Are both perhaps in time future,
And time future contained in time past.
If all time is eternally present
All time is unredeemable.
- Burnt Norton , Four Quartets , T.S. Eliot
"Time is too slow for those who wait,
Too swift for those who live in fear,
too long for those who grieve , too short
for those who regret ,
but for those who love , time is eternity."
- Henry Van Dyke
" To set time in solitude is a period of contemplation ,
and being completely present. The purpose is not
to make a retreat but to welcome the retreat and
allow it to make you,
- Fr. Lou
[Note: This is the fourth contemplation in Five Pieces
that was initiated in the February 1, 2026 blog post and
to be continued this post and one fifth post. This all started
with the witness and sharing of the Venerable Buddhist
Walk for Peace and a friend's reaction and what happened
and continues to occur with this writer.]
Inspiration:
Tolstoy's seclusion and contemplation
was inspired by Thoreau's sequester
at Walden Pond -
who in turn was inspired by
eastern transcendentalists finding peace .
Buddha's disciples did the same as did
the religious ascetics seeking connection with the divine.
Jesus too would slip away into the silence.
St. Ignatius illuminated alone in a cave.
Merton in his hermitage wrote contemplating the mystery.
He often felt more connected to Buddhists monks
than with his own ordained brethren.
There is a time for solitude.
A time to remember, a time to be present,
and a time to savor every aspect
in the great expanse of the interconnectedness,
one's quest in the endless wisdom knot.
- April 13 , 2026 at The Maris Stella Retreat Center ,
Long Beach Island , NJ
(.... To be continued with more more post in this series
Part 5 - June 1, 2026)
The Writing :
The Endless Wisdom Knot
True gifts - in moments of the unexpected sacred.
Origins of the wind,
unknown -
No end in sight.
Gulls and a skein of geese in formation -
lifted - free - soaring.
Witness the waves breaking ,
brother moon's glow fading,
gray clouds providing
a narrow space -
for the brilliant gleam of the perpetual light.
In one breath
- clarity, satiated in
Mother Nature's safe harbor.
Prodigals and pilgrims welcomed -
all blessed , all loved -
without stipulations -
save presence ,
no supplications -
save gratitude.
The theophany -
of the endless wisdom knot
... the spirit takes flight,
prescient for the flower moon.
- JF Sobecki
------------
Second Chance Dance Playlist Songs and Poetry
May 1, 2026 -
For your listening pleasure and contemplation:
There are some special videos here.
Click the link below
( Click on the link below to listen and be )
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLB8FrnVEQMJDPnw-BgXYevWkwoVEM51mp&si=iHOgazOcDsj3K7vU
May peace be with you and yours all ways
Coda:
Listen - be present - breathe
( This selection used on this pilgrim's recent retreat.
a musical- vocal "mashup" piece of different
religious and cultural traditions - prayer - peace,
grace - the great wisdom knot )
(Click on the link below)
https://youtu.be/cMYdm5cVEQs?si=zlCvx9-1EUj7-1v1
Whether you "believe" or not...this might be interesting:
* Research indicates that even with significant differences
the major religions and spiritual practices around the world
they share the following common perspectives and themes:
- Compassion and love - how we treat others
- promote human welfare and reduce suffering
- Practice loving kindness all ways
- All life ( existence) is connected.
- A good life is measured by your kindness to others
- Seek truth, wisdom and understanding
- Be grateful , present and aware of each moment
- There is a higher purpose in life than materialism
- Service to and care of others, be selfless ( especially those
who cannot help themselves)
"One day I will find the right words and they will be simple."
- Jack Kerouac
"If this is well written and to the point , that is what I desired,
if it is poorly done , it was the best I could do."
- 2 Maccabees 15:38-39
AMDG
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