1. Explanations about Subud

WHEN explanations concerning Subud are required, these may be taken from the various talks that Bapak has given. This does not mean that Bapak stresses the importance of his talks or regards them as better than those given by anyone else, but they concern only Subud and what is to be found in Subud; no more and no less. If the helpers were to draw upon other sources for information, it would only confuse the minds of those to Whom they speak instead of making things clear to them; and this is certainly not in accordance with what happens in the spiritual latihan of Subud.

From 'Subud and the Active Life', page 175 (1st ed.),page 129 (2nd ed.) - 1959.

2. Danger of mixing

A HELPER of the Subud Spiritual Brotherhood is, in reality, like Bapak's helper, so his attitude should be like Bapak's attitude towards the members and also when opening the new members who join Subud.

As you know, the latihan kejiwaan of Subud has its existence and comes, not because it is studied in various ways, but only through the grace of Almighty God. Therefore, everything that is received and experienced in the latihan is due to the grace of Almighty God which is given to the one who receives, so that it can be said that the movements and force which we call the latihan kejiwaan are direction and guidance from the power of Almighty God.

So it is clear that Subud members, in receiving and doing the latihan kejiwaan of Subud, are under the guidance and direction of Almighty God. If Subud members, in receiving and doing the latihan kejiwaan, are under the guidance and direction of Almighty God, why do they still need the guidance and direction of man?

Bapak does not forbid anyone who still likes to do so to combine another theory or way with the latihan kejiwaan but it is necessary for Bapak to warn people not to do this, because mixing a theory with the latihan kejiwaan of Subud will be dangerous for the self; the heart and mind will easily become confused, and it will be difficult for them to be quieted again.

The more so for helpers, or for a member who is proposed as a helper - it is clearly not as it should be if he or they still hold to such opinions.

From Pewarta Kejiwaan Subud Vol. VI, No. 3, page 17 - (letter) 1968.

3. Helpers mixing

THE helpers' group also has to make decisions within its group; for instance, if there is a helper who does something which is outside the order in Subud. For example: if there is a helper who, opening new members, still uses a theory of some other spiritual movement or if he teaches a practice other than Subud when accompanying the latihan of the members, then the helpers of the group must speak with the helper who has acted in that way and remind him. And if they have reminded him and he does not pay attention to the reminder of the helpers' group, he has to be made non-active as a helper, and also to be asked to return his helper's card which should be kept in the archives. Later, when he is aware of the mistake he has made as mentioned above and when the whole helpers' group can agree to it, he can become a helper again.

Certainly, as long as he as a helper offends against the arrangements and the established order in the Spiritual Brotherhood of Subud - for instance, if he opens people at his own wish and gives explanations to those who listen to him which deviate from the basis and purpose of the spiritual latihan of Subud - it must be noted in the files, so that what he has done is recorded. It should also be put on record by the helpers' group that all his actions are outside the responsibility of the helpers who still remain in Subud. It means, then, that whatever is done by the helper who has thus deviated, none of it is the responsibility of the helpers who remain, or who stay firmly in the group.

From Pewarta Kejiwaan Subud Vol. IV, No. 3, page 95 - relevant recording: 64 PLG 4.

4. Hypnotism, spiritualism etc.

THE main condition is nothing else but to be empty - empty of imagination, empty of thought - every time you do the latihan kejiwaan. Therefore Bapak hopes you will not still let the knowledge of the human brain take part in any way. For instance: hypnotism, spiritualism, occultism, magnetism all belong to human knowledge, to the knowledge of the brain and desires (nafsu) of man. With these you concentrate your thought and concentrate your imagination, whereas through the latihan kejiwaan an emptying takes place, even a liberation, because concentration of the imagination is a block to receiving the education and gift of God to you.

From Pewarta Kejiwaan Subud Vol. VI, No. 1, page 11 - relevant recording: 6 7 WOB 2.

5. Members to be warned

ORDINARY members should be warned not to mix all kinds of practices with the latihan kejiwaan of Subud whenever they receive and follow it. Helpers, however, should never make use of these various practices with the latihan kejiwaan, because they are in fact Bapak's helpers and all their advice to the members should be related to the latihan kejiwaan of Subud, which is the worship of Almighty God. From Pewarta Kejiwaan Subud Vol. VI, No. 4, page 7 (letter 196 7).

6. Religious movements

ON the question of the helpers who are involved in this (charismatic) movement, Bapak said there is no objection to a helper being active, no matter how deeply, in his religion, providing that what he says and does in carrying out his duties as a helper are in no way colored by the teachings of, or his experience in, his religion. In other words, all helpers in presenting Subud both to the members and the outside world, must stick to the line laid down by Bapak - which is that Subud is universal and all-embracing and represents the whole human race worshipping God. So they have to keep their religious beliefs and practices separate from their work as helpers. From Bapak, [letter] 9 October 1979.