Strange attraction of the supernatural

Strange attraction of the supernatural

Many of us are believers in supernatural phenomena even though
they defy all rational and scientific explanations. Tales abound
of possession, hexes and special amulets to make desires, both
good and evil, come true. The Jakarta Post's team delves into the
world of the supernatural.

JAKARTA (JP): Some of us want it all -- success, wealth and
security -- but we are not willing to pay the high cost for
attaining our dreams through hard work.

We look for a shortcut, with some turning to the supernatural
in the hope of making it all come true.

From the high and mighty to the man in the street, use of the
supernatural is a way to overcome life's troubles -- or it can be
a means for people to get their own back.

A business executive in the capital, Gunawan, said he relied
on supernatural power for protection.

"Once I was attacked by dozens of people, but they were all
bounced off me. Another time, a man came to me and asked for my
forgiveness because he said he had tried to hurt me. I presume he
tried to use black magic, but it failed and he realized I was
'protected'".

Former president Soeharto is said to have strong beliefs in
traditional Javanese mysticism, and President Abdurrahman Wahid
reportedly often visits ancient grave sites.

"Abdurrahman is well-known for his conviction is Islamic
mysticism ... he believes in particular ulama and kyai, either
dead or still living, who he regards as wali, the venerated
propagators of Islam," historian Azyumardi Azra wrote in the book
Understanding Gus Dur.

Human existence has always been closely tied to the puzzling
sphere of the supernatural; many religions, including
Christianity, Islam and Judaism, have affiliations in which
mysticism is recognized.

There are also the people recognized for being gifted with
extraordinary powers, such as Ki Singalodra who claims he can
help people attain their goals.

He said there was no pat description of the supernatural.

"There are so many answers for it. But I just want to
distinguish it from black magic," he said.

Soothsayer M. Sukma Dipura agreed that a description of
supernatural powers could not be adequately put into words.

"This is about frequencies and energies. Everything, everyone
has the energy and frequencies. We can calculate or see the
combination or the balance in the frequency and energy."

Muslim teacher Hamba Al-Faqir Syahbudin, who is also a
paranormal, classified the supernatural in a metaphysical
context.

"In metaphysics, there are (aspects) about godliness which
includes religion, and about naturalism, which includes
everything beyond godliness such as magic, witchcraft or genies,"
he said.

"Most societies in Indonesia have myths. Sometimes, people do
believe and are sure that the legends are fact."

An entrepreneur, Yerry, who claims to possess supernatural
powers, said the phenomena was nothing new in the country.

"In Indonesia, to use a simple example, we know that some
traditional cultural activities use supernatural powers, such as
when men eat glass in the Jaran Kepang ceremony," said the man
from Purworejo, Central Java.

Exploring

Singalodra, 49, a paranormal practicing at Mangga Dua Mall,
West Jakarta, said that many people were interested in exploring
the supernatural to attain greater self-confidence, security and
success in their private lives and business.

"Most of those who come to see me want to have better careers
and love lives. I can help by implanting susuk (shards of metal
believed to give people special powers) in them.

"Susuk is merely something like people wearing watches.
There's no danger. There's too many myths about susuk, but
they're safe."

He claimed to have been able to help people who had received
medical diagnoses of serious illnesses.

"There are two possibilities in this case -- they are really
medically ill because of complex diseases, or it's because of
black magic."

Although he attested to the safety of the susuk, there is a
common belief that they must be removed eventually or else the
user will suffer a painful death.

Sukma, 53, who has been a psychic for over 20 years, said he
served everyone who came to him with help from God.

He said he was able to balance the energy in patients to
improve their appearance and actions -- and even help them unload
hard-to-sell real estate.

"Most of them want to create harmony in their family, get back
their spouses or to win someone's heart."

Yerry said he possessed psychic powers to communicate with the
dead and conduct exorcisms.

"I usually communicate with the spirits before I exorcise
them. In most cases, they ask for something as compensation or
offerings."

Islam has its own mystic tradition of Sufism. Mohammad Luqman
Hakiem, who called himself a "Sufilog", emphasized that all
practices related to the supernatural could not be justified
unless their ultimate intent was to worship God. "Otherwise, they
are shortcuts to achieving men's desires."

Learning

Yerry, who is a Buddhist, said the goal of his religion was
enlightenment. Those who have already passed a series of stages
in the enlightenment process have their eyes and ears "opened",
he added, and therefore could deal with supernatural power.

He believes everyone can tap into their own psychic powers.

Syahbudin, 30, acknowledged that every person possessed haq, a
kind of inner power.

He said all people could awaken their haq, which was useful
for achieving invulnerability, in order to enter the realm of the
supernatural.

They would then possess better strength and power to
anticipate negative elements around them, he added.

Syahbudin, who conducts empowering courses in Pondok Pinang,
South Jakarta, and runs the Babussalam Foundation in Bekasi, said
he received many visitors.

"People visit me for various reasons. I think this is because
some of them are confused about what to do to solve their
problems. Some see me because they believe I can help them. Some
are fond of spirituality."

He realized that some of the people were seeking a
psychological crutch.

"Some people come to me to ask for help as they have problems
with their bosses, staff or colleagues at the office. I
understand that up to 40 percent of those consulting with me are
only suffering from psychological problems. But they think they
need assistance from the supernatural way. I just give them a
glass of water and ask them to drink it. Usually they will tell
me later that everything is OK."

Religion may frown on the practices and scientists scoff, but
many continue to put faith in the supernatural.

Soldier Tono, 25, once allowed an old woman to implant a susuk
in his lower right forearm, "because she said it would help me in
my life".

Although a Muslim, he believes in the power of the
supernatural. "There are things we cannot explain, but the
reality is that they happen."