An Orchestra of Viewpoints
By Stefan Freedman
stefan@freedmans.fsbusiness.co.uk
The Problem:
The
latihan’s distinguishing feature and potential appeal is its ‘bespoke’
spirituality. It provides inner experiences which are individually tailored to
each person, requiring no doctrine, teacher, high priest or intermediary. We
confuse enquirers, however, when it sounds as though only one set of
interpretations is acceptable.
The Solution:
I
am in the process of writing a new introduction to Subud and aim to include the
voices of people from a diversity of backgrounds. I’d like to understand how
Subud integrates with their daily lives and also with their spiritual practices
and religious beliefs. What (if any) are the issues and struggles.
The Details:
I
invite you to write something personal and specific about the latihan, its
nature and its effect on your everyday life. I'd like to hear about the negative as well as the
positive, the humorous as well as the serious. Questions and ambiguities may
engage the reader more than certainties and convictions. Especially
I’d like to hear from young people. Also from skeptics, atheists, scientists,
all those who are not the most obvious fit for Subud.
I
(and co-editors) will integrate these accounts into an article or book which
will be available both to Subud members and to the public.