In this engaging series of panel presentations at World Congress, speakers shared how their Subud experience has informed and supported their life in the world– across business, professional, artistic and social welfare arenas. The genesis of the program was the 2014 Australian Congress, where Rahman Connelly organized a program of members telling their work-life stories. The talks provided concrete information on such matters as starting enterprises, how guidance can be important in work, and keys to succeeding in business and other professions.
The Australian program had such a favorable response that a small team comprised of Rahman Connelly, Livingston Armytage, Steven Bryson-Haynes, Kenneth Clark and Rosanna Hille formed to bring it to the World Congress. The organizing team had a range of objectives – to encourage enterprises, provide insights for those starting out, and convey how our guidance can positively can affect our working lives and ability to achieve success in many different endeavors.
The panels featured a multinational array of speakers who had done interesting and recognized work in their fields. These sessions were among the most widely attended events at the World Congress, with 150-200 attendees each day. Audiences came from around the world, reflecting the diversity of the panels. Attendees asked very interesting questions, and the answers were equally provocative and engaging. Many themes emerged: overcoming difficulties, being steadfast, being attentive to guidance, treating people well, and the like, and the stories were both informative and inspiring, as indicated by these audience comments:
“What I found most valuable from the panels was everyone’s personal struggle when establishing their yet to be successful enterprise and the role Subud had in the process.”
“These people explained to us what happened to them in their lives in an open and connected way…I always left the talks with the all-pervasive feeling that I was given something very valuable by somebody who loves me.”
There were six panels with a total of twenty-two speakers.Their biographies can be found here: SubudSuccess for those who would like to learn more about the range of roles and experience represented (note: this PDF file may take up to a minute to load). It is hoped that videos of some of the sessions will be made available and also that local and regional groups will be moved to organize and support similar events to extend the reach of this program.
Thanks to Kenneth Clark and Rahman Connelly for providing content for this article