Moon Phases

July Buck Moon

"Cold-hearted orb that rules the night,

Removes the colors from our sight.

Red is gray and yellow white

But we decide which is right

And which is an illusion."

- The Lament ( Nights in White Satin), 

   Moody Blues

"Enlightenment is like the moon reflected

on the water. The moon does not get wet,

nor is the water broken. Although its light

is wide and great , the moon is reflected even in a puddle

an inch wide."

- Zen Master Elhei Dogen

"I am but a finger pointing to the moon. Do not look at me;

look at the moon." 

- Author unknown

Inspirations  

A lifetime ago, sitting in the dark night, gazing at the 

magical, mysterious glow of the brilliant ball

illuminating the sky ,  I didn't know what to think-

so I  prayed.

The relationship with the moon began.

He was there at the end of a day of confusion,

a day of stress or grief and even days of peace, love and joy.

Some mornings he was visible through the growing brightness 

of the the dawn. 

Somedays clouds would hide its presence,

but I was learning the truth.

The belief that this orb was more than an accident

hanging in the sky began to grow. 

He was a in me and me in him.

(Astrologists, mythologists as well a theologians , navigators of

the earth and the mind, philosophers, poets and scientists

 have studied and tried to comprehend

our relationship to the moon and its purpose.).

A brief history of the moon.

* 4.6 billions year ago a solar nebula collapsed and much of the material

fell forming a young sun

* Much of the dust became rocks 

* Some rocks were big and became planets (protoplanets)

   - One of these became the earth

* The young earth was struck by Mars-sized protoplanet

* The impact of this collision produced the Earth's moon.

* Over a billion years, a remarkable relationship developed between

   the Earth and its moon.* 

* Their nearly perfect alignment has allowed the moon to

   influence tides, ecosystems and perhaps our observations 

   (including werewolves), while  philosophers, astrologers, poets and scientists 

   continue to study the orb's influence on life on earth.

It is written that  the moon's  distance and the angle of the 

his orbit are finely balanced that even the modest changes could

place Earth's long-term stability in serious jeopardy. 

There are multiple scenarios describing how changes 

in that relationship might affect our planet 

No thing lasts.  

Some suggest that the forthcoming July "Buck Moon" 

carries sacred and psychological significance -

- 'shedding and renewal, 

- regeneration,

- inner strength

and deeper spiritual grounding.

Is all of this really some magnificent

accidental coincidence and speculation ? 

Our earthly and celestial origins - mutual.

Perhaps it is no surprise then that 

this connection and wonder  continues  ....

The Writing: 

Moon Phases

Midnight companion

shining through the black heavenly shroud.

Celestial consoler , 

dark-sky influencer, 

intervener..

Perpetual listener 

and spark igniter -

flame of truth,

 subconscious liberator.

Hemingway's conviction:

  " The night is for rest" 

Debunked!

The "I am" wakes in the dark night

The universe's cathedral illuminated

Waves roll.

The reflection glides-

selfless phases 

for every time,

For every thing .

Who am I without you?

Who are you without one 

to receive your glow 

while guiding the tides?

Without this planet

you would not exist.

Without your presence

 - I am not .

- JF Sobecki

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

Second Chance Dance Playlist Songs plus

July 1 , 2026 -

For your listening pleasure and contemplation:

Click the link below

( Click on the link below to listen and be )

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLB8FrnVEQMJC6dJTMsRGJl3yBWtvRc8MK&si=FtOit8r7YXHB_3k8

Coda:

One more short reflection and prayer

https://youtu.be/S0d9ck3sRw8?si=rq06XF-k3xwBhNM4

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

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

Morning Matins: Breathing Under Water

 "We are the drop of water rising up , joining with the drops

in a cloud until in a blink of the cosmic eye the drop falls

returning to the expansive sea from whence it came...back home."

- Adapted from a Buddhist teacher

"Every moment and every event of

every person's life on earth plants

something in our soul. For just as the wind 

carries thousands of winged seeds, so each moment

brings with it germs of spiritual vitality 

that comes to rest imperceptibly in the minds

and wills of everyone. Most of these

unnumbered seeds perish and are

lost, because we are not prepared to receive them: 

for such seeds as these spring up 

anywhere except in the soil of freedom, spontaneity and love.

- New seeds of Contemplation. Thomas Merton

Inspiration :

Waking in the morning can be a most mystical gift.

Sometimes rest and sleep do not arrive as we intend.

It can be restless, filled with passages into rabbit holes

that make Alice's experience seem like metaphors 

while other storylines contain some hidden truths

or fears sparked by exaggerated interpretation 

of the real.

Yet, when the wandering brain and body

signal it is time to return to the world's vibrancy, 

there is no conscious awareness of the science that fuels

the moment of morning's reverie.

Sometimes - just sometimes -the divine 

gift of epiphany

arrives in that dawning without warning or 

prophecy.

    The wonder returns.

The Writing:

Morning Matins: Breathing Under Water

Crickets chirping and morning bird songs

proclaim humble sweet gratitude.

Dark shadows of night evaporate

as the gleam of the forthcoming 

brilliance begins to wash over

resting silent landscape.

The last flowers of summer

submit an offering of one final 

proclamation of blessedness.

Nature's tranquility, evidence 

- of the mystical

caresses with waves of grace.

A rekindled spark of a sanctified sanctuary

gifts the constancy of unconditional love 

with gentle cosmic winds of mercy.

The sound of soft rolling waves on the shore line

sweep away the footprints of authentic

prayer-filled pilgrims, 

gulls and  scampering sandpipers.

A red bead of sun peeks over the horizon illuminating

and warming the waiting third planet

as she moves on in her journey.

 

Yet some insecure sentients deem this sanctuary

imperfect, 

contriving plans to disrupt the grandeur of 

the great cathedral.

The morning matins of wayfaring strangers

as if breathing under water,

conjure tears of deliverance - 

fearing the universe's divine majesty

as it may abandon everything -

starting anew somewhere else in the great expanse.

- JF Sobecki

-----

Poetry (and such for your Contemplation)

A Day

I'll tell you how the sun rose-

A ribbon of a time.

The steeples swam in amethyst,

The news like squirrels ran

The hills untied their bonnets,

The bobolinks begun.

Then I said softly to myself,

"That must have been the sun!"

But how he set , I know not.

There seemed a purple stile

Which yellow boys and girls

Were climbing all the while

Till when they reached the other side,

A domine in grey

Put gently up the evening bars,

And led the flock away.

- E. Dickinson

Sandpiper - E. Bishop

https://youtu.be/y23xgttkUs0?si=qCr2NdnDdY3jlEF6

----

Music: and such for your listening inspiration

(Please click on link below each picture to see video)

Morning Has Broken - C. Stevens(Yusuf)

   (Dawn at White House- Jesuit Retreat ,St. Louis, Mo)

https://youtu.be/e0TInLOJuUM?si=RmHWvT8OKbtn1DoO

Morning - Beck

https://youtu.be/UvKbBkiYN9Y?si=ifkK07uI5rNCcnHn

New Morning - B. Dylan

https://youtu.be/99s-B9YoGPA?si=Qwm_FNQYMI8TEEQ7

Light of the Clear New Morning- Conspirare

https://youtu.be/TkrIQ0XEeFU?si=XpLWYqJivM-0iOkj

-----

Coda: Something extra special for your consideration 

and reflection ( wait until the end)

Intention and Kindness - W. Dyer

https://youtu.be/vmGQev-obBk?si=mKnKJQ7JwTV0DJ8p

AMDG

Copyright 2025 All Rights Reserved JF Sobecki LLC

Of Mornings , Breaking Waves and Purpose

  

There's a reason we are drawn

to gazing at the ocean.

It is said the ocean provides

a closer reflection of who

we are than any mirror.

- R. Rubin

I want to run, I want to hide

I want to tear down the walls

That hold me inside.

- Where the Streets have No Name, U2

The Inspiration :

( There is something to be said when one is present to breaking 

waves especially on the beach at dawn.)

The Writing:

(Sometimes an inspiration surfaces from the most unusual and surprising

events and situations. Sometimes it is the sun peaking over the horizon

casting its glow across the waves, or a chorus in a song or line in a poem.

Sometimes some unexplainable presence casts a light making the darkness

less intimidating if not neutralizing it altogether. )

Of Mornings, Breaking Waves and Purpose

Isn't it enough that we have the sea,

The sand, the shore and the eternal sanctuary 

Where the soul can be perfectly present?

The dramatic arrival of that consecrating illumination

Brings light, color and consolation to the exterior and

Interior without prejudice. 

How are we surprised by the sanctification,

The soul - filled serenity always available ,

Where no cover and no minimum charges are required?

The self imposed busy-ness keeps us distracted

And fooled just long enough to think we 

Just might be in control enough to give birth 

To a great universal cosmic peace within and without.

Shamans indicate that infants and children

Know the secret and even maybe some like minded 

spirits will also know the essence of the truth.

What is it that fuels the spark

Initiating our hearts to pump and circulate

The life giving force through the 60,000 miles

Of superhighway blood vessels?

And, who planted those magical thoughts 

Finally flowing seeping words into the space

Between us or between the lines on some virgin journal

Awaiting patiently to be filled with

Wisdom , hope , love and gratitude?

What is it that causes silence to

Transform tones in music?

Where is that magnificent warehouse of creativity

That inspires a tortured artist to carve stone

Or wood into iconic statues or mix chemical pastes painting

The colors of the universe into waterlilies on canvas?

Gamblers, no matter their motivation,

Know why they show up everyday.

Hungry sailors and shipwrecked souls sometimes have that sixth sense

About the tides and the waves.

Time will tell , that unknown source of the wind

And the holy point of the coastal hills and 

Their sister sacramental dunes, uncovering the absoluteness of the truth.

Hissing rolling surf washes away footprints

Of beach combing wanderers , seekers and sandpipers .

Pilgrim reflections of sacred instances when 

The morning light shinning on the breaking waves 

Lifted the fog clarifying 

That the purpose for us is not to make a living...

It is letting go and letting our life be who we are ...

That is our purpose.

              - JF Sobecki

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

The Poems and Such:

( Poetry etc Reflections on the inspiration)

Equanimity means profound

stability, like trees planted by the water

That shall not be moved.

That's the fierce equanimity that

Comes from an open heart, open 

mind, and a clear direction of our energy

toward changing the direct

trajectory of history. 

- L. Ward , Awakening to the Apocalypse

Why I wake early - M. Oliver

https://youtu.be/R4O_QcpJlzc

"For Whatever we lose

( like a you or a me )

It's always ourselves

We Find in the sea."

- e e cummings

The Music:

(Musical reflections on the inspiration)

Morning - Beck

https://youtu.be/UvKbBkiYN9Y

Not Dead yet - Lord Huron

https://youtu.be/5b0Pt-k1hGo

Daylight - Watchhouse ( Formerly Mandolin Orange)

https://youtu.be/bRmzMIH3Gj0

Time Will Tell - Gregory Alan Isakov

https://youtu.be/iHfr09egqVs

Pacing The Cage - B. Cochburn

https://youtu.be/mlnJs4WpUjc

Every Breaking Wave - U2

https://youtu.be/BdVIJNnzNQc

Heaven/Where True Love Goes- Cat Stevens ( Jusuf)

https://youtu.be/taTdgSP61ys

amdg

Copyright 2023 All Rights Reserved JF Sobecki LLC

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