Bapak: Ladies and gentlemen, these words of Bapak's are not given as a reply, but are a view from the soul about how Subud is developing and will develop - by the grace of God who awakens our inner feeling - so enabling humankind to find a way whereby they can live without going against God's will.

Indeed, if we are affected by the attitude of other people we shall always find ourselves in a state of anxiety, for human nature is such that people are very easily swayed by this world - by honor and position in this world. This gives rise to a feeling of anxiety within their hearts, because they see other people's actions toward them, even if these are aimed at the improvement of their being, as a threat to their position and standing in the world. For although their position may not have been achieved in the right way, it has nevertheless brought them the honor and respect of society.

So, if we spread Subud in the way it is ordinarily done in the world - that is, by means of our thinking and our heart - not only will our efforts to penetrate into society be obstructed, they will also be full of danger. Opposition and hindrances will stand in our way; and instead of making progress we shall find ourselves stranded amongst conflicts and enmities. Attempts to act in this way will bring us into competition with our fellow human beings. People may recognize and be aware of the mistakes and shortcomings of their behavior, but it is impossible for them to admit their mistakes and give up what they have come to enjoy. That is how people are.

As Bapak has said before, Subud is willed by God - beyond the knowledge, expectation and power of human beings. This means it is God's will to work within human beings. So, the fact is, that whether Subud makes progress or declines, spreads or dwindles, depends solely on God's will. It is God Himself who works in Subud. And that being true, His power will remove every kind of barrier that hinders its development. It is God who will awaken the inner feelings and the inmost hearts of human beings, so that whether they want to or not, they will recognize the will of God in Subud, which makes this a true path, enabling them to come to the true worship of God.

How God works with His power is something human beings cannot possibly understand. They can only guess at what God will do. For example, history shows us that the hearts and minds of human beings cannot be brought to believe in God through any forcible action by other human beings, who also use their hearts and minds. But God can compel men to believe in Him, because God's power is able to manifest in such ways that humankind cannot but experience it. This happened, for instance, in the days of the prophet Noah. When people had lost faith in God, and no longer believed that God had created them, Noah wept, 'How can this be, oh my God? People do not want to believe that God exists and that He has authority.' God answered Noah, saying, 'Do not be sad; do not worry, Noah. God is Mighty.' Soon afterwards the world was overwhelmed by a catastrophe, which came by the power of God, and submerged the world under the waters of the ocean. In this way men were obliged to acknowledge the power of God, whether they liked it or not. And only then did they begin to recognize that Noah's teaching to humankind had indeed come from God.

And it is the same with Subud. If Subud is the work of God within human beings, then God in His power will accomplish this work. And for us in Subud, we can only follow after Him; follow in the footsteps of God, who will prepare us in a way that we cannot understand. We have only to carry it out and follow God, who is going ahead of us. We need only follow in God's footsteps, which we receive within us. For God really knows the present situation of humankind: that, in general, people will not relinquish honor, position and the enjoyment of their desires, heart and thinking mind; and that all this is the work of the low forces, which have taken over within human beings. So, it is these low forces, having taken over within human beings, which have caused their desires to flare up, and caused them to long for honor and for the respect and admiration of other people. Even though all this is wrong, it is not possible for people to admit their faults, because the low forces couldn't possibly be willing to kill themselves - that's obvious.

So if we promote Subud according to our intellect - through propaganda, by influencing various people, by advertising our name in human society - we will meet with many obstacles. It is impossible for people to acknowledge that they are wrong and Subud is right; they are not likely to give up their prestige and transfer it to Subud, even if, let's say, it really is the right way. Of course they won't do that. Therefore, follow in the steps of God; God will lead you by a way that is safe, a way that is peaceful. On this way you cannot know where you will be directed - North, South, East or West -you cannot know. This is the way of God, if He wills it. Therefore, our aim is only to follow in His footsteps, according to what we have received. We need to walk and work with patience; without haste and free from our desires and thinking minds, but with awareness.

So let us not expect people to call us wise or to acknowledge Subud as number one among human organizations. Oh, no. In Subud we are no different from other people, no different from those who know nothing of God. Just be like that, because it is God who knows. This is why Bapak never claims to be a saint, a prophet, or anything like that - Pak Subuh is only Pak Subuh. For it is God alone who knows how Pak Subuh stands before God, and it is not possible for others to know it. So Bapak doesn't need to say, 'Pak Subuh is the only person who is able to be close to God.' No, no, Bapak never says that. Bapak is a normal person.

For the same reason, Bapak wishes all of you to work for Subud patiently, not being in any hurry to influence other people. No. But nevertheless, insha Allah ( Arab.: God willing ) - as they say in Indonesia, in Islam - we shall naturally be under His protection.

We follow the will of God; but other people are not yet acquainted with God's will, which we receive in the latihan. Therefore it is sufficient to tell the public - to make a 'statement' in the way it is usually done - that Subud is a community based on Susila Budhi Dharma. ( Susila ) is based on the principles of humane behavior, remembering that God is Almighty. There is also something in ourselves, something residing within our being that we can neither know nor see, but which is a true guide for us - that is budhi. And dharma signifies that we have to submit ourselves to God as completely as possible, for we believe God exists and that it is to God alone we should surrender our body and soul. So, Subud is an organization of people based on the principles of true humane behavior, remembering the greatness of God, which manifests within our being through our complete submission. For God exists. We truly believe in God and God is truly Almighty.

People whose nature is Subud, who have the qualities of susila, budhi and dharma, don't exist only among ourselves; there may be many such among Christians, Moslems, Buddhists, and also those of no particular faith - that's possible. We cannot know about that, but it is known to God. We should therefore never make a claim that Subud is number one among organizations. We should simply say we are trying to practice and come to the worship of God in a way that truly corresponds to His will. That is why we, ourselves, need to have the qualities of Susila Budhi Dharma.

We do not wish to find fault with others; we seek our own truth. Bapak, for instance, seeks his own truth and does not wish to find fault with other people. However, if other people want to join us we accept them. We have no wish to persuade them to join us, or criticize what they have been doing; we only wish to fulfill our own needs. Because, if we find fault with others and try to correct their shortcomings, we will have no chance of correcting ourselves. Therefore seek the truth of your own being first and do not look at what is wrong in others. This will add to the steadiness, speed and clarity of your own receiving.

Those of you who regularly go to church should continue to do so. You are already aware that, in truth, a person's worship of God is within their own being. So although you may be in a church you are also within yourselves, and therefore the worship will be more real for you than for the others. But you should not speak of this to those who have not yet experienced something like it; for what you tell them, although it is valid for yourself, may be misunderstood and wrongly received. We must guard against this.

Why is that? Bapak said earlier that the low forces, which have taken over the human self, will never be willing to kill themselves. Therefore however good your intention, you may arouse antagonism, because these ( low forces ) know very well and understand that what you are saying could destroy their position.

So, simply continue in the ordinary way, without pretending to be clever or wise. No. Just be normal. Later, God will provide the evidence of the true situation. Who knows, maybe somebody who regularly goes to church with you will begin to feel something and say, 'Why is it that when I'm in church with you I feel somehow satisfied and peaceful?'

'Oh, yes. That's because...' Now you can say it.

In this way the innermost heart of this person will be awakened, and, without any trouble, he or she may come and join us. So, it happens through our own development in Subud, in a way that is safe and peaceful. Don't do it with the mind, because then you are certain to face disturbance and chaos.

Bapak has said that in Subud we are in reality putting into practice the advice we have heard, given by the prophets in ages past. We are trying it out. Is what those prophets advised correct? Is it real? It's like someone who plants trees: the prophets said, 'Plant an apple tree; plant an orange tree; plant this or that tree.' All that is advice. We are now putting it to the test. Is it true that if we plant an apple tree here in England, it will grow and bear fruit? Is it true that if we plant an apple tree in Indonesia it will not bear fruit? We are putting it into practice.

Therefore, in Subud there is nothing that goes against anything in Christianity, Islam or Buddhism, or against the beliefs of those who do not follow any faith. We practice the reality, so that we can bear witness to the truth, so that we come to the true worship of God. In other words, in Subud there is no theory. The theory already exists in the various religions. In Subud there is only receiving.

So if people ask you:

'What do they teach in Subud?'

'Nothing!'

'Then how come so many people join, and lots of people love to do the latihan?'

'Well, it's a receiving; you're not taught any theories. No. But as soon as you start the latihan, you receive. So, you experience and receive the reality in the course of the practice, in the course of doing latihan.'

In this way many people may wish to find out about it and to receive the contact, For there may be many who will say, 'I've been studying theories for a long time, but I haven't found any reality in my theories. Is it true that in your place one can find something real?'

'As to that I can't say. I can't say yes or no. You can go there and try it for yourself, because it all comes from God, and is received by your own being, no-one else.'

That is why our association is based on Susila Budhi Dharma. We should reflect those qualities, because they are what enable us to receive commandments and gifts from Almighty God. Susila, budhi and dharma are the qualities of a person who is truly humane. This means they are able to put themselves in another person's shoes. They respect and value others; they like to help others; they love their fellow human beings and are aware of the poverty around them; in short, they help others out of a realization that we need to live in harmony on this earth, so we can really worship God. In Islam this is called shari'at. So the law for humanity - humanity in general - is that they must live together in harmony. Because this world contains all sorts of people, if they are not in harmony this world will be in chaos.

So, if you want this world to be looked after, there must be harmony between people. Harmony does not mean equality. No. It means that those who are high are aware of those who are low, and those who are low should know those who are high. It means that the eyes should be aware of the legs, and the legs should be aware of the eyes - not that the legs should become eyes or the eyes become legs. It's not like that. Each should be responsible for their own function and perform it in peace and happiness; then there will be harmony.

Our work for human welfare should not go beyond the limit of our strength. Then, although our progress may be slow, it will be steady, and we won't experience difficulties or meet obstacles that block our progress. We have no need to imitate other organizations, for we know, through what we have received from God, that they are generally based on desires and the thinking mind. If we deliberately choose to be like that, it means we lower our level and cause our own inner state to degenerate, thus exposing ourselves once again to the influence of desires, thoughts and wishes.

For we should not wish to influence the world quickly if that is not yet God's will. This means that we shouldn't anticipate the will of God, and that we should work according to who we are and what we are able to do. If we can lift only a ten kilogram weight, then we shouldn't try to lift a hundred; if we can carry a hundred, we shouldn't force ourselves to carry two hundred. We should act according to our strength, while we wait to see what God wills for us to do. For God knows past and future. Before we take a step God knows it, and after the step is taken God knows it. In this way all will go well for us, both inwardly and outwardly, as we follow only God's command and God's will.

We need to know - at the very least we need to know - that whatever we undertake will not meet with any obstacles. We need to know that beforehand. There should be nothing strange to us in this, for God is at the beginning and at the end of everything. If you truly stand only before God and worship God alone, you will certainly receive indications about things before and after ( they happen ).

So, we are different from other people in whatever we do. But although this is the case, do not express it; don't say, I am different from you.' Don't. We ourselves feel, realize and understand that we are different from other people, but it should not be spoken about. If we are clever we mustn't boast about it; if we know something, we should not claim to know. Because, as Bapak said earlier, people don't like to admit inferiority, they do not like to be called stupid. They don't. Even if they have no money, in front of other people they will still say, 'Oh, I have money? That's how it is. For they feel that someone who admits their inferiority and their faults might be looked down on and, on account of their poverty and stupidity, have no one admit to being their friend. That is indeed how people are. They will never willingly admit their mistakes, their stupidity and their poverty.

It's the same if you were to say, 'I am right.' People won't like it. They won't respond with: 'I am wrong, you're right.' They are bound to reply in the same vein: 'I may be higher than you.' or 'I am probably cleverer than you.' Normally it is like that. You should therefore follow the example shown by the prophets. Jesus never made any claim to be a wise man or a great man; neither did he claim to be a favorite of God. His advice to his followers was: 'Let us worship God in purity and cleanliness of heart.' This was the advice Jesus gave to those people. And it can serve to show that it is people with these qualities who are able to receive indications and revelations from God for their welfare, both in this world and in the world after death.

Why should we follow this direction? Because we are not seeking benefits or profit for our lives in this world; we are seeking the mercy and the love of God. And God will not give His gifts or His love to human beings if they do not abide by the qualities of true human behavior, in the right inner state and in complete submission. Therefore human beings need to abide in the qualities of susila, budhi and dharma.

This is very different from pursuing worldly profit, where one has to become well-known and to be respected by others. But we don't; we aren't looking to becoming well-known for our life in this world, or looking for respect. No. We are not merchants who need to make connections, to get a good name in the business community. We are not looking for fame. But we are hoping to be purified by God and to receive God's gift, which we can only receive when our hearts and inner feelings are pure.

Therefore we work on the basis of susila, budhi and dharma, doing everything we need to do according to our strength. We do not try to influence others, nor do we show off. We walk slowly, but we walk safely; we can work and make progress. God knows that; God will open the way for us.

The example already exists. Bapak is referring to what has happened with Subud. There has never been an awakening of the worship of men towards God that has stirred the world as Subud does. It is stirring in many places. In Ceylon there is a big upheaval, so Bapak may not be able to go there. He is not allowed to go, because they say that if Bapak goes there everyone in Ceylon will turn into Bapaks. This kind of anxiety is already present because, as Bapak said before, the power of the low forces, which deny God, is firmly established in human beings; so if anything appears that threatens to bring them down, they will resist it with all their might.

This is the situation. Therefore, if we were to pursue expansion by using our minds and desires, it would not be surprising if many dangers and obstacles arose. This would be truly dangerous. Bapak says this based on what has happened in the past. Just the transition from the Catholic to the Protestant faith - and that was only a change of belief within the same religion - caused a disturbance, with people killing one another and the loss of many lives. With something new it could be even worse. Therefore we should beware; we should walk slowly, but be genuine. We must walk slowly and in accordance with the will of God that we receive. We must walk slowly, so that we remain safe and happy. God will show us the way, as He already has, with Subud having encircled the world within two and a half years. Bapak himself doesn't know how, for it is not in his power to measure it; only God can do that.

In this way, eventually many people will be attracted and their inner feeling will be touched, because Subud members will have been able to demonstrate within society how one can receive something from God - how to obtain a contact of life within our being. So they will be touched, and spontaneously feel that they would like to join us in what we do in Subud.

Ladies and gentlemen, Bapak has given this talk with its fairly long explanations because he does not wish to give specific answers to your questions; for he receives these words and has only to communicate them to you. So he leaves to you the task of working out the answers, and finding how to arrange our social work in a manner that will accord with what you have heard today. Finally, as a human being, Bapak hopes you will forgive him if he has said anything wrong to you.

Thank you.