Laura Romano "Sumarah - Spiritual Wisdom from Java", 2013 lulu.com 

based on the original Italian version "Sumarah - il risveglio del maestro interiore", Ubaldini 1999 

A book review by Andrea Bocconi:
 

Sumarah is a philosophy, a way of life and a form of meditation originating from Java. The practice, which is based on developing sensitivity, receptivity and acceptance, guides towards a deep relaxation of body, feeling and mind. This is the first step in the process of personal transformation and meeting our total self.
 

The island of Java, the most populated of the Indonesian archipelago nourishes a current of spiritual inner quest, which is represented in a variety of mystical groups. These groups, whilst though differing in their forms of practice, in one way or an other all relate to the ancient Javanese philosophy and cosmology called kejawen. Some scholars have defined kejawen as the religion of Java. In fact more than a religion the kejawen is a philosophy, a way of life and an existential ethic based on a deeply mystical life vision.
 

The linguistic, cultural and social complexity of this culture are one of the reasons why so little is known in the West about this spiritual tradition, which is already neither highly visible, nor easy to grasp. Sumarah- which literally means total surrender- is part of this tradition. It is a particular form of meditation and a way of life.
Laura Romano has been living in Solo, one of the oldest Javanese towns, home to the Royal palace and to different mystical groups, for 25 years. She has studied the language and the culture of the island and in the late eighties graduated in Philosophy with a dissertation on Javanese Mysticism. In her work one can sense the personal experience of the author, nourished by the meditation practice that since the beginning of her stay in Java she was introduced to and trained in, in the almost daily meetings with the many masters then still alive.
It was her two main teachers, Pak Wondo and Pak Arymurthy who spurred her to start to bring to the West the teachings of Sumarah, beginning by guiding meditation for the few westerners who were passing through town, then offering workshops in Europe. Finally in writing this book she has also made a precious contribution that brings to light an authentic practice, quite distinct from the variety of fashionable and commercial trends around.
 

In the pages of this book, to better illustrate the principles of this tradition, the author often tells stories of her own experience, in this way recreating the very relaxed and warm atmosphere of the meditation meetings in the homes of the different teachers, naturally sitting in front of a cup of tea, in an atmosphere which, whilst still greatly respecting the teachers and those who are more advanced in the practice, has very little in common with the well known devotional attitude to the guru. The aim of the practice is to open ourselves to the inner teacher, developing a deep sensitivity and receptivity which slowly will influence not only the actual meditation practice but also all the other aspects of normal daily life.
 

In this book three threads are interwoven: the inner journey, the discovery of an ancient and magical Java every day more threatened by the risk of extinction, and the depth of the Sumarah practice which gradually brings the practitioner to the discovery of the self. This is a path of the heart, of no effort, of no form.
"Accept everything, your rejection too!"- the guide says-"and begin from the wish of every human being to be free". But Sumarah is also psychological understanding in developing awareness and in learning to discover the evermore subtle tricks of the ego, 'the white eel', so difficult to catch.
The Javanese like to say that life is "nothing but a stop along the path to have a drink of tea." The Sumarah practice helps to bring light into the path and to make this stop a conscious experience and an opportunity of growth.

This English edition is available on Lulu, amazon or can be ordered in bookstores.

Paperback
264 pages
ISBN: 9781471702341

NB: This book is presently also available in Italian (at astrolabio@alphacomm.it) and German (at www.admaverlag.com).