Subud members came together over the Memorial Day weekend for latihan and fellowship. The team, led by Chair Meldan Heaslip, offered a delightful and restorative experience for all. A big thank you to Meldan, and to all the team members who enabled it to happen. Reports from several attendees, below, give a sense of setting and flow.
by Sanderson Morgan
Approximately 150 California Subud members and a few from other regions in the United States, met at the Franciscan San Damiano retreat center in Danville, California May 25 – 29, 2023. The center is situated in the mountains above Danville and surrounded by an Oak forest and an abundance of native plants of which many are still in bloom.
San Damiano itself is modeled after northern Mediterranean architecture with tiled roofs and a large inner arched courtyard filled with gardens. The guest rooms are within this area and there are many surrounding woodland trails along with views of Mt. Diablo to the east.
There were six scheduled latihans over the weekend, frequent testing sessions, workshops and communal meals. There were many opportunities for deep receivings, inner work and, for many, new ways to see their own lives going forward. The weather was ideal, the company was good and all enjoyed many reunions.
by Sylvia des Tombe
From Friday the 26th until after lunch on Monday the 29th of June, many of us attended the 2023 California Regional Subud Gathering. It took place in Danville, California, at a retreat named in honor of Saint Damian, a faithful follower of Saint Francis of Assisi.
It was an ideal location, as there were ample meeting halls for our latihans and times when we wanted to be all together, and there were medium-sized places for workshops and testing. Everywhere there were gardens and fountains, places to sit outside, and the bedrooms were spartan but definitely adequate for our needs (and reasonable for our pocketbooks).
We started by hearing the names of everyone on Friday night at the gathering after dinner, and a highlight was the Saturday night entertainment, where we witnessed and enjoyed poetry, music and even birdsong.
When people used to ask Bapak about doing latihan on their own, he would answer that each of us was like a light bulb, and when there were many lightbulbs shining all together, that was the best. We experienced many latihans together, and there is little more wonderful than having people of different nationalities and religions worshiping peacefully side by side! Best of all, we had a chance to receive in the latihan what ‘gifts’ we were bringing to the gathering and which we were receiving.
Saint Damian, after whom our retreat was named, was a martyr saint. He lived with his brother in Cilicia, southern Turkey, between the third and fourth centuries. He and his brother were doctors who treated the sick without asking payment, and both died as martyrs during the persecution of Emperor Diocletian. Their cult had immediate diffusion, in part, because several people who had invoked them experienced miraculous cures. They are always depicted together, with containers of drugs and medical instruments. They are invoked against the plague, glandular inflammation, kidney problems, gall stones and distemper. They are the protectors of doctors, surgeons, dentists, pharmacists, midwives, barbers and hairdressers.
by Haryanti Jones
The venue is beautiful! The cold weather didn’t stop us from hanging outside and doing hikes around the property. And, the fact that it’s a worshipping place makes it even better! The space of the venue is perfect for the size (the number of people) of the gathering. The food was delicious. They provide gluten free and vegan food for people who have special diets. How wonderful!
We had sharing circles and an entertainment night, but we didn’t have a Bapak Talk. Bapak left us with so many talks to help us to understand better about kejiwaan. Something to include next time!
The helpers were very helpful during latihans and testings. We were blessed to have them all at the gathering. The local, regional, and national helpers were very kind, helpful, and accommodating.
Annual General Meeting
Reports on Regional Finances and an initiative to update our Bylaws plus Center reports made at the Annual General Meeting held at San Damiano during the Gathering are available HERE.