THE need to reprint the Helpers' Guide has provided us with the opportunity to revise the text in the spirit of Bapak's words: 'Subud is life; life always changes'. So it has also provided the opportunity to include some of Bapak's more recent advice.

Because in our opinion the former Editors made a very good choice from the available material, most of this was retained; some minor or outdated texts were left out. The texts we added were nearly all from Bapak's talks and letters; some were taken from letters by Ibu Siti Rahayu and a few from M'bakyu Rochanawati.

We were given to understand that we could choose freely from the writings of Bapak and Ibu Rahayu, and so the responsibility for the choice is wholly ours. This responsibility was not a heavy one; by choosing one can never really go wrong. We only tried to find those quotations which in our view gave the most apt or clear explanation about the relevant subject.

Two new chapters were added: on Marriage and on Enterprises. Both subjects are the cause of many questions to Bapak.

After having read a number of answers to members' questions by Bapak and Ibu Rahayu, it is clear to us that many questions would not have been necessary had the content of Bapak's talks been known to the writers, helpers as well as members. Bapak's saying, well known by now: 'Stand on your own feet' surely also implies looking up the answers to our questions in Bapak's talks ourselves; a task which everyone will find most rewarding, and for which this book can be of great help.

It seems right in connection with this to remind ourselves that Subud does not contain secrets. So there is no objection to this book being read or used by non-helpers, provided they have some experience of the latihan. (Many of them could do this to their great advantage.)

Bapak's advice and guidance are of prime importance to all of us. Being aware that they ought not be used as fast rules or dogmas, we should like to add a sentence from a letter in which Ibu Rahayu is quoted :

"Let common sense decide, not superstition or hearsay; there is no set rule; do things that work well."

The Editors, The Dewan of International Helpers for 1979-1983

December 1980