Showing posts with label Thomas A'Kempis. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Thomas A'Kempis. Show all posts

Sunday, February 1, 2026

The Waste Land Redux: Five Quintets - # I













Note: This contemplation is the first of Five Pieces

to be continued in subsequent posts.

"On the day of judgment , it matter more how devoutly one

has lived and what good works were done, rather than how 

much was read."

- Thomas A'Kempis

 Inspiration :

This pilgrim didn't realize the magnetic force of a group

of Venerable Monks walking for Peace would fuel

an avalanche of soul searching. Recollections of how 

a piece of the great puzzle rediscovered fueled insights as to

how everything is connected and fits.


The Writing; 


The Walk: Tears of Joy, Remembrance and Peace


Maybe April is not the cruelest month.

Sometimes when a soul enters that dark night as it wanders

it wonders if light will return. Belief in the experience doesn't suffice.

Faith fades and trust replaced with doubt . Weakened spirits forget experience

that all things pass . Sun sets, sun rises. 

Yet, there is an eternal spark that refuses to fade. It requires a mystical

breath of unknown origin to be rekindled to flame. 

    Buddhists remind pilgrims, "you can't push a river." 


For this  accidental pilgrim that rekindling arrived without

 the proclamation of a holiday parade. Rather, it was

a gentle walk - not protest nor political statement but a living

prayer of peace , hope and kindness. Step by step a line of 

venerable Buddhist Monks making way from 

Texas to Washington, DC..


Why and how did lost souls become drawn to this 

Sangha making way on their journey. How and why  was this

piece of the great puzzle of existence make appearance now? 

What was its source? Does it fit , where and why? 

Time wasted with a monkey mind.


The morning was breaking slow and grace filled. Being present

washed away the worry and fear. The wind blown chimes ceased their song.

An unexpected message appears on his small miracle of technology.

Was this a vision or reality ? It was a message and video from

a distant acquaintance , an in person witness to the procession

of monks. A flower in hand as tears flowed.  

Tears of joy , remembrance and peace

This pilgrim joined the river of tears . 


- JF Sobecki

-------

Music and Poetry ( for your listening pleasure

and contemplation) - Something New:

This is a complete YouTube Playlist of songs and poetry .

You can listen one or more at one sitting without clicking 

on each entry...or all in one sitting.

Second Chance Dance Playlist Songs and Poetry 

February 1 , 2026 - 

For your listening pleasure and contemplation:

 Click on the link below

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLB8FrnVEQMJDcY3mpFo5Ac5-okpE7E2oc&si=mo6y3dNYyNfeE65w

Coda: Faith, Trust and Purpose

Some music to guide your contemplation.

Music of eclectic different spiritual and religious perspectives

click on the link below

       The Wisdom Knot

https://youtu.be/TJIbOsWfa3M?si=wAIduhs0t3phiful

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)


"If this is well told 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 All Rights Reserved 2026 JF Sobecki LLC

 

Saturday, February 29, 2020

The Leap Day Maze






















The Great Maze


"At the day of judgement we shall not be asked by what we have read but what we have done."

― Thomas A Kempis, The Imitation of Christ


“There is no success like failure and failure is no success at all”
              - Bob Dylan, Love Minus Zero




























+++++++++++++++++++++

A Leap Day Maze

Just  like that six score and 12 years 
Flashed with the blink of an innocent eye.
He launched into a maze that no deity
Would ever conjure .
Walls were built, channels criss crossed, and
Paths designed by self- indulgent architects
Desiring subordination of the innocents, with 
Constructs and myths crafted to assure compliance.
Someone determined that the earth rotates every
23 hours , 56 minutes and 4.09053 seconds while
Traveling at 1,000 miles per second around the sun.
And so the story goes.
Trees , streams, rivers , oceans, birds
And all aspects of nature showed no concern for
Mortal interpretations of a mystical grand design.
The pilgrim given choices to discern , he reflected:
“Was Frost right ? Does it really matter in the end
What road to follow?
What of Carroll’s Cheshire Cat’s declaration
About choices ?
So in the grand plan was this determination
That Caesar proclaimed
An extra calendar day every four years
A benefit or just another fallacious 
Pronouncement from the mask of authority?”
While the soothsayer witch doctors, 
Self appointed kings, masters of war and violence ,silo fillers
Schemed and decreed sanctions and rewards
Defining success and failure,
There are those mystics, poets and spiritual guides 
Who choose to let go and be peace,
Listening to the voices of angels-
Following the truth discovered when one
Feels the breath of the divine 
In the wind and in the silence of the sanctity of the heart.
Humbled , grateful and serene in the simplicity…
He closed his eyes and was swept away.

            - JF Sobecki
+++++++++

Questions for the Angels - P.Simon


The King of Bohemia - R. Thompson


Once I was - Cowboy Junkies (T. Buckley)


Love Minus Zero - Bob Dylan



The Road Not Taken - R. Frost

The Journey - D.Whyte


Amdg





















Copyright 2020 All Righted Reserved JF Sobecki LLC