Tag Archives: Paul Nelson

Archives Interview Weekend

On March 4, 5 & 6, the Subud USA Archives interview project came to Seattle. Two experienced interviewers, Benjamin Boyce and your humble narrator, working closely under the auspices of the SUSA Archives project, interviewed several long-time Subud members about their experience in Subud, how they found out about the organization and what practicing Latihan has meant for their lives. The schedule was packed:

FRIDAY, MARCH 4:

5:00 – Paul Nelson with Benjamin Boyce

SATURDAY, MARCH 5:

10am – Jim and Lucinda O’Halloran with Paul Nelson
11am – Elisha Gullixson with Paul Nelson
12N – Sebastian and Lorraine Tedrow with Paul Nelson
1pm – LUNCH BREAK
2pm – Evan and Annie Padilla with Benjamin Boyce
3pm – Halstein Stralberg with with Benjamin Boyce
4pm – Daniel Stralberg with Benjamin Boyce
5pm – Halimah Bellows with Benjamin Boyce

SUNDAY, MARCH 6:

12N – Danela Mauguin with Paul Nelson
1pm – Sebastian Tedrow and Chuck Cary with Paul Nelson on the founding of Subud Greater Seattle and the acquisition of the Subud House
2pm – Hanafi Libman with Benjamin Boyce

Benjamin and I were at the house at 3pm Friday and got things set up. Benjamin’s equipment is perfect for a job like this, it seems to me, though my expertise is audio. We did an interview with me to use as a test run and it came out good. the interviews are rich and touching and it was a lively weekend which aided our community’s harmony. This is incredibly important as we come out of the pandemic. There were people in attendance who had not been to the Subud House in years. I had a moment of very deep gratitude before the interview with Chuck Cary and Sebastian Tedrow. Chuck talked about the metaphysical community in Seattle and how that community was the seed of how Subud Seattle got started. Back then Vancouver, BC, was part of our region and the first Seattle folks got opened by Ronimund Von Bissing. The Quest Bookstore, a Theosophical bookstore that is still open on Capitol Hill, was part of that 1959 milieu. Sebastian is the man most responsible for acquiring the Subud House in 1974 when he was 25 years old!

I loved most of all my time with Danela Mauguin. Her recall of specific things is remarkable and she was magnificent. On Monday she celebrated 57 years in Subud! Some members needed gentle redirection. The Tedrows required only one question during their interview!

I think having two interviewers is an excellent way to go about these things, so one can get a break. It is an intense experience and requires very high concentration. To aid recall, I have added a question that I did not ask this weekend, about the Subud friends people had/have. This could lead to stories. Since these interviews will not be made available to the general public like some other interviews being done at this time, encouraging interviewees to say anything they want, to be as “woo-woo” as they want, would be something I would encourage.

Spreading out the interviews to allow for some down time is critical. I believe we should tape in the Men’s Latihan hall next time, because the bathroom and a kitchen are connected and the background is unimportant. I think interviews with all members should be encouraged as it could be a time capsule in a way and be a record of where members are, what they are about, at this time.

I want to say that we have been discussing this project for a long time and now that it is here, I am filled with gratitude for this community and awe at how much work the SUSA Archives committee has done to make this happen. I pray that we can continue this in an harmonious way, keeping our eyes on the end game which is creating open spaces where Subud people of all ages can talk about their experiences with this remarkable practice and community. Benjamin got some wonderful photos.

Danela Mauguin

Hanafi Libman

Sebastian Tedrow and Chuck Cary

Lorraine and Sebastian Tedrows

Helper Meeting Minutes

Our newest Helper Aakarsh Gottumukala took the minutes from the Sunday, July 19, 2020, Helper’s Meeting which happened via Zoom. Here is his report:

Helpers Present: Aakarsh Gottumukkala, Danella Mauguin, David Lynch, Halimah Bellows, Halstein Stralberg, Hanafi Libman, Paul Nelson, Sebastian Tedrow, Lucinda O’Hallaran.

Helpers Not Present: Rachman Cantrell, Rayma Norton

During our helper meeting on Sunday, we discussed the issues of restarting in-person latihan at the Subud house and converting the upstairs bedrooms of the Subud Seattle house into rental office spaces. Most helpers present were unwilling to test about reopening the Subud house, as per Evan Padilla’s request. The general feeling at the meeting was that it is unwise to reopen the Subud house in Seattle at this time. As an alternative, the possibilities of doing latihan at Halstein Stralberg’s house or joining the group latihan in Olympia on Saturday mornings at 10 AM were proposed. Members wishing to do so should contact Halstein in the case of the former and David Lynch in the case of the latter. Regarding the issue of changing the enterprise at the Subud Seattle center, the general consensus was that this may prove unwise.

The next helper meeting is on the third Sunday, August 16.

Rachman Cantrell via email added:

Thanks, Paul, for catching me up. I agree with you about holding off on group latihan. I am becoming more in favor of the call in latihans and hope more people participate. My latihan last friday was particularly strong and different! Even more so than when we did group latihan!

Regards,

Rachman

New Editor for the Newsletter!

Rachman Cantrell at it again

While at Menucha, Honora asked me to take over the editing job for the Subud Greater Seattle newsletter. Hariana Chilstrom and Paul Nelson have been doing a masterful job but Hariana is leaving for parts unknown and Paul has his hands full with managing the Subud building enterprise, his non-profit organization (SPLAB) and his five year old daughter Ella! After receiving about it I accepted the post. It means a steep learning curve for me but with help I am hoping for a good outcome. Information and articles of interest to Subud members can be addressed to me at rachmanc@gmail.com. Everything should be in as complete a form as possible so I can copy and past as needed. I will do some editing if necessary. Including an image related to the story is very helpful. Please forgive me if I make mistakes! Thanks, Rachman.

Testing 1,2, Testing

Dear Subud Greater Seattle Community – please read this update!

In the next few weeks we will have two opportunities for kejiwaan and fellowship with National and Regional Helpers, as well as a Regional Congress, Saturday, March 19th. Here is a handy schedule for you to clip and save and make plans to attend, test on your life’s pressing issues and even have the opportunity to support a creative Subud Brother or Sister by attending a reading and buying a book!

Sofia Nicoletti

Saturday, March 19, 10:15am to ??? REGIONAL CONGRESS. Subud PNW people gather to elect new officers and set a course for the region and give thanks to outgoing dewan members for the next two years. Bring food! National Helpers Benedict Herrman and Sofia Nicoletti will be attending. Regional Helpers will also be attending Latihan Sunday, March 20 to work with and support the new committee. The house will be rockin’ both days so come early to get a good seat for quiet time.

Sunday, April 3, after latihan in the Chapel, longtime members and recent authors Halimah Bellows and Paul Nelson read from their new books. Halimah will read and lead a discussion of Champion Your Career – Winning in the World of Work. Paul will read from American Sentences and be accompanied by Jim O’Halloran on flute. After Latihan, 1-3pm. Some snacks will be provided.

Saturday, April 9, 10:15am for quiet time and latihan at 10:30, then a Helper Development Day open to all current and former helpers and featuring Regional Helpers.

Sunday, April 10, we’ll have a Kejiwaan Day with Local Helpers, including a potluck after Latihan. Come with your testing questions and your organic, Fluton Gris and dairy-free, vegan food item, or just something good. Chicken? Potatoes? Veggie Stir-Fry? Lasagne? I mean, it’s up to YOU to make this meal good, so don’t “chips and salsa” your beloved Subud Brothers and Sisters. Showtime, after lunch. Who says we’re no fun?

Menucha Report

We’re getting past the half-way mark at Menucha and I took extensive notes for a while and wanted to share some things that people have said this year, as well as a few photos so as to serve as a partial documentation of this legendary event.

Friday Workshop List

There have been name changes of Subud people in the last year, births and deaths and many reported being “in transition.” Perhaps because the National Gathering was in Redwood City, California, or because “Mr. Menucha” (Benedict Herrman) has been touting the beauty of the event, there are more Californians here than in years past it seems.

Attendees have come from Vancouver, San Diego, Victoria, Mendocino, Sacramento, Albuquerque, Port Townsend, Portland and Seattle as you can imagine, Bothell, Boise, Philadelphia, Spokane, Santa Cruz, Abbotsford, Anacortes, Los Angeles, Boulder, Bandoun, OR, Issaquah, Flagstaff, Olympia, Victoria and elsewhere. One man from Montreal originally and now in Vancouver said that he has come back to Subud after 30 years and there will be at least one opening here this year.

The opening circle each morning tended to go on A LONG TIME and a few got more than their share of time, but some very fascinating things were said, including:

“Menucha is the highlight of my spiritual year.” (Halimah Bellows.)

“Are we at a million (members) yet?” (Attributed to Bapak.)

“Menucha feels like coming home.”

“Subud is kindergarten for adults.”

“I want to die in a Subud Healing Center.”

“You get to a place of gratitude through suffering.”

There was a film by Lusijah Marx about the work Subud needs to do to feel like a safe place for LGBTQ people and a spirited discussion afterward. Our own Annie Padilla today facilitated a “Blessing of the Hands” workshop that felt very ceremonial, had participants sending forgiveness to each other and featured a poem commissioned for the occasion:

The entertainment Friday night featured the world class cello of new SICA US Chair Hamilton Cheifetz, who was playing an instrument that was over 300 years old. Howard Richman did a sound portrait, totally improvised, of Rosanna Schutte, your humble narrator read poems from his new book American Sentences, Rosanna Schutte performed a half-sung half-read poem/song with the accompaniment of Halimah Brugger and MoMac, Morris McLellan ended the evening in his inimitable singer/songwriter style.

As you can imagine, Menucha continues to be a world class Subud event on the beautiful Columbia River Gorge and not to be missed.

Kathleen Gillette

Finished Handicap Ramp! (Video)

Your humble narrator (& his trusty companion) gives you a tour of the new handicap access ramp at the Subud House, funded by the Muhammed Subuh Foundation and built by Resident Carpenter of Subud Greater Seattle, David Lynch. The ramp now makes Spring Street Center accessible to people in wheelchairs for weddings and other events. Enjoy a video taken today of the new feature of the Seattle Subud House.

And see a video with David Lynch here: https://www.subudgreaterseattle.com/constructing-a-ramp-for-disabled/

Puebla Memories

Some of the video from the World Congress in Puebla, Mexico (Aug 2014) continues to be processed and posted online. Dig this cultural event hosted by your humble narrator!

Poems for Peace Sept 20 7PM

Poems For Peace 2014

The third annual celebration of poetry and peace, Poems for Peace, sponsored by the Subud International Cultural Association, is set for Saturday, September 20, 2014, at 7PM at the Spring Street Center/Seattle Subud House, 1101 15th Av, Seattle, on the corner of 15th & Spring.

Anne Padilla and Paul Nelson are your hosts and the evening will feature food, drinks, fellowship and poetry related to the theme of peace in honor of the U.N. International Day of Peace. Invited to read are those poets who participated in the 8th August Poetry Postcard Fest reading a poem or two they wrote during the month and one or two they received. Confirmed performers include:

Samar Albuhassan
Dan Blunck
Jim O’Halloran
Faiza Sultan
Thomas Walton
Bhakti Watts

THE SUBUD INTERNATIONAL CULTURAL ASSOCIATION (SICA) is a nonprofit organization providing programs and services to individuals and organizations working to nurture human values through art, culture, and creativity. SICA provides information, training, networking and support services as well as opportunities to engage and collaborate with cultural initiatives and events around the world. SICA, which has a constituency in almost 90 countries, is an active member of the International Coalition of NGOs for Peace jointly led by Peace One Day and Interpeace as well as Americans for the Arts. SICA was begun by members of the World Subud Association in the UK in 1983 and is currently based in Austin, Texas, USA.

SICA

Puebla Congress News

Marston Gregory

Some brief news bits from Puebla. Our own Marston Gregory tested before delegates, International Helpers and others gathered in the Constantia of the Centro de Convenciones in Puebla, Mexico, at the 2014 World Congress, for the position of Chair of the Muhammed Subud Foundation. In his own testing he reported that he felt he had the qualifications but that the test was not powerful. The International Helpers disagreed and recommended him for Chair. In an additional test, Marston’s receiving was powerful and the delegates ratified the Helper’s decision. Marston is the new Chair of the Muhammed Subuh Foundation! Congrats Marston!

Evan Padilla came in a close second for the position of Chair of the Susila Dharma International Association.

At this writing, your humble correspondent, Paul Nelson, is set to perform poems at the Poemas de la Paz event tonight (Wednesday, August 6) and another poetry event Thursday night, as well as host a Conversation Cafe panel on the Future of Storytelling next Wednesday, August 13th.

Poems for Peace 2013 (Audio)

Poems for Peace

Poems for Peace, an event conceived and initiated by SICA, the Subud International Cultural Association, was presented by Subud Greater Seattle on September 21, 2013, at Spring Street Center in Seattle, the Subud House. Paul Nelson organized and emceed the event and several regional Subud members, and some invited guests, performed poems, songs and musical invocations to celebrate peace. As was mentioned during the evening, peace is not the absence of war, but something more subtle and powerful. As M. Scott Peck points out there must be vulnerability and community. Both qualities were evident on this particular evening and celebrated by the audience of 40 attendees.

Here then is the audio of the evening as it happened:

1. Introduction, Paul Nelson (2:57)

2. Invocation by Jim O’Halloran (3:14)

3. Rant (Diane diPrima) performed by Paul and Meredith Nelson (5:04)

4. Excerpt from The Bidden Fruit, Benjamin Boyce (6:54)

5. Marching for Peace, Hadiyah Carlyle (4:16)

6. The Undergrown Beast and A Mother’s Nightmare by Ibtihal Mahmoud (3:35)

7. Peace all over the World (excerpts from a 50s style high school musical) Philip Quackenbush (6:22)

8. Notes on being a Gulf War Refugee Meena Rose (5:14)

9. Poetry Postcards as Peace Process, Paul Nelson (2:47)

10. Emile Ward (5:53)

11. Dreaming of Mother Moon, Carol Edson (Blackbird) (5:34)

12. Give War a Chance, Faiza Sultan (9:04)

13. Motherwit (from Pig War & Other Songs of Cascadia) Paul Nelson (6:46)

14. Happy Birthday to Paul (1:26)

15. Jim O’Halloran, Closing Flute Prayer (6:21)