Latihan

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The latihan (from the Indonesian term latihan kejiwaan, meaning "spiritual exercise" or "training of the inner self") is the main practice of Subud. In it, participants allow themselves to be guided by the divine (God, or the "great life force"). This is said to manifest as an inner vibration that will express itself differently for each person. For example, participants may feel impelled or moved to walk around, shout, sing, or simply kneel or stand quietly.

The latihan may be done individually, or in same-sex groups of Subud practitioners. It is not taught but "received," by being in the presence of others during a latihan. For this reason outsiders are not allowed to witness the latihan, unless they have requested to be "opened" (initiated) to God, the latihan, and Subud.