“Piazolla Etude 5 + Today’s Relief,” by Aminah Herrman
by Diego Salgada, Regional Councilor for Subud CA at San Diego
COVID-19 has impacted our lives in more ways than we could have originally imagined including Thanksgiving, Black Friday shopping, Christmas and New Year’s celebrations. I happen to be in Tijuana, Mexico – just over the border from San Diego. In fact, from where I live, I can see part of the border gate, the shopping outlet that’s right on the gate’s northern edge, and the hills of San Ysidro which is where San Diego County, California meets the USA’s neighbor to the south.
On this side of the demarcation line, which runs east and west, all things seemed to run normally. I would have traveled somewhere – anywhere – had it not been for all of the advice against doing so and the increase of hospitalization rates. On Thanksgiving, I swapped turkey for some yummy Mexican seafood instead. I also window-shopped virtually on Black Friday, opting to hold off on the newest iPhone and other trinkets for the moment.
More impactful has been the privilege and opportunity to teach ESL to a group of lovely and very keen on learning six to twelve-year-old kids. They live in a working-class neighborhood of Tijuana, Mexico. This was definitely one of the best gifts I could have received for the holidays, as I have never taught anything, much less to a group of such smart and adept kids. It is funny and curious to see the younger ones of the bunch be just as bright as their older counterparts.
Our meetings took place in-person one day during the week and the other over Zoom. We went over the basics and singing to the chorus of songs from Tears for Fears, The Cure and Lana Del Rey. We wrapped things up a couple of weeks before the school holiday break. I’m not sure if I’ll be able to continue working with the kids as it all depends on my future work schedule and whatnot. Regardless, I’m hopeful of having planted the seed of English language in these wonderful kids’ minds with the intention that it someday blossoms into something of practicality and use in their lives.
I leave you for now with this excerpt from one of our favorite sing-along songs: “I don’t care if Monday’s blue. Tuesday’s grey and Wednesday too. Thursday, I don’t care about you. It’s Friday, I’m in love”.
| Peter Mark Richman was opened in Subud in 1959 by John Bennett in New York City. Shortly afterwards he became a helper. Of his many activities in Subud, he was proud to have been able to shoot the movie of Bapak going to Disneyland in 1963 and happy to edit in time for Bapak to see it before he left. The acclaimed actor, author, playwright, and artist died of natural causes at his home in Woodland Hills, CA at 10:00 AM on January 14, 2021. He was 93.  |
| A true Renaissance man, he leaves a legacy of creative endeavors spanning over eight decades of work in the performing and visual arts. However, it was his marriage to actress Helen Richman and his roles as father and grandfather of which he was most proud. The son of Benjamin, a painting and paper-hanging contractor and Yetta Dora (Peck), Mr. Richman was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on April 16, 1927. After graduating from the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy and Science as a licensed pharmacist, he found his first opportunities on the New York stage as a member of the Actors Studio, starring in Calder Willingham’s “End as a Man.” In addition to tours and productions across the U.S., he appeared on Broadway in “A Hatful of Rain” and “Masquerade” and portrayed Jerry in over 400 performances of Edward Albee’s original NY production of “The Zoo Story.” William Wyler brought him west for the classic film, “Friendly Persuasion,” which led to other films such as “Black Orchid,” “The Strange One,” “Naked Gun 2 ½” and “Friday the 13th Part 8.” He starred as Nick Cain in his own NBC series, “Cain’s Hundred,” and in over 500 TV guest star appearances on such shows as “The Twilight Zone,” “The Outer Limits,” “Murder She Wrote,” “Fantasy Island,” and “Star Trek: The Next Generation.” He had recurring roles on “Three’s Company” (as the Reverend Snow) and “Beverly Hills 90210,” as well as co-starring roles on series such as “Dynasty” and “Longstreet.” ANTA and the Actors Studio produced several of his one-act plays and, after mounting his critically-acclaimed one-man play, “4 Faces,” in Los Angeles and New York, he starred in the film version of the piece. His play, “A Medal for Murray,” received its world premiere with the Beit Lessin Theatre in Israel, garnering raves throughout the country during its two-year run. Published novel and short-story collections in Mr. Richman’s catalog include “Hollander’s Deal” and “The Rebirth of Ira Masters.” Also an accomplished painter, Mr. Richman had seventeen critically acclaimed one-man exhibitions. Mr. Richman served as a long-time board member for several charities and, in 1990, the Motion Picture and Television Fund awarded the Silver Medallion to him for outstanding humanitarian achievement. He was also honored that year with the Sybil Brand Humanitarian Award from the Jeffrey Foundation. In Mr. Richman’s own words from his autobiography, I Saw A Molten White Light: “God has been good to me, in everything. Through all the struggle and suffering, progress has been made…God put this sacred and mysterious place inside all of us — our inner life or soul — that has the capacity to come alive again — to wake up from its sleepy torpor once the button is pushed for the door to open. And when the door is open, most of the time the sun is warm, and the birds are singing — and all things are possible.” Mr. Richman is survived by his wife of 67 years, Helen Richman; five children, Howard Richman and his wife, Cherie, Kelly Lester and her husband, Loren, Lucas Richman and his wife, Debbie, Orien Richman and his wife, Alevé, and Roger Richman; as well as six grandchildren, Jenny, Lily, Max, Julia, Oliver, and Danica. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, funeral services will be held privately. Memorial contributions in honor of Mr. Richman can be made to the Motion Picture Television Fund (MPTF). |
Margaret Teichman recently made a donation to Susila Dharma in memory of Simon Whalen. She writes this remembrance of him:
This is in memory of Simon Whelan, a Subud NY brother who in his later years had become quite transformed by the love he experienced in the latihan. Every other week, he would travel alone for hours on public transportation just to do latihan with a sick brother. Later he was joined by another brother and got a ride part of the way.
He would always bring two dozen roses because they brought smiles. These roses were also shared with other rose lovers in the facility. And it happened one day that people began to ask after Simon. They wanted to tell him that the roses they were given two weeks before were as fresh as the day they were first put in water. In fact, one had begun to grow a new leaf. They had never seen anything like this before.
When Simon came for the last time that week, they surrounded him with feelings of love and awe. He got so much appreciation -he was amazed! But he never returned. That was his parting gift of love before COVID took his life a short while later.
May Simon’s love carry forward to help others in need through this donation.
by Laura Paterson
Follow the yellow brick road…Follow the rainbow over the stream…Follow the people who follow a dream…
As with Dorothy in ‘The Wizard of Oz’, our world is upended by a global tornado. A global disaster has transformed it into a new and strange place, into a world where nothing is as it had been or as it had appeared to be.
And as with Dorothy, everyone has been challenged to discover new and innovative ways of navigating this unprecedented and previously unimaginable environment.
One happy result of this has been that creativity and innovation have abounded. Zoom has entered the room. And the great island continent of Australia beckoned us to her with her 2021 Subud Australia National Congress.
Subud Australia made the bold decision to hold its 2021 National Congress by making full use of the new social paradigm and new technologies, in an innovative blend of zoom virtual reality and pre-recorded, beautifully curated content.
For the first time in the history of Subud Australia, their National Congress became a truly international event, easily accessible to Subud members around the world at the click of a link.
And so, without the cost of travel or accommodation or meals or services, Subud members everywhere had the most up-close and personal contact imaginable with our very warm and loving Australian brothers and sisters.
They extended to all of us the warmest possible welcome into their vibrant and immensely fulfilling group lives. I could not wait to take full advantage of this opportunity, so with the greatest excitement, I sent off for my access link.
I was immediately immersed in the warm bath of Subud love and harmony. As with any momentous Subud occasion, Subud Australia’s 2021 National Congress existed outside of time, showering everyone in the uniquely Subud glow of latihan love and harmony that we all are so blessed to receive.
Beginning Saturday, January 2nd, Subud Australia gave Subud members around the world a full week of an incredibly immersive Subud congress experience. Every day the Congress website overflowed with live virtual meetings and brilliantly curated recorded content.
Subud Australia National Chair, David Ohri, conducted the Opening Ceremony, which was simple, humble, and sincere. He was followed with moving performances by Audrey Longerhan, Frances Madden and Emmanuel Cahill. By the end of the ceremony, I was totally in love with all of my Australian brothers and sisters.
I felt total gratitude for their dedicated, loving and deeply harmonious spirit. For their total warmth and sincerity. For being always so gracious, with such generosity of spirit. For always proceeding with the utmost harmony, and total love and respect for each other.
The abundant offerings of pre-recorded content were presented with the greatest care, skill and competence. Every day, Subud members were treated to a rich smorgasbord of deeply satisfying experiences:
There were informative and inspiring presentations from MSF, Dharma Care, and the WSA Archives project. There was a delightful entertainment from the Northern New South Wales Group Men’s Choir. All of this content was presented on the brand new, gorgeous, shiny Subud Australia website.
The live closing event was on Saturday, January 9th. “A real highlight of recent in-person Australia Congresses has been ‘Culture Couch’, with dynamic duo Harris Smart and Roland Fraval.”
Some huge takeaways from this Congress…
Subud Australia is astonishingly multi-generational! The membership ranges from dedicated youth, to young working families, to mid-life experienced and dedicated members, to true wisdom-keepers, lifetime Subud members. They are our Subud sages. Very often, they also are the parents and grandparents of our young up-and-coming generations.
It was a special joy to witness the warmth and closeness and genuineness of these inter-generational bonds. To see babes-in-arms, with delightful toddlers and energetic children, all intermingling with the adults in their lives, who are at all of the varying life stages.
It also was very exciting to see how live and recorded events were interfaced into one seamless whole experience. What a great model, what a great prototype, for national and zonal and international congresses in the future.
For indeed, the future will be a very different place. Subud will be adapting to that, as will everything else that is going to survive and move into the new paradigm. Virtuality will be a huge underpinning of that new paradigm.
Subud Australia clearly is deeply committed to the emerging values of the new global social paradigm, most notably in the conduct of their outer, material lives. I take these values to be those that we always have cherished and espoused in Subud. That is the values of transparency and accountability, with emphasis always on clear, open, honest and harmonious communication.
The technologies of our new age will drive the necessity for the survival of any organization to be the manifestation of these values. Internet tools and platforms like email, Instagram, Facebook, Zoom, and WhatsApp will ensure that transactions and communications will be subject to awareness, understanding, and evaluation by the public. Increasingly, these technologies will ensure that leaders must adhere to the highest ethical standards.
For seven hours I witnessed Subud Australia’s National Council meeting being conducted with the utmost fiscal and organizational transparency and integrity. Every aspect of Subud Australia’s financial and administrative dealings was on the table.
Every item was examined, considered, and debated upon. Full resolution was achieved with the utmost harmony and respect. All this took place in real time and in full view and witness by every member who wished to attend.
One member who was present for every Council session was Nahum Harlap, Chairman of the World Subud Association. Nahum brought great vision and clarity to the meetings. This provided a very effective illustration of the great importance of there being continuous and ongoing communication and collaboration between the various entities and ‘levels’ of the Subud organization.
These societal and organizational values are being well absorbed into the entire Subud organization, up to and including the Muhammad Subuh Foundation. Subud members can follow the direction of their leadership with the utmost confidence. They can know that at all times the highest values of honesty, integrity, transparency, and accountability are being observed and maintained.
I followed the people who followed a dream. In doing so, I experienced the greatest possible satisfaction and happiness.
THANK YOU, SUBUD AUSTRALIA FOR YOUR 2021 VIRTUAL NATIONAL CONGRESS!!!
by Halimah Collingwood, Councilor for Subud California at Arcata
As we have become used to a distanced life, seldom meeting with friends and family, we recognize a hole in our lives. You may be using Zoom for work, for school or to speak with family and are really tired of that platform. You have Zoom fatigue! Enough is enough.
But you have missed those special moments when an inner spark is felt and transmitted from one person to the next during deep communication. You have missed the belly laugh that arises from a casual comical comment.
Subud Sisters Zoom
To remedy the situation, in April 2020 some Subud East Coast women started a weekly ‘Subud Sisters’ Zoom chat group. Gradually, as the news got around, they were joined by others from the Midwest and the West Coast. After nine months it is still a regular meeting place to talk about our lives, our feelings and share experiences. If you or another Subud Sister would like to request to be placed on the list of women who receive the zoom invitation to the zoom gathering, please send an email to Alexandra ter Horst at info(at)subudusa.org (editors note: Subud Sisters is on hiatus as of September 20201)
CalChat
In California, we began a similar conversation group called CalChat. Since June, we have met bi-monthly every first and third Sunday in the early evening. Most of the 16-20 members are from California but there are some from Oregon, Washington, Subud South and one brother from Cyprus. Many of the same people come each time with occasional new attendees. But there are no rules for attendance and members can come whenever they want.
Each month we advertise CalChat on our regional Facebook page and in a California email blast along with other announcements. Our content differs from the Sisters group as we usually have a theme, a question, or a suggested topic to begin our conversation. Over time, as we have come to know each other better and our discussions have deepened.
We encourage people to be considerate, not to monopolize the session, to be attentive and listen to others. It’s challenging, especially remembering to Mute and Raise our Hands, but it is working well, providing a space for us to see each other and become closer. Many feel it is one thing that has been missing in our local Subud groups.
For most of us, CalChat provides a service. It’s fulfilling, nourishing and wonderful to learn from each other. Want to check it out? Just send an email to the Cal Chat hosts at zoom.subudCA<at>gmail.com to request an invitation to the Zoom meeting.
A fascinating article about Skymont and Subud was published in the February issue of ‘Subud Voice’ (found HERE). The article, originally published in “Virginia Life,” included this photo from 1971 without identifying the Subud members. However, when the photo was posted on the Subud CA Facebook page, members Hanafi Libman, Leonard Dixon, and Hamidatun Karapetian (who took the photo) jumped in to identify the Subud brothers, sisters – and babies!
Above left to right: Rosanna Arquette, Ralph Davila, Insiah Waite and baby Waite, Insiah Libman and baby Mas Libman, Luzita Davila and baby Hartwell Davila, Mardiningsih Arquette and baby David Arquette; and at bottom front, Alexis Arquette.
Hanafi Libman adds these details: “David Arquette and Hartwell Davila were born on the same day, September 8th, 1971. Mas Libman was born a few weeks later on October 12th. Mardi had David in a little baby carrier while helping at Mas’ birth along with a few other Skymont ladies. We had our own Subud midwife in residence, Anne Holliday, who delivered several babies at Skymont. Mark Holliday, her husband, was a remarkable chiropractor, who treated us all there as well.“
By Luqman Katz, Chair Subud California
…And now for the good news: no locusts, no fires (now anyway), no frogs, and some of us are getting vaccinated. Our Regional Helpers held a Kejiwaan Day for all CA helpers on January 23rd. It was attended by 48 members with great enthusiasm. We are glad to say this was just the beginning. There are plans in the works for many more Kejiwaan Days throughout the Region, as well as more Zoom latihans to be scheduled. The future seems Zoom bright and exciting. Keep reading the Subud CA announcements to stay informed of these upcoming events.
We all owe our Regional and Local Helpers a debt of gratitude for their sincere commitment to the latihan and to all of us. There are many sisters and brothers working really diligently behind the scenes to keep the wheels of the Region greased and running smoothly. It’s not too late for volunteers to come on board and join our team for the exciting and challenging times ahead. Contact your Regional Committee at any time.
Wishing you all the best, on behalf of your Committee.
