Helper (Subud)
Encyclopedia
Within Subud
, a "helper" is a person who fills a certain support role. The nature of this role, and the actual performance of those who fill it, are subjects of some controversy within Subud.
Most Subud groups have helpers, who are responsible for assisting other members in various ways, as well as simply timing the latihan
. Helpers exist at the local, regional, national, and international levels within the Subud organization.
Ideally, a helper should have at least seven years of practicing the latihan and to be generally 'loved and respected' by their fellow members. One becomes a helper by asking the helpers to "test", or receive, whether the person has the capacity to fulfill the helper job at that point in time. That is, the helpers make a decision based on what they receive in their testing, and with as little mental thought and personal opinion as is humanly possible.
A focus of criticism is the role some helpers adopt as spiritual and personal counselors. Their ability and understanding apparently vary considerably. Reviewing the internet one can see a whole variety of balanced and not so balanced opinions of helpers. Helpers are as imperfect as the next person, and as is natural in any position of 'authority' interpersonal clashes involving helpers and other helpers and helpers and members do occur.
According to the Subud USA National By-Laws (posted at www.subudusa.org), Helpers serve six main functions. Note that these functions apply only to the By-Laws, and that other functions are specified in other places, such as Bapak's "Advice and Guidance for Helpers" (see link below)):
Note that the relationships between the Helpers (but not the duties and responsbiliteis of the Helpers) are found in Article 11.
Officially, helpers are there to help Bapak
, the founder of Subud
, by supporting the Subud association in his absence. They have the responsibility to explain what Subud is to any interested person, to facilitate a person's first receiving (opening), and to serve members in deepening their receiving and applying it in their lives.
Subud
Subud is an international spiritual movement that began in Indonesia in the 1920s as a movement founded by Muhammad Subuh Sumohadiwidjojo. The basis of Subud is a spiritual exercise commonly referred to as the latihan kejiwaan, which was said by Muhammad Subuh to represent guidance from...
, a "helper" is a person who fills a certain support role. The nature of this role, and the actual performance of those who fill it, are subjects of some controversy within Subud.
Most Subud groups have helpers, who are responsible for assisting other members in various ways, as well as simply timing the latihan
Latihan
Latihan is a form of spiritual or psychological practice. It is the principal practice of the Subud organization. Outwardly the exercise often manifests as physical movement and vocal activity that vary greatly both over time and between individuals...
. Helpers exist at the local, regional, national, and international levels within the Subud organization.
Ideally, a helper should have at least seven years of practicing the latihan and to be generally 'loved and respected' by their fellow members. One becomes a helper by asking the helpers to "test", or receive, whether the person has the capacity to fulfill the helper job at that point in time. That is, the helpers make a decision based on what they receive in their testing, and with as little mental thought and personal opinion as is humanly possible.
A focus of criticism is the role some helpers adopt as spiritual and personal counselors. Their ability and understanding apparently vary considerably. Reviewing the internet one can see a whole variety of balanced and not so balanced opinions of helpers. Helpers are as imperfect as the next person, and as is natural in any position of 'authority' interpersonal clashes involving helpers and other helpers and helpers and members do occur.
According to the Subud USA National By-Laws (posted at www.subudusa.org), Helpers serve six main functions. Note that these functions apply only to the By-Laws, and that other functions are specified in other places, such as Bapak's "Advice and Guidance for Helpers" (see link below)):
- Verify that members are active in the national (not-for-profit) organization, thereby giving membership status (Article 3, Section 1);
- Removing membership status (Article 3, Section 2);
- Reinstating membership status (Article 3, Section 3);
- Supervising the national census (Article 5, Section 2);
- Serving as members in standing national committees (Article 6, Section 6); and
- Consulting with the National Board of Directors in certain situations regarding filling vacancies of the Officers of the Corporation (Article 7, Section 3).
Note that the relationships between the Helpers (but not the duties and responsbiliteis of the Helpers) are found in Article 11.
Officially, helpers are there to help Bapak
Muhammad Subuh Sumohadiwidjojo
Muhammad Subuh Sumohadiwidjojo . As a young man Muhammad Subuh claimed to have received a series of intense experiences that he believed gave him contact with a spiritual energy from a higher power...
, the founder of Subud
Subud
Subud is an international spiritual movement that began in Indonesia in the 1920s as a movement founded by Muhammad Subuh Sumohadiwidjojo. The basis of Subud is a spiritual exercise commonly referred to as the latihan kejiwaan, which was said by Muhammad Subuh to represent guidance from...
, by supporting the Subud association in his absence. They have the responsibility to explain what Subud is to any interested person, to facilitate a person's first receiving (opening), and to serve members in deepening their receiving and applying it in their lives.