On a search for soul through Subud

On a search for soul through Subud

Emmy Fitri, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Careering along on the fast track of modern life, we often
forget about our soul, the seat of our emotions, and that we need
to take control of our daily deeds and forge harmonious ties with
the Creator.

It is here that members of Subud, which at first sounds,
aptly, like a remote haven far from the madding crowd, say they
can fill the void.

Thousands, probably millions, of people have become members of
the movement because of the need to cast off the shadows cloaking
their souls -- and letting their souls work by themselves.

It also has an Indonesian connection, as it was founded by a
Javanese man more than 50 years ago.

Subud is an acronym derived from three Sanskrit words, Susila,
Budi and Dharma. Together, they mean to follow the will of God
with the help of the divine power that works both within us and
outside, along the way surrendering oneself to the will of God.

An executive at Subud Brotherhood Foundation, Mangun Suharto,
said that Subud was not a sect of any religion -- which is the
fear of some outsiders -- nor was it a teaching.

It is only a symbol for achieving one's spiritual potential,
he said, "the possibility for man to follow the right way of
living and build faith with his Creator".

At the core of the movement is latihan (practice). The initial
practice is to open the jalan jiwa (path of the soul) so that
people can recognize it and later sharpen their ability to let
their soul work by itself.

Instructors guide the practices and assist every member to
find a way to let go of the shadows enveloping their souls.

The practice, twice a week, only takes around a half hour and
becomes innately individual for each person.

"During our practices, there is no need to concentrate because
concentration is work of the brain, while in our practice we
don't use the brain at all," Mangun said at Subud's shady,
peaceful headquarters on Jl. Fatmawati, South Jakarta.

"Put aside all logic and rational thought, and just try to
release what your inner heart says."

Mangun ruled out the taking of photographs during a practice
because it often involves hysterical crying, shouting or running
to and fro as people let their souls free.

Registration and membership for the movement, which has
branches in more than 78 countries, is free.

"The benefits of the practices are very subjective, different
for each person. But, in general, I might say we will be more
relaxed in running our lives and submitting to God," Mangun said,
adding that Subud members said they had a greater affinity for
their respective religions.

There are some restrictions on membership. Members must be
aged at least 17 years and undergo three months of training
before making the decision to join.

It's also not a crutch for those in crisis, Mangun added.

"We don't provide therapy for drug addicts or alcoholics. Our
practices demand that our members are able to stand on their own
feet and have the maturity to judge their inner thoughts," Mangun
said.

Subud was founded by a Javanese noble Raden Mas Muhammad Subuh
Sumohadiwidjojo on Feb. 1, 1947 in Yogyakarta. Subuh, who was
born in 1901 and died in the late 1980s, had a mystical
experience one night in 1925.

With the help of a British Muslim, Husein Rofe, the movement
began its worldwide spread in 1954. During the turbulent years of
social change in Europe and the U.S. in the 1960s, it drew many
followers with its promise of finding inner peace.

Subuh's former personal assistant and translator, Raymond Lee,
said he was still a teenager when he decided to join the movement
in London. His mother was already a member.

"In my teens, I had many questions, like what am I going to do
with my life, where am I headed, what is it's value, why I was
born? So many philosophical, basic questions about our
existence," he said.

When he started to consider his life in the future, he found
it was "depressing and nothing interesting".

"Then I was introduced to Subud people, where I felt so
comfortable and enjoyed myself. I read a lot about it, too. I
happened to meet Pak Subuh and felt so close to him," said
Raymond, who has resided here for more than 20 years and is
married to Subuh's granddaughter.

The movement has managed to round out the spiritual experience
of some in the developed world in the search of themselves

"The place where I come from, people think religion is not
enough, therefore churches are doing innovations to attract
people to come for services. In daily life, they are not too
religious, confused with questions about their existence," said
Raymond, a mediator at Jakarta Initiative Task Force.

"That's probably what happened in other countries while
Indonesians, I see, are more religious and can surrender totally
to their own religions, without asking too many questions."

After joining Subud, Raymond said he began to understand that
his teenage restlessness was mainly caused by letting his
intellect dominate his life.

"The human brain is like a questioning machine. If our life is
run by our brain, we will never get peace because not all
problems can be settled by the mind."

For him, the surrender to the soul has brought him brotherhood
and emotional tranquility.