[SPNW version edited by Isabel Gates]

Susila Dharma Round Table at Seabeck
From Marilyn Schirk
Seabeck this year turned out to be a wonderful experience for me that I will treasure for a long time to come. The beauty of the place, the large group latihans and testing opportunities, the deep connections of friendship and community I experienced, the general sense of uplift and hope for the future, and much more made it an experience I want to keep treating myself to again and again!

As a result of our Susila Dharma Round Table workshop, the request went out to the National Helpers to offer four test questions on Susila Dharma to willing members after latihan on Sunday morning. With their greatly appreciated help, the testing was deep and very moving for many participants. I wanted to share my own experience of the first question: What is the meaning of our nonprofit charitable organization Susila Dharma for Subud in the world?

In response, I found my whole body growing into a tall, strong, and pointed structure with a light at the top – a lighthouse. The words came – a beacon for all ships lost at sea. With all the rigors and demands of fundraising for SD (absolutely necessary of course), it is easy to miss the larger meaning of SD.

Both aspects of the SD journey seem essential to me. If you would like me to send you all four questions on Susila Dharma for testing, please email me, and I will send them to you (mysusila@comcast.net). Hope to see you at Seabeck next year!

[All test questions from this session were
1. What is the meaning of our nonprofit charitable organization Susila Dharma for Subud in the world?
2. What is my inner Susila Dharma?
3. How might I bring what I’ve received into the my life?
4. How might I bring what I’ve received into the life of my group?]

From Liza Ramey Wolfgang, Regional Helper
I am so pleased with how well the Kejiwaan weekend at Seabeck went. The sense of community, acceptance, and love was so present and repeatedly commented on by participants. It’s all I could have hoped for, especially as part of the regional helper team charged with planning the event’s content. It’s a funny thing, trying to plan for the content of an event that is actually being provided by the Divine. You can’t plan that! As a planner and teacher, it’s a real-life lesson for me. I have my part to do, and God does the rest. I got to practice faith and letting go, trusting my receiving, trusting others, and knowing that God is ever present in our lives. One of my takeaways from the weekend was that we, the RHs and organizing team, provided the container, and everyone there filled it with their sincerity, their latihans, their trust, and their willingness to be present and open to the experience that unfolded for us all.

Some other highlights of the weekend: a powerful, World Congress-like latihan; experiencing the harmony of working together with the Seabeck team, our national helpers, and local helpers (with a bit of “rubbing of the rice” thrown in); the feeling of acceptance and openness of my sisters as we shared about our receivings; connecting with our Canadian sisters with the hope of more building across the divide; being in service as a helper; and making new friendships and connections with my Subud brothers and sisters.

I also really enjoyed our small circle breakouts on Saturday. The sharings were unique and honest, and vulnerable without feeling scary. We had built that trust in a short time so we could share ourselves and what was on our hearts. That was such a gift. Thank you to all who came for sharing yourselves, your love, and your latihans. I look forward to gathering again next year with ALL of Cascadia and beyond.

From Lucas Hess, Regional Chair
Excellent weekend. Good food, especially the salad bar. Inspired testing. Comfortable, clean, and pleasant rooms. Refreshing air and majestic vegetation. Excellent conversations and finally able to put faces to names, as well as being able to actually read the name on the neck lanyard. Thanks to everyone involved in this year’s Kejiwaan. It was a treat.

   
Entertainment Night Photos courtesy of Robina Page 

SEABECK SMILES!!
Back row, L to R: Jim O’Halloran, Joel Weber, Adelia MacWilliams, Athena Solbeck Robel, Oswald Norton, Don Berg, Joyce O’Halloran, Maryka Ford, Liza Ramey Wolfgang, Haris Wolfgang
Second Row from Top, L to R: Lucinda O’Halloran, Connie Chiefetz, Wendy Smith, Amelia Tritz, Rosanna Herman, Melanie Branchflower, Sulfiati Waite
Third Row from Top, L to R: Akhri Cutler, Halima Taylor, Marlena Knill, Farah Hess, Lucas Hess, Marilyn Shirk, Leana McClellan, Lisa Allen, Sonya Shooshan, Sanderson Morgan, Rayma Norton
Bottom Row, L to R: Laurie Solomon, Helena Lengel, Maemunah Doran, Marston Gregory, Morris McClellan, David Lynch, Sebastian Tedrow
Not pictured: Isabel Gates (photographer), Paul Woodcock, Alexandra Boyer, Robina Page, Margarite Charney, Roosmiwati Reynolds, Dalton Allen, Andre Allen, Daniel Stralberg, Ricardo Santos, Debbie Machado Santos, Hariana Chilstrom, Samuel Czuba (Apologies to those who missed our group photo –we organized it too late!)

Some Reflections on SEABECK
PNW Kejiwaan Gathering
September 17-20, 2026

From Morris McClellan, National Helper:
The most important thing I came away with is that Awareness/Awakening testing is worth doing, and we should do it more often. It amplifies both bodily and internal/emotional spiritual awareness. It is also FUN. There were workshops available both Friday and Saturday to present it. On Friday, the women tested how to be in each of the roles: questioner, receiver, and witness before doing the Awareness testing. The men followed suit on Saturday and found it to be an important step in the process. In the role of questioner, I felt it prepared me to receive guidance while moving through the world. Feeling the process of receiving questions for another translates into calling forward that state at any moment in the rest of your life. Since returning from the PNW Fall Retreat weekend, I have felt more soul presence, you might say, than before the weekend. I am hoping to hold on to that.

I led a workshop conversation about life on Earth as being in a school, and the concept of choosing a life plan as we decide to incarnate on the planet. It was an active discussion. I offered the workshop to gather insightful material for a song I may write called “Earth School.”

My other workshop focused on singing gospel songs and preparing a couple for performance at the Saturday evening entertainment. We had fun, talked about singing techniques, harmony, and arranging songs for performance. We performed two tunes, which were well received.

Seabeck is truly a good environment for our retreat. The accommodation is comfortable, the food is acceptable, and the staff is kind and helpful. We had a workshop on how to run next year’s PNW retreat better, and we hope attendance will improve. A committee has been formed to plan it.

My final takeaway is that the Subud members in attendance expressed love for each other with ease. I am still reveling in the experience days later.

From Margarite Charney, Regional Helper
Seabeck was open; spacious for me. Not just the beautiful outdoor views overlooking the water and the deer frolicking, or the geese gathering. But also, the opportunity to do group latihans, awareness, and personal testing was uplifting; stretching for me this year as a Regional Helper on the PNW Dewan. The ride was long both ways home & back, but so very worth it. I’m very grateful!! I look forward to even more Gatherings with my Subud brothers and sisters!

From David Lynch, Regional Helper
My experiences at our kejiwaan weekend at Seabeck were quite amazing.  With the awareness testing, my Latihan was opened up and reinvigorated.  It has been refreshing to discover that I really know very little about the Latihan — that there is still a vast universe of the spirit awaiting my discovery.  There is very much to look forward to in life and beyond!

From Rayma Norton, Regional Helper
Returning for the 2nd year to Seabeck for our regional kejiwaan gathering, I felt more relaxed and familiar with the layout and general schedule than last year. A bounty of connection and community unfolded in workshops, informal chit-chat, walks in the woods, birding, latihan latihan latihan testing, and downtime. People brought themselves to share – along with puzzles, stories, poems, songs, camaraderie, creations for the gift shop. All those riches lifted my spirit and filled me with gratitude. A few very capable organizers and a lot of work got the gathering off the ground. More volunteers helped on the spot with registration, golf cart transport, testing, leading workshops, or lending a hand wherever needed. To me, this suggests our future gatherings are poised to grow and be sustainable. Our closing circle felt like a huge “see you next year” hug!

At our meeting last Wednesday, each regional helper shared positive takeaways from this year’s gathering.  We hope to work with more people in this region (and perhaps in Canada) to help bring to life some of the workshop ideas and testing results from this year’s gathering.

From Andre Allen, Regional Helper
Our recent Seabeck gathering was not perfect. The food was so-so. Reeser was noisier than I had remembered. People sometimes showed up late for scheduled meetings or missed them entirely, and the women Regional Helpers were overbooked for personal testing. But none of that really mattered, because the awakening/awareness testing was inspiring and fun; the small group sharing was warm and personal, the workshops were relevant and interesting, informal conversations brought us closer together, and because of Isabel and Halima’s clever idea of putting the schedule on the backs of our name tags, we always knew what was happening next. The Saturday entertainment was a joy, and winning the Susila Dharma lottery was a bonus! Sure, some people got a little annoyed now and then, but no one was ever unkind. We all share a personal and spiritual bond, and we love and care for one another deeply; that was the feeling I took away from the Seabeck gathering.

From Athena Solbeck Robel, Regional Helper
As an isolated member living in Montana, I really appreciated the six large latihans, but I was most grateful for feeling the love and connection with my PNW Subud family.

Also, many of the comments in the closing circle touched my heart, and I will quote a few of them here.  They seemed to capture the spirit of the gathering better than I can express in my own words:

• Testing has been some of the best I’ve done in years.
• PNW Subud is very unique and welcoming.
• A lot of growth both inwardly and outwardly.
• I’ve had a lovely time.
• This gathering is a godsend for those of us with no group.
• I have a better attitude about my body and aging.
• This year, we have “Menucha-ized Seabeck.
• It has been an unlimited gift.
• I felt the real grace and peace of the Latihan.
• What I see is the growth this event has brought.
• Thank you for letting me be myself.
• I’m happy to be here. This was unexpected.
• I just love you all, and it’s been wonderful.
• Most powerful receivings I’ve ever had.
• I have immense respect for Isabel for making us feel so cared for.

Bapak’s Prayer (sung to Ibu Sumari on her birthday, Feb.1967)
Let us worship together,
Kneel down before Almighty God
Ask that we may receive
The grace of a pure heart.
Protect us from temptation
And bring us near to Heaven.
May we be granted wisdom,
The wisdom of the true human being
While in this world and in the next,
So that in the end we may stand before Almighty God

Submitted by Marlena Knill and read aloud together in our closing circle.

From Isabel Gates, Seabeck Event Coordinator

It has been such a pleasure to be a part of Seabeck this year! I’ve greatly enjoyed working with Halima Taylor (our lovely registrar), all of our hardworking Regional Helpers and most especially Rayma and Liza who took on the added task of managing the Financial Assistance fund, Alexandra TerHorst, whose incredible talent and ability pulled me out of many small crises, Marston Gregory, our fearless Treasurer, Oswald Norton, whose guidance and wisdom was always a phone call away, Lucas Hess and Jim O’Halloran for their steady hands on our region’s helm as we enter a new time for our region, and Melanie Branchflower for giving me oxygen and her ear when I needed it at times! I came into this weekend hoping to get to know you all better and I made some friendships that mean the world!

As for what I will remember the most, I find that poetry is what comes to mind when I bask in the memories of our weekend at Seabeck.

Treasures in My Heart

Like a fern leaf dancing enthusiastically in a breeze
I will remember this place, this time
For the tenderness it brings my now
I’ve always taken enchantment wherever I may find it
In nature, poetry, music,
But these connections, these friendships,
Our shared heartbeats
They were the touch of the extraordinary
For this I swim in gratitude
It’s easier to appreciate the exquisite taste of water upon your tongue
When you know what it is to be parched.

Please enjoy a few photos from our wonderful weekend! I hope to share more stories, poems, and photos in next week’s issue as well. If you have something for me, email me at seabeck@subudpnw.org. Thank you!
With love and smiles,
Isabel

Seabeck Photo Gallery by Isabel

Sunday’s meeting was attended by 15 of our members. Thanks for coming and for the great food.  As the last agenda item, nominations were opened for vice chair of our group. There were two nominations. As there were no local women helpers available to test and one of the candidates wasn’t present, the group agreed to postpone the testing until our next meeting on October 25th.  We’re hoping that as many members as possible will attend to observe the testing.

Love, Oswald

Fall Leaves photo by Rachman Cantrell

Dear Members of Subud Greater Seattle,

As the days of Summer end and our Fall begins, we’re meeting for our regular monthly meeting to discover what we’ve all been up to in the last month. Please come and share your experiences and bring something to share.

Love, Oswald
Chairman Subud Greater Seattle

Here’s our agenda for this Sunday:

Agenda for Sept. 27rd, 2026 meeting of Subud Greater Seattle

1. Quiet period before we start (local helpers)
2. Minutes of last meeting [Thanks to Jim O’Halloran] (Oswald)
3. Helper Report (Helpers)
4. Brief Financial Report (Sarah)
5. Seabeck Report from those who attended.
6. Housing Committee update on the progress we’ve made since last month.
7. SGS is sponsoring Anishah Educational Center and SICS USA. How are donations going?
8. Selection Process for Vice-Chair of Subud Greater Seattle
   1. Nomination Process – Oswald
   2. Testing Process – Helpers

Minutes from July 26th General Meeting
[Thanks  to  Stephanie  Albornoz  who  volunteered to take them!}

Subud Greater Seattle General Membership Meeting, Sunday, July 26th

Those in attendance: Abideen Gunatilaka, Rachman and Aida Cantrell, Hanafi Libman, Marston Gregory, Lucas and Farah Hess, David Lynch, Halimah Rochfort, Oswald & Rayma Norton and Stephanie Albornoz (who kindly acted as our recording secretary)

Notes of previous general membership meeting were reviewed and approved with the following amendment: Dates for Seabeck kejiwaan retreat amended from September 11-13 to 17-20. Halimah motioned to approve. Rachman seconded. The minutes were approved unanimously by the group.

Registration for Seabeck is already open.  The link for registration is on the PNW website. Everyone is encouraged to register as soon as possible so that a clear number of attendees can be established and prepared for.

Helper input:
Rachman shared an idea to create a regular Zoom meeting for the helpers to attend and connect with one another.

Halimah volunteered to establish the Zoom meeting with her account.

The helpers will coordinate with one another to establish their helper Zoom meeting

Oswald: Rental income was discussed.  January and June were high rental months.  The months in between had low rental numbers.

Repairs for the house are scheduled for August 25-27 and August 31-September 3rd.

Important changes at the PNW regional congress were shared. Lucas Hess is the new PNW Regional Chair. Jim O’Halloran is the PNW Regional Vice Char

Testing for the local vice chair is deferred until August due to today’s low meeting numbers.

Reminders were given to please make donations to Susila Dharma and SICA and earmark your checks with these organizations.

There is financial aid available for Seabeck through PNW website

Farah Hess shared regarding a her visioning leader search:
For the visioning workshop person, Virginia Bower is no longer able to do it, so Farah is looking for other individuals to facilitate the visioning workshop.

Halimah is available if someone is not found to facilitate the visioning workshop

Lucas Hess: Elder members in Portland are looking for rides to Seabeck and he was wondering if there were any elderly individuals in Seattle who may need rides as well. Oswald will inform the membership on the Greater Seattle website alerting members of transportation availability.

Hanafi Libman has become active as a local men’s helper again.

Oswald shared: In order to reenergize the group and the community he feels it’s very important for the helpers’ group to be active and harmoniously working together so that they can share that with the community.

Marston motioned to close to the meeting and Hanafi seconded the motion.

The meeting was adjourned at 1:19 pm with a moment of quiet led by Hanafi

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

I invite you to attend our monthly potluck and meeting this Sunday after latihan.  Please do bring something to share.

Postponed Nominations and Testing for vice chair will take place
It is extremely important that we have a full committee to carry out the work of our group through the end of your committee’s current term. I am asking each one of you to consider testing for the position of vice chair.  The work of your current committee is organized in a way as to reduce the amount of effort each one of us spends taking care of the material needs of our group. This is an opportunity to either learn new skills, or, use old skills used in previous jobs in and out of Subud.

It is also extremely important that all of us show up to support those willing to test for this position, so that these candidates will feel supported.

Love, Oswald

Agenda for Aug 23rd, 2026 meeting of Subud Greater Seattle

1. Quiet period before we start (local helpers)
2. Minutes of last meeting (Oswald)
3. Helper Report (Helpers)
4. Brief Financial Report (Sarah)
5. Housing Committee update on the progress we’ve made since last month.
6. SGS is sponsoring Anishah Educational Center and SICS USA. How are donations going?
7. Selection Process for Vice-Chair of Subud Greater Seattle
   1. Nomination Process – Oswald
   2. Testing Process – Helpers

As announced in the Subud PNW newsletter, registration for our annual retreat, being held at the beautiful Seabeck Conference Center on the Kipsap Penninsula. Please Register Now.

Lucas Hess, SPNW Regional Chair, asked if there was anyone who felt that they couldn’t attend due to transportation needs because they didn’t feel that they could drive out to the conference center.  If so, please contact him.

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Attendance at our general meeting last Sunday was small, with only 11 members and one visitor attending.

The visitor was Stephanie Albornoz, who kindly agreed to take the minutes of the meeting as Lisa Allen was on vacation.

Because many of you were on vacation, it was decided to postpone the nomination and testing of vice chair until our August meeting.

Please consider being one of those willing to put your name forward. We need you.

Thanks, Oswald

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

I invite you to attend our monthly potluck and meeting this Sunday after latihan.  Please do bring something to share.

Nominations and Testing for vice chair
It is extremely important that we have a full committee to carry out the work of our group through the end of your committee’s current term. I am asking each one of you to consider testing for the position of vice chair.  The work of your current committee is organized in a way as to reduce the amount of effort each one of us spends taking care of the material needs of our group. This is an opportunity to either learn new skills, or, use old skills used in previous jobs in and out of Subud.

It is also extremely important that all of us show up to support those willing to test for this position, so that these candidates will feel supported.

Love, Oswald

Agenda for July 26th, 2026 meeting of Subud Greater Seattle

1. Quiet period before we start (local helpers)
2. Minutes of last meeting (Oswald)
3. Helper Report (Helpers)
4. Brief Rental Income Report (Financial Report not available) (Oswald)
5. Housing Committee update on the progress we’ve made since last mont.
6. Selection Process for Vice-Chair of Subud Greater Seattle
   1. Nomination Process – Oswald
   2. Testing Process – Helpers

For next Month:

1. SGS is sponsoring Anishah Educational Center and SICS USA. How are donations going?

Committee testing Questions
Round one: Candidates test with the local helpers in front of the members, and all share their receiving: “(Name), show through your latihan, will you be able to perform the duties of Chair (or Vice Chair) of Subud Greater Seattle for the coming term?”

The local helpers then ask the members if they feel satisfied about the testing and are ready to vote or if more is needed.

If more—

Round two: Candidates test with the local helpers in front of the members, and all share their receiving: “How would it be for Subud Greater Seattle if (name) were to serve as Chair (or Vice Chair) for the coming term?”

The local helpers again ask the members if they feel the testing is adequate and are ready to vote or if more is needed.

If more—

Round three: It is the candidates who test and share their receiving: “What qualities does (name) bring to the job of Chair (or Vice Chair) of Subud Greater Seattle for the coming term?”

The local helpers then show in their latihan in front of the members, and share their receiving of : “What qualities are needed to carry out the job of Chair (or Vice Chair) of Subud (region) for the coming term?”

Round four: How would it be for the harmony of Subud Greater Seattle if (name) serves as a Chair (Vice Chair) for the coming term?