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Cenred Harmsworth - What Happened?

Mas Totok's view of the spiritual From Hassanah Briedis, July 7, 2007. Time 21:42

Dear Cenred,

Thank you for writing about your experience of your time with Mas Totok. I found it interesting to hear your personal recollections of him. You describe his views and approach to the spiritual life, and something in particular resonated with me. That is the view that the ‘spiritual person’ is normal, behaves in a normal way and doesn’t seek to elevate themselves above those around them. I suppose that is usually described as ‘humility’. And secondly, that the ‘spiritual person’ loves all of creation. It is good to hear those values being mentioned, I never tire of hearing them.

Much is often said, by all of us, about how we all should be and how we should behave in order to advance the original aims of Subud. But I’m coming to the realization that there is a huge gulf between being told by my religious organization to behave this way and that way, and being able to do it because it’s actually a true expression of who I am. So, to be told that I should love all creation doesn’t mean much. But when it happens, and that love – a deep, utterly passionate love for creation – becomes how I am, then it’s just . . . there! How is the work done to arrive at that? That’s a fascinating question. I’m not sure that I can answer it. But I can say that as my belief in a patriarchal, male, punitive God evaporated and disappeared, so my love for everything else seemed to come to life!

So, as you can see, your descriptions of Mas Totok struck a chord in me, so thanks for writing about it.

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