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DECEMBER 2008

SUBUDVOICE®

SUBUDVOICE

The Dawn of Kandula

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Lhareef Mohamed writesfrom Sri Lanka…

I am sending you an articlereviewing the inaugural con-cert that was held in ourcountry, by the ChamberMusic Society of Colombo,Sri Lanka.

Lakshman Joseph de Saram,a local Subud Member is theArtistic Director and ConcertMaster of the ChamberMusic Society of Colombo.

Stephan Allen, also a SubudMember here, composedand conducted the music“The Dawn of Kandula”. This program washeld in Colombo for 2 nights, and ticketswere sold out.

The concert was reviewed by IndeewaraThilakarathne and Ranga Chandrarathne.

This is an edited extract from theirreview…

The most exciting and extremely relevant pieceof serious avant garde music at the inauguralconcert of the Chamber Music Society ofColombo was the composition by StephanAllen on the legendary elephant Kandula.

The members of the orchestra were so awareand sensitive to each other's playing. And as aptly describedby Lakshman Joseph de Saram, this ensemble is like a finelycalibrated racing yacht where all crew members have anessential role to play. The Dawn of Kandula, remarkable for itscreative genius and fantastic pageant of notes, re-createdan episode (Mhv.xxv.5-83) as described in the epicMahavamsa.

The Chamber Music Society ofColombo (CMSC) proved that itcould perform this complex musicwith aplomb and flamboyance.Here, the Artistic Director/ConcertMaster Lakshman Joseph deSaram should be commended forhis pioneering efforts to bring seri-ous music to Sri Lanka.

Sri Lankan concertgoers had therare chance of witnessing theworld premiere of a remarkablepiece of music which no doubtwill make history.

Allen deserves accolades for hisinspiration. He captures the sub-tle movements of the majestic

tusker waking up at dawn and going for apensive stroll.

The dawn is portrayed by a bed of very softstrings playing what seemed like one note, andon which two flutes mimic the sounds of insectsand early morning bird calls.

The composition can be loosely described as anelaborate orchestral essay comprising of threedistinct sections.

The second section involves the prepara-tion for the final battle. The sound of aconch shell, played on French horn,announces the forthcoming battle, which isthen echoed by trumpets building into a

tremendous brass climax.

The composition, part of a set of compositions associatedwith Queen Viharamahadevi, is the way in which compos-er Stephan Allen pays tribute to a country and culture he isenchanted with. In a way, the composition reflects thecountry's current political atmosphere.

“

“

Kalimantan GoldCorporation

•

At “The Dawn of Kandula” Mr. Allen appears in the photo asConductor. Lakshman Joseph de Saram is the Artistic

Director/Concert Master of the Chamber Music Society ofColombo, Sri Lanka. He performed as the violinist: and appears in

the photo. extreme right /front

From the Editor…Readers will probably be aware that there has been a greatdeal of discussion this month about Kalimantan GoldCorporation. The latest communication we have to handbefore going to press is this statement from CEO RahmanConnelly. Received Saturday November 15…

Dear All,Further to my note of 12 November, the directors had a tele-conference on Friday, with these outcomes.

Fundraising: The amount committed is now $413,000, anincrease of $160,000 from where we were a week, a magnifi-cent effort from 33 Subud investors but not enough to sustainthe company beyond the end of Feb (at best).

Jelai/Gold: The decision was to immediately reduce drill rigsfrom 4 to 2 and retrench around 60 staff. If the $1 million is notraised by the Placement closing date of 30November, all drillingwill cease with further substantial retrenchments.

LakshmanJoseph de Saram

should be commended forhis pioneeringefforts to bring

serious music toSri Lanka

+ S T O P P R E S S +

SUBUDVOICE PAGE 2 DEC 08

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Parliament of WorldReligionsThe WSA executive sends an invitation for the Parliament ofWorld Religions to be held in Melbourne December 2009…

Subud members have participated in the Parliament ofWorld Religions in the past, the last one being inBarcelona in 2004. It has been agreed that WSA wouldendeavour to participate at this event and it would benice if interested members would join us for a combinedpresence.

We are aware that the work of many Subud members, beit in the arts, education, personal, economic or communi-ty development, government, diplomacy, health orsocial work, provides us with valuable resources whichreflect the fruits of our spiritual experience and could bepresented in interesting ways at this occasion. Pleasecontact us at wsa@subud.org. Plans need to be devel-oped well in advance.

In 2009 the theme is: Make a World of Difference. HearingEach Other, Healing the Earth, underscores the opportu-nity for religious and spiritual communities and all peopleof good will to act on environmental concerns and takeresponsibility for cultivating awareness of our global inter-connectedness. The context of this Parliament provides a lens throughwhich the world can focus on the struggles and spirituali-ties of indigenous peoples around the globe, particularly

highlighting the Aboriginal communities of Australia.

Program Topics Include:Healing the Earth with Care and Concern • Reconcilingwith the Indigenous Peoples • Overcoming Poverty in aPatriarchal World • Securing Food and Water for AllPeople • Building Peace in the Pursuit of Justice •Creating Social Cohesion in Village and City • SharingWisdom in the Search for Inner Peace

Formats:Intrareligious programs expressing religious identity andissues internal to each religion.• Interreligious programs,likely to be dialogues between two or more religious tra-ditions.• Engagement programs focusing on religioussocial action, including panel dialogues and other pres-entation formats.

Programs will also take place on all topics of pressing con-cern. As additional areas of programming develop, theywill be listed on the website. Special attention will begiven to programs that use creative methods of commu-nication, that involve members of two or more religious orspiritual communities or groups, and that offer interactiveapproaches to engage participants.

For information visit www.parliamentofreligions.org

Luthfi Becker who is the Committee Councillor in Mexicovisited Manzanillo in Cuba for their Kejiwaan Gathering.He reminds us that it is often those who have least whogive most…

Thanks to God I was able to accept an invitation of theCuban National Committee to assist at the KejiwaanMeeting at Manzanillo early this year.

My general impression of the country and the people liv-ing there, including our Subud brothers and sisters, wasthe same as the time just after the 2nd world war inEurope, especially in France where I come from.

The countryside is almost abandoned and now impover-ished because of the excessive sugar cane exploitationand the lack of agricultural systems and machines.

Everything is lacking, food, medicines, the grocer's shopsare empty, even the elementary items of daily life are outof economic reach for most people.

All the comforts we are so used every day don't evenexist. In these circumstances I was welcomed and I feltblessed to be able to share my brothers’ way of life, eat-ing what they are used to eating and participating in theirhappiness and troubles.

The hurricane Ike did not only blow away roofs and so manyother matters, but specially the hope for a little bit better life;and now rises the spectres of hunger and disease.

Their Generous HospitalityDuring my stay at Manzanillo and afterwards at Havana Ireceived such a generous hospitality and brotherlyacceptance that I must tell you what happened when Ispoke in front of the younger members telling about theAdi Puri project at Wisma Subud, Jakarta.

Life is Tough in Cuba•

Coal: This will be the company's focus and, within the next 48hours, we will announce the completion of an option agree-ment to acquire an 80% interest in a near-production coalarea in East Kalimantan. KGC's initial expenditure will be fordue diligence over the next two months, to confirm theclaimed resource of 50 million tones, subject to which we willseek investors for this project (usually coal users/buyers want-ing to secure supply).

KSK/Copper: This is on care and maintenance until we secureanother partner and this week we had meeting in Jakartawith a good potential starter.

In summary, last week we were hanging by a thread andtoday by a piece of string, but need a sturdy piece of rope tosecure our position.

Mansur, Murray, Bardolf and myself noted the discussionregarding an Advisory Board. We think it's unlikely to havemuch appeal to our non-Subud directors, who have some 60years of industry experience. However we acknowledge that,for Subud members, this project is very much more than abusiness – clear from member's responses this week - and theywant to feel connected to it in a way that is different fromother investors. This is something we would like to respond towhen the dust settles, because it needs some thought, egthere might be communication aspects but perhaps otherelements as well.

Regards, Rahman rconnelly@ozemail.com.au • +61 418 116955

To keep up to date with the latest developments join the SESListserver. To join the listserver contact Ruslan Morris at rrmorris@clubbali.com

unsolicited letter from Paris: the Secretary General ofUNESCO endorsed our festival!

Notwithstanding the many difficulties we would have hadto face, it was clear we had to go on.

Since 2001 JakArt has held 6 festivals: 4 festivals in Jakartaand 2 travelling festivals and has organised and staged10 major productions in more than 700 venues & loca-tions, in 175 cities, in 4 continents.

More than 3000 artists from 50 countries have participat-ed in the JakArt festivals and productions. JakArt has pre-sented over 1900 performances, working in collaborationwith more than 350 government & NGO organisations &associations, foreign embassies, etc. and has involvedover 2000 enthusiastic volunteers from all walks of life.

Our events have been covered by hundreds of mediasources; thousands of articles about them have beenpublished in newspapers, magazines, and programbooks, and have been broadcast and covered by hun-dreds of local television & radio stations all over the world.

JakArt is run and organised in a way that defies all usualmodels of organisation. As a team we work on what wehave been moved to work on and what matters most isthe process.

This requires a lot of submission, an incredible effort toexpand oneself beyond one’s daily existence, and faith.When we are working on JakArt, we are working on manydifferent levels, often left with more questions thananswers, but never doubting the importance of the con-tribution of JakArt.

What we have experienced through JakArt is a series of mir-acles, where what appears as impossible can be possible,just as Bapak described. Many people that we do not knowhave seen and commented on this uniqueness of JakArt.

Each of our festivals had a motto attached to it. In 2001,our motto was “celebrating human culture”; in 2002 “sup-port the arts to support human values” and “creativity is avehicle for development”; in 2003 “in the spirit of philan-thropy” and “in the spirit of volunteerism”; and so on.

This year our motto was: “Reality begins whereFantasy ends”.

How the Program Was OrganisedIn order to understand JakArt@2008 one has to under-stand how the program was organised and divided.Programming was divided in three parts:

1. If (Imaginary Festival). If is a statement, a conceptualfestival where imaginary events take place at real orimaginary locations.

2. The trademark JakArt programming, where real eventstake place in real locations all over Jakarta.

3. A combination of the conceptual and the real.

JakArt@2008 is a statement about the overt commer-cialisation of every aspect of our lives, about the greed,the corruption, and the indifference that governs oursociety today.

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I told them about the transformationof Bapak's House in Wisma Subudinto a centre of information and acultural place for exhibitions, con-certs and meetings. They immedi-ately collected US$ 36 – and gave itto me in order to send it to Indonesiaor the Muhammad SubuhFoundation.

I told that to people near to IbuRahayu who were moved totears. Ibu asked to write a spe-cial thanking letter but I haveno news if someone did it. I

hope that this few impressions could be a motiva-tion for those who are used to pay a "zakat fitr" atthe end of Ramadhan to send it to our brothersand sisters at Cuba. I know that they will needhelp for quite a long time.

DonationsAs Luthfi says the effects of the hurricanes will be felt for along time. Tax deductible donations to assist the peoplein Cuba can be sent through Susila Dharma Internationalhttp://donations.susiladharma.org/donate_now/

You should choose the single payment plan, then select"Emergency Fund" from the drop down menu, and spec-ify "For Victim of Hurricane Ike" in the field below. Betternot to mention Cuba directly since SDI is legally regis-tered in the US, but they will know that your donation willgo to Cuba. Emelina, the SD representative in Cuba reg-ularly sends reports on how the funds are used and wecan keep track of how much has been sent, and how ithas been used.

ImpactoA HOT CD of Cuban dance music, "Expectation" byImpacto is available on sale!! It was especially creat-ed by our brothers and sisters in Cuba in support ofSubud Cuba members, NOW especially hurricane vic-tims. It includes twelve lively songs and may be pur-chased by mail from Subud USA . SPECIAL SALE PRICE– US$14.00. Info on how to purchase at email: subudusa@subudusa.org

I know thatthey will

need help for quite along time

“

“

•JakArt initiator, Mikhail David, writes about this majorcultural event…

JakArt was conceived as a onetime event to commemo-rate Bapak’s centennial. However, it was so successfulthat many of the artists and volunteers involved asked usto continue.

Moreover, the Singapore Arts Festival, together with theShanghai International Arts Festival and the Hong KongArts Festival invited us to become founding members of anew organisation: the Association of Asian Performing ArtsFestivals or AAPAF.

We saw this as an incredible opening for networkingwhich would be beneficial for all (including Subud).Moreover, one day, out of the blue, we received an

JAKART 2008

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MSF at the AmericasGathering

•

JakArt@2008 examines the role and contribu-tion of the politician and the bureaucrat, thebusinessman, the corporate world, the foun-dation, the cultural institution, the festival,and the individual: the citizen, the artist, theintellectual, in shaping today’s and tomor-row’s world.

Because in today’s world everything hasbeen turned upside down: the corrupt arebusy fighting corruption, the immoral are pro-posing and imposing ethics, the fundamen-talists and the intolerant are promoting toler-ance, and the unjust promoting justice. And,that is what JakArt@2008 is built around:

IF…The Imaginary Festival is a collaboration of many realimaginary, real, and imaginary real artists (from all the dis-ciplines of the Arts) intellectuals, critics, promoters, produc-ers, sponsors, volunteers, audiences and the mass media.

IF is a contemporary art piece designed to entangle and

disentangle the seemingly contradictory threads that sodominate our life; to explore and question our percep-tions and their limitations; to expose and promote thepower of imagination; to unveil and discover alternativerealities while critically examining our society and the real-ities currently available; to inspire and foster a collectivefantasy laced with imagination that if subscribed to andsustained for long enough can in itself become a newcollective reality.

Over 200 real performances, events and exhibitions inmore than 100 real locations and hundreds of imaginaryperformances and exhibitions in hundreds of imaginarylocations turned Jakarta into the Cultural Capital of theWorld last August.

Many of our programs, including the ShoestringOrchestra, the Declaration of the Inalienable Rights ofArtists and Intellectuals, the Cultural City Tour, and theBerlin Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Sir SimonRattle at the Rawa Bunga cemetery, will be rememberedas landmark events.From August 1 5 we also hosted the Annual GeneralMeeting of AAPAF (Association of Asian Performing ArtsFestivals) and organised a general conference toaccompany the AGM which explored: “The Relevance

and Importance of the Arts & Culture in shap-ing the 21st Century”, with a specific sectiondevoted to examining and exploring the rolethat festivals and cultural organisations haveto play in this.

We also arranged for a Showcase of contem-porary Indonesian works so as to offer theparticipants of the AGM & Conference achance to get acquainted with some of theforemost established or upcomingIndonesian artists and their work.

Over 40 participants from 5 continents, repre-senting collectively over 300 festivals,amongst them some of the most prestigiousand important festivals in the world today,

attended the above mentioned events and were partic-ularly impressed.

Finally, I would like to make the following correction:Cherie Valaray was co- sponsored by and courtesy of TheSydney Cultural Centre. The program at Adi Puri included

a contribution, atthe request of IbuRahayu, of threesongs byC h r i s t o p h o r o sS t a m b o g l i saccompanied onthe piano byT h a n a s i sApostolopoulos.

I originally invitedboth Christophorosand Cherie to par-ticipate in theS h o e s t r i n gOrchestra, ouropening night pro-gram. They bothgave other per-

formances too. Find more about JakArt by visitingwww.jakart.info

Notwithstanding

the many

difficulties we

would have to

face, it was clear

we had to go on

“

The Shoestring Orchestra that performed during JakArt@2008

“Simone Paige, MSF Trustee. describes his experiences atthe Americas Gathering in Amanecer…

When we arrived at Amanecer it was clear that theColombian team together with ISC and many volunteershad worked hard to prepare for the meeting. MuchtarMartins, Roseanna Silva, Isabel Parfan, and Lucas Roldanalong with their helpers had worked very hard on repair-ing the building’s facilities.

Some World Subud Council members were housed on thegrounds of Amanecer, but many of us were a short walkacross a highway and a field. Our hotel consisted of bunga-lows with an open air restaurant where we met for late eveningand breakfast meetings. The arrangement allowed us to haveextra meetings and to easily review our projects with others.

The latihan hall is a large circle with alcoves constructedof bamboo with white stucco walls –

PAGE 5SUBUDVOICE DEC 08•

one feels it is a very specialspace after the first latihan there.Exterior spaces incorporateoffices, three school programs, aSusila Dharma room, a café, anda library. A soaring ceiling ends ina skylight opening to the everchanging sky.

Although I was in continualmeetings with the MuhammadSubuh Foundation board, I feltthe meetings were uplifted bythe shifting purple, gray-blue,snow-capped mountains in the

distance. Early evenings often brought a downpourwhich left the air fresh and clear.

The meeting opened with three kejiwaan days in whichwe tested some general questions. Some of the Councilmembers and the MSF board tested on the work andcooperation of WSA.

After the kedjiwaan days, there were days devoted tothe work of the wings. On the Susila Budhi Dharma day,members tested what each of these concepts meant tothem and then how they applied Susila, Budhi, andDharma in their daily lives.

To begin the day on Subud culture, members tested:1. Find the source of your true inner culture: 2. Feel fromyour latihan how you move in your latihan when you areusing your true talent or performing your right work:3. Show from your latihan the expression of the hiddencreativity in your life: 4. Feel the joy that you express whenyou love what you are doing with your talents.

Personal testing continued through the late afternoonand evening in some groups. It was also our opportunityto get to know the many members from Chile, Argentina,Mexico and Colombia, etc. Although the plannersexpected about 200 in attendance, the numbers varied;one week-end they served 400 meals as those who couldattend only at the week-end arrived.

The Work of MSFThe Muhammad Subuh Foundation began its meetings onJuly 29th by testing the roles of MSF and WSA. We also askedhow it would be for the development of Subud if we wereto work in harmony according to the will of Almighty God.

We urge anyone interested in this question to experiencethe test as it showed us the importance of rememberinghow we should work together and of the potential whenwe follow the will of God as we work.

As we met with four of the younger members who hadbeen funded to come to the Congress we discoveredhow active they had been at the meetings; together westarted to plan the fundraising initiative to bring youthfrom around the world to the New Zealand Congress,matching dollars from MSF.

We then met with the Amanecer community to discusstheir process of creating a resort and meeting facilities toprovide needed funds to sustain the Amanecer propertyand community. Our testing showed the need for theboard, the national committee, the administrators ofFundacion Amanecer and the residents to work in harmony

“

“

It showed usthe importanceof rememberinghow we shouldwork together

with strengthened communication to fulfill the largepotential of the centre of Amanecer.

There needs to be clear organisation around an enter-prise that has stalled due to lack of agreement betweenthe different groups. The area is a growing tourist destina-tion with many beautiful features including the site wheremonarch butterflies stop on their migration. We learnedthat the President of Colombia had used Amanecer fortwo meetings with his ministers.

As the MSF team met with different groups to review theirproposals to improve or start a new Subud centre, a con-tinual theme emerged; most groups cannot support alarger centre without the income from an enterprise.

The group from Cúcuta, Colombia had worked hard withthe help of Miguel, their chair, an architect, to create aplan that added two guest rooms and a commercialspace. Their budget divided the work into three stages.The designs were impressive and they were committed torepaying a loan within three years. Their centre also willserve a nearby group over the border in Argentina.

Although the Bucaramanga group representative, Renata,was just beginning her proposal, and had only an ideaabout the need for more space and an enterprise, Miguelfrom Cúcuta offered to continue to meet with her to helpdevelop the plan of the group. This happy “accident”underscored the productivity of coming together and thegenerosity of Subud members with their particular skills.

In Surinam, the smaller group, Akaribo, applied for a loanto enlarge its space and add an extra latihan room. Thecentre is on a stream and the pleasant site is conducive tofamily gatherings so that all three groups come for meet-ings, camping overnight to attend week-end events.

All of Surinam is involved in the proposal and eager for theenlargement of the space to accommodate simultane-ous latihans. All Surinam members have agreed to repaythe loan within three to four years.

A New SensationAs we worked near to the open fields, I glimpsed the chil-dren and parents enjoying the dancing man, noddingand swaying in a feathered headdress, playing his instru-ment. It is quite a new sensation to have meetings in whatfelt like a Subud summer camp for adults and children.

On our final night while we waited for dinner, Maya, Osannaand Luther Schutz drew us together to sing 60’s folk songs.We had been heartily entertained by Spanish dancers, andimprovisational dances, and exquisite music, but this lastfarewell sing was magic in the darkening night air.

As we face our shared problems, and work our way outof isolation in these meetings new solutions emerge. Ourprayers are with Amanecer as they work to fulfill theirpotential as an international centre that is appreciatedby Subud and the world.

There were tears and embraces for all we had felt togeth-er in the latihan and the possibilities of the meetings, andfor the possibilities when we truly face one another inorder to encourage the work in overcoming challengingobstacles. With the international helpers present to assistus, we worked toward ways to establish a new basis forcommunity harmony and work together.

PAGE 6 SUBUDVOICE DEC 08

Bapak

Talk

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WEIGH IT FOR YOURSELFBapak’s talk in Johannesburg: 20 March 1967Recording: 67 JNB 5

Chapter 8 From ‘Bapak's Talks Volume 16, The Complete Recorded TalksOf Bapak Muhammad Subuh Sumohadiwidjojo’

Copyright (C) 2007 the World Subud Association. All rights reserved.Authorised Translation For Subud Members Only

This talk was given for people practising the spiritual exercise known as theSubud Latihan. For those not practising this exercise, reading the followingtalk is not recommended as it could be misunderstood.

Ladies and gentlemen, before Bapak gives you anothertalk – which is going to be a continuation of the talk hehas given about the spiritual path – he needs to say a fewwords to you and to the committee. Bapakthanks you for the kindness and hospitalityyou have shown him during his stay here.

In particular, Bapak wants to thank the chairof the committee for providing Bapak andUsman with a place to stay that was comfort-able and lacked for nothing. And, in additionto thanking all of you and the chairperson,Bapak gives thanks to Almighty God whopermitted and made it possible for him to behere with you.

Bapak also thanks you for the gift that thechairperson gave to him on your behalf. Hethanks you and prays that the power ofAlmighty God will repay your gift by grantingyou happiness in your lives in this world andthe next. So, Bapak prays for you – may Godkeep your faith firm – to be constant, to be diligent, andto worship Almighty God by doing the latihan.

Now, to continue, Bapak is going to give you a furtherexplanation about the latihan you receive and practise.As he has told you, the latihan is a grace from AlmightyGod; that is why it is made so easy and simple for you tofollow and do.

It is true that you do not know, nor can you know, Godand God's power. But God knows about the state ofhumankind; God knows about each of you. Therefore ifyou trust in God, if you have complete faith in AlmightyGod, and if you do so with patience, acceptance and awillingness to let go, God will give you something that youalways hoped for.

When Bapak tells you that, it is not empty talk, it is notagainst God's will. When Bapak says that, God knows andGod witnesses what Bapak is doing, how he behaves,everything that he does towards you.

And the converse is also true; God knows how you aretowards Bapak. God knows everything. That is why Bapak

hopes that you will pay attention to what you receive,and that you will have complete faith in the power ofGod, which you cannot see or know.

As Bapak has told you, given how far away God is fromhumankind, from this planet, God decided to place Hiswill inside every creature He created – and that includesall of you. That is how God can always know, God canalways hear, God can always understand, what youunderstand, what you hear, and what you see. Godknows how you are, because God is in your seeing. Godcan hear you move, because God is in your hearing. Godcan smell how you are, because God is in your sense ofsmell.

God can feel the state of your inner feeling, becauseGod is in your inner feeling. God understands and knowswhat you feel and what you think, because God is there.Such is the nature of the power of God that envelops andfills you. This is to give you a picture of the power of Godthat envelops and extends through the whole of creation,in the visible and the invisible.

That is why all you have to do is to go to the latihan regu-larly, be diligent, have faith and surrender to the power ofGod. You still have much to receive; in fact there may be

no end to what you need to receive,because you are a human being who is sup-posed to return to the realm of humankind –the true human realm.

But what you have inside you now, whatgoes on inside you, is not appropriate, itdoes not fit. That is why there is no way, thereis no help you can get, there is nothing youpossess, which can put right the things thatare wrong inside you, other than the powerof Almighty God.

Placed Here For A ReasonHuman beings were not created andplaced in this world by God for no reason,without Almighty God having some purpose.In truth, God's intention is to test the nobilityof God's power. It is also a test for human

beings, so that human beings can test themselves andexperience the difference between their state in thisworld and the state they will experience when they die.

That is why it is stated in the advice that has been written,as well as in the explanations given by people whoreceived God's grace, that at a certain time a humanbeing must disclose everything that happened to them,everything that they did during their life. In Dutch thisprocess is called de juist openbaring, meaning 'a true rev-elation' of a person's life in this world.

God wills that everyone will have to face that, includingyou. So it is best if you have no further doubt, it is best ifyou no longer worry that you are being tempted by thelow forces [in the latihan]. In truth, it is not appropriate foryou still to feel that way, because you are being watchedover by the power of God, which is inside you and whichnothing can challenge.

In the latihan you have begun to make spontaneousmovements; this shows that different parts of you arebeing brought to life. The life does not come from the lowforces; it is life that comes from the power

God can feelthe state ofyour inner

feeling,because God

is in yourinner feeling

““

PAGE 7SUBUDVOICE

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DEC 08

of God inside you. You have to go through thisso that your understanding and your feelingswill unite with the one who is watching overyou – with your soul.

And, ultimately, when your state changes – inother words, when you enter the realm ofdeath – your soul will rule, your soul will takecharge. It will be like someone doing a jobwho at the appointed time gives up their postand hands over to a new person, who will takeover and carry on that job.

That is what it will be like for you when you die,when you leave this world: your understand-ing, your being, will be taken over, will be runand experienced by your soul, which will con-tinue its life forever. That is how life continueson for those of you who receive and follow thelatihan.

However, even though that will happen toyou, as long as you live in this world God wantsyou to find the right way to live your life, with-out having to curtail your satisfaction or happi-ness. But if that really is God's will for you, forhuman beings, why are you constantly dis-turbed, why do you have such a hard timeand have bad experiences? The cause isnone other than the mistakes and sins youhave made during your life here, as well as theones you have inherited from your ancestors.

Weigh It For YourselfYou can weigh it up for yourself. Take animals, for exam-ple. Why did God create a living creature like a caterpil-lar and have it live in foliage, thus making it easy for thatcaterpillar to eat and to fatten its body and live well?

The same applies to other animals, like tigers and cattle.Why do tigers live in dense forest, which is a frighteningplace from a human perspective? Well, according todivine will, that is the best place for a tiger, so that it canfind the animals that are its prey and eat them. It is thesame for cattle that live in grasslands – grassland is theright place for cattle, because they eat grass and shrubs.

Such is God's wisdom, nobility, knowledge and under-standing, that God places every creature in an environ-ment which fits its nature and which provides that crea-ture with what it needs to live on. It is no different for ahuman being.

The only difference is the equipment that a person gets.A tiger catches its food by using its claws and teeth. Acow gets its food by using its horns and teeth, andbecause a cow does not know how to pounce, it eats inthe way that cows do. But human beings have beengiven reason and intelligence. And reason and intelli-gence are far more dangerous, far more effective, thanthe tools God has given to animals and creatures belowthe human level.

And in fact human beings have used their reason, theirintellect, their intelligence, to discover extraordinarythings – things that other human beings say are wonder-ful or amazing. But actually that is not because of humanability; all those discoveries are gifts from God. However,in general, because they do not understand the source

and because they do not know how Godworks, human beings think that all [those dis-coveries] come from their minds.

Indeed, brothers and sisters, such discoveriesdo come from the mind, from the intellect. Butwhat you need to know is that the mind issomething that was added, it is just a tool.Without someone to use it, without someone tohold it, a tool is useless.

It is the same with human reason and thought:without life – the life that comes from the powerof God – a person cannot do anything; ahuman being cannot use their heart or mind.The proof is that once a person dies, eventhough their heart remains, even though theirbrain is still there, even though all the organsare there, they cannot function.

Consider another example: of someone who isstill alive, who has hands – who has hands andfeet. Suppose that a person has both hands,but the feeling in the hands, the feeling of life,has gone. If the feeling of life has returned to itsorigin, that person cannot use their hands anymore, and organs as complex as hands are nogood for touching, writing, and so on. That isanother example.

Uniting The Feeling In Every Part Of YouSo, the latihan you receive is for uniting the feeling inevery part of you, so that every part of you will be con-nected to your soul. As a result, when you die your soulwill still feel, it will still understand and be conscious ofyour state.

Even in the realm of death it will still remember and knowwhat it was like when you lived in this world. And while youlive here, you need the latihan so that you will understandhow to use each part of you in accordance with its truepurpose. Then you will act and behave in ways that donot disobey the will of God.

That is why, when Bapak tests with you, he asks your soulto show you your true foot. And then he asks you to showwhat your foot should be used for. Bapak does that togive you an example; to make the point that every partof you has to be trained, so that every part of you will getto know for itself what its duties and responsibilities are.

Then each part of you will know how to lead a happy anduseful life. This is very important and necessary for you, ifyou are not to end up going astray or in despair, becauseyou will know how you should live your life.

Why do some of you despair and not know what to doin life? Well, your situation can be likened or comparedto the life of a captive animal. Take a bird that has spentits whole life in a cage. Take a horse that has spent itswhole life in a stall. If that bird is freed from its cage, ifthat horse is freed from its stall, neither the bird nor thehorse will survive.

The problem is that they are used to being cared for; theydepend on the person who looks after them. You are inthe same situation. You depend on and rely totally onways of behaving that you have acquired, that youlearnt to do, using your heart and mind.

Bapak hopes

that you will

pay attention

to what you

receive, and

that you will

have complete

faith in the

power

of God“

“

PAGE 8 SUBUDVOICE

cont on p9 >

DEC 08

That is why most of you constantly, or for much of thetime, feel hopeless. The problem is that for your whole lifeyou have been fettered and shackled by the pressure ofyour heart and desires.

That is the problem. So, because the latihan is willed by God,your heart, your mind and your desires do not take part, theydo not function. If they got involved, the heart, mind anddesires would just block the life of your whole inner feeling –that which is able to lead you through the gate to the roadto freedom in a way that fits your individuality.

If Your Hands Are AliveFor example, if your hands are alive and they understandtheir individuality, you certainly will not use your hands to hitpeople. Hands that are human do not have the strength tohit people. Human hands have other uses – for touching,for art, for things that are cultured, good and refined. Itwould be different if you were a cow or a buffalo.

If you had horns like a cow, of course you would use yourhead to ram with – or if you were an elephant. Or a tiger:a tiger's claws are strong, so of course you would use yourclaws to maul and strike with.

That is why many people behave in ways that go againsttheir true nature. For instance, a human being should notearn a living by hitting other people, as boxers do. Goddoes not want people to beat other people up, to fightlike animals. That is why, in old age, boxers end their livesin misery. A boxer's body gets ruined because of theirwrong actions.

Something similar happens to somebody who is obsessedwith going to see things, with watching films or otherattractions, and who never pays attention to the otherparts of their body, which should be used just as much.That person keeps watching and watching and watch-ing, until finally their eyes are damaged and they cannotsee. The same goes for all the other parts of the body.That is how someone behaves when they do not under-stand what each part of their body needs or wants.

In reality, the latihan will bring to life every part of you, allof your senses, so that you will know how to live your life;and, one by one, each part of you will be freed andreleased from the oppression of the desires and the mind.

And then, as Bapak has often told you, you will be able tounite your whole inner feeling so that every part of youconnects with your soul, which runs your life. Thereafteryou will know what each part of you is to be used for,both in this world and in the next world.

Bapak has given you an example, by testing with you.Perhaps he will do some more testing with you now, so thatyou can find out whether he is telling the truth or not. Bapakwill test with you. It will not take long. So, please get ready.

BAPAK’S TALKS: VOLUME 16 4 March 1967 – 2 April 1967Available from: Subud Publications International, LoudwaterFarm, Loudwater Lane, Rickmansworth, Herts. WD3 4HG UK E: spi@subudbooks.co.uk W: www.subudbooks.netCopyright© 2007 by the World Subud Association. All rights reserved.

Inner Voice welcomes stories and letters. Please send toIlaine Lennard, ilaine.l@hotmail.co.uk

I N N E RV O I C E

THE PILLAR OF LIGHTMore extracts from Rozak Tatebe’s book SUBUD – A SPIRI-TUAL JOURNEY…

Following the stormy experiences I had gone through withSumiko, I was blessed with tranquil, peaceful days. My atti-tude to the latihan had changed. Since I had decided tosurrender my soul to God, I was no longer doing it out of adesire for my own good.

Now, I could practice it with an attitude that was closer tothe original purpose of Subud – to worship God regardlessof whether or not this brought one personal benefit. Nodoubt, this had been a kind of preparation, and for sever-al years after that I was given many different experiences.The first of these was one that was to clarify for me theessence of the latihan.

It is explained to everyone who joins Subud that the lati-han is a direct contact with the Power of God, which willawaken their dormant soul and help it to develop. It is alsoexplained that the latihan of Subud opens a path forhuman souls, which is made complete through adoptingthese three characteristics, so that people can find theirway from earth after they die, and return to their realhome in the world of true human beings.

People who accept these explanations are ‘opened’ andbecome Subud members. But in the early stages, it is notalways easy to make the connection between theseexplanations and one’s own experience.

At that stage, the explanations people hear are still onlyabstract concepts, and have not been experienced bythe person for him/herself. But later, through what takesplace in their own spiritual lives, members gradually under-stand what the latihan is really about. Members who have beendoing latihan for a long time, say that once they had under-stood what it meant, they could never give up the latihan.

But to get to this state usually takes ten, twelve years ormore. Until that point, it is not unusual for people to feelthat they cannot make a clear connection between whatis a very high goal and the reality of their own latihan.

So, a person is truly blessed if they can feel the power ofthe latihan relatively early on, and experience for them-selves the changes that take place within them. In thatsense, I could have been called fortunate because I wasable to experience my own complete answer to the ques-tion, what is the latihan?

The White WallIn those days, the Tokyo Subud Group rented the gymna-sium of a boys’ high school. It was in a state of major neg-lect. Several wooden partitions were splintered by stu-dents who practiced a martial art and the hinges hadcome off one of the entrance doors, so that it barely stoodupright and the cold winds of winter whistled

•ILAINA LOOKING FOR WORK I laina Lennard, former editor ofSUBUD VOICE, is looking for paid work, proof reading/edit ing.Reasonable rates, excellent references. E-mail Ilaine.l@hotmail.co.ukor tel. +44 (0)1344 451851. NOTE e-mail address is ILAINE not ILAINA

PAGE 9SUBUDVOICE DEC 08

cont on p10 >

in through the gaps. We would do latihan inthe dim light of one or two electric bulbs, withour overcoats on.

One evening, I had just started doing latihan inthis dim light, when I noticed that an enormouswhite wall had appeared on the far side of thegym. It was about 10 meters wide and afterfurther scrutiny, I saw that it extended right upthrough the roof of the gym and right downthrough the floor. There also appeared to bewhite foam around where it met the floor.

I realised that this was no ordinary wallbecause it was made of light. But then thethought came that what I was looking at waswhat I can only describe as the ‘foot’ of Godand I was filled with a sense of reverence.Normally, I would have shrugged off thisthought, seeing it as a fantasy or a child’s ideaof God but, for some reason seeing that enor-mous wall – or rather pillar – of light in front of my very eyesmade me think that this was the mark of God’s ‘foot’,extended right down to earth.

It seemed to me that I was staring at this for a long time.The pillar of light gradually thinned and the far wall of thegym which had been blocked from my view graduallycame into sight again. After my latihan ended, the mean-ing of the experience was not clear to me, but I decidednot to try and guess but to wait until the answer came tome naturally.

The CylinderHowever, there was a sequel to this. At the next group lati-han I felt that I was being surrounded by something.Undeterred, I continued until the feeling became strongerand I then realised that I was inside a kind of cylinder. Thecylinder was about 3 or 4 meters wide – with enoughspace for me to do my latihan – and it was transparent, sothat I could see outside it. The cylinder stretched abovemy head while also maintaining its width.

I looked up and was amazed to discover that it extendedvertically right up above me and way into the distance. Infact it stretched into deep space until what seemed likethe end of universe, and from below, I was looking straightup into what can only be described as an infinite distance.If I concentrated hard enough, I could just make out atthe upper end of the cylinder, something hazy that lookedlike it could be the supreme presence of the Almighty.

This was indeed a strange sight. I was inside a column oflight which stretched to infinity above me, yet way in thedistance I could make out the very top of it. This would nor-mally be unthinkable. Yet it was pitch black inside. I lookedthrough to see what was outside.

Unlike the darkness inside, it seemed to be faintly brightoutside. A closer inspection showed that this was due tothe light being dispersed by the tiny particles of dust thatwere floating in the atmosphere. I thought that the dark-ness inside the column must be due to the intense purity ofthe strands of light, as there were absolutely no impuritiespresent to reflect the light off. And that was why, I thought,it was possible to see so far into the distance.

The meaning of this column of light then became clearerto me. It was a bridge between humans and the Supreme

Being – a pathway through which humanscould be at the feet of God and throughwhich He could reach us on this earth. And itrepresented the true purpose of the latihan.

I continued with my latihan throughout thisexperience. As I observed this pathway of lightI realised that there were absolutely no obsta-cles in the way; it soared vertically towards theAlmighty and I was at the very bottom of it. Inother words, I was still only at the starting pointof the journey.

This was, frankly, a little disappointing,because I had thought that having done thelatihan for several years I would at least beseveral meters along the way by now. Butwhen I looked at the infinite space thatextended up above me, that thought instant-ly dissipated.

I Had Begun To Walk The WayThe important thing was that I had begun to walk the waythat would take me to God. As I gazed on this pathway, Iunderstood that nothing else mattered, and the questionof how far I had progressed was so trifling, it was not wor-thy of concern. No matter how far I walked, He would stillbe even further away. If that were so, how far I had comewas immaterial.

What mattered was whether I were walking the pathproperly and would I continue to stay on the path withoutwavering. I understood this not as a rationale but as anactual feeling. The truth is, that after that experience I lostall interest in how spiritually advanced I was or was not,which is really, after all, like comparing apples and pears.On a scale of eternity that includes past, present, andfuture, who can know the real truth?

As I gazed on the column of light, I also became awarethat it was absolutely straight and smooth; there were noobstacles in the way. It seemed to me that this showedsymbolically that the obstacles our souls meet are not putthere intentionally but in fact have their origin in our ownselves. The journey to God is purification for our souls.

Sometimes in this process, we are visited by trials, like myown experiences had been, so it is not always an easyroad. But these difficulties are not inflicted by God. Theyare impurities that we have accumulated not only fromour selves but also from our parents, and even furtherback, from our ancestors. It seemed to me that thestraight column of light was an indication that the painand suffering we feel is not from God, but is a necessaryexperience that we have to have in order to removethese impurities.

The pillar gradually faded and my latihan also ended. Thatwas when I first realised that the wall of light I had seen inmy previous latihan, and the cylinder of light in this one,were one and the same. I had seen the pillar from the out-side the first time and this time I was looking at it from theinside. I reasoned that why on the previous occasion, I hadseen this as God’s ‘foot’ was because this was to show methat I was in fact at the very bottom of this pathway to Him.

The experience also proved to me the special nature ofthe spiritual training that is the latihan – as well as indicat-ing that the ladder from Heaven that is talked

I had just started doinglatihan in this

dim light, whenI noticed thatan enormouswhite wall had

appeared

“

“

PAGE 10 SUBUDVOICE DEC 08

•

about in the Bible and ancientfolklore is not just a metaphor or afantasy but has real existence in aspiritual sense.

This is the understanding I tookaway with me. But of course, this ismy personal view; I am not tryingto claim that what I say is right orthat the latihan of Subud is theonly pathway to God. No doubtthere are many pathways of lightto God in this world that I just donot know about.

A unique characteristic of the latihan that I have not seenelsewhere however, is that this pathway to the Almighty isnot just a special reward for human effort and devotion,but is something that is open to everyone who wants it, solong as they have an attitude of total surrender to Him.

The fact that this pathway is open does not mean that youget to a prescribed destination in one fell swoop. Just as Isaw myself standing at the very bottom of this pathway, theissue is all about being ready for the journey. There is a step-by-step progression that unfolds in front of you as you con-tinue and go through the process. How you accept this andhow you judge it is an individual choice and decision.

The Supreme GoalI am sure that at some stage of their lives, everyone haswondered about the reason for their existence. Why werethey born into this world and why do they exist?

Many people are aware of the question at puberty. Inmost cases, the question goes unanswered and the youngperson launches out into the stormy waters of society, andamidst the business of everyday life forgets all about it. Butthere are also a small number of people who carry thisquestion somewhere inside them for the rest of their lives.

When I was younger, there was a poet I used to like calledRainer Maria Rilke. One of his poems, The Duino Elegiesbegins with such a question.

Why, if it's possible to spend this span of existence aslaurel, a little darker than all other greens, with littlewaves on every leaf-edge (like the smile of a breeze),why, then, must we be human and, shunning destiny,long for it?..(The Ninth Elegy)

In fact the Duino Elegies were too difficult for me to under-stand, but for some reason, this single stanza stuck in mymemory. This was probably because I was so pessimistic atthe time; it seemed to fit the very question I had in my ownmind. The experience I described in the Prologue had firstdirectly prompted my quest for God, but no doubt therewere thoughts like these deep behind it.

In 1963, about one year after experiencing the pillar of light,I had a conclusive experience in relation to this question. (to be continued)

The journey toGod is

purification for our souls

“

“

During Ramdhan I reread Anthony Bright-Paul’s book ‘MyStairway to Subud’. This must have been just the right time toread it because I enjoyed it very much.

It is an excellent account of what life was like at CoombeSprings before and after the coming of Subud, all imbuedwith Anthony’s forthright personality and muscular approachto life.

In particular I was struck by the following passage which hehas kindly given us permission to reprint in Subud Voice. Theexperiences recounted here about “sympathetic feelings”are just as relevant today as they were back then…

1958 was a very exciting time for many of us. The impact andthe experiences of the latihan were still fresh. We were wit-nessing a rapid expansion of Subud all over the world, andmany were experiencing the first fruits of the latihan as Bapakhad forecast.

Pak Subuh had said that some people might become capa-ble of sympathetic diagnosis. My first experience of this cameshortly after Bapak’s first visit to Manchester. Mr Bennett hadtold me that he had suffered on account of the vibrations inthe house where he was staying.

Since I had often been to this house and knew the peoplerather well, I was inclined to be sceptical. However a fewweeks later I happened to call round unheralded. I was atonce taken into the living room where the son of the house,a spastic boy of fifteen, was sitting on the sofa.

Immediately on entering the room it seemed as if a peculiarfluid or substance ran up and enveloped my legs. My chestfelt constricted and small pellets seemed to be bombardingmy head. I felt most uncomfortable, while the boy seemedhappy enough and well disposed towards me. When Ireturned to my flat I exercise for some minutes to clear myself.

I later told Pak Subuh of this experience and he tested andsaid that the inner condition of the boy was good, and thatthe affliction was all exterior. I understood that the boy couldwell have been helped by the exercise. At the same time inthe South of England a spastic boy regularly did the latihan,accompanied by his father and helpers, and appeared tohave made great progress.

Legs and LungsMuch later I had another striking experience of sympatheticdiagnosis. I was in Manchester, suffering a rather violent fit ofdepression, wondering to myself whether we were not in factdeceiving ourselves about Subud.

I bumped into an acquaintance that was not in Subud, butwas well known for his knowledge of esoteric ideas and wholed a small group. We went into a café and began to discussideas. I asked him his views on the existence of the soul andthe question of free will that had for so long absorbed me.

Following his general answers, I asked him directlywhether in his opinion his own will was free, andwhether he had his own ‘I’. Just in the instant that hedeclared to me that he did indeed have his own ‘I’,the base of my lungs seemed to fil l with about half aninch of water.

I almost laughed aloud, because while he went on with hisexplanations about man’s ability to choose, I knew that hehad water in his lungs. My depression and doubts vanishedsuddenly. One curious factor in this incident is

Feel ing What Others Feel

To find the corresponding time in your part of the world go to www.timeanddate.com/worldclock

WORLD LATIHAN

JAN (2009) 03/04 3.00 GMT on the 4th

DEC 06/07 20.00 GMT on the 6th

cont on p11 >

PAGE 11SUBUDVOICE DEC 08

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that the man had a bad leg, but I felt nothing inmy legs.

Later I spoke about this to the Tyrers who had for-merly studied with this man. At once they said, “Butyou knew that he had something wrong with hislungs?” But indeed I did not know this beforehand.

What is the Use of These Experiences?On another occasion I stopped at a hotel in theMidlands for lunch and went to the bar for a drink.As I was talking to the barmaid I felt suddenly as ifthere was a long needle in my heart. I asked her ifshe had anything wrong with her heart.

She was visibly astonished at my question. It tran-spired that she had been ill for a long time, but doctor afterdoctor had been unable to diagnose her complaint. Only aweek before, at long last, a doctor had diagnosed that shehad a lesion in her heart.

Latterly this sort of thing has happened fairly often and I take lit-tle notice of it. Sometimes I am unable to tell whether I ammyself ill or have picked up someone else’s complaint. Forexample, when I was recently in California, I sometimes gotacute sinusitis.

Only later did I find that my wife had been having a recurrenceof her childhood sinus trouble, which disappeared just aboutthe time that mine started. (Readers will observe here that I tookBapak’s advice and got married in April 1962.)

My father, who was opened in South Africa, to whom I wrote ofthese experiences, often asked what was the use of them, sincethey could be both painful and inconvenient.

I believe that the person who is sick is helped, if only by a tem-porary transference of suffering. There may be more than that,but I don’t know. I do know that this has always occurred spon-taneously, without any volition on my part.

This sort of experience has also served to deepen my suspicionof spiritual healers and those who are obsessed with the idea ofhelping the sick with their spiritual powers. Not that I don’tbelieve that there are some people who have genuine powers.

But I am more and more convinced that those who help thesick must share their burdens and their sickness, even if tem-porarily. I think that anyone who has real experience of this can-not possibly want to help, though they may simply be calledupon to do so.

This may sound un-Christian, but I am inclined at the time of writ-ing to avoid the sick if possible, and the negative anddepressed as well.

Not Confined to the Body AloneThis type of sympathetic awareness was not confined to thebody alone. Many people reported experiencing feelings andthoughts for which they could account in no ordinary way. Iremember that when Bapak first left England, I was so happy atthe time that his departure made no difference. In fact, everytime I thought of Bapak I was overcome with the impulses tolaugh with happiness.

Shortly after his departure I was with one of the young Indonesians(Asikin) who had remained in England and an acute feeling ofsadness stole over me. This was so in contrast to my own generalstate at the time that I was sure I was feeling his state.

Of course, one has to be careful not to attribute all one’s statesto other people. But in my experience there is always a particu-lar taste to a borrowed state, and a feeling of unaccustomed-ness and incomprehensibility.

Curious PhenomenaOne curious phenomenon must be mentioned in this regard,

which was observed by a number of people.There was at Coombe Springs a man whoindulged freely in criticism of Subud, Pak Subuh,Mr Bennett, the organisation and everything.(Sidney Jenkins)

Above all he denied that he or anyone else waschanged by the exercise. He was so patently nega-tive that I expected to feel uncomfortable in hispresence, but on the contrary I felt as if I was hear-ing a great joke and felt light and happy.

It seemed to me that his inner state was much bet-ter than he would have us believe, and that his crit-icism was a mechanical habit and entirely lacking invenom. A friend of mine experienced the same sort

of thing with Rofé – Rofé criticised but nothing seemed to comeaway with his criticism.

Even stranger was the sensing of a person’s condition onceremoved, so to speak. I was once being consulted about theproblems of a third party whom I had never met. Abruptly mystate changed and I interrupted my friend and began todescribe the situation of this third person, to which he replied withsome astonishment, “Exactly! Exactly!”

On another occasion I was speaking to Gwen Tyrer about a manwho lived in another city. Something seem to be niggling herwhile I was speaking and suddenly she interrupted and said,“He’s a bit queer, isn’t he?” I felt very angry because this manhad many admirable qualities. But she was dead right.

Quite UnaccountableSometimes I experienced feelings that seemed quite unaccount-able at the time. For example, I often used to eat in the SevenCircles Café, one of the first Subud enterprises, above which wehad our latihan halls, which was run by members of theManchester Group.

There was a certain waiter there who used to produce in mequite uncalled-for feelings of anger. Whenever he approachedthe table where my friends and I were sitting, I found myself quiteunable to speak. These feeling were so marked that I could notunderstand what possessed me to be so obviously rude andchurlish to this man.

Only later did it transpire that a great deal of money was regular-ly missing from the till, and cartons of cigarettes kept disappear-ing. It was later proved conclusively that this waiter was the thief.

The Awakening of ConscienceSome of these examples illustrate what I might call the awaken-ing of Conscience, though of a conscience quite different fromthe normal conception of it. Normally, one has a sort of precon-ceived idea of the duties demanded by conscience.

But this Conscience was demonstrably quicker than one’sthoughts, and was often contrary to one’s own sense of ‘ought’.

When I ought to have spoken my tongue swelled in my mouthand I was compelled to be silent; when I ought to have beenfriendly, I found myself moved to wrath; when I ought to havewanted to help, I found myself indifferent. In fact it seems to methat the sense of ‘ought’ is purely a product of thinking.

To enquire about Anthony’s book contact him on anthony.bright@ntlworld.com

“

“

...one has to becareful not toattribute all

one’s states toother people

PASSING OF RACHMAT FISHERRachmat Fisher died in Jakarta on September 27, 2008. Wesend our condolences to his family. A memorial article willappear in January 2009 Subud Voice

PASSING OF MICHELE VON ROYK LEWINSKIMichele von Royk Lewinski died peacefully in Sydney onOctober 31 2008. Tributes to her will appear in January2009 Subud Voice.

SUBUDVOICE PAGE 12 DEC 08

Roland Evans responds to recentarticles by Sharif Horthy andHamilton Helmer and HanafiFraval about enterprise…

Enterprise: A piece of worktaken in hand, an undertaking;esp. one that is bold, hazardousor arduous – Shorter OxfordEnglish Dictionary.

Subud enterprises: our greatestpotential and most dismal fail-ures -- are we ready to come togrips with this uncomfortabletopic? Sharif Horthy andHamilton Helmer make an excel-

lent start in their recent article, Thoughts on Subud Enterprise.

However, their conclusion, “cooperative enterprises will notwork”, has a taste of bitterness and defeat. It suggests that weshould consign the idea of cooperative enterprises to the trash-can rather than face another fiasco. I think it too soon to trashthe whole idea.

Reasons for FailureOn the other hand, I agree completely with Sharif andHamilton’s analysis. The three cooperative Subud enterprises(BSB, S. Widjojo, Anugraha) originated in a blaze of idealism butdid not have the business fundamentals needed to succeed:

• Strong competent leadership and management• Organisational flexibility and ability to adapt to change• Expertise in all essential business functions• Enduring commitment of energy, time and money• Ability to resolve conflicts of personality and interests.

Given these limitations, it is a miracle that these projects got asfar as they did. Looking back, I see them as immature attemptsto reach toward a goal that was beyond our capacity – like achild trying to build the Eiffel Tower out of Lego.

Using the same analogy, Bapak was the frustrated architectstuck with inexperienced and incompetent sub-contractors (allof us). We did what we could, but we could not build wellenough: our Towers fell down – again and again. The questionis, should we sit in a corner and mope, or grow up and find bet-ter building methods?

Subud EnterprisesThe big cooperative projects were Subud enterprises; that wastheir problem. A Subud enterprise is, by definition, for Subud bySubud members. It is Subud-centred, inward looking – oftenguided by a belief that because of the latihan, because of ourspecialness, God will bend the rules and protect us from failure.

These projects were not only immature in their organisation andmanagement, but also in their goals and intentions. Their motiva-tion was to showcase how Subud works in the world, a kind of self-congratulatory spiritual materialism. Thank God they are history.Now we need to move on.

Human EnterpriseIn the compilation Human Enterprise, by Rachman Connellyand Bradford Temple, Bapak speaks about enterprise, notSubud enterprises. Enterprise is sacred human work. It mustencompass:

•A vision and intention that is directed toward human bene-fit rather than profit for the few;•The right people doing work that is in harmony with theirskills, talents and inner natures;•Acceptance of the difficulties, personal and practical,

Human Enterprises notSubud Enterprises

inherent in any human enterprise; •A practical, down-to-earth approach.

These fundamentals apply to every undertaking of Subud mem-bers, whether charitable, personal or cooperative. Cooperativeenterprise is exponentially more diffi-cult, but not necessarily impossible.

Human IntentionBapak is clear: “The purpose of enter-prises is not at all to build up great for-tune for yourselves. On the contrary,the purpose is to fulfill the needs ofsociety, the needs of those aroundyou, those who need taking care of.”(Human Enterprise, P. 30).

This is what Buddhists call “right work.”The products and processes of anenterprise should do no harm to peo-ple or the Earth but rather benefithumanity and everyone involved. Without this conscious humanintention, we implicitly support greed, materialism and desecra-tion of human and natural environments.

This expansive intention is not impractical. It engages the best inus to do the best for others and ourselves. Until I could feel thatmy enterprise was and is of real benefit to my customers andpersonnel, I could not get behind it. SES is almost defunct whileSusila Dharma flourishes: what does that tell us? SD captures theenthusiasm of Subud and non-Subud people because it touch-es our human heart. SES does not.

Human EmploymentHuman feeling has to be present in the way we work with othersand in how we employ people. There has to be a “fit” betweenthe inner nature of a person and the demands of an enterprise,otherwise the relationship turns sour and frustrating. It is not just amatter of skill and competence. As Bapak says, “The capital isthe people.” (Human Enterprise, P. 56). We must value that cap-ital above all else,

In my own enterprise, the worst mistake I made was to employsomeone primarily because they were in Subud – a total disas-ter. My best decision was taking on partners whose inner naturesand talents are God’s contribution to the business. These col-leagues are not Subud members. Enterprise only works with theright people. Those people are unlikely to come from the tinypool of Subud. We have to look to the ocean of mankind.

Enterprise and PurificationEnterprise is tough, not for the faint-hearted. It is a forum for purifi-cation, as Hanafi Fraval puts it in his article. My initial reaction to myown enterprise was intense resistance. I could not commit fully,even though my receiving was clear. Then came a long period ofdoubt and fear. Now my struggle is with maintaining focus andworking hard. “It is really true that anything we have to do, wehave to do with complete determination, real power, intentionand will.” (Human Enterprise, P. 55). Half-hearted attempts do notwork.

Being Practical“Bapak wants you always, in everything you do, to be practi-cal.” (Human Enterprise, P.62). Obviously, we need to knowwhat we are doing and use all the business knowledge and wis-dom available. Enterprise is engagement with the materialworld. We have to know the rules of the game (even if we some-times break them). Bapak cannot help us with specific man-agement decisions; he was an architect, not a bricklayer.

"Bapak doesn’t intend or doesn’t have the idea that each of youseparately do your own enterprises.” (Human Enterprise, P. 65).Bapak wanted us to get together and create something collab-orative and valuable. However, it is evident that we are notready to embark on another big cooperative project. The righttime may come. If it does, I hope we will be prepared for a trulyhuman enterprise.

Roland Evans

The right time maycome. If it does, Ihope we will be prepared for atruly human enterprise

“

“

•

PAGE 13SUBUDVOICE DEC 08•

Forty Years in SubudMaurice Baker reflects…

Forty years in Subud! I can hardly believe that this year will markthat milestone for me. Yes I know, I’m a baby compared withsome, but it still seems incredible. As does the fact, incidentally,that I’ll be entitled to claim a State Pension in twelve months time– legally entitled to take a back-seat, yet somehow I doubt if that’sgoing to happen.

So what have I got from Subud after all these years? How, tocoin a cliché, has it changed my life? What rewards or benefits,if you like, have I received from all my dedication, effort and sac-rifice? What, in the end, has been the point of it all?

These may seem rather mercenary questions but, to most people,perfectly reasonable ones given that no one likes to see their timeand energy wasted in life. So I’ll try and answer them honestly, as iftalking to my Mum – the sort of honest and down-to-earth personwho would ask such things.

Before joining Subud I had been something of a bum – hitchingaround the country with an old guitar (my only regular compan-ion), picking up odd jobs and occasional gigs in folk clubs, thenmoving on restlessly before any moss could gather.

I did all the usual time-wasting yet essential learning things thatyoung people do without any great disasters other than spas-modic hangovers, sleepless nights and bad trips. There was noreal direction to my life besides a vague ambition to perform inpublic for tons of cash and, in the process, have lots of amazingadventures roaming the world meeting like-minded souls andgenerally partying the time away. Just the usual fantasies inother words.

One day a friend persuaded me to go along to the localSubud group in Kingston-upon-Thames and meet some of hisnew ‘brothers and sisters’. I was very reluctant, not leastbecause of rumours I’d heard about weird cultish goings onat a spooky old house up Kingston Hill and this group seemedsomehow connected.

Coombe Springs, situated there, was John Bennet’s centre forGurdjieff study and, when visited by Bapak, became the mainspringboard for Subud in the world at that time. Many of theKingston Group’s members had been Gurdjieff followers.)

However, the mild mannered and quite unremarkable folk qui-etly sipping tea in what appeared to be a Nissan hut were farfrom what I’d expected. I knew nothing about Subud, not hav-ing read any of the publications my helpful friend had lent me,nor any other spiritual matters in fact, but had dimly expectedthese people to have extraordinary powers, great insights or, atthe very least, some sort of outlandish garb akin to monkishhabits.

Taken rather aback I wasn’t sure whether to be disappoint-ed or relieved. However, everyone seemed friendly enoughand, after an hour or so, I was persuaded to sign an appli-cant form which, somewhat reluctantly, I did (it seemed tomake them happy).

Quietly Falling ApartI didn’t return to the Nissan hut for some months, partlybecause it seemed rather irrelevant and also because I wastoo preoccupied with my life, which was quietly falling apart.Living at the time in the attic of a rather bohemian house fullof artists and musicians, I was becoming more and more dis-turbed by the excessive drinking and pot smoking around me;suffering from severe insomnia and, when sleep finally came,frighteningly vivid nightmares.

My latest girlfriend had left me emotionally confusedand, on the work front, I was back on the dole with no

foreseeable prospects. After somenagging from my friend, and havingrun out of excuses, I did return to theNissan hut and, much to my surprise,was welcomed with beaming smileslike the prodigal son.

After tea and pleasantries someonesaid, ‘Isn’t it about time you wereopened?’ What did that mean? Iwondered. If it involved venturinginto the darkened room next doorfrom which I’d heard the unholy wail-ing sounds, I thought, ‘No thank you!’

And so, after making all manner oflame excuses, I left that eveningnone the wiser and still not opened.However, over the next few days Icame to think that I might as wellgive it a go. My life continued to bea mess and this Subud might evenhelp me get out of it. My friend wasvery reassuring and showed no signsof being bewitched or sufferingmental breakdown. What’s more, I thought, if I didn’t like it Iwould simply not continue. I’d spent my life so far getting in andout of scrapes – so what was the difference?

So, a few days later, I was duly opened, though it was some-thing of an anticlimax. Nothing discernible happened, at leastnot in the latihan; in my life however, I gradually obtained aregular job, a decent flat and a stable lifestyle. This was notwithout some hardship and sacrifice, but I now seemed to havea purpose. In fact, within three years I emerged with a wife,child, house and my feet firmly on the first rungs of a lifetime’sprofession (teaching).

The Mainstay Of My LifeAll this, and many other very tangible benefits, came aboutdirectly or indirectly through Subud. After a couple of years mylatihan also took off after an encounter with Bapak and, despitemany twists and turns, has remained the mainstay of my life.

There have been crises of course, divorce, redundancy,changes of location and direction, etc, but I’ve always feltGod’s guidance throughout. What’s more I’ve been givenmany insights which have enabled me never to despair orblame others for problems, but recognise my own faults and fail-ings and the need to bring these to the surface so they can bedealt with.

Every year, for example, I fast during Ramadhan (the legacy ofan early flirtation with Islam, brought about by Subud contacts)and despite the hardships of denial it always brings invaluablegifts, both inner and outer.

No, I’m not rich; not in financial terms, but Subud has made mewealthy in human terms and, since we can’t take it with us, thatis more important to me than any material benefits – thoughthese have not been inconsiderable.

What’s more, I have made many good friends across the coun-try and throughout the world who, even if we don’t see eachother for years, I feel very close to – closer than my birth family infact. So I just believe myself so fortunate, despite the occasion-al pain and purification, not only to have received this great giftof the latihan, but to be part of such an amazing unfoldingSubud adventure.

Cynics might say that many of the benefits attr ibutedto the latihan would probably have happened any-way. That may be true but, as testing has shown, Iknow I’d be immeasurably poorer without it (thoughtest ing experiences are definitely not something Iwould share with my old Mum).

There have beencrises of course,

divorce, redundancy,changes of location &

direction, etc, butI’ve always feltGod’s guidance

throughout

“

“

PAGE 14 SUBUDVOICE DEC 08

•

Abdus Salam Molla writes fromBangladesh about the importance ofBapak’s talks…

After my student days, when I joined toSUBUD in 1976, Bapak's Talks were animmense inspiration to me in the scope of my knowledge fromthen on.

My interest also increased in subjects like Literature, Maths,Science, Philosophy, Economics, Religion, Astrology, Palmistry,Medicine [Homeopathic] etc. I never tire of reading up on anysubject of my choice but am very lazy in writing about it.However, Bapak's talks on spiritual experiences were alwayswonderful and profound, and I absorbed them as much as waspossible. Bapak has always urged us to do latihan regularly andwith utmost submission.

Surely the latihan is a prime source of knowledge, even secretknowledge. Bapak's Talks are explanations about our receiving inthe latihan. So, being diligent in latihan and then readingBapak's talks were the sources of my increased knowledge.

Sometimes I hear people say they are not interested in readingBapak's Talks because they think the latihan is enough.

But whilst the Latihan is absolutely necessary for Subud members,the same applies to time spent reading Bapak’s and IbuRahayu's Talks. As well, the experiences of other Subud membersare also necessary to read.

One thing is, that whenever Bapak or Ibu Rahayu give talks bothof them are a kind of latihan and whatever they say is actuallynot their own sayings or words. The words come through themand the source of their words is from somewhere else. Actuallytheir talks come from the original source of knowledge.

Sometimes newly opened members doing latihan for some daysor years may have received something but are still far from theactual understanding. They might feel that what they are receiv-ing is enough and they do not anymore need to read Bapak orIbu Rahayu's Talks.

But I think this is not how it really is. What I feel is, that when weare satisfied with our present situation or level of knowledge thenwe may lose interest in Bapak or Ibu Rahayu's talks.

But in my own experience I must say that whenever I read Bapakor Ibu Rahayu's talks, I always find in them something new orvaluable even if I have already read those talks many timesbefore.

This opinion of mine is also equally applicable to Bapak's book,SUSILA BUDHI DHARMA.

Bapak’s Talks

Abdus Salam Molla

At long last the Subud group in Canberra, Australia’s NationalCapital, has obtained the land on which to build a new centre.Ruth Mackay writes…

I am pleased to announce that at a Canberra GeneralMeeting on Sunday last, members voted to accept the offer ofland from the ACT Government on which to build a place ofworship and community centre. The design of the building isapproved so signing the lease of land for 99 years (renewable)is the next step.

It has taken a long time to get to this point because land is notfreehold in Canberra and the Government process is slow.However, this step moves us forward to our goal of having ourown Latihan place and consequently an enterprise. Your prayersfor the success of the project are appreciated.

Canberra Gets Land

Munawarah English, a long time Subud member in both the USand Australia, died of cancer at her home in Couagl, Australiaon September 30th. She was the founder of Sinecera in Australia.

Bachrun and Amanda Waite were with her for the last 5 weeksand when she died. It was constant latihan there at the end,they say. If you wish more information, you can e-mail to Bachrunat bachrun@juno.com

From Melinda Wallis: My personal tribute to Munawarah isthat she was an amazing tower of strength as she and ourLabasir English built Sinecera. She fought against incredibleodds to get what she needed to make her project go, want-ing a lot of help from the Subud organisation, and strugglingto get it. She didn't always get what she wanted from people,but she knew she got endless help from Almighty God, inwhom she had enormous faith.

She was an example to me, as are many of our SD project lead-ers, who put their entire lives on the line to accomplish somethingto help others. Giants! I have to imagine Munawarah issuinginstructions to the angels as she entered their realm! I bow toMunawarah to honour her, and hope that her faith and goodworks are rewarded.

From Illene Pevec: Munawarah inspired me so much with herdetermination first to create a home for elder care where the eld-ers participated in the work of the house including gardening. Sheused homeopathy with them and the people got better underher conscientious care that seemed to bring them back to life.

She used the money from the sale of that home to buy land inthe tropical forest of Queensland and create a retreat for fami-lies in crisis, a place of beauty where families could be togetherin nature and in a caring human environment.

Since she spent her early career as a midwife to the aboriginalpeople, if the story I heard was correct, it seemed she dedicat-ed her entire life to helping people of all ages to live in healthand dignity. May God's love guide her home to organise what-ever needs organizing in heaven.

From Harris Smart: She was an extraordinary woman. As othershave said her courage and determination and her capacity forhard work were boundless. She was a hardy pioneer. Sometimesthe path she struck was difficult for others to follow her.

Sine Cera was a remarkable achievement in a beautiful anddramatic location. She was always a good friend to me. Alwayswelcomed me, though we differed in many ways, were very dif-ferent people.

God speed , Munawarah, with love, to a better place wherethere are perhaps not so many obstacles to the full expression ofourselves as there are in this material world.

We have heard that it was Munawarah’s wish that the charityshe founded, Morningside C.A.R.E , should remain in Subudhands and ways that this can be accomplished are nowbeing investigated. We hope to bring you more about this infuture issues.

From Ibu Rahayu:

Dear Bachrun,

The family of Bapak joins in mourning the passing ofMunawarah English. She was a person with a noble heart,she liked to help her fellow man, and she worked hard.

May God Guide her soul to a place that is in accordancewith her good deeds and service.

With best wishes,Siti Rahayu Wiryohudoyo

The Passing of a Pioneer

•

PAGE 15SUBUDVOICE DEC 08

•

Appreciating Appreciation

•

Leanne Seymour writes from Sydney…

Dear HarrisI just feel the need to let you know how much I appreciated yourarticle on ‘Appreciating the Latihan’ in the August 08 Subud Voice.

It felt such a genuine and real expression and one that I couldrelate to wholeheartedly. It felt as though you were speaking formany of us who feel the same, and it was re-affirming to say theleast. I've grown somewhat weary these days of reading or hear-ing criticisms of Subud as an organisation and am constantlyreminded of Bapak's words, that Subud is us.

I'm all for celebrating who we are by the grace of Almighty Godand have the belief that when we can do that in a real and gen-uine way, more of the same will be added unto us; and thenthere will be little or less need to nit pick what's wrong with us.

Thankyou Harris for putting into words what so many of us feel abouthaving the wonderful gift and grace of the latihan in our lives.

With appreciation and God bless with love.

The hotel Pousada Colonial Buzios is located in the Buzios peninsula,two and a half hours bus ride east of Rio de Janeiro, and is run byJanice Kunrath (who is of German origin).

The hotel can lodge up to 50 people in double rooms, or 32 in sin-gles, but there are other interesting lodging possibilities in case ofa larger gathering being held.

It's a new hotel with all the modern amenities, and the rooms onthe ground floor even have little gardens. And I also want to men-tion how loving and hospitable the local people are, and that thefood served at the pousada is typically Brazilian and delicious.

The area is a piece of paradise. Buzios is one of the 'in' places inthe country; but, though there are plenty of fancy new chalets,the original village is still there, with many typical restaurants,craft shops and so on. In the newer areas buildings are notallowed to have more than two stories.

There are about 15 white sand beaches around the peninsula,some of them between hills, some very large ones. On one sidethere is a huge bay where the waters are very calm, with manyislands in the distance; the other is open to the sea, with goodconditions for wind surfing, fishing and similar sports.

In all, the main impression you have here is tranquility, originalnature, and peaceful times. The closest town of medium size,where you can find anything one needs, is Cabo Frio which is 15minutes distance, with a regional airport connecting to the inter-national airports of Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo.

For more information, visit www.pousadacolonialbuzios.com.br

Buzios Hotel in Brazil

Myroslava Mykytyn writes about her profound experience withVida Plena, the Susila Dharma project in Asuncion, Paraguay…

A year ago I remember I was in awe of visiting South America. Iwanted to be a pediatrician, and my dream for a long time hasbeen to work down there, even though I had never visitedbefore. So I knew I had to experience it once and for all first, andmy plan was to work with a children’s organisation to gain expe-rience in my desired field of work.

My father is a member of Subud and suggested I look to SusilaDharma for opportunities of volunteering abroad. After havingcontacted many organisations throughout South America, Icame across Elisabeth Gavilan in Paraguay.

She very generously and openly invited me into her home and

allowed me to join her family. She is thedirector of a small organisation calledVida Plena in Asuncion, the capital ofParaguay. Her efforts are directed tohelping impoverished children within thelargest market in the city, the MercadoAbasto.

Here, these children are given a healthydiet, basic clothing, medical attention,and academic support. Above all,Elisabeth provides the children with aloving and caring environment for them to achieve their fullpotential and to find refuge in order to relieve themselves of dailystresses imposed by family and school.

The MicroscopeBecause of my studies in science at the University of Ottawa,Elisabeth asked me whether I would be interested in teachingbiology to the children. I accepted eagerly and began to searchfor donations of microscopes, various other science equipment,and children’s books as well. I came down with a large suitcasepacked tight of scientific lab material; one can imagine howmuch interest Paraguayan customs had in me.

When I arrived, everything was very much a culture shock, espe-cially being a visible minority, it took me a while to adapt andbecome familiar with my surroundings. I was overwhelmed whenI first met all the children, there were so many of them.

The children’s cen-tre is located with-in the market, arather industrialarea not necessar-ily where onewould expect tofind a facility forchildren, but I sooncame to realisethat’s where it wasneeded most.

Many of the chil-dren live directlywithin the marketwhere their par-

ents work. Their main form of activity and fun is soccer. They playbarefoot with glass and cut wire on the ground, yet any who fallsand hurts himself usually quickly bounces back up, shrugs it offand keeps playing. These kids are tougher than I thought.

I took to them rather quickly, trying to learn everyone’s nameand what backgrounds they came from. But I admit, I looked atmy microscope and thought this is the last thing these childrenneed right now. Few had a good pair of shoes or a warmsweater to wear and it occurred to me that these children haveother priorities.

Regardless, the weeks went on and I slowly introduced all thematerial: binoculars, eye loops, goggles, test tubes, beakers andgraduated cylinders, books, coloured markers, crayons andpens, then finally introduced the microscopes. Everything wentover very well and enthusiastically.

Learning to AppreciateAt first there were some difficulties sharing and so some things brokeor went missing, but the children soon learned to appreciate thematerials given. I meanwhile became very attached to them as Igot to understand each child individually, their likes and dislikes,and what sort of activities we got along well doing together.

Each day was a mixture of events. I did not structure a lessonplan for them, but instead let their curiosity drive their learningand all I had to do was guide them. Some days all we did wasread children’s books and other days we played in the kitchenthe whole time baking yummy desserts.

Through a Microscope

cont on p16 >

Those few monthsin Asuncion wereprobably the mostmeaningful of my

entire life…

““

Myroslava Mykytyn with Jose

PAGE 16

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DEC 08

NEW! www.subudbooks.net

The Mystics at MakrellbekkenSubud in Norway and Scandinavia

1958 – 2008 By Rikard S. Andresen & Knut Egil Steffens

Part 1 in Norwegian, part 2 in English. ISBN 9788290987355. © 2008 Askerforlaget,

Norway. Price NOK 120.For purchase, e-mail eksport@norli.no

(note spelling ek) or phone their switchboard: 47-2200 4300, ask for Export Department.

E V E N T S 2 0 0 8 / 0 9Oct 30-Dec 2: French National Congress in Sète,on the Mediterranean coast. For details contactLiliane Tavakilian annie.tavakilian@wanadoo.frDec 27-Jan 4: New Years Music and TheatreJamboree; La Source, French Pyrenee. Contactbernardes.maya@gmail.comAustralia National Congress at Latrobe Universityin Melbourne. Contact Rohana Fraval onrohanafraval@gmail.com13th WORLD CONGRESS 2010: The Christchurch,New Zealand World Congress dates are January5 through 17 with arrivals and departures onJanuary 4 and 18, 2010. For more information, goto isc@subud.org

SUBUD – A SPIRITUAL JOURNEYRozak Tatebe’s personal story

Those of you who subscribe to SUBUD VOICE willhave read the remarkable extracts from RozakTatebe’s book, which have been serialised in SVover the past few months. But don’t assume thatthis is all there is, because you will miss a lot unlessyou read the full account.

Rozak, who was a former chairman of ISC, and lateran International Helper, has also written very clearlyabout Subud itself, in a way that is easy for those notin Subud to understand.

It is a book to give your friends, as well as to readfor yourself, because whilst he begins his life withconsiderable doubts as to the existence of God, hestill – like so many of us – has a very strong wish to

find a way to make contact with the SupremeBeing. Eventually he finds Subud, and is then grad-ually convinced from his own experience, that thisAlmighty Being really does exist. He has many fas-cinating and moving personal stories to tell as hemakes his spiritual journey.

For those of you who have not until now readabout his experiences, you are in for a treat. In myopinion, this is one of the best personal storiesabout life in Subud that has yet been written.

Ilaina Lennard

The book will be available from SPI or AMAZON,just type Amazon.com and give the title or authorname. The book costs $14. Otherwise you canorder from SPI at sterling £10 plus p&p. To orderfrom SPI: e-mail: spi@subudbooks.co.uk or visitwww.subudbooks.net

Through a Microscope continued...

The microscopes brought about changes Inever could have anticipated. Firstly, manychildren had lice and so of course that wasthe highlight of things to dissect and investi-gate through the lens. They began to takeinitiative in searching for objects they want-ed to examine, namely insects, onion peels,leaves and hair.

To my surprise, even the most rebellious ofchildren took such great interest in themicroscope that they started to teach theother children. It wasn’t until that momentwhen I realised that all these childrenneeded was opportunity and exposure;they just needed to be given a chance.

One boy named Jos, 10 years old,became quite the avid photographerover the months as I lent him my cameraperiodically throughout the day. Anotherchild I found, Shayla, was a phenomenalartist; all she needed was blank paper

and a pen. Marcelo (4) never used tosmile at me, but when he saw his own licecrawling under the microscope, hecouldn’t help but laugh.

Jessica was a wonderful cook; she tookon a leadership role in delegating jobs toeveryone in the kitchen to help preparelunch for the whole class. All of these chil-dren have an underlying gift, not all nec-essarily discovered yet, but with time Iknow they will.

During my stay I definitely improved mySpanish tremendously and even becamesomewhat familiar with the native lan-guage Guarani, as the children would tryto teach me while I in turn taught themsome English. I grew to love theParaguayan culture very much; the peo-ple were the best part. Those few monthsin Asuncion were probably the mostmeaningful of my entire life and I hope toreturn one day to see those same kidsagain. •