 – 11, with a few older
ones. Here are some highlights:
1. The children were able to come for only $85 each and some even had more of a scholarship than that,
even though the cost to put on the camp was about $200 each. The low price was essential because this is a
very low income area. Most of these children have never been to a summer camp except vacation Bible
School day camp, because their parents simply can’t afford to send them to the beautiful children’s camps in
this area. We kept to our budget and even ended up with a small surplus towards the next camp. The money
worked out because MANY people in the local community and the Subud community were generous with
their time and money to make this happen.
2. The feeling at the camp was mellow and joyful, with a lot of sweetness in the air. One of the goals of the
camp was to build a feeling of community between all the participants. I explained at the beginning that we
wanted them to experience being creative, and that the enemy of creativity is criticism. We all criticize ourselves unmercifully, and we sure don’t need to hear it from other people. So we asked them to really support
each other. If someone takes a risk in doing a theater game, be a good audience. If someone is having a
hard time on an art project, encourage them.
3. Another goal was to have the children develop tools that will help them have a successful life, such as getting the courage to be in a production and speak lines in front of an audience, or learning to swim, or simply
learning how to overcome shyness and fear of being inadequate. Many times this involved overcoming a certain challenge. Two of my grandsons were at camp, and one is painfully shy. But I knew he was a collector,
so I ordered a big box of jelly bracelets in 12 different colors. We gave out a bracelet to everyone who completed an activity, a different color for each type of activity (red for theater, blue for swimming, etc.) and also a
special glitter bracelet to anyone who completed a special challenge. This worked very well for all the children. We didn’t want to force them to do an activity, but we wanted them to expand their horizons. They didn’t have to do the activity, but they had to be in that area, and if they did participate they got the bracelet at
the end of the session. This worked very well. The offering of a glitter bracelet prize was very useful because
it could be tailored to each camper. For two the big challenge was just to stay overnight instead of calling
their family and going home (they had never spent the night away from family before). For others it was going
27
on a hike, or being in the pool with a lot of other kids, or leading a campfire session, or even just following directions on a creative project when they just HATED allowing themselves to be directed by someone else.
Most campers earned two glitter bracelets. The fun thing was they wore the history of their camp on their left
arm, and could see the experiences stacking up. They were proud to show the parents on the last day.
4. The staff from school knew each other well, and we knew most of the campers well also. This helped us
work together in harmony and be supportive of each other. Myra was wonderful in stepping in and getting
along with everyone, and she always seemed to show up at my elbow at just the right time, saying “How can I
help you now?”. The combination of a few Subud people with the rest from local community seemed just
right. If the camp staff is mostly in the surrounding community I think there is a much better chance that the
camp will be sustainable in the long run, and the Subud energy was definitely still there overarching the
whole.
5. We had professionals teaching the arts and this made a very rich and satisfying experience. Marianne
McFarlin is very active in the theater scene in nearby Reedley. She is a real pro. I gave her some stories of
local history written by a family that had been in Badger since 1880. She took a few of these and wrote them
into a small production, and brought costumes and
makeup with her. She did theater games with all the
campers, and those who wanted to be in the production
practiced every afternoon. The result was professional,
smartly paced and staged, and fun to watch, and the
campers loved doing it! I also led the campers not in the
production in painting a background on a king sized
sheet. The other professional was Rita Watkins, the
grandmother of two of the campers who I had met at
school. She taught clay sculpture, and figured out two
projects (a soap dish and clay horses) that showed them
the basic techniques. She then took the pieces back to
her studio and fired them in her kiln, to be returned to the
campers when the school year starts. I also taught tiephoto: Sulfiati Harris
dye, which I have had many, many years of experience with.
6. The camp was well disciplined, without a lot of rules and shouting and drawing a line in the sand. I think
this is because they were happy to be there, and were encouraged to take the challenges we were offering
rather than invent challenges of their own which would be less productive (like sneaking out of the room at
night). We put special energy into making sure the campers got to bed on time and the camp was stone quiet
by 10:30 at night.
7. We had a new campfire and amphitheater, thanks to Joshua Horst and his bulldozer thanks to help from
Marwan LoMele. This was used every night for a campfire, marshmallow roast, camp skits and songs, etc.
We never had a proper campfire situation before and this was a lively addition to the camp.
We plan to have a camp in the winter after New Years (the local schools have three weeks off). I think we
have a lot to build on and the whole staff is looking forward to it! Maybe we will travel up to the parks to play
in the snow, make candles, have cooking projects and learn about nutrition, and learn sewing and woodworking……I won’t know till I see what develops. If you want more information on Camp Badger, you can check
the website at http://www.campbadger.com .
Thanks for reading this report, and thanks very much to all who donated time and money to help put this
camp together for the local children.
28
Ibu Rahayu’s Talk on the 25th night of Ramadan
Cilandak, 3 September 2010
Final Translation by Raymond Lee
Copyright 2010, World Subud Association. All rights reserved
Brothers and sisters, whom I love and respect; may the peace and blessings of Almighty God be with you.
Tonight is the twenty-fifth night and we are coming to the end of Ramadan, to the end of the fast.
Although I have not given a talk on the previous nights of power, I feel sure that the recordings of Bapak’s
talks that were played before tonight have awakened in you a feeling or a sense of the importance and benefit
of fasting in the month of Ramadan.
Even though we fast every year in the month of Ramadan, but why do many of you find it hard to put yourself
in or to be in the right state to receive something – something, of course, that human beings hope for? There
are many factors that are still hard for you to set aside – principally your low forces. That is because it is not
only normal people who get tempted by their low forces, even people on a spiritual path do. The reason is
that those low forces do not just come from our surroundings, but, since we are human beings, they are even
inside us.
Why do we have those low forces inside us? The reason is that God willed that those low forces should be in
your self; they have been put there to accompany, to help you in your life in this world. That is why much of
the life you sense inside you comes from low forces; for instance, from material objects, from plants, from animals, and even from your own human level.
So, living in this world, it is as if God is cooking us through a process where our human force works with the
other forces, and the low forces unite with our human force. That is why, even if someone reaches a high
spiritual level, it does not mean that they are free of desire. If we are inattentive or we let forces that are not
our own take over our life, desire can overwhelm us at any moment.
As such, even though we are in that situation, God always provides a way out, through this latihan. The latihan, as it were, is a staff or a firm handle to hold onto – provided, that is, you hold onto it or you foster this
‘handle’. Because, as I said, since we live in this world, we have to work with all kinds of forces. If we do not
stand firm and make a constant effort to bring ourselves close to God, we will frequently become oblivious
and feel we are helpless.
And we become increasingly aware of when that happens to us after we start doing latihan. So, in this matter,
I urge you: do not think of the latihan as a way to escape your troubles, or a way to be protected. Think of the
latihan – in our time – as the only way for you if you want to return [to God] as a complete human being.
This is why God wants you to fast: it can bring you to a state where you put aside, where you are free of low
forces. Even though one can say the fast is short – it only lasts a month, yet in that month, if you fast sincerely and resolutely, you will experience that state. But probably, when you stop fasting, you forget about
that state again.
The problem is that even though we have a human life force – meaning we are on the level of human beings
– but if you cannot keep yourself in check at all times, God’s will can become remote or it can be distant from
you if you are taken over by a low force whose nature is to pursue its own self-interest. This is a test or trial
for a human being.
That is the reason why I feel that not many of you can completely free your self from low forces in your latihan
yet. The trouble is our low forces are clever at seeking bliss. Consequently, your low forces (continued)
29
are the ones enjoying the bliss that is meant for you. But you can overcome that by making an effort. God will
not help you out every time. You have to do this through your submission.
This is what I mean by submission. It sounds simple, but it is hard to do. Many of you do not know what submission is, or how to submit and let go. You assume to submit means you just let yourself go [in latihan], you
leave it to God. But there is a way to gauge one’s submission: it is when you have no motive, you have let go
or you are free of all self-interest. That is when your submission is evident.
That is why on the human and the rohani or perfect human levels, someone on the human level cannot reach
the rohani level if they cannot achieve a state of insani. Insani is when one is free of desires. So, brothers and
sisters, I am just trying to give you a picture of how difficult it is to free yourselves from your low forces.
That is why God trains us, God trains us when we fast. For people in Subud, fasting is like a latihan. It is a
latihan or training in how to deal with the influences of the low forces that are inside us as well as all around
us. God even goes so far as to give blessings by providing rewards on the nights of power, rewards for God’s
creatures. Naturally, many hope to get these rewards, both people who practise religion and we who have
received this grace from God – the latihan, which is, if I may say so, the shortest route.
This is why you need to fast. Well, all sorts of things get cleansed by fasting. This is why the stipulations for
fasting are that we must not eat, we must not drink, we must not get angry, we must not tell lies – there are
many stipulations. But of course, anyone who does not respect those stipulations will just ignore them.
This is why, during the fast, it is so important to do latihan, so that you can check yourself or practise that
state of submission I mentioned. If in your latihan you feel that you are being guided and you feel graced by
God, it is then that your submission is evident; you will witness it for yourself.
Having that experience tells you that the way you are fasting accords with God’s will. But if you do not feel
that your latihan is any different, it means your fast is still lacking – you have not found the state of being that
God wills. This is why we do not need to debate whether we need to fast or not; all you need to know is
whether your fast has helped your soul to open up so that it can follow God’s will.
There are so many things that we can learn from when we fast. For instance, when we fast – by not drinking,
by not eating, and by letting go of anything that can burden our fast – we feel so light. We feel no hunger; we
feel no thirst. And, when we break the fast, it is as if we have no appetite, we feel full. Well, of course, it is not
right to go on like that; if we do not eat, we will fall sick. If we have no appetite, you have to find something to
eat that your inner wants, something your inner asks for, so that you can swallow the food.
Now, I want to ask you, since you have been fasting, have you noticed a difference when you do latihan? Do
you feel guided and close to the power of God? If you do, it means your fast has had a meaningful impact on
the progress of your latihan. And from that experience you will understand the benefit of the fast.
Oh, the talk has stopped... (Ibu laughs.)
I see there are many visitors here from Kalimantan as well as overseas. Simon Guerrand is here.
Well, that’s it... nothing else comes.
What I was just telling you was probably too deep. Well, I hope, you will absorb what I was saying. I ask that
we do not let our lives be... do not be monotone. You have to do something to give your self a jolt – say, by
fasting once a year. And in your latihan – Subud – which you do twice a week, you need to pose a question
and ask God to show you what the latihan really is.
Well, people outside of Subud just know that we make movements in Subud, and they probably compare that
to practices where people make similar movements. But they do not understand where the movements we
make come from and where they lead. But all of you, who do latihan and feel the latihan, realise its benefit, so
30
you need to foster, to nurture your latihan. Do not do things that are... well, that you do not need to do; the
kind of things that will not help you to progress, but will block you.
It is certain that God has sent people into this world for a purpose; a person should strive as hard as they can,
they should get as high as they can, as far as they can, since each of us has the opportunity in this world to
change and become a good human being. Then, when our time comes to leave this world, we will be ready.
To be ready means to be capable... we will be capable of standing on our own feet in the next world. You do
not start out small there, in the way you grow from a baby here. You start out ready-made. Well, that will depend on how far your ability has developed, how prepared you are.
Well, brothers and sisters, I will end my talk tonight here. Forgive me if I cannot go on. My voice is fading.
Getting old has its pluses and it has its minuses. The minus is that one is weak... one is, after all, old. When
we are young, we criticise old people, and they say, ‘Ha, you don’t know what it’s like to be old.’ Well, now I
know what it is like to be old. The willingness is there, but I cannot carry it out.
Thank you. May the peace and blessings of Almighty God be with you.
Now it is time to do latihan.
MEETING FOR THE CARRIBBEAN 2010, A KEJIWAAN GATHERING
December 2 – 6 in Lucea, Jamaica, off-season in a non-tourist area, near Negril Beach and Mayfield
Falls, local attractions.
Contact information: Joanna Brown [email protected], or book directly with
[email protected].
http://www.mayfieldfalls.com/mayfield-falls-jamaica/mayfield-falls.html
Who says it’s not easy being green???
Save a tree and much, much more!...
Get your newsletter via e-mail. Drop us a line at
[email protected] to get the next issue in your e-box!
31
International News
SUBUD AND THE ENVIRONMENT - Sharifin Gardiner
Workshop at Subud Britain Congress 06/08/10
The “invironment” and the environment
A workshop on Subud and the environment was held at the Subud Britain Congress in Malvern, facilitated by
Sharifin Gardiner, a member of the WSA Forum . When he asked the 35 participants if they had been experiencing rapid change or unexpected difficulties in their lives recently, most raised their hands. It seems
that there is a change in human consciousness taking place and Subud is a part of this. Things that have
been wrong and hidden are coming to the surface, and sometimes the healing process can be painful.
Sharifin outlined “the global eco- crisis” which is not only to do with global warming, but involves the unsustainable use of the natural resources of our planet. (A two page summary is available on request). Because
of the long lead times and efforts needed to turn things round this can only get worse before getting better.
Conflicting short term national and commercial self interest makes the international process of reaching
agreement agonisingly slow. .
The ancient civilizations of the Fertile Crescent, and of the Maya of Central America all crashed because they
destroyed their own environment. Indigenous peoples remind us that they have treated the earth as their
mother and have acted sustainably. We need to listen to their increasingly urgent voices.
Mankind is engaged in a process that is completely unsustainable. Unless we can agree on a new paradigm
in which our economies no longer depend on ever increasing production and consumption of material goods,
we can only expect increasing differences of wealth and poverty, ever more conflicts over access to natural
resources and an ultimate crash of our civilization.
This is the bad news. However there is plenty of good news. All over the world there are tens of thousands of people and organizations working for the benefit of humanity, and there is a general awakening
which is causing people and some governments to take action for change.
The rest of workshop focused on the positive , through a general discussion, then working in small groups,
with a closing session to share what they had discussed: what are our most creative responses? Here are
the participants’ suggestions .
We need to start with ourselves and our communities where our power lies, clarify and strengthen our inner
purpose and the links between our inner and outer environment. We all have different tasks and roles in life,
which we can receive through the latihan. Our different tasks should come clearly through ourselves, not be
someone else’s vision.
Subud groups can generate energy and awareness or spirituality which reverberates out into the community.
The abilities and strengths that Subud lies in its being interfaith and part of a global community. “Subud is
one strand of a rope of an aware humanity” .We are not alone! We are really being asked to come out into the
world.
We can have kejiwaan days or gatherings about individuals’ and Subud’s role in environmental issues, and
invite non Subud people into Subud gatherings, with interfaith topics and film screenings about the environment and spirituality. We can ask helpers to test with us how we can live in more balance with the environment, and help us to know what personally to do so that we are not so overwhelmed into inaction with the
mass of negative information.
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(continued from previous page)
We can a make intention of latihan for the planet and surrender it up to Almighty God. The power of prayer
has a large role. By photographing ice crystals, the Japanese scientist Masaru Emoto proved the material
results of the power of prayer. We are 80% water, so blessing water makes a difference! Where people are
focused together in prayer it can have a positive influence through collective power – THE WHOLE IS
GREATER THAN THE SUM OF ITS PARTS. The realisation of our collective being has possibly never happened on this scale before. Educating children, ourselves, and friends is important , through sharing information with sensitivity and clarity and conveying information without making others feel guilty. We can help children to spend more time in nature to nurture an empathy and connection to nature, and in so doing revive
ourselves. We need to encourage youth to come together to become more aware inwardly and outwardly
about these issues, and “be the change.”
There are many practical things we can do in our personal lives, to do with travel (flying less), food (eat locally, less packaging/ transport, buy organic) and water (using less). There are many opportunities in our
homes or Subud centres (energy efficiency . Some Subud groups are already showing the way by being
engaging with their communities; for instance Loudwater in England and Portland, Oregon. Subud members
are playing key roles in Transition Town Lewes. Through many small steps such as involving children in
planting trees in the Subud centre gardens, or around the town , setting up community gardens and fruit
trees, we can inspire others and achieve a great deal. We can post information on a website, have regular
features in Subud media and Plan congresses that are really “green”. Something could be written into the
Subud constitution about being more sustainable .
The basic question, as with the decision making of indigenous cultures , is to ask how our decisions affect
future generations. We need to publicise that sustainability is an integral part of Susila Dharma projects and
support them even more. By increasing our awareness, good practice and outreach, Subud can become
more visible and attract others.
These points resonate with what is planned in the WSA Forum program, which was briefly introduced by
Amalia Rasheed. The workshop ended with a period of quiet.
Subud New York Gathering, October 22-24
Photos: Kristiana Kalab
Left photo: (l-r) Deanna McFadden/Lailani Moody/Marcella Cook . Deanna is the Subud Chelsea Center
Assistant Office Manager and was the Chief Food Operations Coordinator for the recent SNY Helper Visit.
Right: photo David Bernstein, SNY Treasurer (background) foreground (l-r) Phobol Cheng-Riedner/Dharmawati Margaret
Setterholm/Latifat Balogun (SNY Helpers)
33
Transitions
I had a message from Rashidah Flores in Mexico this morning Oct 19,2010 that our sister Hosana Baron
had died in Mexico. Many will remember her from the '60s and '70s when she was extremely supportive of
Bapak and Ibu Sumari. It was in Hosana's house in Mexico City in 1969, that Bapak gave the incredible talk
wherein he talked to the lady helpers from NYC. A number of people joined us in the back of the room that
day but it is a very special memory for me as Bapak appointed me as a helper just before he asked for a cigar
and then began his very moving talk which has been recounted elsewhere. There aren't so many of us left
who were present that day but Sonia Owens and Halimah Brugger were there witnessing the same experience. I'd like to add a personal experience I had with Hosana during that visit to Mexico City. I had found myself going through some very painful heart purification and in the first latihan I found myself praying and asking God to send me someone to help me in the latihan. Within what seemed seconds, I felt a presence in
front of me. The lady doing latihan with me seemed as though she had a heart as wide as the ocean and I felt
my heart being lifted so that it might worship God in a more correct manner. When the latihan finished, I
opened my eyes and found Hosana Baron in front of me. I thanked her and her response was that I should
just give thanks to Almighty God. I've always felt immense gratitude that she was there that day and pray she
rests in light. —Lusana Blond
Hosana famously was given months to live before she was to die of a brain tumor. So she went to spend her
last days on earth, as she anticipated, in Cilandak close to Bapak and family. Well, Bapak commented that
doctors are not always right and that she should in any case simply surrender herself completely to Almighty
God. In an extremely strong latihan soon thereafter, she began to bleed and bleed from her nose. When she
visited the doctor, x-rays revealed that the tumor was totally gone. That was perhaps 3+ decades ago and
she lived till now! I think her miraculous "cure" is often considered second only to Eva Bartok's in the annals
of our international association. Praise be to God. May Hosana rest in peace. —Ruslan Feldman
Francesca Lisa Atherton passed on Sept 12, 2010. She was opened in May, 1958. She was an active part
of our Subud lives, many of us, for so many years. She has been living in Spokane for a number of years.—
Renata Robb
I just watched a poor quality movie by Halim Scott taken during Bapaks visit to S.F. after the Briercliff congress in 1963. The beautiful & young "Lisa Atherton" was there along with lots of much younger members.
Humphery Williams has these movies and converted one to a black & white version. It's very fluttery but fun to
watch if you knew most everyone in them. In the mid 70's I was traveling through Spokane on a jewelry sales
trip so I phoned Lisa, who arranged a dinner and latihan with the group that was very small at that time. Halim
Quackenbush was living there. Spokane seemed so small as I sailed by that it took me an hour to realize that
I had passed it. So I turned around and drove back, had dinner and stayed overnight. I also recall that Lisa
had a short marriage to Laurence Irwin. Lisa (Francesca) was a lovely sister. May her journey home be
blessed.—Sharif Harris
When I was pregnant with Ed, Lisa turned up on my doorstep. I hardly knew her, but she said "Here I am"
and came in and started doing housework and helping with the other kids. She hardly ever spoke. She
helped every day for two weeks at least, then followed me to the hospital and sat around while I had an injection to stop the C section from splitting, and sat in on the 'natural birth' decision, all without saying a word, and
smiling, and smoking when she could. The when Ed was born, she looked over and smiled again, and said
'goodbye' and that was the last I saw of her except for later at the hall. —Mardiyah Tarantino
Transitions, continued
Simone Lapres Paige passed away on Monday
October, 4th at seven a.m. As most Subud folks
know she had been struggling with Endometrial
Sarcoma for many months. She died at home in
our bedroom under hospice care surrounded by
family and friends--Subud friends among us. Incredible love emanated from this group of loved
ones who kept vigil at her side through the night.
A memorial service will be held early in November
and I will notify you of the exact date soon. Yours
in Subud, Joseph Paige
Simone’s most endearing qualities was always
being ready to help. She was always ready to
help in any situation. Some were personal with
friends, others were in carrying out Subud responsibilities. In every situation she remained truly gracious, kind, loving, and centered.
Artwork: Joseph Paige
All of her friends can probably recall some special time she helped them. My special time was in Spain in an
airport where we were trying catch our flight on Ryan Air. My bag was overweight. Simone and I were both
down on the floor pulling out clothes, putting some into our carry-ons and expendable things into the
trash. We weighed the bag again. No, not yet. Back to the floor, on hands and knees, same routine. Okay.
This time they would let it pass. What other friend would have so graciously and calmly resolved the situation? With personal problems like that Simone could take charge, but with such grace it was a pleasure to be
with her.
And at home, Simone’s door was always open: for friends and for all sorts of Subud gatherings. She liked to
cook, and would prepare the table beautifully with placemats, fine china and silverware. It was a large table
where a group could easily enjoy being together. And she always had time to sit and chat.
Simone and husband Joseph were the core of the Philadelphia Subud group for many years, through all its
many ups and downs. Once, when my mother was living near Philadelphia, Simone and Gisela Webb
(another core Subud member) joined me for my mother’s opening. But it wasn’t just the opening. For a
whole year they picked her up and took her to latihan until she decided to focus on her church rather than the
latihan.
Simone often traveled with Joseph when he was a regional helper. And quite frequently she found herself visiting a group when no RH woman was available. Graciously, Simone would fill the gap and make a
report. She held positions in Subud in which she formed many special friendships around the world. She was
a Regional Helper and later an MSF trustee. The MSF role came with a very steep learning curve for her,
but gradually she learned the tasks. One of her more recent jobs in MSF was to write a newsletter. The
newsletters were a pleasure to read; Simone with her doctorate in English was a very good writer.
Simone and Joseph had been married for many years when Joseph was diagnosed with cancer. Soon after
that Simone found that what was thought to be a cancer in remission had metastasized, so that they were
both battling the disease, but Simone’s was more virulent or maybe it just got a head start. Simone was remarkably peaceful as she went through the process of dying – it made being with her truly a pleasure. One
group of friends did latihan with her over an open phone during this time. Some were able to visit and do latihan with her in person. She was always appreciative of visits and latihans. Friends visited often, and on the
last night of her life, a number of them sat with her, praying, until after midnight. Early in the morning she
slipped away.
Transitions, continued
We all pray for blessings for this dear good soul, keeping in mind a latihan image of a gentle God softly cradling and nurturing her. May she be so blessed. —Laurie Lathrop Subud Washington, DC
When I was 22 and in the throws of a deep existential crisis, God plucked me out of the abyss and placed me
in a 5th grade classroom as an assistant to my teaching mentor, Simone. Utterly out of sorts amidst the wiggling, jiggling 10-year- olds, I remember looking up at Simone, a pillar of grace and serenity. I asked her, How
do you do it? How do you stay so calm? It took some coaxing but eventually she gave up the source – Subud.
From the moment I heard the name, I was hooked.
That was 23 years ago, and since then Simone has been spiritual mentor, surrogate parent, fellow traveler,
and sister-friend to me. Her name, Simone, means “one who hears,” and anyone who knew her would attest
that she loved to listen to people’s stories. She had a way of drawing even the quietest person out and of
making them feel heard and affirmed. She would plumb for deeper meaning, offering insight and (continued)
guidance or at least a chance to test. Simone was also a devoted listener to God and was blessed with wisdom and an ability to articulate her understanding of the spiritual realm.
I will always remember Simone’s radiant smile. She had an inner joy and could always find the whimsical side
of things no matter how bad things were. She delighted in children, dogs, flowers, beautiful fabrics, poetry,
walks in nature, all things French, adventures, and helping others. In fact, Simone had a special gift for helping others. She would go out of her way to offer someone a lift or enough money to help them get to the
World Congress or a stay at her Florida house or a note or a kind word or whatever it would take – big or
small – to help alleviate their suffering. Simone’s generosity was legendary and in the end, when she was suffering herself, people came out in droves to return the favor.
For me as for many, Simone will always be synonymous with Subud. She was an anchor member of the
Philadelphia group, a regional helper, a trustee of Muhammad Subuh Foundation, and a fixture at so many
congresses. Her illness came on fast and unexpectedly, but she faced it with the same tenacity, strength,
dignity and humor that served her so well throughout her life. She passed in peace and surrounded by loved
ones. I pray for her soul, and for her husband Joseph, who himself is battling cancer. Simone will be dearly
missed. —Dorothea Gillum, Boston
Hassanah Combs passed Sep. 26 just before 8pm (she had slipped into a coma on the 23rd). My sister Dominique and I were with her and her death was peaceful, Praise Almighty GOD. Please let our brothers and
sisters know and we would be grateful for their prayers. Peace and GOD's Blessing & Mercy on all of us.
—Mustafa Combs
Hassanah's going to be missed. She was so warm and engaging. Whenever I was around her I could hardly
believe she was in her 80s. Farewell, dear Hassanah. —Ralph Davila
Harlinah Lyons, of Subud Los Angeles, died Sept 20, at 4 am. Subud sister Nancy E. called me at midnight
when the new hospice nurse came on, who told her Harlinah would probably not last the night. When I got
there, she was breathing little "thimbles" of oxygen, we did latihan with her, and her breathing slowly decreased. Lael, Miryam,and Roxanne arrived to help. They did a latihan and washed and wrapped her body.
All the arrangements have been falling into place with Eleanor Ross filling in Harlinah's wishes for a green
burial and arrangements with Harlinah's niece, Sue. We have to find homes for all the cats!
—Susannah Rosenthal
Harlinah was opened June 1, 1961. She was active through all her life since then, in so many ways. She
cooked, cleaned, encouraged, sorted archival material and worked in so many ways to enhance the Subud
life around her. Lisa Francesca Atherton passed on recently, and I so easily imagine them together now, having a big big laugh! Her smiling face is clear in front of my eyes.—Melinda Wallis
Oh bless you dear sister, may your journey be smooth and swift into the arms of God and may all your
36
blessed good work out weigh any mistakes made. I loved Harlinah's voice, her straight-forward way of talking,
her no-nonsense practicality, her incredible humor and her huge heart. There are so many wonderful Subud
brothers and sisters on the other side, I just know there is a party going on now that Harlinah has arrived.
Godspeed, my darling.—Rosana Schutte
I cannot recall how this came about but for many years I did work as a financial planner and salesperson. For
one of those years I worked in Long Beach every day. Often I had long stretches of time between appts and
coming back to Santa Monica didn't make any sense. Often I would just go hang out with Harlinah. I only remember Harlinah as I always saw her - with an ironic smile which I think I always interpreted as Harlinah
knowing something about life that I hadn't learned yet. I guess I'll have to wait until I meet her again and see if
I learned that "something" by the time I leave the Planet also.—Maia Berens
I got a call one day from Harlinah. This was in the late seventies. She said I needed to go to Indonesia for
Ramadan. I had never considered this as a possibility. It was way outside of my things to-do list. Way outside. But as soon as she said it I could feel no impediment to my going. I still said no - in my way of thinking
it cost a fortune. A couple of weeks later she called again. This time I could think of no reason not to go. So
that is how I got to Indonesia and met Bapak and heard him talk to us in small groups sitting in his living room
and in his office in the Widjoyo building in Jakarta. The experiences I had and the things I learned there influenced my whole life in Subud. Thank you Harlinah for taking the time to teach me. Thank you for the wonderful gift of learning.—Henrietta Haines
My fondest memory of Harlinah was a road trip we took together to visit some of the National Parks. This was
in the 1970s.The trip was Harlinah's idea and she invited me to go along with her. At the time she had an old
station wagon and she did all the driving. Our first stop was a Subud congress in Colorado. We then visited
the Grand Canyon, Bryce, Zion, Indian ruins, and several other national parks whose names I don't remember
at this time. We were on the road for about two weeks, sleeping in the station wagon most of the time. It was
quite a memorable trip. I'll always be grateful to my Subud sister, Harlinah, for taking me with her to see these
incredible sites. You will be missed, Harlinah, by me and too many other people to count.—Laura Hill
The month of September brings many changes - leaves fall from trees - day light hours get shorter - and in
some climes, the weather turns cold. And, as usual, the days of a life can shift, change, and then a life can
leave what we call this dimension of time.
I've had the pleasure and sometimes wonderment of knowing Harlinah Lyons for almost 50 years - and our
paths crossed and crisscrossed over that span. We spent time together as Subud sisters and just girlfriends doing what girlfriends do. We spent time together in 1968 at Tjilandak (Indonesia) and, oh, what a joy that
was. Harlinah was an individualist and did things her way - great fun to be with and dedicated in her beliefs
which she showed not just by words but always by her actions and time spent serving others. So we try not to
shed too many tears - and remember Harlinah with our love and smiles. But we sure will miss her. Sent with
love.—Roanna Clark
I met Harlinah for the first time in the elevator at the LA Subud "home." The instant the elevator doors
opened, I immediately felt the presence of angels. The experience is one I will never forget - rather surreal
actually. I did not know who she was until we began conversation...I felt blessed beyond description - and
throughout the remainder of that entire day. Thank you God.—Tricia Toner
Simon Monbaron passed away on Thursday, October 28, 2010 after a short illness. He was ready to go and
looked peaceful when I found him. Simon was born in Geneva, Switzerland on 12/29/1930 and had been
opened in New York in 1/1/1959 so he was one of the over ‘50 years in Subud members. He was a true follower of Bapak’s words and advice as he understood, as he received and in dreams. He wrote two books
about Subud hoping to explain to members and the world about Subud: Subud the Coming New Age of Reality and How to Develop Peace in the World – (Amazon.com). He wanted to bring to Subud to as many persons as he could. He was a helper in many of the groups he belonged to all over the USA. He had traveled
to open members in Ghana and Japan. The members in Japan even had his book translated into Japanese.
The last years of his life we lived in rural Oregon and did not attend any groups; as we aged it was more difficult to travel. We had a good life together for the past 25 years. He is at peace, where he wanted to be.
—Marcella Monbaron
37
OUR SPONSORS
www.GenealogyOne-on-One.com
Sharif Harris,
Realtor
Come join the growing Subud
community in and around
Badger, CA.
www.sharifharris.com
38
Melting pot pizza
Bothell Jewelers & Collectibles
ROBERT BACHELOR,
Vintage Antiques, Collectibles,
Watches, Jewelry
PROPRIETOR
Musical Instruments, Die-cast Cars
FRONT ROYAL, VIRGINIA
Books, Figurines, LP Vinyl Records,
Etc.
Buy • Sell •Trade Gold, Silver and
Costume Jewelry
10130 W. Main St.
Bothell, WA 98011
425.487.2900
www.tias.com/stores/bothellj/
20% DISCOUNT TO SUBUD MEMBERS!
39
Non-Profit Org
U.S. Postage
PAID
Lansing, MI
Permit # 75
¨
Subud USA
14019 NE 8th St.
Bellevue, WA 98007
Editorial /Submission Guidelines
Publication:
Subud USA News is a bimonthly publication of SUSA and is mailed
free of charge to all members households on the current
membership list maintained at the SUSA National Office.
The opinions expressed in Subud USA News are those of the
authors and do not reflect the views of SUSA or those of its
constituted membership.
Advertising is carried as a service to readers. Subud USA News can
not contain advertisement relating to travel, insurance or credit
cards. Material contained in Subud USA News does not imply an
endorsement of any product, system or service.
We welcome member submissions for the Subud USA
newsletter. All submissions must be sent to the editors
electronically at [email protected] by the original
author. The submission must be accompanied by a statement of ownership of the content as well as a “permission
to print” release statement. In general, the maximum
length for any submission is 650 words. If possible, submissions should be accompanied by a photograph of the
author. All photographs should be at least 300dpi at 4” x
6”.
The editors reserve the right to return any submission to
its author for additional editing when required by space
limitations. Submissions that contain language that is
inflammatory or accusatory, or that contain excessive
spelling, grammatical and/or syntax errors will not be published. Submissions on what are considered
“controversial issues” will be held for publication until an
opposing viewpoint can be presented simultaneously.
Advertisement rates:
Mini ads—10¢ per word
Full page $75
Half page $45
Quarter page $25
Eighth $15 (business care)
How to contact us:
Questions about this publication, its purpose or its editorial policy,
Submission of articles and photos to the newsletter does not guarantee inclusion therein, and the
final decision on publication resides with the editors.
If your address or e-mail address changes
please notify the SUSA national office.
Send changes to: [email protected]
OR: Subud USA
14019 NE 8th St. #A
Bellevue, WA 98007
Or phone (425) 643-1904
Subud and the Seven Circles symbol are registered marks of the World Subud Association.
40

SUBUD USA NEWS

Transcription

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