Put The Latihan Into Practice

12 Apr Put The Latihan Into Practice

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So we can say that at this moment Subud has not yet been able to show the world what it really is, what it can do. Because Subud has not yet shown the evidence which other people can see. So far there is only the latihan which we experience. But we have not yet been able to show the evidence or the nature of the latihan so that you can see it clearly for what it is. Bapak says this is O.K., but don’t let it go on too long. Don’t let it go on too long before we can show the real nature of the latihan to the world. [76 MEB 3]

The worship of God is not something that we do only on Sundays and Wednesdays, or Mondays and Thursdays, or whenever the latihan is. As Bapak has said, the latihan is something that once we receive it, once it’s inside of us, is there all the time no matter what we are doing. It is following us around, it is shadowing us. It is like a shepherd who is always protecting us and guiding us. Now what we have to do is to put it into practice – it’s already there. All that remains for us is to become aware of it and to use it . . . [77 BLN 1]

The latihan you receive is received in a peaceful, surrendered state where you do not want anything at all. This means it is truly from the One God, who you worship in your heart, feelings, thoughts and awareness. So if you receive something in the latihan, it is certainly useful, not only for yourself, but for the lives of other people who need it. This is the outcome of what we receive and do in the latihan; in reality, it is not for our own benefit but for the benefit of mankind in general. [81 WOB 5]

You have already begun to receive guidance from God in this way – although the process is not yet complete. This lays upon you the responsibility for opening the way for others who have yet to find the right path; it should be looked upon as an obligation. This heavy obligation now rests upon your shoulders, and you should carry it out earnestly and sincerely, even if you cannot yet do so with your full strength. The way to lead or guide other people so they may follow in your footsteps is by demonstrating the reality and the proof, and by showing an example in yourselves. [59 CSP 2]

In this way, Subud will show some reality of what we receive in the latihan kejiwaan. In this way the name of Subud will grow sweet and fragrant in the world. It will become respected in the world since we do things not by talking but by demonstrating with actions. In Subud we should do it that way. We should show what Subud is with our actions and not with our words. We are already taught to do this in the latihan kejiwaan. In the latihan kejiwaan we don’t do much talking; we act, we move. That should be- our way also in our outer life: to demonstrate the reality through what we do, through the actual result of what we achieve.

Brothers and sisters, this is what Bapak has just told you: In everything we have to have reality; we have to stick to the reality and not to the talk. That is so that we can witness the true nature of the latihan: witness it both in our individual spiritual lives as well as in our outer lives, bearing witness to reality both inwardly and outwardly. This is the aim of Subud as Bapak has received it from Almighty God and which Bapak hopes you will put into practice so that the development of Subud can proceed in the way that it should. [81 YVR 4]

Brothers and sisters, what Bapak is saying then is that it is not enough for us to be close to God. To be close only to God and to be far removed from our own society is a big mistake. By doing this we cut ourselves off from the rest of humanity. It is never God’s Will that we do this, for the Will of God is the unity of mankind. And, indeed, unless we make an effort in this direction we will never be able to have an influence on the state of the world. [81 JKT 2]

Bapak wants you to realise that the latihan kejiwaan you have received is like rain. It has come down from the clouds in the sky. Rain can do many things. Rain can be a danger to human life. It can cause floods and it can cause damage, it can become a source of fertility, a source of benefit to human society. Can we make use of this rain, this bounty that God has given us? If we do not, if this latihan gets stuck inside, it will not only not progress, it will not only not grown in the world, but it will become a source of darkness for you, because all sorts of imaginations will arise within your being. If you have not used the latihan to make something of yourself, then, rather than being a benefit to you, it will become an obstacle and a burden. Truly, if you can pass on this latihan to other people, through your example, through how you are in your life, then that is the real amal, the real service to humanity which will give an enormous reward, a reward that you cannot imagine both for your life in this world and for your life in the hereafter . . . If you really have received this latihan, if you realise what it means, then the latihan kejiwaan opens up for you like a broad avenue, a road that you can walk down, which is your way to life. It is wide and full of satisfaction and profit for yourself and those around you. [Colombo, 21 March 1981*]

Thus there is a content, a central core, of compassion in our inner-feeling, which, as it grows ever wider and wider, will be recognized by people who do not even know us at all. This is what happened, brothers and sisters. That is why we must not be too quick to complain, for if we have not become people who are of value in the eyes of the others, that is our own fault. If you have no value in the eyes of other human beings, how can you be of value in the eyes of the angels or the dewas ? And to take it higher still, how can you be of value in the eyes of the One Almighty God? [79 LON 2]

That is why it is the time for us, brothers and sisters, for all of you Subud members this is actually the time to act, the time to work. For in your actions and your work you are watched over, guided and directed by the power of God, which envelops you both inwardly and outwardly. This is an enormously great good fortune. That is why you should act upon it; you must wake up, brothers and sisters. Please stop sleeping. Being asleep means that up to now you have been put to sleep by the nafsu. We have been full to overflowing with all the things that fetter us and drug us in our lives, so that we are completely powerless. And this is also the time at which God has given you something; that is, the latihan kejiwaan. [77 JKT 1]

There is a Javanese saying “Jer basuki mawa beya” -nothing worthy is achieved that is not earned, that is not bought with prihatin, poverty, struggle. This is the message Bapak so often gives you, so often puts to you all. Thus, brothers and sisters, if you want things to go well, if you want to be comfortable, if you want all sorts of things, don’t be half-hearted – work, get on with it; but do this in the right way. [74 CDK 1]

The time has come when there are those of you who can now already begin to put into practice what you have received in your latihan. So Bapak says get ready. Get ready to roll up your sleeves because there is a lot of work to be done. And there is a lot that lies in front of you. So have the courage now to start and to go ahead because it is this putting this into practice in your everyday lives that is the true service of Almighty God, the true meaning of the worship of God. [81 NYC 4]

Bapak’s words are said to set on fire your inner feeling. And by this is meant not to light a fire and create an atmosphere which is disturbing, but to set on fire your enthusiasm to struggle, to build, to develop your nation and to build up our brotherhood through the worship of Almighty God. [81 WOB5]