Don't miss your chance to experience a long Subud weekend which could provide the opportunity for you to meet new friends, share in a unique group experience, do latihan, eat great vegetarian food, and be in a beautiful Somerset village in south west England, surrounded by gorgeous walking country.

 

It's difficult to describe Open Circle, because it's different each year, dependent on who comes - but that means there are different and new workshops, a variety of entertainment, fun or simply hanging out together. Many places are already booked for this popular annual SIHA event. Accommodation is limited and varies from dormitory to camping, to shared and en suite.

 

If you want to come, make your decision soon and contact Hermione Elliot : hermione.elliott@burnoutsolutions.com or Osanna Whitehouse :osanna21@btrconnect.com for a booking form.

 

We hope to see you there!

WORLD SUBUD COUNCIL MEETING “An Awakening at the Crossroads”

GREAT MALVERN, BRITAIN, 2-7 August 2010

 

Your WSC or World Subud Council met in Britain for six full days of kedjiwaan and organisasi activities. With Ibu’s greetings read, we felt the awakening spirit; a renewed sense of purpose; a new willingness for international enterprise, putting the traumas of the past behind for the sake of the growth of Subud; collaborating; building on the quality that we have.

 

Our major themes included kedjiwaan; Congress Resolutions review; Subud Centres and Communities; WSA Archives; WSA Budget and new Fun(d)raising; Subud’s Presence in the World/Bapak’s legacy; Wings Collaboration and Presentations; WSA Board renewal; plus some of the many WSA Programs and working groups such as Care Support and now Translations, and a Kalimantan update. Phew, in other words quite a lot of work for 34 people.

 

All in all, it was an amazing first WSC meeting after the congress in New Zealand, with a great deal of bonding and new growth together. Lots of work accomplished and time with Subud Britain – ‘An Awakening at a Crossroads’ indeed!

 

Photo: part of Subud Britain's Opening Ceremony, a parade and hot air balloons!

 

To read Luke's full report

 

We are pleased to announce the first International Kejiwaan Gathering in Moldova and to invite you to a small country in the East of Europe, which is rich in history, has a picturesque landscapes and mild climate. The gathering is organised on the occasion of the 15th anniversary of Subud in Moldova.

 

The gathering will take place from October 14 to 17, 2010 in Vadul lui Voda, a touristic resort close to the Nistru river: Pescarilor 36, Nistru Park,

Vadul Lui Voda,

Mun.Chishinau, Republic of Moldova

Link to Google Map

 

The costs vary between 195 and 255 Euro per person for 4 days and 5 nights, including accommodation, meals and registration fee. Cheaper accommodation is also available. In case you are interested please be so kind as to register as as soon as possible before September 14, 2010 by either sending back a fulfilled registration form (see MORE on the EVENTS list) or by visiting www.subudmeetings.co.uk.

 

Should you have any questions or concerns please contact Alisa at alisa@nm.ru for transport, youth support, agenda and visa issues, and Amanda at zotieva@gmail.com for registration, accommodation and sightseeing.

 

More detailed information and the registration form can be found on the EVENTS list.

 

To read some interest information about Moldova and see pictures please

We're very happy to say that KTD has been nominated for the Responsible Tourism Operator Award.

 

In the meantime, our guests continue to express their appreciation. Here is an extract of what Benjamin Reader recently wrote in his blog:

 

 

Have a look at Benjamin's full article, reprinted on our blog http://palangkarayaimpressions.blogspot.com, and lots of other news and stories of Central Kalimantan.

 

To read KTD's latest newsletter, please

'Many Subud members are asking how best to help the flood victims in Pakistan. As you may know, it is estimated that as many as 20 million may be affected by the floods in the regions of North-West Frontier Province, Punjab and Sindh. An estimated 4 million people are homeless and the rainy season will continue into September. Since SDIA does not have any strong member organisations working in Pakistan to take an active role in the relief effort, we are recommending that those who feel moved to give speak to their National SD organisation or to a recognised relief organisation. Your relief donations should be clearly earmarked for Pakistan Flood Relief.

 

Some suggestions are your national Red Cross/Red Crescent organisation. UNICEF also has an appeal going for the relief effort and will accept earmarked donations, as will many other relief organisations.

 

Although SDIA does not have any direct knowledge of or relationship with the organisation Sarhad Rural Support Programme (SRSP), one Subud member in Pakistan has suggested this as a way to give to flood relief. Go to http://srsp.org.pk  Unfortunately SDIA can make no recommendation having no knowledge of their work.'

 

Photo : A man wades through flood waters towards a naval boat while evacuating his children in Sukkur, located in Pakistan's Sindh province 8 Aug 2010.  Sent by Siddiqa Begum, KC for Subud Pakistan.

Dear Generous WSA Brothers and Sisters,

 

Please accept grateful thanks from the Christchurch Group for your kindness to us. It was an honour to be selected and trusted to host the World Congress. For us, the event was a gift that seemed to flow both ways, to the brotherhood, and from the brotherhood. Not only are we grateful for the money, but we are touched and pleased to hear that your decision to share it with us was unanimous. This means a great deal to us, so we thank you, one and all. Imagine, driving down the streets of Christchurch and seeing Subud people everywhere! May this be a prophetic glimpse of the future.

 

Photo: Christchurch hall by Rachman Cantrell

 

Note: The World Congress in Christchurch made an unexpected surplus of $US125.000 (due in part to tight control on expenditure). The World Subud Council unanimously agreed, following a recommendation of the trustees of the society set up in New Zealand as the legal entity for the congress, to make a donation of $US18.000 to the Christchurch group to finish the renovations and extension of their Subud property and thank them for the enormous hard volunteer work put into organizing the congress.

 

Malaria is rife in Central Kalimantan with close to two-thirds of residents who live in YUM’s target villages regularly infected and only one doctor for an area of over 11,000 inhabitants.

 

YUM’s Malaria Control project, largely funded by Susila Dharma Germany, together with the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) is the first of its kind in Central Kalimantan. It involves extensive training and community education on prevention, distribution of thousands of Long-Lasting Impregnated Bednets (LLIB), spraying of houses, and larvaciding.

 

In April 2009, an external evaluation was conducted by a team of experts from the Health Ministry to analyze the situation 16 months after YUM had started implementation. Malariometric and entomologic surveys took place which confirmed a significant decrease in malaria incidence in Bukit Batu as a result of YUM’s anti-malaria project.

 

With the support of YUM’s Malaria Project Coordinator Dr. Sinto and AusAID Volunteer Lucy Thallon, an ongoing and intensive education campaign is taking place to inform people on how to minimize the risk of infection and a special event was organized on World Malaria Day for the first time in Central Kalimantan.

 

Already, changes in the behavior of most community members prove to be very positive, as the community gains a better understanding about malaria treatment and the importance of using insecticide treated mosquito nets. To ensure the long-term sustainability of the project, YUM is working closely with Local Government health institutions.

 

Ed: Reports from YUM in March 2010, confirm further improvements.

 

To read the full YUM 2009 Annual Report please

‘... to show that your family feeling in Subud is strong and stable, that you are aware of each other and care for each other.’ Bapak

 

Wisma Mulia is, to Subud and non-Subud residents alike, a very special place. This is a Subud community in a green oasis of peace in the heart of Gloucestershire, a place of laughter, companionship, comfort and caring. A place visited and blessed by Bapak personally, who laid a foundation stone, and gave Wisma Mulia its name. It means ‘honoured home’ – honoured because Subud members live here in their old age.

 

Residents speak of their appreciation for the caring staff, of the beauty of the gardens, of the peace they have found here. ‘It’s so nice to be together with friends,’ says one resident, who has been many years in Subud. Another, ‘It’s up to you entirely how sociable you are ... Nobody will come and bother you.’ For others Wisma Mulia is, as no doubt Bapak intended, ‘A place where we worship God together.’ This is a community where older people share the experience and wisdom of a lifetime with younger residents, staff and the many visitors.

 

Some Wisma Mulia residents have found it a struggle to cover their accommodation needs and the Paula Hallett Trust was set up some years ago as an endowment fund to help these residents. However the demands on the Trust’s resources have increased dramatically as the gap has widened between what the less well-off residents are able to pay and the level of fees that have to be charged by Wisma Mulia to cover its costs.

 

The two main reasons for this are:

The Wisma Mulia Appeal aims to top up the Paula Hallett Trust Fund. Subud Britain, working with Susila Dharma, SYA, SICA, and SES, has appointed Monica Jones as Fund Raising Coordinator. Monica will be appealing to non-Subud and Subud donors. Her aim is to raise £90,000 over the next two years. The entire sum raised will be used solely to help less well-off Wisma Mulia residents pay the balance of the fees they are unable to meet.

 

The Wisma Mulia Appeal was formally launched at Subud Britain’s Family Holiday & Congress in August. Thanks to the generosity of Subud members, plus a kind donation from Susila Dharma (Britain), over £8,000 has already been raised. We hope Subud members will want to contribute towards the £90,000 target through all the many talents with which our members are blessed. Some may want to perform, make and sell things. Donating, of course, will also be greatly appreciated!  If you have an idea to raise money for the Wisma Mulia Appeal, please get in touch with Monica (nabataat@yahoo.co.uk / Tel. +44-1452-741421) who will be happy to discuss your idea with you.

It was a time of joy, colour, smiles, happy children playing to the rhythm of enchanted music... a medieval parade, paper lanterns floating up into the sky with a message of peace, blue and yellow balloons searching for the Subud symbol in a domed ceiling...

 

All this and so much more! Many thanks to Subud Britain and the great job done by its National Committee and the team of dedicated volunteers, who prepared a wonderful space for worshipping God in a thousand different ways.

 

The Zone 3 meeting, the World Council meeting, Subud Britain's National Congress and a Family Gathering, all took place within the context of that amazing atmosphere. Paul Gawen, the delightful and well-loved national chairman said – both humbly but also with great pride – that the number of attendees reached nearly 650! I remember the emotional moment when Paul read the precious message from our dear Ibu Rahayu.

 

Sharing the latihan with so many Subud brothers and sisters is a worthy privilege – to be had as often as possible! Sharing meals, experiences, little secrets, sorrows and joys, is also of incalculable value.

 

I saw and felt the strength of Susila Budhi Dharma in each of us. And at night... I told Bapak all about it – like a little summary of what had happened during the day. I am deeply proud to be a Subud member and I give thanks to God for the gift of the latihan. I also thank Subud Britain for its hospitality, strength and joy, and I'm looking forward to the next gathering...

 

May God be with us all.

 

Paloma's impressions are perfectly captured in this great video created by the Subud Britain Youth.

 

In addition, find out all about the ultimate Subud Woman and check out Matthew d'Haemer's Great Malvern photos (log in necessary)

I walked into the urban corner café (photo: Courtney  D) seeking spiritual nourishment. The 20’s style, high-ceilinged room had an open kitchen and a scattering of customers chatting at a dozen tables. A sign listed eggs and toast, whole plates for $1.25, coffee and beverages 75 cents. People out on the city street on bikes and with shopping carts felt part of the quiet connected atmosphere inside the Café called the “Sisters of the Road”, a non-profit serving the homeless in Portland Oregon for the past 30 years.

 

My Subud sister Monica (Sisters of the Road executive director for the past 8 years) originally offered me lunch, but instead fed and nourished me with epiphanies.

 

While waiting for her, I briefly read the forward to the Sisters signature book ‘Voices from the Streets’ offering a quote from Dorothy Day – an early century, rights worker.

 

 

To read Haris's full article, please

The new school year began on the 26th of July (photo), with an Assembly to welcome the old and new students. Total enrollments this year are 75 students, including 13 new students from mainly Dayak families.

 

The following day, July 27th, the school celebrated its fifth anniversary since opening to the public. A small lunch-time celebration was held with staff and children, and to which the parents of the very first children enrolled in 2005 were also invited.

 

To read more details in the August 2010 newsletter, please

The large European travel company, Tischler Reisen, has included the Rahai'i Pangun Jungle River Cruises in their current catalogue. This week we had their first guests.

 

Over 3 relaxing days of calm weather, the Rahai'i Pangun journeyed up the Rungan River seeing orangutans peacefully on river islands, taking canoes for exhilarating excursions into the shimmering flooded lakes, visiting the BOS Foundation's Education Centre to see orangutan rehabilitation programs, standing at the site of the holy Batu Banama rock to see spirit houses, and cruising to a tiny village to see traditionally made kecapi or stringed music instruments and watch as the finishing touches were put on a hand built canoe.

 

Our guests set off this morning for the next leg of their Indonesian adventure, to Bali and Komodo.

 

At the end of July, George Soros (United Nations Envoy for the Environment) visited Central Kalimantan, and he and his party used the Rahai'i Pangun to overnight on the Kahayan River during the group's excursion to the down river village of Tundai. The official Antara Indonesian News Agency report on the visit can also be found on the Palangkaraya Impressions blogspot.

As a follow up to the article that appeared in Subud Voice in June dealing with the "Journey of Transformation" developed by Mahmud Nestman (photo) from Vancouver, there is the possibility to attend a Journey in the Netherlands, October 3-6, 2010. This workshop will be open to both Subud and non-Subud people.

 

For more detailed information please

Mauricio Castillo, Zone 9 Representative, is happy to announce that Zona 9 is going to have its Zonal Congress in Campeche, Florianópolis, Brasil from November 19 to 24, 2010.

 

Campeche is a small village located on the island of Florinopolis in the south of Brasil - a one hour flight from the city of Sao Paulo.

 

Everyone is invited to attend this congress, and can contact Mauricio for more details at: m.castillonet@gmail.com

The second Human Force Workcamp was held at the Usaha Mulia Abadi project in Mexico from July 3 to 17. (Last year's took place at Amanecer in Colombia). It brought together 17 volunteers (both Subud and non-Subud), which turned out to be a very interesting experience.

 

As one of the camp's coordinators, Rashidah Flores, explains:

"We had, of course, all the normal questions about Subud and latihan but it was not a problem at all. Everything turned out very easy and we could share with them what Subud is and the meaning of it in our lives. We could have the space for doing latihan and testing without making others feel apart or rejected from the group."

To read Rashidah's full report, please

 

Due to the dire food shortage in Tanzania last year, an appeal was launched to collect funds for the new members there.

 

Roland Maanga (seen in the photo with his wife) was among the first opened, and coordinated the distribution of the monies raised. In the attached message, he gratefully acknowledges the help received and shares positive news about the growth of Subud in Tanzania, as well as photos of some of the members.

 

To read Roland's message and see the pictures, please

 

As national chair I am pleased to announce that the financial aid has been transferred to all three families affected by the recent earthquake.

 

We would like to thank Almighty God for letting all of you come through, WSA, SDIA and all subud members involved in helping Chilean victims of this terrible disaster. The total amount transferred less tax was USD 11.657 (USD 5.812,5 and USD 5.844,7)

 

As we coordinated it in advance, the remaining fund was donated to likely the more known, serious and emblematic charity foundation dedicated to Chilean earthquake relief “Un techo para Chile” (A roof for Chile www.untechoparachile.cl). The total amount transferred was USD 1.087 ($ 569.824). A gratitude letter was received from the foundation chair person.

 

To read Renato's entire report