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The latihan - an Indonesian word meaning 'exercise' - is the central spiritual practice of Subud. Although in Western culture the word exercise refers usually to an activity performed with the aid of the heart and mind, the latihan is rather an inner experience which involves movement originating from deep inside the soul of the individual (which is hindered rather than helped by the willful guidance of heart and mind).
The latihan is worship guided by the power of God (or Allah, Higher Power etc. depending on your beliefs). Each of the founders of the great religions experienced an initial 'receiving', when they were moved by something that did not come from their own will. It is as if a power or grace was involved, which seemed to have an intelligence beyond the human. Some people call that power God, Yahweh, Allah, or the Great Life Force. The reality of the latihan is being connected to this Force. This reconnection with God's power helps to guide the individual to live their life in a way that is personal and right for them: an inner rather than outer 'scripture'.
What happens in the latihan?
Subud members usually attend group latihans twice a week at their local Subud House/ hired premises. They arrive at a specific time and sit quietly for 15 minutes - women in one room, men in another. After this quiet time a more experienced member (known as a helper) will stand and start the latihan. In some groups they may say, 'begin' or, 'relax and begin' beforehand so that all members start together. Each person then surrenders to the power described above, which moves them from within. During the latihan they may be moved to walk about, or dance, to cry, to laugh, or to be quiet and perhaps say the words of prayers - it is different for each person and even varies from one latihan to the next. The latihan usually lasts for half an hour, after which the members will sit quietly for about 15 minutes again, before returning to ordinary life once more.
One can never predict how a latihan will evolve, as the process comes from deep within a person - beyond the ordinary understanding and beyond anything that can be predicted using the heart or mind. People receive what is appropriate for them at the time: some may have profound experiences in their first latihan; others may experience a more subtle process that deepens over time. The process is experienced only at the pace that is appropriate for each person and in accordance with their capacity and ability to receive. All that can be done is to exercise patience and trust in the process, surrender to God and be open to receive and follow what comes. The more people practise the latihan the more they come to understand that this process is actually a form of worship.
Some benefits of the latihan are immediate: for instance, feelings of well-being, lightness, peacefulness, aliveness and/or experiencing greater clarity about oneself and the world. Other benefits are long-term: some people experience improvements in health; others in how they relate to problems in their lives.
It is different for each person and unique to their life. The latihan also continues to work outside the exercise times, providing inner guidance in work, relationships, health and other areas of life. For many, the benefits also include a deeper contact with God or one's Higher Self, a deeper connection with one's spirituality and humanity, and a more meaningful and purposeful life.
Read more about Subud members' experiences.
The latihan is worship guided by the power of God (or Allah, Higher Power etc. depending on your beliefs). Each of the founders of the great religions experienced an initial 'receiving', when they were moved by something that did not come from their own will. It is as if a power or grace was involved, which seemed to have an intelligence beyond the human. Some people call that power God, Yahweh, Allah, or the Great Life Force. The reality of the latihan is being connected to this Force. This reconnection with God's power helps to guide the individual to live their life in a way that is personal and right for them: an inner rather than outer 'scripture'.
What happens in the latihan?
Subud members usually attend group latihans twice a week at their local Subud House/ hired premises. They arrive at a specific time and sit quietly for 15 minutes - women in one room, men in another. After this quiet time a more experienced member (known as a helper) will stand and start the latihan. In some groups they may say, 'begin' or, 'relax and begin' beforehand so that all members start together. Each person then surrenders to the power described above, which moves them from within. During the latihan they may be moved to walk about, or dance, to cry, to laugh, or to be quiet and perhaps say the words of prayers - it is different for each person and even varies from one latihan to the next. The latihan usually lasts for half an hour, after which the members will sit quietly for about 15 minutes again, before returning to ordinary life once more.
One can never predict how a latihan will evolve, as the process comes from deep within a person - beyond the ordinary understanding and beyond anything that can be predicted using the heart or mind. People receive what is appropriate for them at the time: some may have profound experiences in their first latihan; others may experience a more subtle process that deepens over time. The process is experienced only at the pace that is appropriate for each person and in accordance with their capacity and ability to receive. All that can be done is to exercise patience and trust in the process, surrender to God and be open to receive and follow what comes. The more people practise the latihan the more they come to understand that this process is actually a form of worship.
Some benefits of the latihan are immediate: for instance, feelings of well-being, lightness, peacefulness, aliveness and/or experiencing greater clarity about oneself and the world. Other benefits are long-term: some people experience improvements in health; others in how they relate to problems in their lives.
It is different for each person and unique to their life. The latihan also continues to work outside the exercise times, providing inner guidance in work, relationships, health and other areas of life. For many, the benefits also include a deeper contact with God or one's Higher Self, a deeper connection with one's spirituality and humanity, and a more meaningful and purposeful life.
Read more about Subud members' experiences.
