A dear sister, Pilar Walsh, passed away on Tuesday, December 16, 2025. She lived over the
years in many places, including Hawaii, California, and Washington state, where she spent her
final days. She was a dedicated Subud member for over 50 years. Pilar’s creative spirit
expressed itself in her writing, dancing, singing, jewelry-making, and acting.
Pilar’s daughter Amalia Moore posted this tribute to her mom on Facebook:
“…She courageously endured a long journey with cancer but continued to inspire us all
with her many talents, art, writing, and jewelry. I witnessed first-hand the joy it brought
her to receive all your messages of love, prayers, memories, and support this last year.
It has been one of the greatest honors of my life to hold her hand and love her as she
peacefully transitioned to be with her angels and Beloved God. …”
Along with many of her friends, I remember Pilar with love. Pilar embodied true appreciation
of the arts, generosity, determination, and hopefulness.
-Rayma Norton
I am having total knee replacement surgery tomorrow (12/11/25) and am asking for everyone’s prayers and positive thoughts, for an A+++ stellar surgery and a speedy recovery.
Also, visits and food (if anyone is available) would be most welcome.
Our next get together is December 14, 2025 after Latihan.
This will be our Christmas Party. It will be a potluck, but no general meeting.
Children and adult guests are welcome to attend.
We’ll have a general meeting in January 2026.
Meanwhile, the digital aspect of the women’s Latihan hall lock is broken. The door only locks with a key at this time. We suspect someone forced the digital part of the lock and now that aspect is broken.
When I was opened 26 years ago at Rocky Gap, immediately after my first latihan—an experience I’ll never forget—I felt compelled to return to my hotel room, lace up my sneakers, and run for hours in over 100°F heat around the lake at Cumberland Gap, Maryland—much of it off-trail and through ravines. I wasn’t a runner then, though I became one later. The entire time I ran, my inner voice said, “Allah, Allah, Allah.” Even when I’d stop, focus, and try to say something else it would just come out, “Allah, Allah, Allah.” At that moment, I knew that I needed to experience this so that I would never forget that God and the latihan are real.
I couldn’t have had that experience—or countless others—if people like you hadn’t donated their time and money to organize gatherings and support helper travel. I know I owe Subud far more than I give, so I’m grateful for the nudge that got me to serve on the committee. I’m a full-time dad, full-time CEO, and Chair of Subud USA, and I can say with complete honesty that the more I give to Subud in both time and money, the lighter, easier, and more fulfilling life becomes. The company I started, Noxgear, has become an unexpected success as an international brand with a devoted following. The latihan has guided my work, not through testing, but through how I move, think, and feel as I do it.
That’s why I’m writing today to ask for your help. As someone who is equally committed to supporting Subud, I wonder how you might write this letter to members inviting donations. (It turns out that serving as Chair doesn’t automatically make me an expert fundraiser.)
I might want to understand the impact of my past donations—and why I should continue to give. But in truth, what compels me to donate each year is actually this one question: “Where would I be without the latihan?” It is without a doubt the most important part of my life, not only because I attribute many of my outward successes to the guidance it’s given me, but because of the experience itself. It is real and beyond anything I could have imagined.
Practically speaking, your donation makes it possible for others to experience the gift of the latihan. It supports the gatherings that take time, money, and effort to organize and helps our National Helpers travel across the country to serve our members. It also sustains our essential operations as a charitable organization, including the creation of a national database and directory, our member communications, and makes possible travel for delegates to the World Congress. Your donations also support similar Subud work internationally, including the WSA Archives.
We need your help to prepare for the future—not only for the changing needs of our members but for the next chapter: Subud’s rapid growth. As Bapak explained, “This Subud is not an endeavor made by human beings. It is the grace of the One Almighty God.” I can’t influence Subud’s growth in the same way I might as a CEO (and what a relief that is). From what I’ve heard in conversations across the country, humanity is asking for exactly what we receive in the latihan, and this is being echoed on prominent podcasts. I believe these voices could become a channel through which Subud experiences rapid growth. As Bapak said, one day soon Subud may need to open and support millions of people. We must begin preparing now, and your support makes that possible.
A memorial is planned for around 100 days from her passing on February 14th, 2026, from 4 pm with service followed by a dinner reception at the Seattle Subud Center (Spring Street Center) at 1101 15th Ave, Seattle, Washington 98122.
Please RSVP on this website. Please bring a side-dish or dessert to share. We plan on streaming service on Zoom.
May God in his love and mercy make her passage easy,
Our general meeting is coming up this Sunday, Nov. 23rd, 12:30 p.m. after Latihan,
in the men’s Latihan hall. Please bring a dish or dishes to share. We need food!
Agenda:
1) Review of last meeting’s minutes
2) Helper Announcements
3) Our need for a Building/Property Use Committee
a) Call for volunteers to serve on this committee
b) Need for this committee to meet & create goals, agenda
4) Christmas Party at our next general meeting: Sunday, Dec. 14th at 12:30 pm.
a) Our former artificial Christmas tree went to Goodwill. What kind of tree do we want for the house? Adira has an artificial tree to use. Debbie has volunteered to buy a live tree.
5) Our neighbors are trimming their trees, including the limbs that spill over onto our property
6) Best Plumbing came out to look at our “leak” or “moisture” in the main floor bathroom & upstairs on the deck area. It appears there is water beneath some of the siding.
7) Pacific Rim will be contacted to look at the siding and door on the deck upstairs, as a source of the water leak
8) Nothing but toilet paper goes into our toilets. Do not flush “wipes” down the toilets.
9) The door from the ramp to the women’s Latihan hall was left unlocked again this week.
I am still recovering from my two surgeries. I am unable to host this next week’s General Meeting on Oct. 26th. I am cancelling this General Meeting and rescheduling it for November 23rd. the Sunday just before Thanksgiving. Which will be downstairs in the Men’s Latihan hall right after Latihan.
Based on my review of the residential and commercial property currently available on the market, I recommend we stay right where we are and explore changing property managers.
I am currently speaking with some property managers and will update you with my findings at our next meeting.”
Thank you for a successful meeting on Sunday, September 28, 2025.
Kenneth Chaffee’s Celebration of Life is Saturday Oct. 18, 2025, at
5:00 p.m.
We will have our next General Meeting & Potluck the following week on Sunday, Oct. 26, 2025, in the Men’s Latihan hall at 12:30 p.m.
I’m asking each of you to adhere to the following rules of decorum during our meetings.
Keep in mind that at the Sept. 28th meeting, I was challenged to recognize each person in the correct order, due to my left eye shield. I regret if, at times, I did not call on you in the right order. Nonetheless, please read and follow these rules of decorum. I ask that each of you be patient with one another before, during and after our meetings.
Thank you,
Adira”
Meeting Decorum: Basic Rules
1. Preparation
– Be on time (or a few minutes early).
– Review the agenda beforehand so you’re ready to contribute.
– Bring any required documents or notes with you.
2. Respect & Courtesy
– Listen attentively without interrupting.
– Avoid side conversations or multitasking (checking phone, typing emails).
– Address people by name and acknowledge their points respectfully, even if you disagree.
3. Participation
– Speak clearly and concisely—don’t dominate the discussion.
– Stay on topic; save unrelated issues for later.
– Ask clarifying questions rather than making assumptions.
4. Professional Conduct
– Maintain a calm tone of voice; avoid sarcasm or hostility.
– Respect confidentiality if sensitive matters are discussed.
– Refrain from blame or personal attacks; focus on issues, not individuals.
5. Meeting Flow
– Let the chairperson or facilitator guide the order of discussion.
– Wait to be recognized before speaking in formal meetings.
– If decisions are made, respect the group consensus even if you disagree.
6. Follow-Through
– Take notes on your responsibilities.
– Honor any commitments or deadlines you agree to.
– Provide feedback politely if something about the meeting could be improved.