Testing latihan for the women

You had better all begin together, sisters. Bapak wants to give you a little advice. When you are about to do latihan, you do not need to turn your thoughts and feelings towards anything except the power of the One Almighty God. You must all know, sisters - and you can already also feel and receive it a little bit - that Allah, Allah, Allah, the name usually used for God by our ancestors, means the All-embracing. That is why it is not necessary to imagine God as being like anything. If you want to imagine God as being like something, it is best to imagine the whole of His creation. Thus God is the God of all things, not just of mankind alone; He is also God for animals and plants and for all the things which you cannot know anything about. So God envelops all these things. In that way your inner feelings will feel wider and will not be directed towards any one thing. It is like what Bapak explained yesterday morning; that God precedes all beginnings and follows all endings, and He envelops the whole of the universe which He has created. That is God. Thus it is clear, brothers and sisters, that you are enveloped by the power of God, Who cannot be likened to anything whatsoever. Yes; relax and surrender. Begin. Allahu Akbar.

( Testing )

Finish, and now Bapak would like the women to go out, because the men will take up all the room. Thank you.

Testing latihan for the men

Please start your latihan from here. Even if you had your turn yesterday, you can do it again now, because there is room enough. You can each choose your own place. We do this because the jiwa, the soul, is being trained to know and understand things that we cannot know; that is, what is necessary for your life after you leave this world. Begin, please.

( Testing )

Finish. The latihan kejiwaan, brothers, appears outwardly to be no more than what one sees, but of course people do not yet understand the nature of the latihan kejiwaan of Subud. Take, for example, what many people, both Muslims and others, do when they go on, day after day, wearing no clothes and just walking on and on. They have no destination, but they just keep walking on and on. When they are tired, they stop. They have something to drink, and then they start walking again. The people who do this call it maledud; that is, something done in a way that is not normal for human life. Indeed, brothers, that can really bring them to the point at which they are eventually able to receive something beyond their expectation and their thoughts. That something is called anugeraha ( grace ). It is also called ilham ( spiritual knowledge ) and wahyu ( revelation ), although it is not so great or so wide as what was received by the prophets and messengers of God.

Indeed, brothers, it is as if your minds and feelings were empty. It is different from an external method of attaining to something through study and from working hard at it so as to obtain results quickly, as people do when they work. It is thus clear, brothers, that what people obtain through doing that sort of thing is not like what people obtain through worldly work. And that, brothers, is why, besides doing the latihan kejiwaan, as you have just been doing it, it is very necessary for you to test and examine the gift that you have received from God - that is, your own being - and you are required to work in the outward sense. You work inwardly and you also work outwardly. The jiwa works, and the mind and heart also work, which means that your nafsu work.

Thus you need to make use of your nafsu, brothers; you need to use them and make them work. What need is there for you to live in this world if not to make your nafsu and your minds work? This is a really essential condition for people to be able to live well in this world. It is not God's will for you to be thinking about the hereafter all the time'. No. If God required you to do that, and just to think about the hereafter, He would not have found it necessary to put you here to live in this world. But you must not forget that it is the will of God for you to live in this world not just only in order to fulfill your duties as human beings living in this world, but you also have to prepare for your lives after you leave this world. That is not to be done with the nafsu of the heart and mind, and hence the need for this latihan kejiwaan of Subud.

That is the reason, brothers and sisters, why Bapak therefore always advises you and tells you not to get bored with the latihan kejiwaan of Subud or fail to do it. It is like it is for people who practice a religion, for instance; they must not get bored with the solar, with saying their prayers, even though they may not find anything in doing this. Think how they get up every morning at half-past four ( for the dawn prayer of subuh ) and then they pray again at the times of lohor ( noon ), asar ( afternoon ), magrib ( sundown ) and isa ( night ). In addition they also read from the scriptures. If one wonders what is the use of that and what results from it, oh well, one just does it, just like that. Yes. But that, brothers, is the way people train themselves so that they become good both mentally and emotionally. For human beings, or human hearts, have to have something that they are afraid of, and if they. are not afraid of anything, then of course it is not impossible that people will do some extremely bad things. This is how it is.

Thus faith in God is indeed important. It is not only important, but it is necessary for it to be the content of our selves, so that we are trained to be afraid of doing wrong. Religion has always advised its followers that they should not act in ways that are not humane, or that go beyond the bounds of humanity. That means that they should not be out of harmony with their fellow creatures. Yet although they have been given this advice and have also been told that they must be afraid to do wrong, human beings possess nafsu, they possess hearts and minds which, broadly speaking, are unwilling to give way to anyone, so that they only wish to overcome and they wish for their own advantage. Of course, you never hear of a thief who will admit to being a thief. Unless he is forced to do so, a thief will not admit that. Because it is indeed really like that, and the hearts and minds of human beings can only wish for their own ease, their own comfort and their own good. Well, this is how it is. That is why in religion people therefore begin to be trained to feel fear or to be afraid of doing wrong, until it becomes clear to them that they will receive a very heavy punishment for it in the hereafter, after they die. Yes; it is true that you do not experience this until you die, but there is already something which illustrates it, in order that the human heart will be afraid to do wrong. But human beings remain human, brothers. Many of them forget about this. As Bapak said yesterday, the nature of human beings is weak, and they are easily affected by things. Speaking allegorically, if someone has tasted the sweetness of sugar and he is then told to throw it away, he will not want to unless he is forced to do it. To be forced into doing something means a quarrel, because people do not want to be forced.

That is how it is, brothers, and so the latihan kejiwaan of Subud includes the beginnings of the fear of the One Almighty God, so that you are afraid of wrong doing and wrong actions; actions which destroy your harmony with one another. Well, this is how it is, so it is clear, brothers, that although the latihan appears to be only just like that, yet in reality it has a content and it really will work at some time in the future when you are capable of receiving it, and all of this is by the grace of the One Almighty God. Of course you would like to know how it is with Bapak, for instance. Well, at the moment Bapak has no need or intention of showing Bapak's results. But if Bapak did show you, you would be very pleased and happy. But then what would happen later? It might even lessen the sincerity with which you do the latihan. Because it is said that all this is adjusted to individual capacity, it is thus clear, brothers, that above all else you are being trained to be patient, and also to surrender to the One Almighty God and to go on doing the latihan kejiwaan of Subud without forcing anything. Of course, the days and times for the latihan are set for you, but you must not neglect it or leave it, for this contains the guidance of God which has been given to all of you, and which in the future will produce clear results for you when the time comes.

That is all, brothers, and Bapak only prays to God that He will always protect you and bestow His blessing upon you, so that you will all, whether quickly or slowly, obtain all the results for which we hope.

Bapak will give you a short explanation, brothers. Bapak does not say anything for which there is no evidence, but evidence for it exists. So long as Bapak was doing the latihan kejiwaan, and at the time when Bapak was still doing the latihan, Bapak really did receive things beyond the expectation of the mind. If I tell it like a fairy story, that is all right, for it really is like a fairy story, but it is true, brothers. It is true, so that Bapak is really able to prove it. At one time Bapak received in the latihan a kind of book. This really was a book, but one could not say that it was an ordinary book, for it was not, because after Bapak had received it, it vanished. It was what is called a miracle, an event that is not an ordinary event. But it was real and true. This book was full of pictures. When Bapak opened it, there appeared to be pictures of people in it. Some were standing, some were lying down, some were sitting here and there. There were no small number of them, and the colors of the skins of these pictured people whom Bapak saw differed from one another. At the time when Bapak saw this, he was very astonished, because Bapak had never seen a book like that. Moreover this book had another feature, which was that all the people pictured in the book had voices. Some were weeping, some were laughing, some were begging the One Almighty God to forgive them for all their sins. There were also some who were laughing because what they hoped for was happening. I opened further pages of this book, and they were all like that, however many times I opened it. Then I felt why not show this to my friends later on; that is, to my friends and companions who went to the same teacher as I did. Then, not long after, the book disappeared from Bapak's lap. It was very strange. But then I remembered about the traditions I had heard concerning what is described in the Islamic scriptures. For similar things had also happened to the prophets, so that people did not believe them. The prophet Muhammad in particular was said to be a magician, because he spoke of things which are not normally experienced by human beings. So then I felt satisfied, and I believed.

During the days that followed this, every day Bapak felt not exactly disappointed, but he wondered whether he would be able to receive something more of such a nature that it would clarify this receiving that Bapak had had. Some few weeks or months later, while Bapak was doing the zikir, he again received something like this. This time he received something rather like the Van Dalen dictionary. It was a thick book, and when Bapak immediately opened it, it had no contents, but it was just blank paper inside. Then Bapak asked in his heart what was the use of this book? Then he saw some writing appear in the book, which said that there would be no content unless there were questions. Yes, and then Bapak understood. Bapak asked the question which was in his mind:

'What was the use of that book which I received which showed pictures like this and like that?'

Then I received the answer:

'This is something that you will later on experience. Later on another world war will break out. This world war will disturb the whole world.'

At the time, none of this had as yet begun. It went on:

'You will be willed by God to go round the world, and in doing so you will meet with people of all the other races of the whole world. You must believe and have faith. What you have seen, where some of the people were weeping and some were asking God to be forgiven, will be made clear. Later on you will experience these things.'

When I read that, I closed the book. I felt that if I closed the book and held it in my hands it was sure to disappear. Sure enough, when I held it like this, it vanished. I was fully conscious while all this was going on, brothers. I was not dreaming; I was in no way out of my mind. I was perfectly sane. So this really did happen that night, at about two o'clock in the morning, but at that time I was of course alone. Yes; it really was like that.

There really was evidence to prove the truth of this story of Bapak's. Eventually a great war did break out. When it began, I felt that this was real confirmation of what I had been told. That book had indeed told me that I must believe and have faith. Then the great war broke out, at the end of which Indonesia became independent. And then, in one way and another, everything went so that Bapak went abroad and so that eventually it was very easy for Bapak to travel round the world. Everyone wanted this latihan kejiwaan of Subud, so that up to the present it has spread to eighty-four countries. It is an extraordinary thing. When Bapak is abroad in other countries, he asks the people there whether they have ever read anywhere in history that people of different religions and different races have ever been able to meet together as one? They never have. It is only now that it has happened, brothers. This is true; it is not that Bapak is flattering Subud, but this is the truth.

This could not possibly have happened if it had not been the will of God. For what is Bapak? Bapak is an ordinary man, like all of you. Nor did he possess anything much; he lacked both skill and material possessions. Why has he been able to travel round the world, to eighty-four countries? Mr. Sillem has kept a record of this in a book; Bapak has already traveled seven hundred thousand miles round the world. Bapak's travels around the world already add up to seven hundred thousand. miles, so, if one calculates it, Bapak has traveled as far as if he had been two or three times to the moon. And another strange thing, brothers, is that all the peoples of the world love Bapak, and are happy to see him. Like it is in Holland; the people in Holland do not agree with each other, but when Bapak comes they do agree, and all is well. Yes. Well, brothers, this is just an example. So if Bapak has experienced these things, why should it not be like that for you? Yes; you will experience this, even if only to a small extent. Thus it may not be seven hundred thousand miles round the world that you will travel; maybe you will only travel seven hundred kilometers round Indonesia, for instance, but at least you will do that.

That is why I repeat yet again, brothers, that Bapak has never practiced asceticism; never. Nor did Bapak's forebears. But they were Islam, they were Muslims. According to the stories that Bapak has received and to what he understands, Bapak is mainly descended from Arab ancestors, and so Bapak has some Arab blood in him. Bapak has Arab blood, and maybe Rusli does too. Is he here? Where is Rusli? Oh yes, there is Rusli. On one occasion, brothers, I was approached by some people belonging to an esoteric sect of Arab origin, who wanted to see Bapak. They said that they could trace Bapak's line back to its origins, which showed that Bapak was descended from the prophet Muhammad, on whom be peace. There was actually a token of this, a golden keris ( dagger ), which should have been inherited by Bapak. The intended meeting did not come off, and it was Rusli here who received the deputation, not Bapak. At that time things were still unsettled here, not yet peaceful. Bapak was willing to receive these people, but there had to be a state official present as a witness, who had to be at least a general. The one I asked to be a witness was Subadi. At that time Subadi was a Major-General in the Intelligence, and so he was a suitable person. It seems that the people who were going to give this keris to Bapak were frightened off, for they wondered why was there to be a representative from the police? Did they withdraw their offer, Rusli? Yes, they withdrew it.

These are not the only things to have happened, brothers. Now I will tell you something else, something else that was miraculous. But it is all miraculous. When Bapak was ill, it was not our own people - not the Javanese, not our own members - who were touched by this, but, on the contrary, it was someone else, an Arab prince from Oman. The ruler of Oman sent some money to Bapak, brothers. Not just a little money; it was twelve thousand pounds, or thirty-five million rupiahs.

He did not know me; we had never met. Yet here was this Arab sending me money. In fact, Arabs have the reputation of being a little bit mean; not just a little but very mean. Yet this one gave not a little but a lot of money. This was something quite extraordinary. These things are evidence such as may perhaps never yet have been experienced by anyone, or, if they have experienced it, it is only to a small extent.

What I have told you, brothers, is just a part; there are things that I have not yet told. When Bapak was in Munich he met an archbishop, who was introduced by Baron yon Lewinsky. He had a talk with me; it was not Sjarif translating, which would have been clearer, but Batara. So Bapak had a conversation with him, and he asked about the nature of Subud. I told him what it was. Then he said:

'Bapak, if I were not an archbishop I would join Subud. But since I am an archbishop, how can I? If I join Subud I must give up my duties. Thus in spite of my wish, it is not possible for me to join Subud. But I am convinced that this is what Christians are seeking.'

Thus it is clear that both the Christian and the Muslim sides acknowledge the truth of Subud, but they are not willing to say so. That would not do. As for me, I only put my faith in God.

Then on one occasion when Bapak was in Switzerland he met with the second-in-command to Dr. Jung, whom the Westerners called an angel. This man looked at Bapak, just looked at him.

'Why are you looking at me, Professor?'

'There are some strange signs about Bapak. May I look at Bapak's hands?'

'All right, you may look at them.'

Then he stared at my hands and shook his head in amazement.

'I have never seen any hands with lines quite like Bapak's. Napoleon had this to a small extent. But Bapak is not a warrior king, not a general, but a man of the spirit.' That was all.

After that I went back to Holland and met Professor Huizinga, head of the Spiritueele WereMlijke Verbewapening ( Spiritual Rearmament of the World = Moral Rearmament ). Thus he used the term wereldlijke, which meant that it applied to the whole world. He met me and we talked. Then he said:

'Bapak's story should be written in letters of gold, for it has never before happened that the people of the West have bowed down to someone from the East. Bapak is the only one.'

This Professor Huizinga was from Holland. The day before, he had been at a meeting of Theosophists, who had received several years earlier that a Muslim would come to Holland, who had no beard or moustache, but wore European clothes, and that he would be the one who would explain what Christianity is. And he would have many followers from amongst the Europeans. This was Bapak, he said. Bapak did not at all expect to be represented in this light. Bapak says frankly that his knowledge is on a very ordinary level, not at all high. Bapak only went to the elementary school, but my teacher is the One Almighty God. This is the difference.

Thus Bapak lacks knowledge, but he receives knowledge through the power of God. Yes, of course you can feel it. Well, this is proof, brothers. So now when you do the latihan kejiwaan, it is in the greatness of God and in your own selves that you put your trust. You must not despise or belittle yourselves, or think your origin is too humble. No. Your capacities are based upon your faith in God, and it is God Who will organize things. Of course, you would never have imagined that Bapak could create a bank in Indonesia, or that he could now create a Subud building. Indeed one would have thought that such things could never happen, but they have happened, and it was not because Bapak turned towards materialistic aims. No. The truth is that it really is like this; if someone is high and noble in the spirit, then his circumstances are also noble. This is obvious. God is All-powerful, All-conquering, All-just, All-skillful, All-wise. If you are near to someone who is a little bit richer, then you become a little bit richer too. If you are near to someone who is clever, then to a small extent you will also be clever. But if you are close to a thief, then you will become a bit of a thief too. Yes. If you are close to God, what will you become? At the least, you will become an angel. This is obvious. Thus all this is based upon logic, and you must not think that it is not. Bapak has experienced this, brothers.

The top kejiwaan or top spiritual person in Indonesia was called Syeh Amon-grogo, and he is mentioned in the Surat Centini ( spiritual writings by Prince Mang-kungoro IV ). Syeh Amongrogo was the son of Sunan Giri, who was descended from Syeh Sunan Lanang, the first Sayid in Java. He eventually became an ulama ( Muslim scholar ), and he is described as being a great man, who had supernatural powers. Eventually he is said to have built a palace all made of gold, but it was situated in what one would call a gully or a ravine. Well, then; so perfect a man still became a jinn.

This is why you have to be careful and watchful, brothers. Supernatural powers may come through istijrat, but nobility comes through the mukjizat of which Bapak recently spoke. It is like it was for the prophets. It is like it was for Christ, who as is well-known, could bring the dead to life, but was not a famous man. He could bring plenty to the poor, but he himself could still be crucified. He himself could still be killed. Well, this is how it is. So it is clear, brothers, that with the grace that comes from God someone may be the top, but he still remains human. So if later on, brothers, you receive something very high, very special, you must not then claim to be powerful. No; you must acknowledge that you are human and fallible, different from the One Almighty God. It is like this.

Thus some of you who do the latihan are sure to go to heaven when you die, brothers, but if you do not make use of your nafsu and your minds in this world you will still remain poor, for these are the tools for human beings to use in this world and for you to use to provide for your lives while you are living in this world. Luckily for you, besides receiving spiritual nobility, you can organize your worldly affairs. That means that you can do enterprises, so that your lives will be good both in this world and the next. That is what in the language of Islam is called wal dunia, wal akhirat. This is the one and only way, brothers; the way intended by Muhammad Rasulullah. It is the way willed by the One Almighty God, in order for you to be happy both in this world and the next. You must not think that if you are happy in this world you will be miserable in the hereafter, so that you sit under the bridge selling verses from the Koran for one or two cents apiece. What sort of way to behave is that? It is not glorifying God, but bringing the One Almighty God down to a low level.

So that is the conclusion to be drawn, brothers; we are being trained in the kejiwaan by guidance and direction from the One Almighty God. May all of you be aware of this, and may you be able to do what you have to do in order to achieve a good life in this world as well as living happily in the hereafter.

Alhamdulillahir robbil ' alamin.

It is clear that you are surrendered. It is for you yourselves to improve your lives as human beings, but you must really do it honestly and sincerely, and with love and compassion for your fellow creatures. For it is this that forms the framework for your lives.

Amen. Thank you very much.