Ibu Rahayu’s Talk to the Subud Educators’ Meeting, Tlaxcala, Mexico

(Approved Translation - Note)

Brothers and sisters, I would like to thank you for your attention, in inviting me to this workshop on education that you are holding during this gathering.

If we remember the talks Bapak gave in which he told us that we must pay attention to education, then it is clear that this is something we need to carry out in our life in Subud. As you know, in Subud, besides the organisation and the kejiwaan, we have also established what we call the wings: SICA, Susila Dharma, Youth, and so on. These actually cannot be separated from Subud. They are all needed because it is these wings that can connect with the world outside Subud.

Because when we talk about the kejiwaan, this is something that outside of Subud no-one can understand; it is only when we engage in social activities that people will understand Subud. The field of SICA, which reflects the the results of the experiences of Subud members is also acceptable for people who are not in Subud. In the same way, the activities of the Subud Youth Association can bring young people inside and outside Subud closer together.

Now here we are to discuss the field of education. Let us discuss it in an atmosphere of mutual understanding, since the fact is, we are all still searching for what Bapak really meant about education. Regarding education itself: there are aspects and requirements that concern Subud members and also aspects that concern people outside Subud. If you are a person in Subud whose inner talent is truly that of a teacher and you are engaged in education, what you do won’t come only from what you have learned formally - you will also give life to the children you are teaching.

In practice, a teacher is like a deputy, or a representative of the parents of the child, who are the ones who have the right to educate him or her. While from the point of view of the child, if you are a Subud member you already have something that is alive in you and can therefore give the children what they need even if they are not opened yet. Through your actions and example, you will have an impact on the atmosphere of your working environment.

So, if you are setting up a Subud school, it doesn’t mean that all your students have to be in Subud. Therefore it has to be a normal school that follows the curriculum of the place where it exists. So, if you speak about it as a ‘Subud’ school, it is almost certain that people won’t want to send their children there because they’ll think it is a spiritual school, which they will assume is something weird.

Schools and education is something open and general. So how can we have schools that are actually Subud schools? It means they have to be organised or owned by a foundation, or an enterprise, and not called a ‘Subud’ school. Because you control the school, you have the right to choose the teachers. Since you would like it to be a good school, you will want to choose Subud teachers who are really professional.

And if you work in a Subud school and teaching is your talent, then there will be a life in whatever you do. Your inner feeling will be alive and you won’t work like a machine. You will give some life to those you are facing, who are themselves alive. And the talents of the students you are facing will become apparent to you. This is how teachers can become close to those they teaching.

In practice, at certain points in their development, children are impatient and rather unwilling to accept or receive what they really need. Although they have great aims and ideals, without the foundation and without haveing absorbed what they need, their lives end up in confusion.

Many children who have not yet reached high school are already bored, so that they then drop out of school. But later when they feel the need of what they have missed, they realise they don’t have the opportunity to get the foundation they need. This is a challenge for teachers who are Subud members - how to motivate and encourage these children so that they don’t get bored.

Starting schools was always one of Bapak’s hopes and ideals for Subud, as a way of serving humanity. In this way Subud can educate and help others. Through schools we can educate people to become human beings of noble character - an act of love and charity for which we should not expect to be repaid. That is one of the reasons why Bapak emphasised the need for enterprises in Subud to fund charities like schools which are doing this work. That was because Bapak felt that wherever we undertake something of this kind, it is important to continue it and not get stuck half way because of lack of money. Because education has to do with a person’s fate or future in life.

This is my explanation to remind you of the things Bapak told us in the past. The implementation I leave to you, especially those of you who are experts and professionals. I hope that your work will be an example to people who are not in Subud.

Note: Due to a technical fault this talk was not recorded. This version was produced by Sharif Horthy the following day, using verbatim notes of Ibu Rahayu’s words taken by Ibu Hardiyati Syafrudin and verbatim notes of Sharif’s interpretation taken by Lucia Cargill.