Sukamulia
During the Human Force Camp excursions were organized, and a visit to Sukamulia was one of them.
Sukamulia is a 45 minute bumpy ride from the YUM Village in Cipanas. We (volunteers and coordinators) crammed into 2 vans and headed out. Sukamulia is the resting place of the family and the founder of Subud, Bapak Muhammad Subuh. I've never understood why people visit graveyards, but going to Sukamulia is a very Subud thing to do and so I went.
We spilled out of the vans and began the long walk towards Bapak's place of rest. I was surrounded immediately by a still peacefulness as I walked upon the brick pathway. All conversation faded away. Bapak's grave is inside an above ground glass structure that reminded me of the Latihan Hall in Pamalang. I took my shoes off and walked inside.
On a small table laid copies of Surah Ya-sin, in Arabic and Bahasa Indonesia. It is an Islamic tradition to read this chapter of the Qur'an for anyone who has passed away. I cannot read it, but I took a copy anyways. I deeply wished that I could recite it aloud, so that the Qur'an could fill our ears and our souls with love.
I sat down with my legs folded in front of me, closed my eyes and asked God to help me become quiet. Quietness would enable me to receive the specialness of this place. In this stillness my soul remembered my friend David, who I love deeply. So I sat there and thought of David and I cried and cried. I didn't understand why I was remembering David or why I was crying. Was it because he had been there before? Was it because he introduced me to Subud? I didn't know, so I thanked David for who he is, for his life changing healing work and for his support and friendship. I thanked him because without him I wouldn't have traveled to Indonesia and I wouldn't have experienced any of this. I prayed for whatever he needed and asked for ease in whatever struggles he was having. I thanked God for sending David into my life and for making him the instrument which brought me to Subud.
Thanked and prayed, thanked and prayed.