Simple Statement made at the
Opening of the
Bali Congress 2001

.....not very well known.

In Indonesia the name Subud is perhaps recognised more than in other countries. But even here, very few people who have heard the name, know what it is. And yet it is not a secret. So I would like to take a minute to talk about that. Otherwise you, our honoured quests, may go away this morning, wondering what we are up to once you are no longer with us.

Subud is a direct experiencing by each individual of his or her inner contact with the great power that encompasses the universe. We call it the great life force or the power of God. It is not a new religion because it contains no teaching and our members continue to practise their own religions often with a deeper faith. The fact that we respect all religions and cultures and have shared the inner experience that connects all human beings, indeed all beings, at a deeper level means that Subud is a bridge between religions, between nations, between ethnic groups and between human beings of all walks of life. In our latihan we simply surrender to God and what we receive is not only for our inner development but for a better life in this world for all beings.

Why you hear so little about Subud is not that it is secret but it is our principle that we do not seek to attract members by means of propaganda.