Subud

Subud
Family	International spiritual movement
Origin region	Indonesia
Founding period	1920s CE
Estimated adherents	Small international movement; estimates vary.

Subud is an international spiritual movement founded by Muhammad Subuh Sumohadiwidjojo, centered on the latihan kejiwaan, a spontaneous spiritual exercise.

Overview

Subud originated in Indonesia in the 1920s and spread internationally in the 20th century. It is often described as an interfaith spiritual movement rather than a separate religion, with the central practice being the latihan kejiwaan, or spiritual exercise.

Key beliefs

The latihan allows direct inner contact with divine guidance or life force
Subud does not require members to abandon their existing religion
Inner development is emphasized over doctrine
The name Subud is commonly explained through Javanese terms Susila, Budhi, and Dharma
Members may interpret the experience through different religious frameworks

Practices

Latihan kejiwaan
Group practice sessions
Quiet preparation and testing in some communities
Personal reflection and ethical development
Interfaith fellowship

Places of worship

Subud houses or centers
Rented halls
Homes
Retreat settings

Sacred texts

Talks of Muhammad Subuh
Subud association materials
Personal accounts of latihan
Community guidance documents

Holidays and observances

No universal liturgical calendar
Founding and association anniversaries
Local retreat or congress dates

Branches and related traditions

New Religious Movements - Subud is often studied as a modern spiritual movement.
New Age spirituality - Some participants overlap with broader alternative spirituality.
Islam - Subud arose in Indonesia and uses some Islamic background language, though it is not limited to Islam.

References