The Songs of Ronimund von Bissing
A Video Homage
By Lawrence Pevec
Safiah Dhada
A couple of months ago Daniela Moneta, our own WSA Archivist asked me to record a reading of Songs of Submission by Ronimund Hubert von Bissing. She had spoken about the project with Mr. von Bissing’s daughter, Safiah Dhada, who, unknown to me, resides in the San Diego area and has her father’s photos, notes and letters which are being prepared for inclusion in the WSA archive collection. Mr. Von Bissing’s unique principal works; four short books he called Songs of the Spirit, are not personal memoir but rather receiving’s about mankind’s relationship with his creator. (Password required to enter the WSA Archive.)
Bapak encouraged von Bissing to write and told him he would one day write a commentary on Susila Budhi Dharma and that he didn’t have to think about it, that he should just surrender and allow the words to come through him. This eventually began happening and according to von Bissing the writing wasn’t corrected or edited.
I agreed to produce a short video but was reluctant to use images obtained over a Zoom connection. The success or failure of a project like this depends a great deal on the whims of technology especially a stable internet connection and silent environments on both sides.
I liked the suggestion well enough to want to give it a try. At the very least I could discover more about the limitations of both internet technology and the legacy artform. These early contributions to our shared culture that influenced and enhanced member’s experience of the latihan are worth preserving and revisiting in projects like this.
As the project unfolded it became clear that it needed to be bigger than was originally suggested. I recalled how Mr. von Bissing’s books impressed me as a candidate member. And how his writing, in addition to several others, were instrumental in my being opened. Safiah wrote and shared her own memories of the events around Subud coming to England. She reads those and her father’s autobiographical writings related to that time. There is plenty of great material available.
So here is the result. True to form it was technically challenging but also a great deal of fun. Thank you, Safiah, Daniela, Hamilton, and Michael for your contributions and collaboration. Please let me know what you think of this effort. There is much more to the Mr. von Bissing’s story relevant to the spread of Subud in the United States, Canada and Europe. I hope you enjoy it.
Lawrence Pevec
Thanks very much for the effort and the notice. I look forward to listening.
I enjoyed the video very much. I could never read ‘ The Songs of Submission’, would try from time to time, will have to try again.
This is so beautifully done and so well read and illustrated. I hope this is only the first of several videos on RvB’s rich contribution to Subud. A Subud friend and I are in the process of reading the four books of Songs of the Spirit out loud via Facetime and have enjoyed it so much. Ronimund’s was a profoundly inspired man and his writing deserves to be better known by Subud members. Thank you for contributing to this.
This tribute/archival project is amazing Sofiah!! Thank you!!!!
This is superb! Thank you Safiah for this treasure for all Subud members. There was a reason Bapak predicted Ronamund would write this book which beautifully mirrors with words, the experience. Remarkable indeed.
I enjoyed this presentation so much, even though I have never been able to read ‘songs of submission’ all the way through, perhaps now I can try again.
Songs of Submission was the first book about Subud that I ever read. I read it over and over when I was an applicant. I am delighted to now be able to listen to it. Thank you.
Cantos de Sumisión es de mi libros favoritos. Gracias por compartir esta experiencia con todos!
Great project but I have 2 reservations which I offer sincerely in response to your request for comments. Please don’t take my comments personally.
1. I’m not sure MC’s voice is right for this. The recitation of SoS is very professionally delivered but I’d have tried a younger voice for a fresher sound.
2. I found the music that accompanies the reading distracting and a bit too serious. I’d prefer no musical accompaniment for the recitation. I look forward to hearing more about this project.