Category Archives: General Announcements

Ten Aims of Subud

Subud Portland

I attended the Subud Pacific Northwest Regional Dewan meeting March 28 at the Portland Subud House. The day was full of visioning, reports and a strong sense of community. I took extensive notes and can post a link on this site when they pass muster with Subud PNW Chair Alexadra Terhorst and other officers.

There was talk that the region has no mission and some suggested that we should be operating under the mission of one of our other organizational structures. Subud USA Chair Daniel Stralberg read the Ten Aims of Subud, taken from the World Subud Association Constitution, and it seemed to fit quite well:

AIMS OF THE ASSOCIATION

1. To facilitate the worship of Almighty God through the Latihan Kejiwaan of Subud and to provide for the other needs of the Subud membership.

2. To preserve the practice of the Latihan Kejiwaan so that it will remain available to people everywhere in the form in which it was originally practiced under the guidance of Muhammad Subuh Sumohadiwidjojo.

3. To protect the good reputation of Subud.

4. To encourage peace, harmony and understanding between peoples regardless of their ethnic origin or religion.

5. To provide educational and other facilities for the development of the full potential of human beings.

6. To relieve poverty and deprivation.

7. To encourage the development of a healthy and harmonious inner and outer environment for the well-being of mankind.

8. To encourage cultural activities and the values which enliven and enrich the human spirit.

9. To encourage the entrepreneurial spirit which enables people to express their true talents and develop the capacity to improve the quality of their lives.

10. To make available information concerning the Latihan Kejiwaan of Subud.

Here are a couple of Wordclouds I made taken from language in one of the breakout groups in which I was a part:

One last thing. After the Sunday latihan and potluck, I spotted blooming lilacs! Sure, I love the smell too and wish I had an ap to capture it, but was a little unnerved by such early blooming.

Your Humble Narrator,

Paul Nelson
Subud Greater Seattle

Heart of Light

No offense Neil Young, but here in Subud it’s not a Heart of Gold we’re after, but something else. Subud Greater Seattle Local Helper Jim O’Halloran noticed a much-referenced Bapak quote in the lobby of Subud L.A. They were wise enough to post it and Jim was wise enough to photograph it and send it along.

Save The Dates

Next Dewan Meeting, April 12, 9AM.

Minutes from March 15, 2015 Dewan Meeting are here.

Western Region Family Gathering. (Surrey, BC, Canada) May 22-25, 2015.

Subud USA National Gathering, September 3-7, 2015, Redwood City, CA, Sofitel Hotel.

Menucha (Regional Kejiwaan Gathering) November 12-15, 2015, Corbett, Oregon.

The new Dewan’s First Meeting Minutes.

Subud Members at Camp Alexander, Crescent Beach, B.C. 2014

R.I.P. Subud Sister Rochana Koach

From Maria Baker in Portland,

Dear Subud Portland, Our dear sister, Rochana Koach, passed away on Monday after a long and valiant struggle with Alzheimer’s. Her family will honor her on Friday at 7 p.m. with latihan, followed by a selamatan and a light supper, and with a memorial service on Saturday at 4:30 p.m. Please see the attached invitation for the details. You can also see an obituary on the Subud USA Facebook page.

Love, Maria

Rochana Koach passed away March 2nd at the age of 83. Rochana was devoted to Subud all of her life. She was opened on September 16, 1966 in Chicago, Illinois. She became a helper in 1972 and throughout her lifetime actively served as helper in the east, midwest and pacific northwest regions. A special latihan will be held for her at 7 pm Pacific West Coast time on Friday March 6th at 7 pm at the Subud House in Portland, Oregon. A memorial service will be held to celebrate Rochana’s life on Saturday March 7th in Portland, Oregon. Time and venue to be announced!

Rochana lived for the past few years at Pacific Gardens, an Alzheimer’s special care center in Portland, Oregon. Rochana is survived by her brother Roy Miller; six children, Tony Koach, Damon Koach, Muftiah McCartin, Margaret Kirk, Wesley Koach and Lucas Koach; 12 grandchildren, Nate Koach, Marissa Mason, Isaac Koach, Elaine McCartin, Sandy McCartin, Luke McCartin, Laura Kirk, Alton Kirk, Michael Koach, Desiree Koach, Charles Koach and Elizabeth Koach; three great-grandchildren, Thaddius and Shaylin Mason and 30 Days shy of meeting Baby Nathan & Rachel Jackson Koach. She had many nieces and nephews, all of whom she adored.

Contributions in honor of Rochana can be made to Inner City Schools, a small Susila Budhi Dharma project in Los Angeles, California, that provides art supplies and books to children in low-income schools. You can donate on line http://susiladharmausa.org/donate/ (direct donation to Inner City Schools) or make out a check to Susila Dharma USA (earmark to Inner City Schools) and mail to Rifka Several, SDUSA Administrative Assistant, 50616 Hwy 245, Badger, CA 93603.

New Ramp, New Subud USA Communications Coordinator

Subud Greater Seattle has received the check for $10,000 from the Muhammad Subuh Foundation, to make the Seattle Subud House handicapped accessible. A hearty congrats to Marston Gregory and all the people who had a hand in making this happen!

Contractor and loyal Subud member David Lynch will visit the City planning and permit center this week to establish all the permit requirements and pricing. He says he should be able to start work soon.

And as reported in the recent Subud USA E-Blast, your humble narrator is now the Communications Coordinator for Subud USA:

Paul Nelson Subud USA Communications Coordinator

Skagit Birdwatching

Paul Woodcock (Birdman)

The annual Birdwalk fundraiser for Subud Skagit happened on Valentine’s Day 2015, and the event was sold-out, meaning a nice little payday to help the community maintain their house on Laventure Road in Mt. Vernon. Unseasonable weather was welcomed by the participants who traveled from Fort Langley and Vancouver, BC, Portland, Oregon, Seattle and elsewhere, and who were led ably by avid birder Paul Woodcock.

Trumpeter Swans, Snow Geese, Red-Tailed Hawks, Bald Eagles, Ducks, Mergansers, Wigeons, Blue Herons and other species of birds were spotted, sometimes in very large numbers, sometimes in such a way that made whole fields white. Marius Hibbard, Subud Skagit’s expert photographer was able to get some quality photos and the gang headed back to the Subud House to honor birds the best way they know how, by EATING one. (A turkey.) The feast at the Subud House was orchestrated by former restauranteur Michael DuBois and was incredible. If you’ve not attended this event, make plans to do so in 2016.

Trumpeter Swans

Paul & his scope

Subud Portland Chair Bhakti Watts, PNW Regional Helper Elisha Gullixson & some of the crew

Yes, bakeries.

A Fantastic AfterFeast of Fowl.

Susila Dharma Board Meetings

The national board of Susila Dharma USA meets in Seattle Feb 12-15 and your hospitality skills are needed to make board members feel welcome. Evan Padilla, Susila Dharma USA Chair, is asking Subud Greater Seattle members to bring a dish to a potluck after Latihan on Sunday, the 15th. Please consider doing Latihan with your Susila Dharma brothers and sisters and, of course, consider vegan and gluten-free options for the potluck.

Susila Dharma USA is a nonprofit organization that supports locally-initiated, humanitarian programs serving communities in the U.S. and around the world. Susila Dharma USA encourages and empowers individuals and collaborative charitable projects to foster the development and fulfillment of human potential and healthy, sustainable communities.

Susila Dharma USA Board

New Dewan

On Sunday Jan 25 Subud Greater Seattle members met to choose a new Dewan. We are grateful to David Lynch and Elisha Gullisxson, for their commitment these past two years to help the center grow as Chair and Vice-Chair.

See meeting minutes here.

The new committee is: Marston, chair, Abideen Gunatilaka vice-chair, Sherwin O’Bar, Treasurer, Hadiyah Carlyle, Secretary and Hadidjah Gregory, Member at Large. Sherwin is continuing as Treasurer and has done a great job in working with the complex finances. The Dewan is looking forward to working with the members to continue the work for Subud.

Helper Development Event a Huge Success

By all account the Helper Development Day, Saturday, January 24, 2015, was a huge success with breakthroughs reported on both the Men’s and Women’s side of the Dewan and an increased sense of harmony. Hanafi Libman took a few photos. Thanks to all who participated. If you are having some challenging issues in your life, now is a good time to check in with the helpers, as they are ready to use new tools discovered during this event.

Regional Helpers Elizabeth Flanders, Elisha Gullixson and Michael Alexander

Susila Dharma USA Chair Evan Padilla and Elisha Gullixson

National Helper Benedict Herrman and Local Helper Annie Padilla

Local Helper HAlstein Stralberg and Regional Helper Emil Ward

Local Helpers Insiah Caspers and Hadijah O’Bar, Mariam Ross from Clinton, WA and National Helper Sofia Nicoletti.

African Dance and Drum at Subud House!

We are happy to announce that we are renting the Spring Street Center Chapel to One World Arts Exchange on Tuesday evenings from February through June for drop-in African dance and drum classes, featuring music and dance from Guinea. Sengbe dance, otherwise known as doundoun dance, where you play a stick drum and dance simultaneously, is at 6:00 pm, and traditional dance, with live drumming accompaniment is at 7:30. Classes are taught by Abdoulaye Sylla, who is a former member of his country’s national dance company, Les Ballets Africains. Classes are $15 each, or two for $25 on the same evening. You are welcome to attend class and experience the joy of and energy of African music and movement. These classes will nurture your body and nourish your spirit. For more info, go to www.danceanddrum.com. It would be wonderful to see some Subud members participating in this exciting event.