What Is Subud?Subud is an acronym from three Sanskrit words to denote a true human being: Susila Budhi Dharma. Susila is good character, Budhi the awake soul, and Dharma right action.
The Subud organization exists to support our practice, the Latihan Kejiwaan. There are also arms of Subud dedicated to social works, arts, youth, and various other good works. Subud is based upon direct experience, not religion or teaching, so it is complementary to all faiths. There are no fees for joining, and contributions to maintain the organization and local premises are voluntary. Subud groups exist in over 80 countries, and the World Subud Association is registered in Washington, D. C. as a nonprofit corporation. |
Latihan
Latihan is short for Latihan Kejiwaan, Indonesian words for exercise or training of the spirit. It is a worship by surrender to the ultimate reality, whom we may call God or the life force allowing one's being to be worked and purified directly. This grace is received without effort. The thoughts, feelings, and body are freely moved by the latihan when they are relaxed, in accordance with one's unique qualities and needs. Subud members ideally meet twice a week for half an hour to practice latihan together. Latihan is open to applicants seventeen and older who have gone through a short wait period and an opening latihan. If you wish to learn more, please contact one of the helpers listed in the contacts page. |
Young Bapak in 1925
Origins
The first Subud experience came in 1924, for Muhammad Subuh Sumohadiwidjojo (or Pak Subuh), a 23-year old clerk who worked for the municipality of Semarang in Java, Indonesia. During his evening walk, a brilliant light fell on him and made his whole body tremble. Feeling it was likely a heart attack and his time had come, he hurried home and lay down, surrendering to God.
Instead of dying, Pak Subuh felt himself moved to rise and do his usual prayers, spontaneously from a pure source. Each night, for a thousand nights, he received similar movements and experiences, purifying and training his being. In time, others noticed the changes in him and asked to be given what he had. Pak Subuh was directed that the awakening vibration would be passed from one human being to another by simply receiving near others who asked for it.
Soon travelers spread this latihan to other countries, and Pak Subuh was invited abroad. Eventually the Subud association was formed to facilitate the latihan and to put its results to the test with good works. Muhammad Subuh, called Bapak by most Subud members, passed on in 1987. It is estimated that by then over half a million people around the world have shared in his mission.
The first Subud experience came in 1924, for Muhammad Subuh Sumohadiwidjojo (or Pak Subuh), a 23-year old clerk who worked for the municipality of Semarang in Java, Indonesia. During his evening walk, a brilliant light fell on him and made his whole body tremble. Feeling it was likely a heart attack and his time had come, he hurried home and lay down, surrendering to God.
Instead of dying, Pak Subuh felt himself moved to rise and do his usual prayers, spontaneously from a pure source. Each night, for a thousand nights, he received similar movements and experiences, purifying and training his being. In time, others noticed the changes in him and asked to be given what he had. Pak Subuh was directed that the awakening vibration would be passed from one human being to another by simply receiving near others who asked for it.
Soon travelers spread this latihan to other countries, and Pak Subuh was invited abroad. Eventually the Subud association was formed to facilitate the latihan and to put its results to the test with good works. Muhammad Subuh, called Bapak by most Subud members, passed on in 1987. It is estimated that by then over half a million people around the world have shared in his mission.