1. Children and the latihan place

CHILDREN below the age of three years may not be in the same house at the time when general latihan is held. The child may not even stay in a nearby room of the same house.

But it is enough to put such children in another room when the inhabitants of the house (that is, the parents or other members of the household) are going to do latihan in the same house.

From Bapak, 'Subud Chronicle' July 1961, page 98 - (letter) 29 March 1961.

IF you ask: why are children not allowed to be brought near to the place of latihan, the answer is that this is certainly not good, in fact rather dangerous, because in the latihan, as you all already know, all desires originating from the lower forces are being purified.

It is like a street which is being swept clean and the dirt is being scattered everywhere. Here a small child is to be compared to something which is still clean and without strength which will collect the dirt.

Because of this you have to be very watchful. There is the possibility of impurities, which are scattered, touching the inner-feelings of the children who are brought close to the place for latihan.

From Pewarta Kejiwaan Subud Vol. 1, No. 2, page 39 - Clarifications from Bapak, 1960.

2. For sick children

WHEN children of Subud members are sick it should be tested whether the parents can do the latihan for them. If the testing shows that further help is necessary, then one of the helpers should come and join the parents in doing the latihan with the child.

From 'Subud and the Active Life ', page 179 (1st ed.), page 131 (2nd ed.) - 1959.

IT is indeed good to ask assistance from helpers When a child of a member or a member himself is ill, so that the helpers can do latihan near him. In the case of the member himself, it is not necessary to do this while he is asleep. The helper could do latihan with him when he is awake. Only when it is a child who is ill and needing help should the helper do latihan near the child while he is asleep.

From Bapak, 'Subud in the World', page 33 - relevant recording: 63 BCL 2.

3. Adoption

TO help someone is something that is praiseworthy, such as the matter of raising a child so that the child becomes a person with a good character, not only praised by other people but also someone who can obtain the gift from the power of God, so that he can uplift the parents who raised him.

So if you wish to adopt another child, who will become the brother or sister of your child, then this is not wrong. But what is important for you to consider is if you feel you can provide enough for another child's needs.

From Ibu Siti Rahayu, (letter) May 7, 1980.