The Light of the Inner self

Preface

The purpose of this booklet is to bring all the chapters of The Light of the Inner Self together into one document for the convenience of those who wish to reread it as well as the pleasure of many new members who may not be aware of it. The English language version of The Light of the Inner Self was first printed alongside the original Javanese language in the early Pewartas. The serial began in Pewarta Volume I, No. 2 in October of 1960 and continued with fourteen chapters through Pewarta Volume IV, No. 1 in May of 1965. The concluding chapter was then delayed until November of 1967 when it appeared in Pewarta Volume V, No. 4. The story is printed in its entirety here, thirty years later.

While the original translation into English may not be as fluid as more recent translations (in particular the stories first few chapters), no attempt was made to 'smooth it out.' There are two reasons for this. First, out of fear of altering the meaning (which could compound the existing translation) and second because there is a certain charm to the story (even with the uneven translation) which Subud members have grown accustomed to. However, typographical and grammatical errors have been corrected and a brief overview has been included at the beginning of each chapter.

The Light of the Inner Self was assembled by the Dewan of National Helpers in the United States. The interest on the proceeds from the sales of this booklet are used to reprint documents and purchase material for helpers in the United States. This includes: the Candidates Helpers Guide (for candidates), Bapak's Advice and Guidance for Helpers (for new helpers), and the Regional Helpers Manual (for regional helpers).

Dewan of National Helpers Subud USA February, 1997 Golden Anniversary of Subud

Introduction

Bapak Muhammad Subuh Sumohadiwidjojo has been pleased to write a romantic story in the Javanese language entitled The Light of the Inner Self. This story tells symbolically about a person who, beyond his own consciousness, comes into contact with a man who is able to give him spiritual guidance, and how finally this person, because of the rapid progress of his soul, reaches the condition where he can in return give the benefit of this improvement of his soul to others who wish to receive the Latihan Kedjiwaan for the consciousness of their inner selves.

In this story many names are used for the actors, and for the various places as well as other things which are accessories to the story. It is all just a symbol of the development of the soul and is written in the form of a parable so that the content of the story will not bore the reader.

In connection with the publication of the Pewarta Kedjiwaan Subud, Bapak has been pleased to give the original Javanese manuscript of the story to the board of editors to be translated into the Indonesian and English languages. It will be edited in a serial form and published monthly in the Pewarta Kedjiwaan Subud, in order to be presented and distributed at the best possible advantage for all brothers and sisters in our Subud spiritual brotherhood throughout the world.

Temporary explanation for the early part. Mayasusila: The symbol of an aspect of the correct human morality aligned with the Divine Will. Wisnadi: Symbolizes the good spirit. Wisnu means spirit; hadi means good. Ki Karjana: Pathfinder towards perfection. The early part describes the condition of the inner feelings on the occasion of the inner life receiving the contact of the Power of Almighty God that envelops everything. It also explains the condition of the inner feelings before the contact.

Djogjakarta June 1950

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