Bring Us Near To Happiness

Let us all worship together. Kneel down before Almighty God,
Ask Him that we may receive
The grace of a pure heart.
Guide us away from obstacles
And bring us near to happiness.
May we be granted
wisdom,
The wisdom of humanity
While in this world and in the next,
So that in the end we can stand
Before Almighty God.

17 February 1968, Cilandak On Ibu's birthday Bapak played the gambang and sang this prayer in Javanese. No tape exists

Take Care And Quieten Yourself

Brothers and sisters, let us surrender to the One Almighty God.
In your worship of Almighty God carry out all His commands,
Therefore take care and quieten yourself.

In truth, the way to God is difficult to follow
Unless you receive help.
Although it is difficult, you will be protected.
Indeed this is true.
There is no one who can give understanding or guide you
Other than the One Almighty God
Who is present in your latihan kejiwaan.

This is the guidance which is clear and sure,
That is within the innermost of everything
Which wipes away all that disturbs your inner feeling.
Everything vanishes
And what is left is only God and His power.
These are the words of Almighty God.

unknown origin

KINANTI Bapak Sings

Come let us pray together that we may be blessed by God,
That He may give us prosperity;
In truth Indonesia is honored by many people who live in the land of Indonesia.

Only it has to be followed up,
It may not just be thought about;
Yo speak exactly everyone has to do the best work of all,
Wise and holy.

Skymont, USA, 24 August 1970 70 SKY 1

Worship God Without Delay

We pray to Almighty God.
May we receive God's blessing,
May Your latihan spread everywhere,
May it become the foundation of human character
And spread through the world.
For indeed such is the reality.

The duty of all mankind is to worship Almighty God
So that their hearts and minds may be at peace,
So that in turn the world may become
Peaceful and calm for mankind.
Therefore worship Almighty God without delay.

Let it not happen that at the end of our lives
We find ourselves far from God's power,
For this is God's authority
Which can truly bring peace and serenity
To the life of man.

On Bapak's birthday, Cilandak, 22 June 1980 80 CDK 6

What People Are Truly Hoping For

There is nothing fit to be followed
Other than God's command
Which is present in the latihan.

There is the source of human culture
Described in all the holy books
Originating from the command of the One Almighty God.
And this is what people are truly hoping for.

This is the best there is in human life.
There is no way other than this,
Other than the word of God.
This is what should become the signpost for man's life.
This is indeed God's command.

London, 20 April 1981 81 LON 12

God Is Already Close

Life in reality only feels itself.
In truth God is already close to all of you,
Closer than your own feeling.
God's power penetrates, fills and enters your whole being.

London, 4 August 1983 83 LON 3

Strengthen Your Worship

Allah has given His teaching to man:
Make an effort to strengthen your faith,
Now when the world is experiencing a crisis.
Strengthen your faith by way of worship
Which is the only way for all of you.
It can deflect dangers and catastrophes
That would overtake you.
This is what was taught by the Prophets,
Among them Jesus Christ and Prophet Muhammad.

Never put aside the power of God
Which is in each one of you.
In truth God loves all His creatures
And will always protect, lead and guide each one of you.
Therefore strengthen your worship of Almighty God.
Alhamdu lillahi rabbil a'lamin
May God be just and loving to His creatures.

On Bapak's birthday, Cilandak, 22 June 1980 80 CDK 6

This Is God's Will For Man

It just so happens that the time has come.
This is God's will for man.

It is God's will that man should be able to arrange his life
So that his life in this world can be secure and happy.
You are all fortunate to have received the grace of Almighty God
Which will guide you towards the right way.

Cali, Colombia, 27 April 1972 72 CLO 2

May I Always Be Within Your Power

God the Almighty,
Who created and rules the whole universe,
I, your creature, always sincerely worship
You Throughout my life in this world
And later in the next.
May I always be within Your power.
Bestow Your blessing and Your grace on whoever worships You,
Making it possible to be received by You in heaven later on.
Amen.

Sydney, Australia, 30 January 1978 78 SYD 2

Let Us Give Joyful Thanks

Verses sung at Bapak's eleventh windu celebration, at Cilandak, 1986

All Subud brothers and sisters,
Let us give joyful thanks and praise
For the love of God who knows and hears.
Bapak Muhammad has completed the days
Of eleven Javanese windu years.

Let us give thanks for the Almighty's love, too,
That the recent eye operation
Went well and now it's through.
The left eye is restored to vision
So that what was carried out
Has become good without doubt.

Only Bapak must still follow
Doctor's orders, still apply
Eye-drops so as to allow
The vision to become clearer in the eye
And be able to read again and write.
For this can make the heart feel light.

So please let us now humbly face
God the All-holy and pray that He might
Really bestow His gift of grace
And bless him to be able to write
And read ever more and more dearly,
As the heart would like or nearly.

May God grant that because of this
Bapak can still continue to
Serve the Subud brothers and sisters,
All his sons and daughters who
Make the effort to be active
In the kejiwaan which they serve.

The Feeling That Is Pure

In reality culture ought to be an expression of the feeling,
A feeling that is pure and able to receive,
Affected or touched by the holy feeling known as the Holy Spirit,
The source of advice which is true.

Therefore be active in doing the latihan kejiwaan,
Surrender to God inwardly and outwardly.
Trust in God.

Song at Lebaran in Bapak's House Cilandak, 11 December 1969 69 TJK 14

Song For Children

We pray to the One Almighty God,
May your behavior always be good
So that eventually you may become
Truly excellent human beings,
A source of joy to your parents
And an example to your country.

So that your future life will be happy,
May God bless all of you, my grandchildren.
I hope that all of you will become my children
And later, men and women of really good character.

May all of this be granted by Almighty God,
God who is All-knowing,
God who is All-loving
Towards His creatures including mankind.

26 May 1982, Auckland, New Zealand 82 AKL 6

Everyone Must Do Excellent Work

Come let us pray together,
That we may be blessed by God
That He may give us sanctuary.

In truth, Indonesia
Is honored by many people
Who live in the land of Indonesia.
Only you have to act.
Don't just think about it.
Be accurate in your speech.
Everyone must do excellent work,
Wise and holy.

Skymont, USA, 17 August 1970 70 SKY I

Everything That Happens Is A Joy

For all that has been offered
To Bapak, Ibu and their party,
We all give thanks to the One God.
Our nature is only that of helpers or openers,
Therefore give praise.
Such is the love of God for mankind
Everything that happens is a joy.
So we can do nothing but praise the One God
And give many, many thanks
For all that we have received.

May these your services
Be repaid by the One God.
Before the departure of Bapak and Ibu,
This is what Bapak says to you all:
May you all be able to receive,
To obtain the love of Almighty God,
May your life be long and happy
And may this blessing extend to all your families.

London, 1 September 1970 70 LON 2

Don't Ever Feel Disappointed

Come, my children, let us give thanks to the One Almighty God,
That all of you have been able to receive the grace of Almighty God:
That is, the awakening of your jiwa following God's guidance.

Don't ever feel disappointed, don't misunderstand,
For it is all God's will

And it is your good fortune
That Bapak has arrived here and is in front of you
In order to convey God's will to all of you,
So that all of you can receive it and restrain the nafsu
Which always misleads your heart and mind
And can come to know the reality of life.

Toronto, Canada, 20 August 1979 79 YYZ 10

The Importance Of Art

It is told in history
That hermits and heroes of the past
Developed an original or pure culture or art.
It is important for all of us to explore
And find that art or culture
Of our true self.

Therefore you should not hesitate
To express here your feeling for art
Which you have received
By the grace of Almighty God.

Songs 15, 16, 17 and 18 at Bapak's 68th birthday party, Cilandak, 22 June 1969, are taken from Subud World News, July 1969. No tape exists.

Always Remember The Inner Guidance

Bapak prays to Almighty God
That all his sons and daughters
Will receive God's blessing,
That they will live long
And prosperous lives,
That they may raise their families in harmony
Until the end of their days.

You should always remember
The inner guidance.
Bapak prays to Almighty God
That you will be able to receive
The true wisdom of life
And that you may continue to receive.

Subud differs from other spiritual teachings.
The latihan kejiwaan comes directly
From the power of Almighty God.
You do not force it to come,
For it comes by itself
From a source beyond the heart and mind.

Let Your Heart Be Seated Calmly

Do not always listen to your heart
But free yourself from its influence,
The good as well as the bad,
Because the heart is the 'home'
Of the lower forces - the nafsu.

If the heart is brave, it can be very brave.
If the heart is weak, it can be very weak.
Therefore let your heart be seated calmly
At the feet of the jiwa and Almighty God,
So that your days may always be bright.

For We Will Be One

Oh my precious one,
You are the one
For whom I have been searching,
The one to become my wife,
The content of my life.

Even in death
We will be together,
For we will be one
And inseparable.

The Prayer Bapak Says Every Day

This is what I ask Almighty God:

O God, don't give your blessing to me alone.
No.
But to all mankind,
And to you who happen to be close to Bapak right now,
Or to all Subud members,
So it is not only Bapak alone who can go to heaven, but all of you.

Such is Bapak's plea to the One Almighty God.

Toronto, Canada, 16 August 1979 79 YYZ 5

O God, Hear Our Song

Brothers and sisters who all are one
In worship of God the All-holy,
United in the kejiwaan,
Let us offer up our prayers sincerely
That God who knows our every move
May bless us with His grace and love.

O God Almighty, hear our song
Of praise that he has lived long,
He whose name is Bapak Subuh,
And may his whole body always be
Healthy and strong in order that he
May go on giving his guidance to
All his children and grandchildren.

The way to worship God Almighty
Is with patience, trust and submission:
To surrender inner and outer and be
Ever steadfast, ever sure,
Eternally forever more.

O Lord God Almighty, please
May all Subud children pray
And may none disappoint in this.
Always hold in reverence and obey
The received guidance of Bapak Muhammad
Subuh and his advice inspired.

Follow patiently and honor
All received guidance wholly,
To make you resolute and sure
In your way of worshipping the All-holy,
So that firm faith in God Almighty
May envelop you and all your family.

Live in inner and outer peace
To smooth the receiving; that is, to ease
The smooth progress of purification
Which you are all undergoing.
For this is always the condition
For worship of God the All-bestowing.

It will be easy once you are strong
For you, together with all your family,
To give and take and get along
With everyone harmoniously.
This is the ultimate goal and promise
Of all excellent and noble advice.

The real essence of the Latihan
Kejiwaan of Subud is actually
Worship, only worship of the One
God Almighty the All-holy.
He is the One we worship, only
He alone and none but He.

Verses written by Bapak and sung by a mixed choir at Bapak' s 86th birthday celebration on June 22, 1986, at Cilandak.

Let Us Be Sincere

Brothers and sisters, let us praise
And thank the One Almighty God,
For we have received His grace
Which has enabled us to worship Him.

We have now completed the fast
In the month of Ramadan,
Man's obligation in this world,
By God's command.

Brothers and sisters, let us be sincere
And dedicated in carrying out God's commands
Which have been handed down to us
By the Prophet Muhammad.
For it is these commands
Which are of true benefit to all of you,
As truly they express God's will and God's word,
Marked by the descent of the
Night of Power From Almighty God to human beings.

Song at Lebaran in Bapak's House Cilandak 11 December 1969 69 TJK 14

63 SCL 5- Santiago de Chile - May 18, 1963

[This recording was made at an informal gathering, which took place at the home of Helen Benavente in Santiago. Bapak was asked whether he would sing.]

Bapak: Singing in Javanese here would be odd.

Aminah Usman: But it is beautiful, Pak, when Bapak sings.

Bapak: Yes, but the only one who can say that the words are beautiful is Bapak [because no-one here would understand the Javanese language].

[Informal conversation among those present.]

Bapak: Yes, but you wouldn’t know. You wouldn’t be able to understand it.

[Informal conversation and laughter. Bapak sings a Javanese melody.]

Bapak: This is a Javanese melody. [Bapak sings some more.] You can put Javanese words to it:

Lamun sira waspada,
Uninga ing wadinira,

Now let’s change to the Sinom metre:

Tan ana liyanira,

… let’s translate it later …

Kajaba mung pasrah ing Gusti,
Manembah ingkang utama,
Praptèng akir manggih raharja.

Please, translate. Translate it. [Laughter – there is nobody present who can translate it. Then Bapak paraphrases in Indonesian:]

When you really worship God you have to surrender yourself, body … [inaudible] to the One Almighty God. In the end you will obtain a reward from God; so you will find the right way that leads towards God and makes your life happy, both in this world and in the hereafter.

[In English to the interpreters:] Translate.

[Informal discussion follows, among those present.]

Bapak: Javanese melodies and songs are all directed towards worship. Hardly any of them are about love. In that way they differ from Sundanese songs. Sundanese songs are all about love; Javanese are not. That is why you have to stand up [when you sing them]. [Bapak demonstrates:] At attention! You’re not allowed to do it just like that. Here is an example:

Ya iki duta ngaluhung,
This is God’s noble messenger,
Palupi lir sira sami,
Just like all of you,
Pêrlunya sira ywa pangling,
So you don’t feel awkward,

[Informal conversation. Ibu reminds Bapak about the Spanish translation.]

Bapak: Oh! it hasn’t been given … Again. Back to the beginning.

Ya iki duta ngaluhung,
This is God’s noble ambassador,
Tan béda lan sira sami,
No different in nature from all of you,
Pêrlunya sira ywa pangling,
So you don’t feel awkward,
Dadya pathokanira urip,
To be as a guide for your life,
Nurut marga kang utama,
Along the way willed by God, which is easy,
Which leads towards Almighty God,
Karana sifatnya sama,
Because he is like you in every way,
Nadyan lahirmu batinmu nira,
Both outwardly and inwardly,
Dadya gênah anggonira tumindak sami.
So that what you do is clear and in good order.
Béda lamun sira nggugu,

This is different from when you believe in … [to the interpreter, who gets stuck:] don’t worry, it is continued [in the next line].

Percaya mring barang kang dèn kanthi,
Believe in all kinds of things that are made,
Sifat rêca kang pinuja,
In the form of idols, which are worshipped,
Sinêngguh iku Gusti ki,
Thinking that those [idols] are God.
Satêmêné tan bisa bawa,
In fact, they cannot move,
Béda klawan mujanèki.
Unlike all of you.
Tan ana manpaatipun,
There is no use in that at all,
Kajaba mung gawé sisip,
It only makes your heart confused and disturbed,
Krana iku tan nabda,
Because there is no life in them,
Dèn guling-gulingkên kêni,
You can do anything to them,
Pan nyata iku barang tan nyawa,
Truly they are dead things, with no life in them.
Tan bisa manyababkên … tan pan bisa dadya matikên dhiri
So they can even deaden your heart and intelligence.

That is all.

[Informal conversation follows, mainly about the different meters in Javanese singing and different forms of dress in Indonesia.]

Bapak: As for Bapak’s ancestors, they were not Javanese if you go back seven generations; yes, seven generations from Bapak. Bapak’s father was Javanese: [Bapak tests. As he speaks, each ancestor answers in their own voice.]

Father:

‘I am a Javanese’.

Grandfather:

‘I am a Javanese.’

A father of a grandfather:

[Bapak seems to be listening, as if he is trying to catch what someone is saying] … son of … a Sultan …a King. Yes, in Mataram. … Mangkubuwana the First. Ah, well, his father … was different. Different.

[Bapak sings an Egyptian-sounding melody, received in a state of latihan]

There you are. That was his voice. He was an Egyptian.

[Bapak sings again.]

That’s his singing.

[Bapak sings once more; he then interprets into Indonesian, but in a different voice from his normal one.]

Have faith, ladies and gentlemen.
God’s revelation for humankind,
So that they may be at peace, of good character,
And truly worship God,
Has arrived in this world,
Exists in this world.
Brought by a human being
Who comes from Java,
From Indonesia.
It has been spread to the whole world
For the benefit of human beings,
Regardless of nationality or religion,
So that they may awaken,
So that they may be aware,
That God is one
For the whole of humankind.
God has no pattern, no attributes, no colour,
No place of abode in this world.
God envelops everything,
Like a wall that surrounds you;
All of you are inside.
God knows you all.
God knows everything in this world,
Even the finest, even the smallest things that cannot be seen,
God knows them all,
Because God is Almighty
The eyes of God envelop everything,
Unlike yours.
Therefore,
Have faith, ladies and gentlemen.
All of you must believe
That God accompanies you,
Is in you;
In you and outside of you.
There is no need for you to feel worried,
As long as you worship God
With patience, entrusting yourself to Him and letting go;
Because God has awakened
A human being to bring this to the world
While he is living here,
For God wills that his life should be not only here,
But, ah, in the universe …

Wa’llahu la ilaha illa’llah, [Arab.: And God, there is no god but God]
Muhammad Subuh bi’l-fi‘li inna-hum f-i-kum
[Arab.: really they are within you]
Rabbi-him Khalil khatima wa inna-hu mustaqim.
[Arab.: Their Lord’s dear friend, the ultimate seal, and he is righteous indeed.]
Allahu Akbar!
[Arab.: God is Almighty]

Yes. [Bapak laughs.] Bapak is always receiving something. Just now, if you were relaxed, at peace – no, no, no, no, a moment ago, not now – if you were relaxed, you would have received. If you were already able to see, you would have seen. If you were not able to see yet, you wouldn’t have seen. How did you feel?

So, to summarise what Bapak received just now: it was a reminder to everyone, especially to all of you, that the latihan you have received is truly a revelation or gift from God, which is a bridge or way for you towards happiness in your life. That is, it enables you to be close to the power of God.

It really is true that what exists in Subud – in this spiritual way or latihan – is for people of all nationalities and all religions. For that reason there is no discrimination. It can accept and be a place for all nationalities; for all human beings, each with their own religion. One day, everybody will be able to know that this spiritual latihan is really able to reveal all the secrets in any religion; because, truly, the latihan is a guide within every human activity and behaviour.

For example, a person who works as an architect will always be accompanied in the work that they do by their guide. This means that all their actions are accompanied by their teacher. It is the same with people who work as doctors, lawyers, accountants and other things, as well as those who dance, those who give ballet lessons and so on. All of them will be directed and guided by the teacher within their own inner self.

Therefore it is really true that God is with human beings, with all of you, in everything you do. Consequently, human beings – not that they have to, but of their own accord – will come to believe in the existence of God and God’s power. So, do the latihan seriously, with patience, trust and sincere submission; and believe in God, so that you can become an example to the world and for the whole of humanity. Amen.

Cilandak, Indonesia - January 22, 1967
Code Number: 67 TJK 1- As an example, Bapak was not familiar with singing macapat. He really wasn’t. Because from the beginning, when he was young, he was working all the time. But after he received the latihan, suddenly he could do it; it came by itself. His voice seemed to adjust itself. So this is just a little sample; it is one kind of song, a melody with the appropriate inflections.

Bapak sings in the style of classical Javanese poetry known as macapat:

Ning nung na ning ana.

That’s the melody with its inflections. The voice adjusts itself. Well, maybe the orchestra can follow by itself.

>Na ning aninung anung aning.

It is modulated spontaneously, as it were. That is why, earlier, before I received this, I sang like this:

Anu rono rono, anu baé, lho ra ninga lho ano.

Bapak sings a plain melody without inflections.

And if you are good at interjecting counterpoint:

Gandhulmu gadhèkna! [Loud laughter throughout.

So there is nothing lacking from God’s power, brothers and sisters. You are educated to entertain yourself when you are sad.

Susah-susah digawé apa? [What is the point of being sad?]

Whoa, listen to that!

Malah gawé rusaking tyasnèki. [In fact it will damage your individuality.]

You are sad because you are hurting your own heart.
Why would you damage your own heart?
So don’t do it.

Luwih becik lamun sujud, [It is better to worship,]

This is it. And this singing comes by itself. So don’t imitate. [Laughter.]

Iku marga kang utama [That is the best way]

Kang watoning sira wawuh [That shows you]

Dedalaning hidhup [The path of your life]

Marga saka sihing kuwa Allah [The way of God’s love]

Sira bisa anguningani. [That you can understand.]

Ning enung enung. ‘Ja lali titipané. [Remember what I asked.]

It was you who asked – but it was nothing.

This is just a little taste; let’s not go on with it. Oh dear, has this all been recorded? Well, it’s Prio’s luck. He has been asking Bapak to sing and Bapak hasn’t felt like it. Now here he is, singing.

An example is Bapak himself – if he is just a little sad, this is what he does and his sadness is gone. This is how God loves and gives to human beings, and to his creatures who are obedient. As for those who deviate, well, he doesn’t – if you give to those who deviate, there will be nothing left for the others. [Laughter.]

So, it’s like people from abroad who want to understand: ‘Bapak, how can we speed it up?’ You cannot. If you try to speed it up, in fact you will slow down. If you don’t try to speed up, it will go fast by itself.

The requirements of Subud are very easy.

‘What are they, Bapak?’

Patience, acceptance and a willingness to let go – those are the requirements. Isn’t that easy? People say it is hard to be patient. Patience is the easiest of the easy. Yes! Yes!

The lower life forces - Cilandak, Indonesia - August 22, 1967
Code Number: 67 TJK 8

There are still many stories in which the truth is purposely hidden. It is covered by such nice and beautiful words that it is not easily understood, except by those whose inner feeling is already alive.

Take, for instance, this matjapat Dandanggula melody:

Semut ireng anak-anak sapi,
kebo bongkang njabrang ing bengawan,
kyong gondang djarak sunggute.

Translated literally, the meaning of this Javanese song is:

"A black ant has a cow as its child,
A kebo bongkang ( a small insect that walks backward )
Crosses a large river,
A big snail with long feelers...".

Just consider now, is it possible for a small ant to have a cow as a child, and for the little insect to cross a large river?

If it were only that the first line of this matjapat verse needs to end with the letter "i" in its last syllable for the sake of rhyme, then one could easily make it up as follows:

semut irerig manak semut tjilik,

which means "the black ant has a small ant as a child."

Clearly then, the "i" in the last syllable is not for the sake of the rhyme but has a secret meaning behind it. You should be able to discover the reality hidden in such rhymes, too.

In short, there are many stories in which the truth is hidden in allegories, the secret of which has still to be uncovered. Therefore, in order to be aware of and to discover these secrets, there is no other way for you who have received the latihan kedjiwaan of Subud but to follow it faithfully and diligently, because it is, in fact, guidance from the Power of Almighty God.

Proof for the jiwa - Bapak's farewell talk in London, England - September 1, 1970
Code Number: 70 LON 2

Since Bapak hears there is to be a selamatan this evening, he now hands over to the committee who know what is to be done. Bapak, Ibu and their party are willing to come, to see and listen to the show the committee and members put on.

That is all; thank you.

( At the end of the selamatan Bapak sang the following song in Javanese )

Song of thanksgiving and blessing

For all that has been offered to Bapak, lbu and their party
We all give thanks to the One God.
Our nature is only that of helpers or openers
Therefore all of you please give praise.
Such is the love of God towards mankind
Everything that happens is a joy
Because there is none other
We praise the One God,
For all that we have received
We give many, many thanks.
May these your servants
Be repaid by the One God if He so please,
This is what Bapak says to you all
Nothing more on the departure of Bapak and Ibu.
May you all be able to receive
May you obtain the love of Almighty God
May your life be long and happy
And may this blessing extend to all your families.

Dandanggula ( song of joy )

Sydney, Australia - January 30, 1978
Code Number: 78 SYD 2

after: ( Testing )

Actually. what Bapak likes you to understand from this is that there is a tremendous amount that you will still receive from the latihan if you really do it sincerely and properly.

Bapak then sings a song and Sharif says:
The translation of the song that Bapak sang in Javanese is:

"God Almighty Who rules and created the whole universe,
I, Your creature, always worship You.
Throughout my life in this world, and also afterwards.
May I always be within Your power.
Grant Your blessing and grace to whoever worships You,
So that that person may be received by You in heaven later on Amen."

Bapak said earlier that in Java at the moment there are only 12 metres for singing the Javanese poetry or Javanese writings. But when Bapak received his latihan, Bapak actually received 144 different metres which are not yet known in Java. So what Bapak did just now was to illustrate one of the metres which are not yet known, one of these 144 which are not yet known today.

Cilandak Jakarta, Indonesia - January 7, 1979
Code Number: 79 CDK 2

It is clear, brothers and sisters, that you already have indications from God. Not that you will have them, but that you already do have indications. What are you waiting for? Look into your own selves. That is the nature of spiritual wisdom. You are being put right, being made as clean as possible. You must not think about any nonsense, you must not think about things that are wrong in the wrong way, but think that your thoughts are filled by the guidance of Almighty God. When Bapak speaks like this, he never uses a prepared text, because this goes by itself.

Even less does he prepare a song like this, for instance ( Bapak sings in Javanese ).

Bapak does nothing to prepare his talks.
No; but it comes out of its own accord,
just as if it had been prepared,
because the way he gives these talks is already arranged.
This is how it is.
So if Bapak were to make a book like this
or to make songs like this
he could do it very satisfactorily.
There is no need for people to think about all this.
That is how it is.

Well, that song was in Javanese. If you are English, you really ought to be able to do it ( in English ), whereas Bapak can hear, when you sing, that this has not yet developed in you. When you sing, you copy someone else, and what you copy is something that has been composed. Sometimes it takes a month to compose one song, if you please. It takes up all your time. If you were close to God, you could compose one song a minute. Yes, why are you not close to God? Yes. Take the kinanti; there are altogether a hundred and forty kinanti songs or tunes; but human beings have only discovered just seventeen. There are other kinanti songs. I want to know one of them; besides the seventeen, I want another kinanti

( Bapak sings ).

So Bapak now becomes a composer of songs.

Brothers and sisters, according to what happens in the latihan kejiwaan, and also according to your own experience, it is as Bapak said just now, and indications from the power of God have been created in your inner-selves. Thus it remains for you to choose; to choose to put into practice what you are able to do, and also to choose what to avoid and what to draw towards you. Because it is like that, there is no shortage of material for you to work on, nor are ways lacking for you to be able to provide for your own lives and for the lives of your families.

Cilandak, Indonesia - February 4, 1979
Code Number: 79 CDK 4

Bapak to the question of voices, brothers and sisters. There are also Islamic melodies, from Mecca mixed with Egyptian influences, Mecca mixed with Morrocan, Mecca mixed with Pakistani. In addition they are mixed with English. Let us see now.

( Bapak sings ) This sooths one’s own feeling.

Yes, there are times when Bapak himself feels sad. When he does, this gets rid of the sadness. But he only sings in his own room, for if he sang outside, other people would hear, and especially if they were Subud members, they would say “Do it again, Bapak; I want to record those songs on a cassette.” That would be difficult. This is just a little, brothers and sisters, and you must not expect Bapak to go on like that, or then Bapak just has to go on singing and singing.

This is why Bapak sometimes says to the women that they should try to receive what the sounds that come out of their mouths are like. But it seems that you are still uttering those sounds in the ordinary way and are still tied up in your minds and hearts, so that the sounds , the songs that come out are still imitated ones. What Bapak wants is that in Subud you should not always just copy, whether it is in the way you work, in the way you earn money, or in the way you sing; in short you should not copy other people in anything you do. The tendency to copy should be eliminated.

It is like the young people coming out of the universities, perhaps as doctors. Whatever they do is still according to the book. They do not yet have anything that can be called their own development, not yet. This is what I ask of all of you. That is why you should genuinely follow the way of the latihan, which really means not thinking or acting in the ordinary way, but just following the latihan real patience, trust and sincere submission to God.

Do Not Copy Other People - Toronto, Canada - August 20, 1979
Code Number: 79 YYZ 10

Brothers and sisters, in the latihan kejiwaan you can always provide your own entertainment. It is not necessary to complain or to feel unhappy; when you are unhappy you can cheer yourselves up. This is the reason why people always sing in church. The Muslims always sing or chant when they read the Koran; when they do what is now called Tilawatil Al Qur'an. Bapak's voice is cracked now, but when it was not cracked, Bapak could sing all sorts of songs. Nowadays Bapak's voice is cracked, because he is already eighty years old, but you can still hear it, brothers and sisters.

Bapak sings:

Come my children,
And all of you give praise and thanks to the One Almighty God.
You have all been able to receive the grace and mercy of the One Almighty God;
That is, the movement of your jiwa in accordance with the guidance of the One Almighty God.
You must not feel disappointed or misunderstand,
When all this is the will of God, and you have been fortunate,
So that you have been able to come forward and to bring out what is the will of God for all of you,
So that you can receive protection from the nafsu which always tempts the hearts and mind.
You are able to know what life really is.

Talk at Bapak's 79th Birthday Selamaten - Cilandak, Indonesia - June 22, 1980
Code Number: 80 CDK 6

( There was first the singing of "Happy Birthday" and “Long Life" to Bapak, and the cutting of the cake and the rice mountain. Then one of the members sang in Javanese, and Herbert Stewart was asked to sing. Then a solo. Then a song by one of the foreign sisters accompanied by a guitar, and "Butet" sung by Heroine Ruetz. )

( Bapak sings in Javanese, as follows )

May we receive the blessing of the One Almighty God.
May your latihan be able to spread everywhere.
May it become the basis for human behavior
All over the world.
For it is indeed the truth
That it is the duty of all mankind
To worship the One Almighty God
So that their hearts and minds may be peaceful.
So that, in its turn, the world may become peaceful and calm for mankind.
Come quickly then and worship the One Almighty God.
Let it not happen that at the end of our lives
We find ourselves far from the power of the One Almighty God.
For it is the power of God alone
Which can truly bring peace and calm to the life of mankind.

That is all, thank you.

It is a great pity that Bapak's voice is no longer what it used to be when Bapak was seventeen, when everyone would agree that it was still very beautiful.

Bapak wishes to remind you that Bapak's capacity to sing like this does not derive from any special training or effort, but it comes only from the quiet state of Bapak’s inner-feeling. It comes only from that inner-feeling, and so Bapak is able to receive many Kinanti melodies. Bapak receives melodies in the Kinanti mode which are not generally known and which do not as yet exist, for in the ordinary way only fourteen Kinanti melodies are known. This is actually what is meant by culture; that is it means the capacity to receive something new. That is why Subud should be a source of culture. But why have we not yet developed in this direction? Why have we not quickly obtained results in this case? Why has it been only Bapak who has developed? Bapak will sing a little more and this time Bapak will translate its meaning. One should really stand up when one sings because everything has to move. Like this, for instance ( Bapak utters a sound ). This sound also brings good health.

People are not obliged to use their voices but it is very necessary to do so and especially to sing out loud ( Bapak sings a melody ). If Bapak were still young that would be beautiful, but Bapak is already old.

( Bapak sings in Javanese )

I give praise and thanks to God that Dr. Maliwa and his wife are prepared to come. I hope that all of you understand. It is Dr. Maliwa who looks after Bapak.

This is another strange thing, a very strange thing.

( Bapak sings in an unintelligible language which sounds like Arabic and gives an Indonesian version of its meaning. )

Allah has given his teaching to mankind.

Bapak wanted to sing a Javanese song, but it comes out in Arabic

Make an effort to strengthen your faith at this present time
hen the world is passing through a crisis.
Make your faith strong through worship.
Worship is the only path for you to follow
Which can avert the dangers and disasters which threaten you all.
This is what was taught by the prophets.
By the prophet Jesus Christ and by the prophet Muhammad on whom be peace.
You must not depart from the power of God which is present in you.
In truth God loves all His creatures.
He will always protect you, guide you, lead you all.
Be constant therefore in your worship of the One Almighty God.
May God the All Just have compassion upon His creatures.

Singing by all, led by Ramzi Winkler on his accordian: "Ke Puncak-Gungung" and "Hallo-Hallo Bandung”

Brothers and sisters, Bapak does not say that the latihan kedjiwaan of Subud is really culture; no, it is not, but the latihan kedjiwaan of Subud is the source of all cultures. Why is that? It is because the latihan kedjiwaan of Subud is received while you are in a quiet state, and comes from the power of God. The latihan kejiwaan of Subud can illustrate any kind of culture. You must not think that the kind of knowledge which is called scientific; what is nowadays called technology, does not also spring from the power of God and flow through the channels of culture. When you are really in a quiet and calm state, not too much influenced by your mind and your nafsu, you will be able to receive the things you wish for. It is like it was with the beautiful German music of the old days. Perhaps that has already all been forgotten by that race, by all of you, but nevertheless Bapak will try to receive it; Bapak hopes that he can.

Bapak sings a melody

That is some of the kind of singing which developed in Germany. Now Bapak changes, brothers and sisters.

Bapak sings again

If all that is put together in one, blended, it is beautiful. It is sung in the form of Javanese verse, in the Danduggle dang form, but it contains melodies from Austria, Germany, England, Egypt, Java itself, Malaysia, Pakistan.

Bapak sings in Javanese

Lisbon, Portugal - May 21, 1981
Code Number: 81 LIS 2

If you wish to know
What I am saying
It is clearly from the power
From the power of God which is in my inner-self.

Bapak Reveals The Truth - Talk At Bloomsbury Center - London, England - April 20, 1981
Code Number: 81 LON 9a

There is nothing that is right to be followed
Except the orders of Almighty God
Which exist in the latihan kejiwaan:
The source of culture for mankind
Which already exists in the good news
Originating in the Will of Almighty God.
It is this which, in fact, is hoped for:
For truly this is the best way for man to live.
There is no other way than this.
None apart from the Decree of God Almighty
Which becomes the guideline for man's life.
In truth, this is God's Command.