From occultism to hybrid Sufism: The transformation of an Islamic-hybrid spiritual group in contemporary Indonesia

Abstract

This paper discuses transformation of an Islamic-Hybrid Spiritual group, the Bhakti Nusantara (literally means 'devotion to nation'), from spiritualitas kasar [rough spirituality] of occult-based spirituality to the finer spirituality [spiritualitas alus] which is linked to Sufi spiritual practices. Based on my field work in Yogyakarta, in 2009 and 2010, the paper explains sociological context of group's institutional and spiritual transformation amid contemporary Islamic revival and modernizing process of the country. It then argues that the transformation of the group was driven by the logic for presenting spiritual heritages that are practically appropriate for modern life and which also fit religiously with orthodox Islam. Both the institutional transformation and the change of spiritual orientation of the group mark BN, as a hybrid spiritual group, to actively involve in the opportunities of modernity, instead of resisting the challenges and pressures of modern life.