SUBUD VISION

Author:

Marcus Bolt

Mini Biography

After gaining an Honours degree in Graphic Design and a Post Grad qualification in Education, London born Marcus Bolt worked alternatively as designer and art teacher until turning freelance in the early 90s. He currently works as a designer, artist and writer. He has authored two books ('Saving Grace' (2001) a book about his 30+ years as a Subud member, aimed at enquirers; 'Monkey Trap' (2004) a psycho-spiritual novel and 4 books of 'Subud humour', co-authored with Dirk Campbell. He is currently working on a book about the psychoanalytic techniques of Alfred Adler in which he trained as an Adlerian Counsellor. Marcus is married with two daughters and three grandsons, and was opened in 1968. In his spare time, he takes photographs like Buddy Rich and drums like Cartier-Bresson. In 1994 he and his wife Rosalyn became live-in caretakers of a Subud centre in the UK. The experience of being summarily dismissed from this post after 10+ years, the inner difficulties that ensued and the subsequent healing process are at the heart of Marcus' article and are the main drivers of his wish to be involved in this and other Subud forums. He and his wife are still helpers and fully-committed members despite their negative Subud experiences.

Process, Not Prozac pdf, html

Our corporate goal is 'susila' or humane-ness, but we have not yet achieved it as demonstrated by our mistakes, failures, internecine wrangling and a large pool of disaffected and ex-members. This in itself is not a problem, we are in process and 'it must out'. The real blockage to 'susila' is our corporate culture of cover-up and our inability to openly discuss the 'dark side', preferring to present a 'squeaky clean' image of ourselves to ourselves and the world. Using a personal experience of 'betrayal' by group and National for which there was no mechanism for analysis, no space for discussion and no accountability, the author explains how he eventually arrived on the royal road to forgiveness through a reconciliation meeting. The author then calls for more openness, more honesty in the future through discussion groups and internet forums.

Does the Concept of Enterprise Still Have Legs? pdf, html

Bapak introduced the idea of Subud enterprise 50 years ago and over the years his talks often defined and refined the concept into a set of goals. Half a century later, none of the goals have been achieved. The author sets out his personal observations from 30 years of involvement with Subud enterprises, and deduces that a lack of integrity (or susila) has been the main cause of failure. He compares Subud with the Quakers, who have succeeded, and suggests a different modus operandi should the enterprise concept ever be revisited.?

Towards a Bigger Subud pdf, html

All?organisations evolve, and will eventually reach an evolutionary apogee and die unless they change and adapt. Subud is no exception and the symptoms of entropy are already here (cult-like behaviour/religiosity/dogma). Bapak understood this and exhorted us not to copy him, but to find our own way to God. Like all good teachers, he wanted us to go further. The author thanks Bapak for his foundation and discusses the 'bigger Subud' Bapak hoped for.

Back on the Road Again pdf, html

The author revisits a familiar Subud metaphor once used by Varindra Vittachi and looks at its implications for the way Subud has developed in recent years.

What I Like about Subud pdf, html

The seven things I like about Subud.

A Dead Parrot pdf, html

Marcus asks if the failure is due more to a waning of the original power, caused by our having turned Subud into a religious cult, and suggests that without a 'reformation', we could, like the pet shop owner in the famous Monty Python sketch, end up extolling the virtues of what is, in reality, a 'dead parrot'.

Being and Doing pdf, html

Getting the balance right.

Watch Your Language pdf, html

Are we projecting the wrong image to the world?

A Wayward Club Experience pdf, html

Opening the door to the ‘deep stuff’.

Sailing to Ithaka pdf, html

A 43 years journey from Stevenage to Ancient Greece

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