Like the sun hitting the earth the heat of the weather seeps into the bones. It's not out of the blue, because today's temperature exceeds thirty degrees Celsius. I went to Joglo Ngaji KPTI (Koperasi Property Today Indonesia) in Ngalalangan, Sardonoharjo, Ngaglik District, Sleman Warrant, and it felt like an inferno.
Last Friday, October 27, 2023, after getting off the motorcycle, I said hasta la vista to the online motorcycle taxi driver and quickly sought shelter.
In an age that is no longer young, I feel fortunate to have been selected as one of the participants in the Kelas Penggerak Gusdurian (Gusdurian Movement Class) along with thirty-nine others, even though I don't have a deep understanding of Gus Dur. In the other ways, previously I ain't a die-hard Gus Dur enthusiast.
Just about two o'clock in Western Indonesian Time, the first session of the first day of class began (the class is divided into multiple sessions over three days). The facilitators introduced a fresh cultural perspective, covering methods of self-introduction, boosting our spirits, and the importance of time appreciation.
In many communities in Yogyakarta, the term 'facilitator' is used to use as a substitute for teacher, mentor, or instructor.
Hamada Hafidzu, one of the facilitators, explained that the term 'facilitator' is used because participants come from various regions, occupational backgrounds, and diverse social statuses, and they don't come empty-handed.
Here, it's a platform for exchanging ideas, getting to know each other, understanding, listening, and showing affection across generations, cultures, educational backgrounds, and diverse faith backgrounds.
This makes it easier to build a new atmosphere with positive vibes, instead of sticking to old ways, including improving our determination together without any barriers to awkwardness.
"Before we become movers, we must first have the determination to move," said Luthfi Maulida, another class facilitator.
In my point of view, this class has indeed opened my mind to new knowledge. Let's say, the perspective shared by one of the class participants, Khotibul Umam, truly changed the views of other participants, including myself.
He said, "We don't have to be a big person to do big things."
When a problem arises, what we should do is focus on the root cause to find a solution. How could we do that? This is where the role of listening becomes crucial. We seldom become the best listeners in a lot of cases.
We are all the time taught to be the best speakers and to influence others, but we are rarely taught or learn to listen. "We only need an hour to learn public speaking, but it takes years to learn how to listen," pointed out Rofqil Bazikh.
The first day of the class immediately changed my perspective on multiple things. My feeling is mutual with Rofqil, indeed listening is extra challenging. However, on the second day of the class, I learned not to talk. only hear and listen.
This will influence our perspective in many ways, even when we make decisions. According to Otto C. Scharmer in his book Theory U, a person's behavior in life is influenced by three inner voices: the Voice of Judgment (VoJ), the Voice of Cynicism (VoC), and the Voice of Fear (VoF).
VoJ closes our minds by passing judgment on new information, new ideas, and new relationships. When we encounter new information, we immediately judge it without attempting to listen first, especially if it comes from outside our circle.
VoC closes our hearts by being cynical towards the words, actions, outcomes of processes, and even the intentions of others, leading us to be unwilling to listen to others.
VoF closes our willingness to step further, making us afraid to take action because we are accustomed to judging and being cynical toward others. This, in turn, hinders us from moving forward.
These three inner voices are essentially very human and are possessed by everyone, including myself. Having said that, as a prospective Gusdurian mover, these three inner voices couldn't disappear, couldn't be switched on/off, and only the volume could be turned down.
There was a thought-provoking question from Aji Binawan Putra, another facilitator, asking, "Could we become Gus Dur?"
A large number of participants responded that it's difficult and complicated because Gus Dur had privileges from before birth. Gus Dur had a good lineage and lived in an environment that made it easy for him to access anything.
For me personally, becoming Gus Dur is as a matter of fact impossible because every person is unique and could not be replicated. But becoming like Gus Dur, a post-Gusdur figure, or the next Gus Dur is very possible.
The way to do it is by eliminating the three inner voices introduced by Otto C. Scharmer earlier, as that will make us open-minded, open-hearted, and open-willed.
That's why becoming Gus Dur is impossible, but becoming an enthusiast of Gus Dur's values is awfully possible. This could be achieved by becoming a Gusdurian.
Gusdurian is a gathering composed of individuals, communities, or institutions who share the same vision to continue the struggle based on Gus Dur's values. Gus Dur's values themselves include spirituality, humanity, justice, equality, liberation, solidarity, humility, chivalry, and traditional wisdom.
As a result of Gusdurians, Gus Dur is not a 'wali' – saint or a flawless prophet. Gus Dur is a verb, so anyone could verbification on Gus Dur's values. Gus Dur is a 'democracy on the spot,' which means that Gus Dur always 'listens' before making decisions.
Although Gus Dur was 'democracy on the spot,' and the fourth former president of the Republic of Indonesia, Gusdurian did not take a position in five-year practical politics. That being said, Gusdurians who have a desire to engage in practical politics are given their own space, namely through the Barisan Kader (Barikade) Gus Dur.
Barikade is led by Yenny Wahid, while Gusdurians on a national level are coordinated by Alissa Wahid, the eldest daughter of Gus Dur.
Last but not least, this writing is my personal reflection on three days of learning with amazing people in the Kelas Penggerak Gusdurian. If you're interested in joining and learning as well, please come to the regular gathering every Friday afternoon at the Griya Gusdurian in Yogyakarta.
Yesterday I was clever, so I wanted to change the world. Today I am wise, so I am changing myself - Jalaluddin Rumi
Thank you for reading. I'd love to hear and listen to your feedback, whether on the writing or the content [mhg].