Gembong -- man endowed with supernatural powers
Gembong -- man endowed with supernatural powers
By Sudibyo M. Wiradji
YOGYAKARTA (JP): For R.M. Gembong Danudiningrat, being a man
with paranormal abilities means dedicating his life to humanity.
Gembong, that's what locals call him , is well recognized as a
man endowed with certain supernatural powers which allow him to
treat patients with a variety of illnesses and help clients solve
their personal problems.
Gembong's two always-packed therapeutic clinics, one here and
the other in Jakarta, attest to his popularity.
Every day the "paranormal" sees no less than 400 patients at
his clinic here on Jl. Sugeng Jeroni No. 22A. He has treated over
100,000 patients from across the archipelago since the clinic was
established in l973.
As a paranormal, Gembong's unique way of dealing with patients
blends spiritual, medical and traditional treatment. By holding a
patient's fingers, he is able to detect their ailment.
Oftentimes, patients living in far away places send photos
through which Gembong diagnoses their problems.
Gembong's patients come from every walk of life. Records at
Gembong's clinic show that around 90 percent of his patients have
been cured of their illnesses. Medical circles from Indonesia,
Brunei, the Netherlands, France and the United States have
scientifically justified Gembong's treatment.
Gembong, who also works as a consultant for several companies,
does not set fixed prices for his services, but patients pay him
between Rp 500 and Rp 10,000. "About 40 percent of my customers
don't pay," he said, adding that operational costs of Rp 1.5
million come from his own pocket.
"Luckily, managers of top companies who benefit from my advice
pay me well. Their money is sufficient to finance the daily
operational costs of my clinics," he said.
According to Gembong, his ability to detect illness is made
possible by the power of what he calls gelombang elektro
encephalo magnetik (electro encephalic magnetic waves).
"Through the power of these waves, a paranormal can detect
physical and psychological problems. Alternative drugs made from
roots of plants are used for medicinal purposes," he added.
However, he said, the recovery process depends entirely on
God's will. "Therefore, I always encourage patients to say a
prayer in accordance with their own beliefs," the devout Moslem
stressed.
The "power" of electro encephalic magnetic waves is, in fact,
shared by all but not everyone has a keen interest in developing
it, he said.
Born in Surakarta, Central Java, in l954, Gembong, an alumnus
of Gadjah Mada University's School of Animal Husbandry, has
possessed this "power" since early childhood.
Clean mind
During his childhood, Gembong's father frequently advised him
to dedicate his life to humanity by doing favors for others.
"'Happiness is not what we take but what we give to others.'
That's what my father always told me," Gembong recalled.
Easily moved by the agony and suffering of others, Gembong
concentrated on being a paranormal involved in health activities,
a decision welcomed by his father. To sharpen his sensitivities,
he had to have a clean mind and spirit, do regular breathing
spiritual exercises, meditate and pray to God.
"An adequate knowledge of medicine is another prerequisite,"
said the neatly-dressed man.
Gembong's discipline in performing regular exercises has paid
off. He is not only recognized for his ability to cure various
illnesses but also as a scholarly paranormal frequently asked to
speak at seminars.
His success, however, has led to competing demands on his
time. In addition to treating patients, Gembong also must
regularly work behind a computer, and answer letters from the
public.
"There are hundreds of letters which I have to answer," said
Gembong, pointing at the mounds of letters that fill the corner
of his work room.
He said he receives at least 300 letters daily.
The letters mostly concern health, family and business issues.
"Many also ask me to help them find their right partners," said
Gembong, who responds to the letters through several dailies.
Touching upon the development of paranormals in Indonesia,
Gembong voiced concern over the fact that services provided by
parapsychologists or paranormals are often closely linked with
sorcery, witchcraft and mysticism.
"In fact, parapsychologists' activities are scientifically
justified," he stressed, adding that countries such as the U.S.,
Great Britain and Russia have taken advantage of the services of
parapsychologists in all aspects of life.
Ordinary
Gembong, who attended a meeting on world parapsychologists in
the U.S. several years ago, said that people in Western countries
also take a keen interest in metaphysical issues like magic or
what is known here as santet. "Though using primitive means,
santet is scientifically justified," he said.
Citing an example, he said that curses recited by shaman on
someone are, actually, similar to resonance found in the world of
science. With the power of resonance, a targeted object becomes
movable, such as toys which are moved by a remote control, he
said.
Gembong also expressed concern over certain individuals who
abuse the status of paranormals for commercial purposes, saying
that the public should not trust them so readily.
The funny thing about the public's perception of paranormals
is that they are regarded as "extraordinary" men who should be
treated in special ways, he said.
"A parapsychologist or a paranormal is an ordinary human
being," said Gembong.