Let’s Adopt a Susila Dharma Project

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

One of the ideas that came out of the SD-USA board meeting that I attended 2/19-22 was for each Subud center to “adopt” a project.  SD-USA is currently supporting 17 projects along with our dues to SDIA which supports an even broader group of projects world-wide.

I like this idea and wondered if there was anyone else in the group that would like to look at the many projects SD-USA supports and see if there’s 1-2 that they might suggest at our next group meeting on March 22nd for consideration.  We’d then vote on the one the group wanted to support and start supporting it.

As an example, the Washington DC group picked Bina Cita Utama (BCU), the Subud School in Kalimantan. The reason they chose this project was that Myriam Ramsey – a former SD-USA board member – championed that project.  The group was already giving a monthly donation to SD-USA to support its work. They decided to donate additionally to support BCU.

Anyone interested in being a part of this process of selecting a project for our center, just needs to contact me and I’ll coordinate a selection process via email.

Thanks, Oswald

Current and Past SD-USA Board members

Pictured Top Row: L-R Jane Katz (board member), Andrew Clark (Chair SD-USA), Lucas Boladian (Treasurer), Oswald Norton (former board member), Michael Barber (vice chair SD-USA), Aneesah Hassani (Woman National Helper Laison), Reynold Orchard (Man National Helper Laison) Seated Row: Loretta Covert (board member), Sofia Nicoletti (board member), Fauziyah Ishak (past Chair SD-USA), Mary Salisbury (board member),

Hi All,

Next meeting March 22nd – With an Idul Fitri potluck
After talking over possible dates for our next general meeting date with the committee, we agreed that 3/22 would be the best date for it. Many members will have been fasting and we can use the date to mark the end with an Idul Fitri potluck.

Though we’ll have some updates on progress with business activities, the agenda will be light on these areas. We hope that members will come and share some of their Subud experiences since the last time we were together.

SD-USA Granting meeting last weekend
Our center just hosted the SD-USA annual granting session.  It was my last granting session as I complete my work on the board. More about SD-USA and it’s projects later.

For those of you who wanted to see the video SDI put together for the general public, titled “Moved From Within, here’s a link.

I had hoped to have more progress in this report, but have been ill with the flue and am just now recovering. Apologies for the slow start.

Love, Oswald

From Subud California Newsletter:

To Fast or not to Fast, that is the Question

As you know, Subud is not a religion, and its membership includes people who adhere to a wide range of faiths as well as people who do not practice any religion. Bapak actively supported members practicing their own faiths. He was an Indonesian Muslim who fasted during Ramadan and found the practice very beneficial. He spoke about the practice to Subud members in a number of recorded talks and recommended it as a way to help quiet the “nafsu” (Indonesian for desires). To be clear, this was a suggestion only, and not a requirement for Subud members.

Many religions and spiritual paths have practices that involve fasting, including Ramadan (Islam), Lent (Christianity), and Yom Kippur (Judaism); there are many Buddhist, Hindu, Yogic fasts as well as non-religious fasts. Bapak spoke about how fasting in other traditions has the same benefits, and he recommended members to practice a fast in accordance with their inner feeling.

Many Subud members who have fasted have experienced deep spiritual benefits from it. Many members have never fasted.  We do not keep track of who fasts.

Fasting can take many forms, and for Subud members who feel moved to fast, each person determines for themselves how to observe the fast. For instance, some people feel to do the traditional Ramadan fast which includes refraining from food and drink during daylight hours (or 6am to 6pm), as well as refraining from anger, negative thoughts, gossip, and using your eyes in an unkind way. Some members receive to abstain from a particular behavior or thought, but not to engage in the food fast. Some people receive not to fast at all.

If you want to learn more about fasting, please ask any helper or member about their own experiences. There is information available on Subud websites and at most centers.  The helpers can also do personal testing with you if you want to explore whether fasting in some manner would be beneficial for you. And please remember, there is no pressure or expectation that Subud members fast.

Dates of the Fasts 2026: Ramadan, February 18 (approximate) to March 19; Lent, February 18 to April 2; Yom Kippur, September 20-21.

Memorial on Saturday, February 14th, 2026, from 4 pm followed by a potluck dinner reception at the Seattle Subud Center (Spring Street Center) at 1101 15th Ave, Seattle, Washington 98122. We plan on streaming service on Zoom. Click here to join.

The main course is being prepared, so no need for main course items. If you wish to bring a side dish, bread, or salad to the memorial service, please sign up using this app.  https://www.PerfectPotluck.com/VMNZ9715

Link to signup to attend the memorial service in person here!  https://www.eventcreate.com/e/hadidjahgregory

May God in his love and mercy make her passage easy,

Her devoted Husband, Marston Gregory

Michael and I have been discussing with Marius having a local area Kedjiwaan Gathering potluck at his house this spring. With Honora being in the area from February 9 on, we’ve settled on Monday, February 16, at Marius’ house. Julia is bringing soup or a side dish, Michael will do a main dish. The details are below.

KEDJIWAAN GATHERING – FORMER BSV MEMBERS & OTHERS

• WHAT: Potluck and latihan
• WHEN: Monday, February 16, Noon
• WHERE: Marius’ House – 1501 7th Street, Anacortes
• CONTACT: Julia, 425 359-1972; hurdjulia@gmail.com
• PNW Regional Chair, Honora Drew, will attend

Please RSVP to Julia at hurdjulia@gmail.com with copy to me at bluebear@wavecable.com.

Looking forward to seeing you there.

       Serena

Oswald Norton

Dear Members of Subud Greater Seattle,

As I write this, it’s been only 9 days since Jim and I were tested and then elected as your new vice chair and chair. In that time, we have been able to form a complete committee. Sarah Stralberg has agreed to continue as our treasurer. Lisa Allen has agreed to formally accept the role of secretary.  

Thank you, Sarah and Lisa.

When I thought about putting my name forward for this position, I thought back to a question that Jim O’Halloran and I asked each other 4 years ago: Are there enough members who are able and willing to do the work required in order for the members to enjoy a facility that they own? Or, have we come to the end of the line for owning and operating a facility that we own?

In the next two years I hope, with your help, to discover the answer to that question. I will certainly try.

Housing Committee
In the next 3 weeks I hope to complete the creation of and the formal charter for a committee to explore what we, as a group, need in order to maintain a latihan facility in the Seattle area for the time past when my term is over as chair. Something that I hope will allow us to maintain a facility for those wishing to experience the grace that we have all received, long after my work, and the work of others is over.

I will be putting together a survey, along with the local helpers, to gather from our members their hopes and desires for our future.  This should be out no later than the beginning of March.

Monthly Meetings
I would like to continue our monthly potlucks and get togethers. Not only to share with you the work of the Housing Committee, but to also share with each other how the latihan has changed, or helped our lives since the last time we met. This idea came out of a planning session we had for our last kejiwaan event. 

Each monthly meeting will be a potluck where I hope members will bring their most delicious foods to share with all of us so that we can enjoy the bounty of the foods we create in our own homes.

Kejiwaan Events
It is my hope that the helpers and committee will meet at least once a month to do latihan together and to test about the needs of our group. I am working on getting this regular rhythm setup. I hope that out of this work the Subud Greater Seattle dewan will come to understand how we can put at least bi-annual kejiwaan events for the members. 

We need both men and women members who are not currently helpers to be willing to step into these roles if this is to be accomplished. The last kejiwaan event was mostly led by the regional helpers.

Morning the passing of long time members
With the death of Hadidjah Gregory [memorial service and potluck February 14 from 4 to 7] and the illness and possible passing of some of our members we have some memorials coming up. We need to remember and acknowledge the support and care of these members in our community. I hope you will attend these.

I will update you in the future as I have more to tell.

With Love For Our Subud Community

I am your chair, Oswald Norton

On Sunday, January 25^th after latihan we had our group meeting which included the selection process for chair and vice chair of Subud Greater Seattle for the coming term.  Eleven members attended this meeting.

Acknowledging our past Chair Adira Padilla

Before beginning the meeting, we thanked Adira Padilla for her time as our chair. Her monthly efforts helped us create community through sharing food and discussing the needs of our center. Without her efforts we would not be the group we are today.

Thank you Adira!!!

Meeting Details
After we had the opportunity to partake of the potluck we had a moment of quiet before starting the meeting.

Last Meeting’s Minutes
A review of printed copies of the last meeting’s minutes caused a correction to be raised that last meetings minutes should include the fact that we agreed that any decision to sell our property would be brought to the group for a vote. With that correction the minutes were approved.

Treasurer’s Report
Sarah Stralberg handed out copies of the treasurer’s report and took us through a review of where we stood at the end of 2025. In summary, we have money in the bank to cover our current expenses. Due to our adding air conditioning to the rental unit and the bed-bug experience, expenses last year outstripped our income from rentals.

Testing for Chair
Nominations were opened and Oswald Norton, Jim O’Halloran and Marston Gregory were all nominated and agreed to be tested.

The following questions were tested:

• (Name), show through your latihan, will you be able to perform the duties of Chair of Subud Greater Seattle for the coming term?
• How would it be for Subud Greater Seattle if (name) were to serve as Chair for the coming term?
• What qualities does (name) bring to the job of Chair of Subud Greater Seattle for the coming term?
• What qualities are needed to carry out the job of Chair of Subud Greater Seattle for the coming term?
• How would it be for the harmony of Subud Greater Seattle if (name) serves as a Chair for the coming term?

We tested all of the questions with each of the candidates before the group was satisfied with the testing. After the testing was completed, the candidates left the room and voting took place. The members chose Oswald Norton as chair.

Testing for Vice Chair
The nominations for vice chair were Jim O’Halloran and Marston Gregory. It was agreed by the candidates that only the first question would be tested.  After the testing was completed, the candidates left the room and voting took place. The members chose Jim O’Halloran.

Your New Committee

Oswald Norton, chair and Jim O’Halloran, vice chair

General Meeting and Testing for Chair this Sunday, January 25, 2026. Spring Street Center Subud House, Seattle.

Last Sunday, Women and men gathered together for our kejiwaan afternoon. We all benefitted from the wonderful food and testing sessions that followed. Some are hoping we can do this more often.

Agenda for this Sunday:
Quiet time: 11:30AM,
Latihan: 11:45AM to 12:15PM.
Lunch and General Session 12:30-1PM including:

• Minutes of last meeting
• Treasurer’s Report for 2025
• Testing for chair and vice chair 1PM until finish

Thanks to Adira Padilla out outgoing chair:
After two years of dedicated service to Subud Greater Seattle, Adira Padilla will have served the office term to which she originally committed in 2024.

Candidates – Please pre-test
Center and regional helpers are willing to test with members willing to explore their capacity, willingness and ability to serve as the next chairperson after the latihan this coming Sunday.

The term of office is 2 years, ending in 2028. We depend upon the willingness of one another to serve as committee members and helpers to help meet the outer and inner needs of our group.

Please be receptive to considering your own ability to serve and put your name forward if you are willing to test or serve ina committee position in the coming term.

All Subud members, (especially those in the Pacific Northwest and the Greater Seattle vicinity), are invited to participate.

We plan to end at 4PM depending on the needs of the members.