As an interesting postscript to the Richmond Shepard interview, conducted at the recent National Congress in Indianapolis (in which he talked about the need for Subud to do outreach) the World Subud Association releases this proposal “On the Development of Subud in the World“:
Proposal presented by SUBUD ITALY on behalf of the Zone 3 to the 14th World Congress in Puebla and given as recommendation for the World Subud Association ‘On the Development of Subud in the World’ We resolve that our international Subud organization, and especially the helpers, pay more attention to the outer development of Subud in line with Bapak’s constant encouragement to make the latihan ‘visible’ in the world through working together on projects and enterprises; that we look at ways in which our organization at every level can help members to discover their talents and share their skills and expertise to work together to put this into practice.
Possible areas to pay attention to are:
a] Ways in which helpers, perhaps at kejiwaan gatherings or workshops, can work amongst themselves. And in similar gatherings ways in which helpers can work with members to enable them to get to know and put into practice the gifts that they have been given for their lives in this world and the right way to work together to create a channel for the human content of this world to manifest.
b] Ways in which we can better facilitate the communication and cooperation between members internationally working in similar or complimentary fields, which might lead to the establishment of more international projects.
c] Ways in which helpers and committee can work more closely together, perhaps as dewans, on the development of Subud so that our outer efforts are infused with the guidance and grace of the latihan.
d] To look again at Bapak’s encouragement regarding the establishment of International Centers, a Bank for members’ enterprises etc. etc.
e] To encourage better interaction between younger and older members (reference the generation gap)
Background: The proposals to World Congress from the member countries form the basis for the work of the World Subud Council for the next term and this work should reflect our status as a ‘spiritual organization’ [as Bapak referred to Subud]. Behind this proposal is a belief that we should be more aspirational, outward -looking and enthusiastic about ‘putting the latihan into effect’ in the world and that the principle purpose of our organization is to serve and facilitate this aim. We also believe that the helpers, whose continued and silent work in Subud shall be deeply supported and recognized, have a much greater role to play in enabling members to become aware of their inner resources and thereby gain the confidence and enthusiasm to work together on projects, in addition to a wish to see helpers work more closely with, and give guidance to, committee members in line with the example that Bapak gave of the ‘ship of Subud’ in which the committee are the engine that drives the vessel and the helpers are the rudder that gives the direction!
WITH THE HOPE THIS EXPLANATION IS HELPFUL AND CLEAR. ON BEHALF OF THE ASSEMBLY OF ZONE 3 COUNCIL, HELD IN ORGIVA (SPAIN), MAY 3, 2014. Andrea Vivit, Chair, SUBUD ITALY
READ MORE of the current Subud WSA Newsletter.