16th Subud World Congress in Kalimantan
At the 15th World Congress in Freiburg, Germany, delegates took the decision to hold the 16th World Congress in Kalimantan, Indonesia: the date was set for late 2022 or early 2023. Then came Covid, and, like so many other major events, it was clear that it would be best to postpone. We are now delighted that we can look forward to a wonderful time together, from July 19 to 29, 2024.
In addition to the historic significance of Kalimantan for Subud (see Kalimantan Subud History), it can be said that the location for this World Congress is very special in many ways. In addition to having two large and growing Subud groups, the Rungan Sari community (which hosts one of the groups) is home to many members from all over the world (and some non-members as well), who are involved in a diverse range of activities: mineral exploration, hospitality projects, education, agriculture, sports, film-making, eco-tourism, social welfare, and more. In fact, there are at least 15 projects in the close vicinity that members attending World Congress will be able to visit and explore.
So, together we can make this World Congress an exceptional event, where the inner 'latihan' and the outer 'putting it into practice' come together in a delightful, peaceful and pioneering setting.
To further prepare you for this event, please read on...
A MESSAGE FROM THE DEWAN OF INTERNATIONAL HELPERS
Our Subud World Congress is a major event in our Subud life.
It is a time when members from the many different cultures around the world gather and worship together and share and experience following the guidance of the latihan in their life as we develop our unique individuality, common humanity and true human culture.
It is the time when decisions are taken for the future of our organisation.
This Kalimantan World Congress provides an opportunity for many brothers and sisters who reside in Asia to attend an international congress and to connect with members of their Subud family from other cultures.
Bapak & Ibu Rahayu have spoken about the nature of Kalimantan in various talks, such as 81 JKT 1. Bapak recommended that upon entering Kalimantan, members inwardly acknowledge that they are children of Muhammad Subuh, whose path of worshiping God we all follow.
While visiting Kalimantan many Subud members experience a greater inner awareness.
When attentive, the Latihan is very present, and we feel close to our inner guidance.
That is why the international helpers have felt there is no need for general Latihan every day. This is in line with recent recommendations from Ibu Rahayu for events at the Subud land.
From our opening in Subud, the action of the power of Almighty God is continuous, whether we are in a state of latihan or not.
Our hope for members attending this Congress is to be attentive to their inner guidance in any activity whether in Latihans, meetings, workshops or socialising together. World Congress is a time where the normal distractions of our daily life are minimised.
The Dewan of International Helpers
BAPAK - ABOUT CONGRESSES
70 PAR 1
Brothers and sisters, as Bapak always says, a congress of the Subud Spiritual Association is not like an ordinary congress of other associations, because this is a congress of a community of human beings who worship Almighty God. For this reason, no matter what we discuss in the congress, we should not lose the peace and tranquillity of our inner feeling and, to some extent, we will feel the guidance of Almighty God. Therefore Bapak hopes that during the congress you will feel patient, calm, at peace and aware of yourself, not distracted by all manner of thoughts and imaginings. This is important, so that everything you discuss in the congress will follow what God wills. Then it will go smoothly, in an atmosphere of peace and calm, accompanied by a true family feeling.
The congress and all your meetings should be like a training, to teach you not always to be influenced by your desires when you are using your heart and thinking. So Bapak hopes that in these congress meetings you will not stray far from the inner feeling you receive just before and during your latihan. That would be best. If you are able to do that, you will receive the will of God that accords to your own will. You will then be able to end the congress with the results you hope for. In short, because you have been receiving the latihan not just for one, two or three years but for a long time, you should be quite good at recognising a quiet and calm feeling in all your movements and actions − inwardly and outwardly − through which you are able to receive the guidance of your soul, even if it is not as much as you would like. For this reason, in whatever you do, you need to be attentive and to feel that the power of God always accompanies you in everything.
This is something Bapak has experienced. When he is talking to you he is not speaking in the way people normally do, by first thinking and planning what he will say. No. When he talks to you he simply follows God’s will; meaning that when he speaks, he is made to speak; when he thinks, he is made to think; and when he feels, he is made to feel. This is true also for you, if not to the extent that Bapak has received it. You receive the same training Bapak received, so you are bound to be able to feel it to some extent. This is why you need to be attentive in all your actions, in the congress or in ordinary meetings, or when you are together with people, whether at home or elsewhere. Equally, when you go out to have fun, to see this or that, to go here or there, feel that you are always followed by God, by God’s power.
Bapak’s Talks, Volume 31, Talk # 10, Page 175 -179
Code Number: 70 PAR 1
Paris, France
August 1, 1970
