Subud World News

Newsletter of ISC - the International Subud Committee Volume I – No. 1 Buenos Aires, October 2001

An introduction and free doughnut by WSA Deputy Chairperson Meldan Heaslip MESSAGE FROM

Since Bali, the thirty six people who make up the new world

IBU RAHAYU Subud council have been immersed deeper than ever in Subud work - well, thirty five as Peter Filippelli remains engaged as

ongoing Chair of the Muhammad Subuh Foundation. TO THE AMERICAN The council includes eighteen international helpers, seven KEJIWAAN zone representatives, international chairs from each of the wings/sub-committees of our organization and a treasurer, GATHERING accountant and chair of the executive committee who are responsible for day to day running of the council (finances, communications). Brothers and Sisters of Subud USA, Leading this team and pulling it all together is Daniel Cheifetz, a successful entrepreneur and Subud nut from Chicago, USA. I First of all I ask your forgiveness that I cannot fulfill your have the pleasure of working closely with him and with this invitation to attend the Kejiwaan Gathering in Texas. This is because I felt my journey abroad for meetings in several great team. countries this year was sufficient, in accordance with my condition and state of health. Our focus in the last few months has been to develop a sense of what it is Subud members want out of their organization. The events that happened in New York and Washington We have used every opportunity we've been given to interact D.C., certainly shocked the world, and brought concern to with and engage members by attending gatherings in Britain, Anall believingintroduction in humanity. and free doughnut the USA, Spain and Canada. This weekend, Daniel is attending the German congress and I'm off to the Irish SinceWe as Bali,Subud the members, thirty six whether people whowe wanted make up to theor not, new were world congress. Subudstruck bycouncil the influence from that incident which brought haveabout been that immersedgreat tragedy, deeper both than Subud ever membersin Subud inwork the U.S.- well, At each event, we have facilitated open discussions, where thirtyas well five as asSubud U.S. members who live in various members are encouraged to share their feelings and thoughts Petercountries. Filippelli So we remains should engagedalways be as peaceful ongoing andChair under of the the about our association. The focus often turns to group life, MuhammadProtection of Subuh God. We ask in prayer as well as in the where success stories are shared alongside stories of where Foundation.latihan to be far from evil and rage. group life lets people down.

TheThis councilbig happening includes certainly eighteen carries international a great helpers, influence seven in Daniel uses a wonderful analogy where he compares our zoneyour gathering. May this kejiwaan gathering be filled with Subud groups to doughnut stores and the latihan to a doughnut representatives,the significance internationalof humanity, chairsand also from may each your of latihan the (or 'donut' if you prefer). These doughnuts give the eater a wings/sub-committeestogether help the innocent jiwas that have become victims very nice feeling and provide all kinds of good things for his ofso ourthat organization they obtain theand Blessing a treasurer, of God accountant in their andrealm. chair of the or her life. They are free and we have doughnut stores in executive towns and cities all over the world. committeeMay the Kejiwaan who are Gathering responsible be for successful day to day and running peaceful. of the councilWe join in prayer that everything can go safely. In spite of the large numbers of people that are searching for (finances, communications). just this sort of doughnut, and as delicious and as free as our With best wishes, doughnuts are, in some cases we just aren't so good at making LeadingSiti Rahayu this Wiryohudoyo team and pulling it all together is Daniel them available. The problem, it seems, is that many of our doughnut stores are not such pleasant places to be. In some SWN Volume I, No. 1 October 2001

lights may be out, the sign on the door may even say closed. If So, we have our work cut out for us. It is important to point someone hungry enough does venture through the door, he or throughout these open discussions is that almost everything she may be greeted with a husky "whatcha want?!". If this boils down to the efforts of individuals and groups and that it brave person turns out to be a member that has been away for is essential, for progress' sake, that members take ownership of a while, they may be greeted with an inquisition - "so, where our association. have you been?", "why haven't you been coming?!". During our meetings and these open discussions, it seems we It is our aim to encourage and support are quickly reaching the point where we have all had enough efforts to make improvements to our of reading, writing or talking about these issues and it is time 'doughnut stores', both inside and out. We instead for action. have a great team, all very keen to serve members and be a part of improving our So here we go - let's take action. We have a broad-based, association. innovative and dedicated team of people on this new council, who are getting to grips with their new roles and with each And, most importantly, it is clear that other, all with the clear aim of working together as a team and everyone wants the same thing – to feel with national committees and members on just these sorts of comfortable enough with Subud and the latihan, which touches issues mentioned above (we are also working on implementing on one of the dearest and most important parts of all of our the World Congress resolutions). lives, to introduce their closest friends and family to it. Members in general want a group life where opinions are To be as effective as we'd like to be, we will need your help, respected, people are cared for and everyone is extremely your direction and feedback. So please, if you have feedback flexible. let us know, if you have suggestions let us know, and most importantly, if you want to turn your group into the most This word flexible has kept popping up during these open attractive and most pleasant of all doughnut stores out there or discussions. Whether it be in the case of helpers who stick if you want to open a new one on your street, contact myself or rigidly to routines that have become 'rules' in some groups, or Daniel right now! whether it is one member's desire to use English names for the latihan (exercise/spiritual training) or jiwa (soul, inner) when [email protected] explaining Subud to a newcomer and another's desire to keep things Indonesian. [email protected]

A brief report from the ISC Chair

Dear brothers and sisters: of WSA/ISC in US dollars, British pounds and euros, and we have also kept the account opened eight years ago by Harun It feels as though it has been a long time now since Bali, where Murray in the First Union Bank of Virginia, at that time the so many of us were able to share the blessings participating in Signet Bank, as it gives continuity to WSA’s finances. The the XI World Subud Congress, the first of the new signatories of the accounts are Daniel, Osanna, Leonard and millennium. The great way it was organized by Hermina myself, with two signatures for the cheques. Some of the Dobson and her team in just four months shows our potential Zones are also in the process of opening their zonal bank when we undertake a common goal. The new members of the accounts in the name of WSA/ISC as decided by Congress. Council are now in the process of getting acquainted with their Leonard, in his capacity as the Accountant, keeps track of the roles and have already started to get organized for the four bank accounts, is in charge of the book-keeping and makes the years we have ahead. Two of the new International Helpers’s payments from Rotterdam. In her capacity as the Treasurer Dewans have already met, Area II in Vigra, Norway, and Area Osanna authorizes the payments with me, prepares the budget, III in Austin, Texas. Area I will meet in Canberra in January. etc. It sounds easy but in fact it involves a lot of work, as she In November the place and date of the next WSC’s meeting has to care for all expenses / income and more. They both are will be decided. the pillars of the new ISC’s financial structure and are doing a Immediately after Congress we started working as a team with great job. Daniel Cheifetz, Meldan Heaslip, Osanna Vaughn, Leonard As stated by the WSA By-laws, ISC works under the guidance van Willenswaard and myself, organizing first of all the new of the WSA Chair, and so we have the valuable active ISC financial arrangements following the guidelines approved participation of Daniel and Meldan, and although our team by the World Congress. To this end we have opened the new functions via email it is quite real. Daniel has baptized it as the ISC bank accounts in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, in the name “core team” and it is great to be part of it as we feel trusted

2 SWN Volume I, No. 1 October 2001

and supported by each other, and of course the chances to make mistakes is rather reduced this way, as we can openly express our World Subud Council views and discuss every detail. As we are spread all over from Chicago to Buenos Aires and from San Francisco Daniel Cheifetz, Chairperson to Hamburg and Rotterdam, we also Meldan Heaslip, Deputy Chairperson get the feelings and feedback of the “world wide web” of members. Zonal Representatives

The brothers and sisters that work for Raina McKechnie, Zones 1&2 ISC Media Services, that has to do with Bapak’s talks, the Hamid da Silva, Zone 3 Archives and the History, go on doing their devoted task. Oliver Haitzmann, Zone 4 Lester Sutherland had to finish his term in Bali after eight Nkanga Wa Mambu, Zones 5&6 years of hard work, but as we couldn’t find a new coordinator Julia Hurd, Zone 7 he has caringly went on, although we have agreed that now I Muchsin Silva, Zone 8 will take over from him until a new person is appointed. I Pedro Delano, Zone 9 would like to express our deep gratitude to Lester and his team for the long years of doing such a good job. Wings & Affiliates There are several other issues we have to take care of, including the Pavilion project for the Hospital in Palangka Peter Filippelli, MSF Raya. When planning Congress in Palangka Raya Subud made Kumari Beck, SDIA a commitment by signing an agreement with the Government Stephen Hancock, SES of Central Kalimantan to build and equip this pavilion, as they Faustine Sfeir, SICA saw the need to provide better medical care for members Harfijah Chung, SYAI attending Congress as well as for the local community. This Manuel Oliver, SYAI project is on hold now, but we need to keep on with it as we have to honour our commitment with the people of International Helpers Kalimantan. A new team will hopefully be appointed to coordinate the efforts of the members involved. Arifah Burra, Area 1 Recently I have been able to attend the American Kejiwaan Murray Clapham, Area 1 Gathering in Austin, that had a very special meaning due to the Iljas Jamieson, Area 1 circumstances and had a strong content as expressed in the Mardijah Simpson, Area 1 message sent by Ibu Rahayu. With the assistance of the Sutinah Sudarsono, Area 1 International Helpers we did some testing about our different Haryono Sumohadiwidjojo, Area 1 roles and it was clear for me that the role of the WSA Chair is Viktor Böhm, Area 2 to receive guidance and direction for our Association, his Deputy has an widespread presence on behalf of the Chair, and Paul Gawen, Area 2 ISC cares for the strength of the material platform for it to Insiyah Gonsalves, Area 2 work. We also tested about SICA, MSF, the IHs, etc. and it Karolina Prins, Area 2 was a very good exercise that I would indeed recommend. Elsa Vouga, Area 2 Of course we in ISC only manage this material support, but its Taufik Waage, Area 2 strength – that can be translated as money, as the blood is to Damanhuri Alkaitis, Area 3 the body - can only come from the members. In the last few years the financial situation has been preventing our task to Alvaro Diabanza, Area 3 preserve the legacy of Bapak to humankind. This, among other Rohana Filippi, Area 3 things, involves to publish the revised translations of Bapak’s Nasrudhin Hassani, Area 3 talks, to carry on with the writing of the History of Subud, to Rohana Laing, Area 3 preserve the records of the talks, the Archives and Video Renata Robb, Area 3 Archives, etc., and we need everybody’s help to be able to fully afford this task. Executive Committee (ISC) We hope to be able to work closely with the World Council and with every member in Subud worldwide during the next Laurencio Young, Chairperson four years, as we need to tighten our bonds in this time of Osanna Vaughn, Treasurer uncertainty. Leonard van Willenswaard, Accountant

With love, Laurencio Young

3 SWN Volume I, No. 1 October 2001

A MESSAGE FROM THE TREASURER

Greetings from Hamburg with love to you all! May to July. Clarifying all the accounts is still an on-going Before I begin to explain a little about our current process due, as often as not, to our dear friends the computers financial position, I would like share with you my and the complications of transferring all the documentation to understanding of the position of ISC treasurer. the incoming ISC. But, as I said at the beginning, Leonard is While it does have the expected aspect of figures doing a brilliant job and will get there as soon as humanely and calculations, it is also very much about possible! communication. I hope that’s one of my strengths. In fact, we are very lucky to have Leonard van In the meantime, the new officers were enthusiastically ready Willenswaard in Holland doing all the nitty, gritty accounting to start working, so we put together a budget, conservatively and book-keeping – and an excellent job at that. My task is to counting on about $80.000 for the rest of the year 2001. translate all this to you in as clear a manner as possible. Together with this article you will find that Budget, based on

various factors and, not least, the budget priorities already Back tracking a little – more than a little in fact –, there was a approved last year in Mina Clavero. You can also see what time when the WSA benefited from considerable financial amounts have already been spent. support from PTS Widjojo in Indonesia. This enterprise came about through Bapak’s guidance and a great effort on behalf of And what about the future? That is the big question! many Subud members all over the world, and, in turn, these members and investors all agreed to make an important annual The recommendations of the Finance Workshop at Congress donation from the company profits. We also had some private and the late Harun Murray, who audited the WSA accounts for enterprises and individuals, which were able to subsidise the a number of years, calls for ISC to put together a balanced international work very generously. As a result, the budget. This means that we should not approve budget programmes chosen and supported by the WSA (i.e. all of us) expenditure that exceeds the pledged income. Unfortunately, if grew until we were working with an annual budget of current pledges remain at the same level it will be necessary to practically half a million dollars. The programmes include – reduce the budget by about two thirds. From $450.000 to apart from the fixed costs of running the organization – the $150.000. work of the International Helpers, Ibu Rahayu’s office, the revised translations of Bapak’s talks, the Archives, the work of Is this what we want? Do we want the International Helpers to the Wings, the development of the Zones, just to mention a travel considerably less? Do we want precious archival few. material to rot? Do we want translation work to grind to a halt?

Do we want the less economically strong countries or those Unfortunately, the economical crisis in Indonesia, plus other where English is not commonly spoken to become even more changes, brought about the situation where these enterprises cut off? were no longer able to contribute financially to the WSA. At that time an appeal was sent out and the membership made a I don’t believe this is what we want? I believe we are looking big effort to increase donations worldwide. However, this for a strong, healthy association, which is truly globally aware, support was not sufficient to cover the budget we had been acknowledging our real inner connection. And if this is what used to in previous years, so all sorts of special fundraising we believe in, I’m sure the money will come because the efforts were made, and projects and programmes were often money is out there. additionally supported outside the sphere of ISC. As a result, we have struggled through the last years without a very clear How many of us have stories where we thought we had no picture of what was being funded by the WSA via ISC, and money, decided to do something and then, all of a sudden, the what was being funded directly. This has led to some money was there? Probably most of us. programmes and projects being fully covered, other less and some not at all. However, it is not for the few of us working at the

international level to put this into practise, spending money we Whatever the monetary side looked like, there is no doubt that don’t have and expecting it to turn up from somewhere. It is all the WSA volunteers, plus the few members receiving up to all of us to put this into practise. Each one of us. If we honorariums, were working very hard, to the best of their believe in the projects, programmes and efforts that we are ability and understanding, to serve us all, and often regardless making at the world level, let’s each make the effort to give a of whether their expenses were being covered or not. little bit more, specifically for that work. Let’s each of us help

towards making that energy that we call money flow. Let’s The year 2001 became particularly complicated due to the give the international structure a good acupuncture session and unexpected relocation of the World Congress from Kalimantan unblock whatever is stopping the flow of money. If you need to Bali, and the consequent intense preparatory period from to ask questions to do so, fire away. I love answering

4 SWN Volume I, No. 1 October 2001

questions, especially when they are like puzzle pieces, which connect and create a beautiful picture. BUDGET WSA / ISC

So, this is surely long enough for a first communiqué! What For the period Sept.-Dec. 2001 more can I do than add the bank details of the ISC accounts? INCOME Bank: ABN AMRO BANK, Address: Duikerlaan, Capelle- Yssel, Netherlands Surplus Jan-Aug 2001 45,000 SWIFT address: ABNANL2R Additional contributions 35,000 Account name: World Subud Association Re International ______Subud Committee, Total available 80,000 P.O.Box 8571, 3009 AN Rotterdam, Netherlands.

Account numbers: 42.91.00.418 ($US) 42.91.22.993 (GBP) EXPENSES BUDGET PAID INVOICED 42.90.15.100 (EURO) WSA Chair 8,000 For North American members: ISC Office 17,500 6,870 Pensions 3,500 3,204 First Union National Bank Subud World News 1,000 Business Banking VA 1940 Website 250 P.O. Box 7606 McLean, VA 22106-9853 IHs Area 1 6,000 1,960 Area 2 6,000 2,620 1,500 Act name: International Subud Committee Area 3 6,000 385 Act nbr: 2065203502623 Ibu Rahayu’s office 3,150 3,130 Routing code: 051400549 Swift address: PNBPUS33 Archives 1,000 1,000 Please notify us of any transfers and ask any questions by e- International Almoners 4,000 4,000 mailing [email protected] or faxing +49-40-7027184 Zone 1/2 1,500 Zone 5/6 1,500 Dear All: Zone 8 1,500 Zone 9 1,500 We need your help to distribute the SWN via email, please be so kind to forward it to every group and SYIA 2,000 member, so the local groups can print it out and SDIA 3,500 3,500 circulate among their members. SICA 4,500 SESI 1,500 Once we have assessed where there may exist the need to post printed copies we will do so, but as our budget is audit. 10,000 so short we prefer to make the best use of internet in ______

order to save costs. Total expenses 83,900

Surplus (Déficit) -3,900 Thank you for caring.

EXTRACT FROM A REPORT BY PAUL GAWEN - INTERNATIONAL HELPER AREA 2

Two weeks ago the six of us helpers for Area 2 (serving Europe, Russia and Africa) met in Norway for two days together. We met to talk, test, Latihan and to get to know each other. We looked at our roles, our responsibilities, our budgets for this year, and require- ments for next. We've had requests to visit Poland, Ukraine, Israel and several African counties. Travel funds are low so we took time to prioritise the needs and share out the visits. A priority is to visit Sweden, Poland and the Ukraine in the spring. We stayed in two 6 cosy grass roofed cabins on the Island of Vigra, and were treated like royalty, fed sumptuously on fresh caught fish and crabs, venison, cake with cream and wild berries on crumbles, home baked bread and freshly gathered mushrooms. Even our fridges had cake and chocolates and fresh fruit in case we got hungry. Our hosts (Hugo and Maya Flem on the island of Vigra), have converted their big barn into an enormous Latihan hall of real quality. It's timber lined to the roof with underfloor heating. It has a seating area and lots of light. Hugo, supported by Maya, has a quiet belief that something Subud will happen here and spends much of his free time working on the hall. Vigra is the only flattish island amongst many islands that tower above and dive into fjords and the Atlantic. It has the area airport and is an amazing place for a holiday. Thank you too to the members of the Aalesund group who helped care for us.

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WANTED - A NEW EDITOR FOR SUBUD VOICE

I am looking for someone who would like to take over the production of SUBUD VOICE. I have a strong feeling that my time as its editor should not continue for longer than is absolutely necessary, but I hope this will not mean that SUBUD VOICE itself will come to an end. Anyone who had seen its address list, and had read the touching and beautiful letters of appreciation that people write would realise how important SUBUD VOICE has become for Subud. In particular, it seems that many Subud members both in the West and in the developing world still do not have access to the Internet so that SV is very often their only means of contact with the larger Subud world.

However, it is important to realise that the work of SV is not paid. Doing its 16 pages every month also takes several hours each day. The ideal person to take over might be someone newly retired, who no longer needs to earn a living.. This person would - as well as having the necessary technical skills (ability to use a computer, do Desk Top Publishing and use the Excel programme), also have lots of time available and of course the necessary editorial skills.

As well as editing there is also the work connected with subscriptions, updating the labels and doing the mailing. This part could be separated from the work of the editor, if a suitable person could be found. A husband and wife team would be ideal.

It is wonderful, deeply satisfying work for the right person, and one that I feel very honoured to have been given for the past 14 years. But it appears that I should now move on, though I would still be very willing to write for it and to assist my successor in its production.

- Do get in touch if you are interested. E-mail me at [email protected]. or phone 44 (0)1344 451851. - Ilaine Lennard

SUBUD SPAIN IS IN VERY GOOD HEALTH During the congress, we spoke about Bali, about projects, Outgoing Spanish chairlady Fanni Arambilet writes: about the reality in our groups, and we chose a new chairman very quickly and clearly. This new chairman is Michael Lloyd The Spanish National Congress took place from the 11th to the of Alicante - a member of many years of experience in Subud - 14th of October in Barcelona. The place where it was held was who is already setting up a great team. My impression is that a seminar centre located in a privileged position, within the Subud Spain will receive a great impulse forward during the town, at the foot of the Sierra de Colserolla. One wing and next years. various halls were at our disposal, surrounded by lush gardens. The intervention of our foreign guests was of great interest to About 80 people attended, and we were lucky that this all; the Zone, SICA, the reality of our international included some very special guests: organization. We were given a very clear picture.

Our Zone Representative, Hamid da Silva, the WSA chairman, On Friday night, Daniel held an interesting session. I was Daniel Cheifetz, the SICA International chairlady, Fasutine surprised by its simplicity and effectiveness. It produced a Sfeir, he SES Zone 3 Representative, Andrew Holloway, the cascade of spontaneity for this old country! Zone 3 Secretary, Hassanah Simpson, the International Helpers: Elsa Vouga, Karolina Prins, Martin Waage and Paul On Saturday night the Barcelona group invited us to 'coca and Gawen, Arnaud and My Hanh Delune of France and many cava'. 'Coca' is a special desert typical of Cataluña, and 'cava' Spanish members. is the Catalán equivalent of what is called champagne in

Some of the people who had not been in Bali told me that they SWN Volume I, No. 1 October 2001 had found the congress like a little sample of the world congress.

For work reasons I was not able to be at the congress all the France. Sofia Garrido and Ramzi Winkler contributed with time, but each time that I could be there, I felt an atmosphere song and music. of calm and harmony, and I thought "all is well".

6 Lambert (outgoing Committee Councillor) and I are putting aside these Subud jobs and we will take on others; life continues and Subud Spain is in very good health. AGENDA Love to you all. Taken from Subud Euro News

November

STRUCTURE OF ISC MEDIA SERVICES: 2 – 4 Cuban National Congress. Contact [email protected]

2-4 Irish National Congress. Title of Media Person in Email Address Unit Charge Contact [email protected] 2 – 4 German National Congress in Oberwesel. SAI- Farlan [email protected] Contact [email protected] Indonesia Williams 4 World Latihan 10:00 GMT SAI- Amalijah [email protected] 8 – 11 Kejiwaan Gathering at the Menucha Retreat Australia Thompson outside Portland, Oregon. SAI-U.K. Dr. Most Not on Email Contact [email protected] Abdelaal 9 – 11 SICA Factory in Lewes, England SAI-U.S.A. Daniela [email protected] Contact [email protected] Moneta 9 – 11 SIHA Weekend at Loudwater Farm, GB SAI-Japan Hiroshi [email protected] Contact Lewis Roberts Tahara [email protected] Film and Harris [email protected] 16 Ramadhan begins (1st day of fasting) Video Smart