Knowra Subud Subud Subud is an international spiritual movement founded in Indonesia in the twentieth century. Its central practice, latihan kejiwaan, is a spontaneous devotional exercise understood by members as contact with divine guidance.
Latihan kejiwaan : A Subud devotional practice in which participants allow spontaneous movements, sounds, or stillness to arise without deliberate direction. This is Subud’s central practice and the main way members describe spiritual development.
Muhammad Subuh Sumohadiwidjojo : An Indonesian spiritual teacher who founded Subud and was known to followers as Bapak. His experiences and teachings gave the movement its origin and early form.
Rahayu Wiryohudoyo : An Indonesian Subud teacher, known as Ibu Rahayu, who is the daughter of Muhammad Subuh Sumohadiwidjojo. Her talks became a prominent source of guidance for members after the founder’s era.
Sufism : A diverse Islamic mystical tradition emphasizing spiritual discipline, remembrance of God, and experiential knowledge. Subud emerged in an Indonesian Muslim setting but does not require adherence to Sufi doctrine.
Bapak : The honorific used for Muhammad Subuh Sumohadiwidjojo, Subud’s founder and principal early teacher. His explanations shaped Subud’s understanding of what unfolds during latihan.
Semarang : A port city on Java’s north coast and an early center of Subud activity. Subud’s first organized groups formed in Indonesia, including in the region where its founder lived.
John G. Bennett : A British mathematician and spiritual writer who helped introduce Subud to Western audiences. His writings and networks brought the movement to people already exploring spiritual traditions.
Gurdjieff Work : A system of spiritual development associated with George Gurdjieff, combining practices of attention, movement, and self-observation. Bennett linked Subud with existing Western spiritual circles, but its latihan is not a prescribed exercise system.
Ibu Rahayu : The honorific used for Rahayu Wiryohudoyo, a prominent Subud teacher and daughter of the movement’s founder. Her talks address how Subud members interpret spiritual development and latihan.
Subud International Congress : A recurring international gathering of Subud members and representatives. The congresses reflect the movement’s transition from Indonesian beginnings to worldwide organization.
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