T.R | Title | User | Personal Name | Date | Lines |
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396.1 | | SALSA::MOELLER | 107�, but it's a dry heat... | Fri Jun 26 1987 18:09 | 17 |
| > Particular emphasis should be given to teachers one can encounter
> today.
-The teacher is within you.
> Carlos Castaneda certainly would not have achieved all he did without the
> teachers Don Juan and don Genaro or their personal power.
-Assuming that Carlos Castaneda is other than a highly imaginative novelist.
> Note 191.2 SUFI, or not SUFI (ugh!) :^)
> It (Sufism) does NOT always involve a 'conventional'
> disciple-guru relationship, but may encompass same at the proper
> time. If someone benefits you, do you necessarily have to know his
> name or sit at his feet for years?
karl moeller sws tucson az
|
396.2 | | AKOV76::FRETTS | Shine your Spirit! | Sat Jun 27 1987 12:09 | 14 |
|
Many books, classes, tapes, etc. available today can provide the
means of opening our minds to new possibilities, and this in turn
will create an atmosphere where "teachers" can come into our lives.
In many ways, our most important lessons are provided by people
we would never label as "teachers".
Another idea that I hold strongly is that the teacher will appear
when the student is ready. A rule of thumb that I use is to ask
God for guidance and to bring me together with someone who can
provide me with the experiences needed for my highest good.
Carole
|
396.3 | Guides, by any other word | FDCV13::PAINTER | | Mon Jun 29 1987 11:31 | 13 |
|
I prefer to think of the people in my life who have filled the roles
as 'teachers' and 'mentors' really were guides.
I tend to learn more from them, not because they are consciously
'teaching' me things, but rather for the way they live their lives
and conduct themselves on a daily basis.
Learning by example, I find, is much more beneficial than to learn
from a script.
Cindy
|
396.5 | On Grace | FDCV13::PAINTER | | Mon Jun 29 1987 12:51 | 53 |
|
NOTE - I've been inspired by many people and their writings. As a
result of this, I believe the people who wrote them have
become my own spiritual 'guides' or 'teachers', and it is
with this in mind that I enter this note and subsequent
other notes in this topic.
By: Paul Tillich, 'The Shaking of the Fountains'
Do you know what it means to be struck by grace? ...We cannot transform
our lives, unless we allow them to be transformed by that stroke
of grace. It happens; or it does not happen. And certainly it
does 'not' happen if we try to force it upon ourselves, just as
it shall not happen so long as we think, in our self-complacency,
that we have no need of it. Grace strikes us when we are in great
pain and restlessness. It strikes us when we walk through the dark
valley of a meaningless and empty life. It strikes us when we feel
that our separation is deeper than usual, because we have violated
another life, a life which we loved, or from which we were estranged.
It strikes us when our disgust for our own being, our indifference,
our weakness, our hostility, and our lack of direction and composure
have become intolerable to us. It strikes us when, year after year,
the longed-for perfection of life does not appear, when the old
compulsions reign within us as they have for decades, when despair
destroys all joy and courage.
Sometimes at that moment a wave of light breaks into our darkness,
and it is as though a voice were saying: "You are accepted. You
are accepted, accepted by that which is greater than you, and the
name of which you do not know. Do not ask for the name now; perhaps
you will find it later. Do not try to do anything now; perhaps
later you will do much. Do not seek for anything; do not perform
anything; do not intend anything. Simply accept the fact that you
are accepted!" If that happens to us, we experience grace. After
such an experience we may not be better than before, and we may
not believe more than before. But everything is transformed. In
that moment, grace conquers sin, and reconciliation bridges the
gulf of estrangement. And nothing is demanded of this experience,
no religious or moral or intellectual presupposition, nothing but
acceptance.....
It is such moments that make us love our life, that make us accept
ourselves, not in the goodness and self-complacency, but in our
certainty of the eternal meaning of our life. We cannot force
ourselves to accept ourselves. We cannot compel anyone to accept
himself/herself. But sometimes it happens that we receive the
power to say 'yes' to ourselves, the peace enters into us and makes
us whole, that self-hate and self-contempt disappear, and that our
self is reunited with itself. Then we can say that grace has come
to us.
[From 'Exploring The Road Less Traveled', pp.120-21 by Alice and
Walden Howard]
|
396.6 | In the pursuit of Truth and Understanding | FDCV13::PAINTER | | Mon Jun 29 1987 13:09 | 30 |
|
By: John Powell, S.J, "Why Am I Afraid to Tell You Who I Am?"
If you and I can honestly tell each other who we are, that is, what
we think, judge, feel, value, love, honor and esteem, hate, fear,
desire, hope for, believe in and are committed to, then and then
only can each of us grow. Then and then alone can each of us be
what he really is, say what he really thinks, tell what he really
feels, express what he really loves. This is the real meaning of
authenticity as a person, that my exterior truly reflects my interior.
It means that I can be honest in the communication of my person
to others. And this I cannot do unless you help me. Unless you
help me, I cannot grow, or be happy, or really come alive.
I have to be free and able to say my thoughts to you, to tell you
about my judgments and values, to expose you to my fears and
frustrations, to admit to you my failures and my shames, to share
my triumphs, before I can really be sure what it is that I am and
can become. I must be able to tell you who I am before I can know
who I am. And I must know who I am before I can act truly, that
is, in accordance with my true self.
By: Paul Tournier, "The Meaning Of Persons"
"We become fully conscious only of what we are able to express to
someone else. We may already have had a certain intuition about
it, but must remain vague so long as it is unformulated.
|
396.8 | Da Free John | BOSTON::DENTON | | Tue Jun 30 1987 12:02 | 26 |
| I have been a student of Da Free John's for 5 years.
Please see my note 298.4 where I discuss his autobiography _Knee of Listening_.
I am a student in the Laughing Man Institute which is the public institution
for Master Da Free John (also known as Heart-Master Da Love-Ananda). His
Teaching contains several arguments, the most central being the argument about
Narcissus, or the self-contracted self (ego), which is constantly searching
for happiness. He says, "Ego is an activity, not an entity". Love-Ananda
teaches that this search is obviated when self-understanding undermines
the activity of Narcissus. He constantly emphasizes self-understanding as the
key to self-transcendence. For further information, I must urge anyone
interested to read any of his 30+ books or obtain a copy of the Laughing Man
magazine. To me, he is an authentic Master in the great tradition of Krishna,
Buddha, Jesus (the big three in my opinion, the mention of whom will likely
incite the most debate!), as well as Ramakrishna, Ramana Maharshi, Shirdi Sai
Baba, Nityananda, Upasani Baba, Narayan Maharaj, Ananda Mayi Ma, etc. My
feeling is that these Enlightened beings have and do exist and we have much
that we can and should learn from them. My own feeling is that I wouldn't
learn these things on my own for a long, long time by listening to my "own
internal guide". I'm talking lifetimes!
Thanks to .0 for the chance to embark on this note. When I first checked
into this conference, for some reason I thought Spiritual Masters would
be discussed in the first few notes!! But that's just my inclination, I
guess.
|
396.9 | nonebutSelf | SALES::SURVEY | | Mon Jul 06 1987 15:21 | 12 |
|
All of these words are totally useless. Philosophy and language
bake no bread. All you need to know, you know already. A teacher
is not a teacher, as St. Augustine shows in DE MAGISTRE. A teacher
merely brings one to a certain point in life, a point where the
body-mind shines like a mirror or a still pond. There is no other
way. Funny thing this topic: you don't really need a teacher but
you do. Weird.....and why? A big mystery, both philosophically (i.e.
metaphysically and epistemologically) and spiritually, which can
only be penetrated by looking.
Regards,
John N.
|
396.10 | Please . . . | NATASH::BUTCHART | | Tue Jul 07 1987 13:37 | 29 |
| Re: .9
I think you may be a little hard on those who would seek a teacher.
A child does have it within him/her to learn to walk, and can do
so even if the parents never lift a hand to help him/her on his/her
first explorations. Would the child be able to activate the ability
to walk if (s)he never saw the example of an adult walking?? Good
question, and my own hunch is Maybe, And If So, With Extreme
Difficulty.
It feels to me that people who actively seek teachers may fall
into two camps: those who have never "seen anyone walk" and so don't
know the spiritual growth they are capable of, and those who simply
wish to be "companioned" in their efforts to learn (my own term).
Neither group is to be castigated for their desire. A person who
has never seem someone "walk" has a genuine need. And a person
who simply wishes to be companioned in learning in the special way
a beloved teacher provides--certainly the child learning to walk
must feel joy as (s)he feels the loving support from the parents
encouraging him/her (but not controlling!) on the learning venture.
After then suffering through a lifetime (after that) of having
others not encourage one's own inner ability, other tell one "no,
that's not right, do it this way", who wouldn't want (and perhaps
need) to have that initial experience recreated, in order that they
can learn to trust their own potential for growth again? This need
seems at least as genuine as the first.
Marcia
|
396.11 | This teacher is a pupil of a teacher. | PUZZLE::GUEST_TMP | HOME, in spite of my ego! | Thu Jul 09 1987 01:24 | 20 |
| re: Marcia
I agree with you. Most of us who have been "taught" already
are very tempted to parrot what we have learned i.e., that we already
"know" everything we need to. What has become clear to me is that
what Lazaris says is true: that what we are doing is remembering
our future. So we've created these massively complex "games"
as part of the "fun" of being. These games involve creating
teachers and learning situations that give us pleasure in their
unfoldenments (is that a word?) It is interesting to me to note
that there really is no disagreement among these respondants even
though at first glance there appears to be...it is simply where
an individual may be "standing" along what could be called a continuum
and what he/she sees from that space. I direct you to 358.xy (wherever
it is that I mention Lazaris talking about a continuum of health.)
You will notice that we can accept "teachers" (healers) of varying
value up to the point of being self-"taught" (spontaneous healing.)
It fits, no?
Frederick
|
396.12 | Namaste | LINCON::CARSWELL | | Sat Sep 12 1987 21:41 | 41 |
|
It depends upon where you are upon the path. Somewhere along
the path a teacher is desired to allow for spiritual evolution
and hopefully this analogy is understood - the teacher is
the perfect mirror (provides an absolute reflection) to allow
us to see the many aspects of our self.
A teacher in mysticism/spiritualism is more than just one who
imparts the knowledge they have gained through experience
and understanding. A spiritual teacher (one who has reached
the level of 'true sight') loves beyond imagination and guides
the whole student with their higher knowledge toward the student's
personal understanding and insight.
A teacher at this level does not teach by dictating 'great
words of wisdom'. A teacher at this level teaches through
the relationship - it is an active participation which runs
the gamut from creating circumstances to answering questions
to the excruciating self-examinations into even the smallest
particle of information.
Don't expect (limit) your teacher to be wearing white robes
or to be surrounded by burning inscense (tho' there are teachers
who do appear as such). Your spiritual guide/teacher could be
the nice lady down the street with three children or the friendly
copier repairman - their true 'nature' unbeknownst to most.
And personally speaking, seek a teacher who loves. For the
teacher does not teach without self-interest. Somewhere along
the path, one chooses to teach to continue self-growth and
evolution. Because one is a teacher does not mean that
they are not still aspiring and learning (that would be death!).
The teacher/student relationship is a relationship that will
hopefully take both involved to a higher level of understanding.
(gosh, a bit winded....please excuse) Oh yes, being a student
involves quite a lot of humbleness. Humbleness (not humility)
- a quality of knowing that there is a lot more going on than we
are conscious of.
Love this notesfile...thanks!
|
396.13 | RAMA or was it Atmananda or Dr. Lenz? | WRO8A::GUEST_TMP | HOME, in spite of my ego! | Wed Mar 16 1988 01:57 | 107 |
| I brought up the name of someone named RAMA in the reincarnation
note several months ago. Also, I added my own judgements about
him at that time. That was probably not "fair" of me, then. For
it is entirely possible that what I dislike about him is simply
my bias and not "truth." I thought about starting a separate topic
for him and decided to insert him here, instead. This is prompted
by a recent tv show about him (AM San Francisco) and my finding
(yesterday) and old advertisement.
The following comes from a full page ad on the inside of the
front cover of NEWAGE magazine from March, 1982:
JOURNEY THROUGH THE VOID--with Atmananda-Dr. Frederick Lenz
Travel to and beyond the known horizons of your mind and experience
Self Discovery through the personal, spiritual teachings of Atmananda-
Dr. Frederick Lenz.
During meditation, he enters into Samadhi and directly channels
Peace, Light, Power and Ecstasy to you. This experience adds to
your well being and increases your spiritual awareness. You will
then be able to enter into the supraconscious states on your own
more easily.
Be prepared to experience an incredible evening and even more
extraordinary tomorrows by attending the following workshops:
[I leave them out because they occured 6 years ago.]
[further information on the page:]
Objectives:
* To find my students from past lives and finish their Liberation.
* To meet new persons who are interested in studying the meditative
arts that lead to illumination and Self Realization.
Experience:
1531-1575 * Zen Master, Kyoto, Japan
1602-1671 * Head of Zen Order, Kyoto, Japan
1725-1804 * Master of Monastery, Tibet
1834-1905 * Jnana Yoga Master, India
1912-1945 * Tibetan Lama, Head of Monastic Order, Tibet
1950- Self Realized Spiritual Teacher, Director of Spiritual
Communities in San Diego, Los Angeles and San Francisco
Education:
1973 * B.A. with High Honors, University of Connecticut
1974 * M.A., State University of N.Y. at Stony Brook
1978 * Ph. D., State University of N.Y. at Stony Brook
Member of Phi Beta Kappa
Publications:
1979 * Lifetimes:True Accounts of Reincarnation.
1980 * Total Relaxation
1981 * Meditation:The Bridge is Flowing but the River is Not.
Lectures:
Over 200 lectures around the world including:
Harvard*Heidleberg*United Nations, Geneva, Switzerland*Universities
of: Connecticut, Colorado, California, Illinois, New York, Vermont,
New Hampshire, Oregon
Media:
Over 400 appearances on TV and radio including: The Phil Donohue
Show, The Toni Tennille Show, Good Morning Washington, Chicago Today,
AM San Francisco, Mid-Morning Los Angeles, Washington Post, San
Francisco Examiner.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
[end of ad]
There was also an article in the San Francisco Chronicle about
2-3 months ago about him. From there and the AM San Francisco show
I gathered the following: (personal opinions may be included)
Somewhere along the line he changed his name to RAMA because
it has more impact. His degrees are all in English or Literature.
He is not a disciple of any of the established philosophies (e.g.
Buddhism, Hindi, etc.) nor is he recognized by any of those established
groups.
There has recently been a great deal of anger generated towards
him by former followers. They say he is a fraud. On the tv show,
there was a woman who claimed that RAMA invited her to his home
under dubious pretenses and once inside was mentally harassed
(by his locking the doors, not allowing her to leave, pulling out
a pistol and laying it next to him, etc.) and then "raped."
Her humiliation was such that she was afraid to tell anyone for
many, many months.
Interestingly, in the tv audience was the woman's (less
physically attractive, in my view) married sister who claimed
that RAMA had, indeed, helped *her*. There were charges and
counter-claims from another male follower of RAMA who was there
on his own accord. RAMA was unavailable to their repeated inquiries
and would not answer the allegations (apparently.)
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
I find it interesting that the man had no "other incarnations"
than the noble ones he mentioned (no gardeners, slaves, pirates,
etc., etc.) I feel that he is highly *unrealized* due to his
methods for self-promotion and I think it is a shame that he
appears to continue in a similar vein even today. While his
meditation techniques may have value, I would recommend that anyone
interested in meditation find other sources.
Frederick
|
396.14 | Ken Keyes | WRO8A::GUEST_TMP | HOME, in spite of my ego! | Thu Mar 17 1988 03:00 | 87 |
|
In keeping with the spirit of this note and, in keeping to
my sense of "relative importance," I am going to add here another
"teacher" of *enlightenment* with whom I am somewhat familiar.
My first real dive into the full-blown human potential
movement (as a formal "experience") was spending a weekend with
Ken Keyes (pronounced "Kize".) Many of you are familiar with him
or his books. He is a paraplegic (with difficulties in using his
hands--due to young adult polio) who got around in an electric
wheelchair. He also had an extensive staff and founded *Cornucopia*
in Kentucky. I understand that that center closed and that for
a while he set up in Santa Cruz, CA. or possibly in some other
part of Ca. or the Northwest. His center prior to Ky. was in
Berkeley, CA. He also explained having been a millionaire a couple
of times and losing it a couple of times. He further mentioned
early difficulties in understanding the concepts of love. There are
probably gaps in my memory/knowledge here but I do know that he
searched for quite a while before writing his first book.
My experience of the books I read (especially the "Handbook
to Higher Consciousness") is that there is a good deal of what
I consider basic concept. That is, yes, it can be of value.
What I remember about them is that they seem too rigid to me.
And by that I mean that he insists on learning his steps as
he lists them---word for word.
In fact, this was a requirement before attending the workshop.
The workshop consisted of his talking and telling stories,
explaining his concepts, singing songs (of the holding-hands-together
variety) and being expected to conform to what I considered very
stiff rules in terms of punctuality, meals, etc. I missed a meal
by two minutes and was told that I could go to his bus and get
an orange to eat, instead (which I did.) We were at a location
known as "Getting in Touch" which had a wonderful 10 ft. dia. hot tub just
outside our meeting area but were not allowed to use it until the
conclusion of the weekend. What I remember (and this was in 1981)
was that there were a few disagreements with "logical" people in
the group and that three people didn't show up on Sunday (out of 100 or so.)
But what really struck me was how bland the whole weekend was for
me. I had had a great deal of anticipation prior to that weekend
and high recommendations from a person who rated Ken along with
Muktananda as their choice for spiritual awakening/inspiration.
The following contains some information that may offend
some of you. Do not read it if you are sensitive to sexual
matters.
As a footnote to my awareness of Ken Keyes, perhaps this is
not worth mentioning, and maybe it is. Someone who came along in
my life a year or so later had worked with Ken Keyes very intensely
up in Berkeley. He had had some of the most powerful experiences
of his life doing some of the Ken Keyes processes. Among them was
the experience of losing several hours out of one day in a kind
of "time warp." For him, to that point, Ken Keyes was a great
contributor to self-understanding, etc. My friend mentioned once
that one of the processes Ken used (please understand the context
of the era/events and the probable intent) was to have everyone
in the group (a small group of men and women) sit in a circle
nude and simultaneously masturbate in front of the others. I do not
know if this was true...it certainly adds color to the concepts
explored if it is. And if it is, then I can only guess that the purpose for
it was for some very deep, intimate trust/release. It may have only been an
experiment and it may have only happened that one time, if at all. It
may also have been something "available" only to "advanced studies."
In any case, there was never any sign of this type of activity in
the group I participated with nor have I ever heard anyone else
report this in any other Ken Keyes group or group-setting.
(Stan Dale, on the other hand...)
My summary opinion of Ken Keyes? That the books probably provide
some gem of wisdom/understanding. The workshop was okay, if you
want to spend a weekend holding hands with many others and generally
feeling good. Keep in mind that this is based on events which
occurred 7 years ago and may be totally removed from any ongoing
events.
Frederick
|
396.15 | Now I've seen everything | DECWET::MITCHELL | Let's call 'em sea monkeys! | Thu Mar 17 1988 16:29 | 19 |
| RE: .13 (Frederick)
I got a real chuckle out of that one, especially the section marked
"Experience." I think my next resume will read:
1685-1750 Successful composer under the name of J.S. Bach
1750-1790 Instrumental in the formation of a new country. Signed Declaration
of Independence.
1790-1883 Dali Lama, Tibet
1883-1954 Mother Superior, Urusuline Order, Our Lady of Highway 8
BTW, I notice the good master did not list what any of his degrees are IN.
John M.
|
396.16 | StarTrek, perhaps? | SSDEVO::YOUNGER | Enjoy your life. If you don't no one else will | Wed Mar 30 1988 10:38 | 3 |
| Gee, wasn't there a StarTrek episode involving a character like
that?
|
396.18 | RE 396.17 | DICKNS::KLAES | Kind of a Zen thing, huh? | Thu Mar 31 1988 10:51 | 7 |
| No, the episode was entitled "Requiem for Methuselah", and Flint
was originally a Sumerian soldier who discovered he was immortal
when he was speared in the heart during battle and did not die (His
body tissues instantly regenerated).
Larry
|
396.19 | Da Free John and Others | CIMAMT::TOLAA | | Fri Aug 04 1989 13:47 | 35 |
|
The reply about Da Free John caught my attention just now. I've
known about Da Free John for ten or twelve years and have read all of
his books, even went to a couple of meetings. I never became a student
of his, but it seems I've done everything in the same line -- was
a disciple of Muktananda's heir, Swami Chidvilasanda, have sat with
Rudi's offshoots -- Chetananda, Stuart Perrin, and some others. And
have been in Subud.
For anyone who speculates about whether you need a teacher or
can be your own teacher, or can learn from anyone and everything,
I can testify, as the Da Free John student can, that there are
people on Earth who are vessels of the spiritual power that we're
all literally starving to death for lack of, and that if you sit for
a while in the presence of one the rare people whom that power comes
through, there just isn't any argument about whether you need a
teacher or not. That fact is, what receptive people feel in that kind
of a presence is something that feels mysterously natural and familiar
but that they've forgotten long ago somehow, and couldn't hope to
find on their own because they're searching where it isn't -- in the
mind, in their own ideas about what is and should be.
This sense of presence projected by very high people is very palpaple.
I've seen people bring their relatives up to meet Swami Chidvilasanda
, and you can read the faces of theses people "This is rubbish. What's
all this Indian stuff. Who's this Swami joker?..." Then when they
get very close, you can see their minds go blank under the influence
of that power. It's something beyond the mind.
Fred
|
396.20 | SUBUD: a natural spiritual process | CIMAMT::TOLAA | | Tue Aug 08 1989 13:42 | 94 |
|
Subud:
Subud is something simple, something natural in that its process takes place
in anyone who wants it, at his own pace, according to his nature. It is the
renewal of contact with the essential force of life, which is positive and
constant, but with which we have lost touch.
We seek what we think will make us happy, but we are endlessly mistaken in
our actions and thoughts. Only sometimes, when we are very quiet, or in some
unusual state, we can be suddenly, brilliantly aware of this other life going
on. The process of Subud keeps this special awareness alive and active.
Subud was founded by an Indonesian, Muhammad Subuh Sumohadjiwidjojo. He is
usually referred to by Subud members as "Bapak", which is an Indonesian word
for a respected older man. The experience, the spiritual exercise, which we
call the "Latihan", came to him as a revelation, suddenly. He was able to
share it, pass it on to others, and is now known in more than seventy countries
and practiced by thousands of people. To practice the Latihan is to stand
relaxed in a group of people, men and women separately, and allow the process
to take place. Many people feel a vibration, most soon feel an impulse to move,
to utter sounds, or to sing. The impulse is spontaneous, not suggested or
controlled by thought, but during this time, a member is fully alert, with
mind and desires passive and reacts according to his needs at the time.
The Latihan continues for about thirty minutes and is repeat several times
per week. The experience varies, indeed it is different for each person. For
some the development is gradual and changes are noticed in the outer life
before there is much movement in the actual Latihan.
The process is one of cleansing, purification, which reaches more and more
deeply into every part of one's being.
It is necessary to be a member before one may attend a Latihan and for most
people a waiting period of three months is asked before joining. This gives
opportunities to meet people experienced in the Latihan and to learn from
something of what may be expected and to draw near with respect to a movement
which is likely to change one's whole life. The moment of actually joining
Subud is when for the first time a person stands with other members who
are doing the Latihan and receives the contact. This is experienced by some
immediately, by others after a while, as a quickening of their inmost being.
Often in life we do not know (as we say) "which way to turn", we do not
know what is right. In Subud, we learn to trust, to receive guidance through
the Latihan. The effect for most shows in a greater understanding of oneself
and happier personal relationships; often something newly positive in work
experience. Improved health is often a by-product of the Latihan,
discrimination about food and drink and in habits of living. There is
guidance to find one's right work in life, and so to use one's talents
to the best advantage.
For some there is considerable pain. The process of purification brings out
problems, reminds forcibly, agonisingly, of past mistakes. Many things have to
be faced and in a way relived before they can be left behind.
The Subud organization is world-wide. There are national and international
officers and committees, and there are local groups where people meet to
exercise. The association has been established in the West for over
thirty-five years and is working to help in the world. Subud members have
set up enterprises, the ultimate aim of which is to support the welfare
projects of Subud, especially for children, refugees, and old people. Much
of this activity is in the third world.
Religious terminology is often used: Almighty God, submission to the
will of God. Bapak used this language. In all religions we have words which
have evolved through human attempts to identify and describe another
dimension of life; prayer, surrender, and submission to a power greater than
we can imagine and yet of which we are a part.
Subud is a process, a receiving, not a teaching. There is no teaching or
theories in Subud. Nobody is expected to believe anything, only to recognize
and trust what he himself experiences. People of different religions find
their faith deepened and practice the Latihan in complete harmony with each
other and with those who have no religion.
Susila, Budhi, and Dharma are the three Sanskrit words from which the name
Subud is derived:
Susila -- means to be able to live as true human beings -- according to the
will of God.
Budhi -- refers to the divine power which work within man as well as around
him in the world.
Dharma - means the possibility to surrender completely to the will of God.
Susila, Budhi, and Dharma means to follow the will of God, or the power of
the life force that works both within us and without.
Gradually for most people, quite quickly for others, it becomes possible
to recognize a little of the immensity of which we are a part and to
live in some extent in harmony with it and with other people. This is
what Subud is about.
|