How to join Subud
If you’ve read about our spiritual training and think it might be for you, here’s a step-by-step guide on joining our Subud community. As a Subud member, you’ll have the opportunity to participate in our spiritual practice, known as the Latihan. Before you proceed, we recommend reading Deciding Whether to Join. Remember, there’s no obligation, so you can leave at any point if Subud doesn’t feel right for you. There’s also no fee for joining; we operate the organisation of Subud Britain on a voluntary donation basis, allowing you to contribute when you’re comfortable and ready.
First Step: Getting in touch
You can let us know you’re interested in joining Subud by visiting the Contact Us page and filling out the contact form. You will find a phone number and email address, if you prefer. Remember to let us know where you live so we can find your nearest Subud group. You should receive a friendly reply from our Enquiries Secretary within a day or two, letting you know details of your local group and who from that group will be contacting you.
Meeting up with local members to find out more
After making your initial enquiry the next step is for us to arrange for you to meet with members from your nearest group. We refer to anyone interested in joining Subud as an applicant and to these meetings as applicants meetings. This is an opportunity for you to get a feel for Subud, ask questions and take time to decide if this is the right path for you.
What to expect in an applicants’ meeting
When you meet with our Subud community, you’ll be in a relaxed setting with a small group of experienced members. They’re there to answer any questions you have and help you understand what Subud is all about. It’s not an interview—if anyone is being evaluated, it’s Subud, as we want to ensure you’re comfortable with what joining involves.
Each meeting typically lasts about an hour, but we’re flexible and open to your needs. You can bring a friend along if you’d like. We usually have more than one meeting to give you plenty of time to get to know us and understand our spiritual practice. Rest assured, we won’t make you wait more than three months before becoming a member. You might find that the time passes more quickly than you’d expect.
Ready to get in touch?
As stated above you can let us know you’re interested in joining via our contact page. If you’re still undecided why not take a look at the page Life of a New Member to get more of an idea what’s involved.