Part 5:The Waste Land Redux: Five Quintets

[Note: This is the Fifth (and final) contemplation in Five Pieces

that was initiated in the February 1, 2026 blog 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. 

(Thank you for your kind support and comments on this series. 

I am humbled. )

" As the rain and the snow

   come down from heaven,

and do not return to it

   without watering the earth

and making it bud and flourish,

   so that it yields seed for the sower 

and bread for the eater.

so is my word that goes out from my

mouth:

   It will not return to me empty,

but it will accomplish what I desire

   and achieve the purpose for which 

I sent it

You will go out in joy

   and be led forth in peace;

the mountains and the hills

   will burst into song before you,

and all the trees of the field

   will clap their hands.

IS 55: 10-12

"There is nothing permanent except change"

- Heraclitus

" I have seen all the works that are 

done under the sun;

and behold , all is vanity and 

chasing after the wind ."

Ecclesiastes 1;4

Inspirations and the Writing: 

Sub Specie Aeternitas

Admittedly, this recent journey of recalling Zen-like moments

has focused on the magnificent overwhelming incidents of ineffable

experiences  - moments of consolation and , dare I say , quiet illumination.

Yet, the deeper I dove the moments "'little victories" and everyday 

occurrences , the more  I awakened to the presence of the eternal spark.

A gentle stream of those simple 

wonder-filled moments -  bliss , Zen, consolation, illumination,

presence, flow , the eternal now and the cloud of unknowing

- continues to surface. I am humbled and grateful as these

remembrances arise.

What follows are two more recollections not considered 

"significantly grand," but rather ones that left a flame burning on 

my spirit that this seeker can not let go.

* The Zen of Fly Fishing 

40 plus summers ago the seeker found his way to a Fly Fishing school 

set in a pastoral Catskill valley.

The "father of fly fishing" in America , Lee Wulff, and his champion

fly caster wife were the proprietors and revered teachers.

Joan Wulff,the caster extraordinaire, observed how the novice

forced his casts with determined vigor,

jerking the rod and line that seemed to go anywhere except the

direction which he had envisioned.

She coached this student to let go and just be. 

    "Just let the rod and line be an extension of your body 

     and spirit. Relax.Take the rod and imagine waving it 

     gently like waving a flag with gentle joy

     on the Fourth of July. Let it flow."

He did and almost miraculously changed everything. Victory!

The grand master, Lee Wulff,  then guided a cadre of students to a local stream.

His soft,,experienced voice instructed them as they stood knee-deep

in the easy running water. Reaching down into the little eddy, he calmly

retrieved an insect floating innocently on the rippling surface.

 A sudden smile spread across his wrinkled face as his eyes

glowed, piercing each of the gathered apprentices. 

  "Look at this . This little bug should not be here and watch the water ..."

   as a local trout peaked through the slow ripples reaching for their meal.

Then this seventy-six year old,  world renowned guru of rivers and streams,

 joyously proclaimed ,

    "Isn't life wonderful where one can learn something new everyday day? 

     All you have to do is just be  - patient and present."

Fly fishing ,  the great peace  - and the personal odyssey- 

was never  the same for this seeker student.

Sailing Serenity:

The seeker and his life companion decided that sailing might be 

a way to enjoy the tranquility they sought. 

Upon graduation with honors from "The Sailing School" 

on the banks of the Chesapeake ,

they felt equipped enough to purchase their first sailboat.

On the day of launching  their new vessel ,  a local

old salt observed their struggles in leaving the dock. 

He offered his advice as they welcomed him aboard. 

The two novice sailors were oblivious to the lake's sudden,

periodic wind shifts as the overconfident helmsman tried desperately

to keep the boat steady and on course. 

Calm and deliberate, the old salt 

counseled the pair, who were beginning to second guess

 their decision. ,

   "At times like these, when you feel you're losing control,

    just let go of the tiller and she will  right herself into the wind.

   You know if you don't chase the wind. Adjust the sails

    and just let the wind carry you 

    to where you think you want to go.""

The seeker -sailor did so, and the panic of losing control abated

as the sailboat rested calmly on the water ready to return to the journey..

"Letting go and not chasing the wind " became enduring

lessons -  the wisdom the two sailors carried into managing

 rough seas of every aspect of their quest.

    " Well, it's not far down to paradise...

    Oh , the canvas can do miracles.... sailing" - C. Cross

Amor Fati'

 - JF Sobecki

(   Sub Specie Aeternitas : "under the aspect of eternity."

     Amor Fati : "A Stoic philosophy - love of fate , embrace everything")

------------

Second Chance Dance Playlist Songs and Poetry 

June 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=PLB8FrnVEQMJC0PWvIH2etMFyhFSQ_DbnW&si=fm5izYP7DOevqxlQ

May peace be with you and yours all ways

Coda:

Listen - be present - breathe ...what simple gifts do you recall ?

(click on link below)

https://youtu.be/baNueuDCue0?si=krLSFJg2N-CFevEo

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 

Copyright 2026 JF Sobecki LLC All Rights Reserved

Finisterre Pt 4 - The Scallop, the Way and the Mid-Winter Blues

“Many pilgrims see the lines on a Scallop Shell as a reflection of El Camino de Santiago – many paths leading to one point.”

“Why do you keep a scallop shell?’, She asked and he responded
“It helps me remember to remember”

So what is it that draws this spirits housed in frail vessels

To that one place that is the end and the beginning?

It seems some meander with the hope that by some roll of the dice they will have an easy go of the journey and eventually make it to some unforeseen finish-line.

Some have no hope whatsoever and either chose to stay put or a few of these spirits seem to be in a perpetual state of being lost and never seek assistance.

It seems that some chose to plot a course believing that their map will guarantee them to a safe arrival and conclude in some grand achievement and illumination.

Some proclaim that their goal is to make it through the magical maze in some type of record time that will secure them a trophy or bronze medal.

There are those who’s ego assures the rest that they have been graced with wisdom or mystical insights as to the best way to embark on the passage securing for themselves and others whom they can convince to trust and follow that their collective journey will be an ineffable success.

“Accumulation” is the claim of some who suggest that the more things they gather along the way the more better off they will be in the end.

Some just charge ahead making way without consideration for any thing or anyone who might be in the pathway.

Some see the trek as some great adventure of encounters and experiences to fill their photo albums and journals to add to their resume.

Some struggle day to day, breath to breath, heartbeat to heartbeat and yet that original spark within continues to burn within fueling their passage.

Some poets, troubadours and sherpas seem to be able to channel the great mystical voice of the universe inspiring each pilgrim who dares to listen to carry on.

There are also those humble in spirit who remain present to the sanctifying nature of all creation taking each step in the journey gratefully trusting the wind and rivers to carry them to where they need to be.

Somehow each pilgrim has their own start and unique path and will have a different end point along the way which will be their new beginning, that great Cathedral is just a “way” station to The Finisterre, the launching point to the next horizon, the great sea of the unknown

which is the source of everything.

— JF Sobecki

———————

For Mary Oliver 

(1935 - 2019)

She came to me in grace-filled words

And visions reflecting what I eventually 

Would know as my own perspective

Her essence illuminating

I knew the beauty and the longing

She spoke of

Awakening souls to the significance of being

With her effortless ability to channel the unknowable

A priestess of the universe

Nurturing the hungry hearts.

All that was of nature

Was her church

And now with her absence I feel a great lack 

And yet her flame still burns brightly.

     - JF Sobecki

When Death Comes

--by Mary Oliver (Oct 03, 2006)

When death comes 

like the hungry bear in autumn; 

when death comes and takes all the bright coins from his purse

to buy me, and snaps the purse shut; 

when death comes 

like the measle-pox

when death comes 

like an iceberg between the shoulder blades,

I want to step through the door full of curiosity, wondering: 

what is it going to be like, that cottage of darkness?

And therefore I look upon everything 

as a brotherhood and a sisterhood, 

and I look upon time as no more than an idea, 

and I consider eternity as another possibility,

and I think of each life as a flower, as common 

as a field daisy, and as singular,

and each name a comfortable music in the mouth, 

tending, as all music does, toward silence,

and each body a lion of courage, and something 

precious to the earth.

When it's over, I want to say all my life 

I was a bride married to amazement. 

I was the bridegroom, taking the world into my arms.

When it's over, I don't want to wonder 

if I have made of my life something particular, and real.

I don't want to find myself sighing and frightened, 

or full of argument.

I don't want to end up simply having visited this world.

--Mary Oliver

News of Death

Last night they came with news of death not knowing what I would say.

I wanted to say,

“The green wind is running through the fields making the grass lie flat.”

I wanted to say,

“The apple blossom flakes like ash covering the orchard wall.”

I wanted to say,

“The fish floats belly up in the slow stream, stepping stones to the dead.”

They asked if I would sleep that night, I said I did not know.

For this loss I could not speak,

the tongue lay idle in a great darkness,

the heart was strangely open,

the moon had gone,

and it was then

when I said, “He(she) is no longer here”,

that the night put its arm around me

and all the white stars turned bitter with grief.

- David Whyte

Thank you Mary for the inspiration.

________________

Little Victories - JD Souther

https://youtu.be/VHWIqShO_iE

On the Way to Find Out - C. Stevens

https://youtu.be/KHo_YwyZ9Ic

amdg

“One day I will find the right words and they will be simple”

        - Jack Kerouac

“The only truth is music”

       - Jack Kerouac

Copyright 2019 JF Sobecki LLC All Rights Reserved