Osanna Vaughn World Subud Association Chair writes:  As the holiday season progresses and we approach another new year, I want to wish you all much joy, blessings and peace in your lives and with your families, friends and fellow human beings!

Following its natural course, the intense energy of the world congress has flowed out into the world, working, I believe, its miracles in a thousand different places and situations. The life force that touches us through our latihan is a reality. We are aware of this to lesser or larger degrees, but that does not change the fact that it is real. It becomes clear to me that some times I acknowledge this and go through the day with a different kind of awareness; I feel more present and things seem to flow like '...a stream of water that, no matter what happens, it always finds its way.' Other times, I step outside myself and forget. This effort to acknowledge and give space to the great life force throughout my day is something only I can make; no one else can do it for me. We can, however, encourage and support each other. Since the Bali 2001 World Congress we have come a long way in achieving one of our goals at that time, namely, to have more large, international gatherings. These happened with a strong emphasis on kejiwaan and cultural activities. Other new efforts also arose, such as the YES Quests for youths. Social projects continued to grow. Finally, first initiatives were made in the international arena to rediscover what Bapak actually meant with the concept of enterprise; endeavour as many like to call it, to move away from the 'business only' mind-set. And we have come to understand that all these varied efforts are so closely intertwined that we can no longer see them as separate from each other. Even so, my impression is that we have not yet, as a whole, built a solid bridge between our individual latihan experience and our 'putting it into practise' in our daily lives........

........Of course, there are many members who have managed to do so, but there are also many for whom it is not yet clear. This might be because 'putting it into practise' is so much more than just discovering what ones talent are - the gift or gifts that we are each endowed with. We need to learn what to do with those talents once they become clear; how to turn them into the expression of who we are, sharing them with our fellow human beings and, of course, being able to earn a livelihood with them. While the helpers may well be able to support us in discovering our talents, we have plenty of expertise within Subud (and also outside of Subud) to help us look at and learn about all the other practical aspects. I think it would be wonderful if we could start organising more seminars and events that cover all the angles, so that we can go home afterwards with a clear understanding and the tools necessary to help us on our way. The good thing is that I have come to realise that this kind of idea is bubbling up all over the place, so, in fact, we only need to encourage and support something that is already beginning to sprout. One of the best ways to support is by spreading the news of events being organised, projects and enterprises being set up, success stories, difficulties experienced, challenges faced. If you have a hard time writing about yourself, interview some one else and then pass it on to our numerous publications. You can also support the efforts by attending seminars and workshops, or helping others who might want to but have financial difficulties. You can also organise something yourself. Wonderful things arise when we join our forces! I invite you all to make 2006 a year of clear intention to continue setting down strong foundations so that we can begin building that bridge I mentioned. Let those who have acquired valuable experience reach out to those needing a hand; let us all give space to the incredible potential that exists when we make efforts together.

Love from Osanna