Author Archives: Paul

About Paul

A Subud member since 2004, a local helper and the Rental Agent for Subud Greater Seattle from 2011, to 2020 Paul is a poet with 5 published books on poetry and poetics and is father to two beautiful girls. www.paulenelson.com

New Helper, In-Person Latihans

The Helper Dewan of Subud Great Seattle met via Zoom, Sunday, October 18, 2020, and discussed current issues. Sebastian Tedrow talked about the Tuesday, 10am Men’s Latihan in person at the Subud House. We have attempted to establish a telephone link but no one seems to be using that. Testing on the in-person Latihans showed that in-person Latihans are of most benefit. They are higher than doing it alone, simultaneous (not on the phone) and on the phone. In an actual phone Latihan Sebastian received that he DOES have helper responsibilities. He reported that he no one should do “ad-hoc” (unscheduled) Latihan at the Subud House.

A discussion of keys and comfort ensued, as well as proper COVID protocol and the need for all participants to sign waivers, copies of which are posted in the Men’s hall and in a pile awaiting signatures.
That women and men are not doing Latihan at the same time was brought up by Lucinda O’Halloran and women felt there was a lack of respect in making this decision.
Evan Padilla joined the meeting and was asked if he would be interested in becoming active again as a Helper. He agreed he would in a limited capacity and Men broke off to test and found that it was positive and Evan will join the Tuesday helper rotation and will be part of a Sunday rotation, both of which Latihans will commence at the Subud House in the Men’s Hall.

The first In-Person Sunday Latihan for the Men will happen November 1 at 11am.

The clean rugs in the Men’s hall look beautiful again.

Men’s Tuesday Latihan 10am

Due to a member request and a poll of those men who have attended Tuesday Latihan, the time will be moved up an hour to 10am as of September 28, 2020. In the COVID lockdown era this became a de facto Regional Latihan and the call-in option continues though some men will be practicing in person at the Subud House, with very strict COVID protocols, including the mandatory wearing of masks and the wiping down and disinfecting of surfaces after. Men should enter via the basement door. (See lower right of photo.)

If you require more information contact Paul Nelson, Subud Greater Seattle local helper, at (206) 422.5002. Be safe and well.

Paul Nelson Surviving Prostate Cancer

Paul E Nelson (Photo by Philip Brautigam)

I was diagnosed with prostate cancer on February 17, 2020 and had highly-targeted radiation treatment in Late June and early July and I am recovering. Along the way I had the Subud community helping me test treatment options, letting me know this form of cancer is quite survivable, helping me with my attitude and I had sisters and brothers praying for me.

To have a spiritual community is a real blessing ESPECIALLY during such a challenge. I think it is the birthright of all humans and yet it seems quite special to me. I am grateful for this and, during Latihans, have had some of the most visceral experiences of gratitude I have ever had in my life right down there in that basement hall where I was opened June 27, 2004. The same room where we did a special Latihan for my Dad when he died on May 11, 2014.

You would think that to have cancer treatment in the middle of a pandemic and also contend with the loss of a job would make 2020 a crummy year, but I see all this as a gift. (I no longer handle lodging for the Subud House.) That my guidance has been excellent and that I trust that guidance, has made things surprisingly easy. Vaya con Dios say Spanish speakers and Subud has helped train me to understand that there is a plan designed by a life force much more intelligent (& PATIENT) than me. I am beginning to trust that.

What is also interesting about this journey is the personal mythology side of this. “Mental fears weaken the masculinity” is the thought pattern that Louise Hay says could be at the root of this issue. To have her work as a guide in understanding the spiritual side of this and an excellent care team at Swedish led by Dr. Robert Meier handling the Cyberknife treatment has been a blessing.

To also have POPO (poetry postcard fest) happening all summer, was another outlet for me to turn energy, that years ago, might have been used for worry, into creativity. Below are two examples of postcards I sent out about the treatment. Thank you for being part of Subud, this life-affirming organization that has enriched my life.

 

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

Donations Are Helping!

During the Dewan meeting today (July 18, 2020) Oswald Norton delivered a cash flow report that showed that, while Airbnb business has been decimated during the shelter-in-place time that started in mid-March, DONATIONS ARE UP, so Subud Greater Seattle members have picked up the slack and the committee is grateful. There still is a deficit for 2020, but the committee is working hard on Centerprise options and will keep you apprised of developments.

Remember to make donations out to SubudPNW (Seattle Center).

Friday Night

Subud Greater Seattle latihans:

Anybody home?

Weekly on Fridays.

Quiet starts at 7:45PM, latihan at 8PM.

Your Friday night Helper Schedule, which continues to be a phone latihan, is as follows:

On Duty Helpers

July 3 – Elisha Gullixson, Rayma Norton
July 10 – Sebastian Tedrow, Lucinda O’Halloran
July 17 – Rachman Cantrell, Halimah Bellows
July 24 – Hanafi Libman, Rayma Norton
August 7 – Aakarsh Gottumukkala, Lucinda O’Halloran
August 14 – Paul E Nelson
August 21 – Elisha Gullixson
August 28 – Sebastian Tedrow
September 4 – Rachman Cantrell
September 11 – Hanafi Libman
September 18 – Aakarsh Gottumukkala
September 25 – Paul E Nelson
October 2 – Elisha Gullixson
October 9 – Sebastian Tedrow
October 16 – Rachman Cantrell
October 23 – Hanafi Libman
October 30 – Aakarsh Gottumukkala

Danella Maguin on call for the Ladies.

Quiet time 7:45 PM Latihan 8PM to 8:30PM.
Men and women may now dial in on any of the
following numbers:

1 (425) 436-6260
1 (712) 832-8330
1 (605) 475 2879

After you’re connected please use the appropriate code to connect to your group:
Women’s code 242 6147
Men’s code 863 2438

Regional latihans:

Weekly: Tuesdays, and Sundays, mid-morning – with quiet beginning at 11:00am, and Latihan beginning at 11:15am.

Also, evening Regional Latihans will continue on the 1st Monday and 3rd Thursday each month with quiet beginning at 7:30pm, and Latihan at 7:45pm for those who are not able to participate in a morning latihan.

Regional and Seattle Center latihans will use the Call-in numbers below (any of the 3 numbers, then enter the Access Code for Men, or Women to join the call.)

Call-in information

Men and women may dial in on any of the following numbers, then use either the men’s or women’s code below to access your call:

1 (425) 436-6260
1 (712) 832-8330
1 (605) 475-2879

Women’s latihan line: use access code 242 6147
Men’s latihan line: use access code 863 2438

Past weeks in 2020:

March 27 – Rachman Cantrell Rayma Norton
April 3 – Sebastian Tedrow Danella Mauguin
April 10 – Halstein Stralberg Rayma Norton
April 17 – Elisha Gullixson Danella Mauguin
April 24 – Hanafi Libman Rayma Norton
May 1 – Rachman Cantrell Halimah Bellows
May 8 – Sebastian Tedrow Lucinda O’Halloran
May 15 – Halstein Stralberg Lucinda O’Halloran
May 22 -Elisha Gullixson Halimah Bellows
May 29 – Hanafi Libman Lucinda O’Halloran
June 5 – Rachman Cantrell Rayma Norton
June 12 – Sebastian Tedrow Rayma Norton
June 19 – Halstein Stralberg Lucinda O’Halloran
June 26 – Elisha Gullixson Halimah Bellows

Tuesday Men’s Latihan Schedule

We hope to hear you Tuesdays at 11am for call-in Latihan until shelter-in-place is over in King County.

Call-in information

Men and women may now dial in on any of the following numbers, then use either the men’s or women’s code below to access your call:

1 (425) 436-6260
1 (712) 832-8330
1 (605) 475 2879

Women’s latihan line: use code 242 6147
Men’s latihan line: use code 863 2438

Subud Tuesday 2020 Men’s Helper Schedule
Quiet Time 11am

June 16 – Elisha Gullixson
June 23 – Aakarsh Gottumukkala
June 30 – Sebastian Tedrow
July 7 – Paul E Nelson
July 14 – Elisha Gullixson
July 21 – Aakarsh Gottumukkala
July 28 – Sebastian Tedrow
August 4 – Paul E Nelson
August 11 – Elisha Gullixson
August 18 – Aakarsh Gottumukkala
August 25 – Sebastian Tedrow
September 1 – Paul E Nelson
September 8 – Elisha Gullixson
September 15 – Aakarsh Gottumukkala
September 22 – Sebastian Tedrow
September 29 – Paul E Nelson

See also the handy grid for other Subud call-in Latihans around the USA:

Subud Call-In Latihan Times (Handy Grid)

 

Message from the Chair (When Can We Do Latihan Again?)

Jim O’Halloran

=Washington State Covid-19 Recovery plan and what it means for us=

There have been a number of inquiries regarding resuming in-person latihans on a limited basis.  The committee has been working on this. We will soon pass on a document to the helpers for review.

At this point, we would be out of compliance with Washington State guidelines if we resumed in-person latihans on any basis. These guidelines are based on statistical evidence and designed to protect the citizens of Washington.

King County is planning to apply to the state to move to a modified phase one recovery plan. King County has not yet met all the criteria to move to phase two.

When King County does apply (likely today [Tuesday]) or very soon thereafter, it will take several days for the state to respond.

The modified phase one does NOT allow for small gatherings indoors. It only allows 5 or fewer people outside of one’s household outdoors.

Should you wish to see the information, here are a few pertinent links.  As you can see, we are close, but not yet in compliance with these scientifically based guidelines:

https://www.kingcounty.gov/depts/health/covid-19/data/key-indicators.aspx

https://www.kingcounty.gov/elected/executive/constantine/news/release/2020/May/29-re-opening-limited-business-activity.aspx

Many members of Subud Greater Seattle are at high risk for severe illness or possible death which could result from ignoring these guidelines.  I am unwilling to accept the responsibility or liability for such actions.

With love and concern,

Jim O’Halloran, chair, Subud Greater Seattle