Latikhan — a form of dynamic meditation; a spontaneous dance. In the broad sense, latikhan refers to any action performed intuitively.
The Nature of the Phenomenon
The Indonesian word "latikhan" has no precise synonyms in English or in Russian. Its root, "latih," means to become acquainted with something, to assimilate it, and to absorb it.
Historical Background
The term "latikhan" was introduced in the early 20th century by the Sufi Bapak Muhammad Subuh, who used it to describe one of the ways of communing with the Holy Spirit.
The practice consists of the following: a person turns to the Holy Spirit for help, asking Him to concentrate above one's head and then to pour down through the entire body from top to bottom, as through an empty shell, as through a transparent bottomless vessel.
During this meditation, the Flow of the Holy Spirit pours through the person's body, cleansing and healing it. The Light moves downward through the sushumna, the central meridian, and other meridians of the human body.
If one surrenders completely to this Flow, the body begins to dance, performing smooth and harmonious movements ("spontaneous dance"). This phenomenon is one form of laya yoga — a set of methods for "dissolving" oneself into the Divine Flows and the static states of Divine Consciousness.
Subuh traveled through a number of European countries, where he taught this method to Catholic monks as well as to any laypeople who wished to learn. Through latikhan, people were healed of many different illnesses, including cancer. The only condition Subuh imposed was acceptance of faith in the Existence of the Living God and in the Existence of the Holy Spirit as one of the Divine Manifestations.
A Method of Practice
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Stand in a relaxed position and await God, the whole, so that it may work with you. Then do as you wish — in a deep prayerful mood: "I rely on Thy will" — and relax.
It is like automatic writing. One simply takes a pen in hand and waits. Suddenly some energy seizes the hand and the hand begins to move. A sense of wonder arises — one's own hand is moving, yet one is not moving it! In exactly the same way, wait, and after three or four minutes you will suddenly feel several tremors pass through your body and energy descend upon you. Do not be frightened, even though it is very frightening. Do not resist it. In reality you are merely a witness; it is happening. Move with it. The body will begin to take on many positions — that is, it will move, dance, bend, shiver, shake; much will happen. Allow it; not only allow it, but cooperate with it, and then you will arrive at precisely what we call Sahaj yoga. There is nothing new in Latikhan. Only the word is new. It is simply a new version of Sahaj yoga — spontaneous yoga. You rely entirely on the divine, for you will be only an observer. Soon you will see the difference, because the mind is cunning. You will be astonished, for your hand will be moving and you will not have moved it at all. After several days of such relaxation, even if you wish to stop, you will suddenly find yourself unable to do so — you will see that you are possessed. So first one must pray and say: "For twenty minutes, set my being free and do whatever you will: Thy will be done, Thy kingdom come." Let that be your intention and simply relax. |
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Characteristics
Speaking of "spontaneous dance": in order to learn to surrender the body to laya, certain auxiliary techniques exist. For instance, if the arms are raised and one stands on tiptoe, the body more readily begins to move and the spine more easily begins to bend. If the arms are lowered and one stands flat-footed, it will be difficult to begin dancing in that state.
The same is true in any other field where the principle of laya is to be applied: one must know certain techniques and be, to a certain degree, a specialist in that area. For example, in order to paint, one must be able to mix paints and apply them to canvas or paper. Naturally, one must understand the principles of body movement in order to dance. And of course one must know how to hold a pen in order to write with it.
In speaking of laya, one cannot fail to caution against an uncritical attitude toward what one does in this state. The loss of self-criticism can very easily lead to behavior that appears entirely inadequate. This occurs when ethical principles are violated, for ethics is the foundation of Harmony. But if ethical principles are observed, then Harmony with all things and all beings, including God, can become perfect.