Planes, Trains and Automobiles
Indonesia has over 2,100+ active members, including more than 450+ helpers. With such a large membership, National Helpers are spread out over six regions. Each region has three types of groups: cabang, the largest; ranting – small groups ; and kelompok- sub-groups.
Our busy seven-city, 17-day journey began in Rungan Sari, Kalimantan, where we met together as a dewan and did Latihan and testing with helpers and members. We then flew to East Java and met with groups in Mojokerto and Surabaya, followed by train trips in Central Java, where we visited groups in Semarang and Purwokerto. On day 11 we took a car trip and train to West Java, to meet helpers and members in the city of Bandung. Three days later we boarded the new high-speed train, and in less than 50 minutes, we were in Jakarta for the culmination of our journey – Bapak’s birthday celebration in Wisma Subud.
In each city, members from smaller groups came, many driving several hours to attend the kejiwaan gathering. In Kalimantan, members drove from Balikpapan – an 18-hour trip!
We did Latihan and testing with helpers and members and met with committees. In several cities, National Helpers were also there to support us, as well as the Chair of Subud Indonesia, M. Ridwan Syamsudin. A feeling of closeness developed very quickly, sharing Subud stories and experiences and answering questions. Soon, we were laughing and, of course, taking lots of photos. The Subud ladies provided wonderful local dishes (we were very spoiled).
Overall, there was a genuine sense of wanting to continue Bapak’s mission, to grow in Subud, to develop our Latihan and stand on our own feet, especially among helpers and young people. After testing, many helpers expressed enthusiasm for carrying out regular testing sessions, particularly awakening testing, with their groups and to develop a real sense of harmony among their dewans.
“The IH visit encouraged the helpers to be more courageous and confident in carrying out testing, and the members felt happier and closer. The Subud Brotherhood unites us all. Thank you, Bapak and Ibu Rahayu, and thank God Almighty. Salute to IH Area 1!” said Ibu Kustinah, KC for Indonesia.
“The IH visit provided so many benefits for the spiritual development of Subud members throughout Indonesia,” said Pak Syafrudin KC for Indonesia.
In Jakarta, we were invited to meet with Ibu Ismana, the wife of the late Pak Haryono (Bapak’s son and father of Sudarmadji) and Ibu Yati (Ibu Rahayu’s sister and Mustafa’s mother) at the Cita Buana school. Their guidance and sharing of their own experiences were truly a blessing.
The next day, we met with helpers and members, and after latihan, we did testing along with Ibu Yati and Ibu Ismana. In the evening, we attended Bapak’s birthday celebrations, which included a wonderful dinner, performances by Subud members, a live gamelan orchestra and a video of Bapak’s early life.
We look forward to visiting other groups in Indonesia, working with the National Helper Dewan, and, most of all, continuing Bapak’s work.
