Part 3:The Waste Land Redux: Five Quintets

 

Those who retrain their desire

do so as they are weak enough to be 

restrained"

- Wm Blake

"How did it get so late so soon?"

- Dr. Seus

"Would you tell me please, which way I ought to

go from here?" Alice asked the cat.

The cat replied ."That all depends where you 

want get to."

"I don't much care where' said Alice.

"Then it doesn't matter which way you go"

said the cat.

- Alice in Wonderland

[Note: This is the third contemplation in Five Pieces

that was initiated in the February 1, 2026 blog post and 

to be continued in subsequent posts. 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:

Entering the portal of Erik Erikson's exploration of ego

integrity, the scattered points of my passage begin to align.

A forgotten piece of the puzzle stirs --

about to be illuminated ,

warming this pilgrim's spirit.

 ....To be continued

The Writing 

The Way of Tea  

Time does not move in straight lines. 

It opens. It returns. It reveals. 

Another long-forgotten encounter rises - 

sparked by the memory of the Venerable Monks Walk for Peace. 

A therapist, spiritual navigator , confidante and friend reached out 

as this prodigal pilgrim's vessel strained sailing against life's storms.

Hi name , Kirk-- father of the witness who wept recently 

as the monks passed in kindness and peace.

Kirks's lake house ---quiet, removed, a fitting threshold.

No explanations. A gentle smile.A gentle welcome

Two pilgrims mindfully step down to the yard in the back.

The lake wide . the sun descending placidly 

behind the trees on the far coast of the still waters. 

An altar waits:

a teapot of hot water, two ceramic bowls- 

loose leaves within 

Bamboo utensils, 

linen, folded with care ...guardians 

hymns to the silence.

Hands folded together heart center ---

Kirk bows, pilgrim returns a bow 

acknowledging the sacred in each other 

They sit - eyes meet . 

Kirk forms a cup with his hands 

The prodigal - follows ...

A bowl is placed---carefully --into open palms 

Water is poured, a gesture shown: 

cleansing the rim , then sipping the tea. 

Together. 

At last words - from the humble host: 

"Chanoyou ---mindfulness, harmony , 

respect, tranquility." 

A pause. 

More words flow ---"An old friend --- Robert Kennedy, 

a Jesuit, Psychoanalyst and Roshi. 

A slight breath - inhaling/exhaling.

"This Roshi invited me to an inter-religious retreat. 

I went...but after a few days, I told him , 

"I don't get it." 

He said "At least you tried."

 Kirk continues: 

"I left .Days later --- here --- sitting by the lake --- at sunset ---

Eyes open - I said ...

"I get it." 

The two then take a peaceful walk 

passing an empty boat on the shoreline---

just two mindful shadows. 

They speak of poetry, music, and Joseph Campbell. 

No conferences or consultation 

why the prodigal pilgrim came. 

At their parting, Kirk speaks 

with a kind smile and a hand 

consoling the pilgrim's heart, 

"Peace ...Courage."

Another time jump 

More than twenty years hence 

a room or retirees ...

a community gathered -- 

The pilgrim one pf this Jesuit Senior Volunteer Corps

Door opens No announcement, 

no sacred hymn or chant. 

Holy man enters -- long, dark robe flowing ( a kokomo). 

The anointed mentor for this congregation - 

speaking in a familiar soft voice:

"Let me introduce myself, I am 

called Father and Roshi - Robert Kennedy 

Recognition strikes ---sudden , undeniable. 

Kirk's friend!

The heart stumbles --- 

three, four beats lost. 

The long lost story recalled---

the tea, the lake, the silence.

No need to speak 

Another time jump 

Here/Now ---awakening ---a pattern revealed:

another dot connected - 

another piece finding its place 

within the story of me...

quietly emerging- 

" I get it!"

JF Sobecki

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

Second Chance Dance Playlist Songs and Poetry 

April 1, 2026 -

For your listening pleasure and contemplation:

There are some special videos here.

Click the link below

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLB8FrnVEQMJCHHspt23aXZb01sVzm5Iei&si=7YnvLbcX8tg5PKK1

Some music to take a moment for reflection...if you desire.

Do you have dots of your passage that have yet to be connected?

Is there a piece or two from your puzzle that needs to fit?

May peace be with you and yours all ways

This is a selection from the movie The Mission 

A Spiritual Director once asked me to listen

to this piece while contemplating the words...

"I am with you al-ways."

Gabriel's Oboe
https://youtu.be/Ixby9BzJfEo?si=BRDlStyY9wFam3Lu

Coda:

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 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

 

Lucky:The Pilgrim and The Sherpa

" When in doubt just be...

  present and your authentic self."

- Unknown

"Follow your Bliss"

- Joseph Campbell

"A small group of explorers were guided through 

the Himalayas by one compassionate  

sherpa helping the companions on the 

journey. He would sing, raising and taking down

the traveller's tents , cooking meals , carrying and pulling

supplies and equipment, navigating the

small collective through the dangerous terrain

of the infamous mythical mountains.

One of the group was consistent sharing

his gratitude to the sherpa for his care and service.

The sherpa humbly explained it was just his job, 

"no reason to be thanked," he said softly.

One night a most fierce winter storm 

devastated the group's encampment. 

Lives and equipment lost - destroyed. 

The sherpa missing , one sole survivor,

the grateful explorer.

The survivor - weak, hungry and

in pain collapsed unconscious.

He woke covered in in multiple blankets 

with group of monks carrying him to

a distant hidden magnificent Buddhist monastery. 

There the man was bathed , 

fed and dressed with a fresh monk tunic.

One young contemplative gently invites 

the man to meet the great guru, 

the Abbot of the monastery . 

On their way to the audience the man was told 

all of this was a gift from the Guru who was 

thankful that this adventurer

had graced their home, their temple.

When the Abbot unceremoniously entered the chamber 

the refreshed traveler stood up ,

eyes wide opened ...smiling ear to ear 

recognizing that this Guru 

was the same sherpa who had been servant caring

for the man and his companions on their passage.

- A Zen Story by Anthony DeMello SJ (Adapted)

Inspiration :

Seasons roll on and questions grow deeper. Beliefs are challenged,

old baggage and wounds explored. New roads and rivers 

along unending mountains appear.

No easy choices. No easy answers. Desiring something more 

lasting than the worldly promise of brass rings and rewards.

Sometimes a guide, a sherpa, a voice in the wilderness suddenly

surfaces at unexpected cross roads. 

The journey enters a restrained metamorphic season . 

Seeds of purpose , authenticity , relationships , presence , 

and letting go begin to flourish . Lucky ? 

Synchronicity.

The Writing:

Lucky: The Pilgrim and The Sherpa

As leaves turn brown some creatures become concerned

about  the wind and the rain . Memories of the birth of the 

once-budding trees and flowers, 

and streams being relieved from spring 

rain are not forgotten. 

Walking into the dimly lit waiting room - 

adorned with paintings of European Cathedrals -

the pilgrim had no idea his expectations 

were about to be changed forever. 

What followed was an unexpected

emotional, intellectual , spiritual 

and psychological transformation.

Kirk , the therapist , welcomed the seeker 

into an unmapped Odyssey. 

Their conversations -- on poetry, music, 

books, spiritual fabric of the universe - 

led the pilgrim into

a rabbit hole of discovery.

Kirk was more of a navigator than captain,

more Sherpa than sailor.

One navigates the sea,

the other the soul.

Kirk gently advised: 

"A helmsman can weather rough 

seas and right the vessel by letting go. "

The pilgrim was a good student but slow learner.

He grew more comfortable with the idea of

egoless expectations and silent desires.

The two set out sailing into the deep. 

Kirk, slowly peeling back the layers,

shared the story of his own passage..

The walls separating the heart from the soul, the intellect

and body began to crumble . 

The reason for their relationship  faded into yesterday. 

A new chapter began:

Conversations on spirituality . 

Attending The Dodge Poetry Festival, where their soulmate 

philosopher-poets welcomed searchers 

into their cosmic fold. 

Lake sailing .

Zen tea ceremonies.

Musical jam sessions.

This spiritual journey - infused with wisdom,

art and silence---

was not what the pilgrim expected .

It was, however, exactly what both needed.

Kirk had shared a draft of his autobiography , Lucky. 

The pilgrim noticed something missing:

the story of the "Failed Retreat."

Kirk, a lapsed Catholic, had once been invited by 

his Jesuit Priest-Roshi (Buddhist monk) to an 

interreligious retreat. 

After a day or so ,Kirk told his priest friend ,

"I'm leaving.I don't get it.".

The sun set and rose a few more times.

Then, on  a memorable morning Kirk woke 

thinking ---

I get it!

When the pilgrim first heard that story, he thought

of the cathedral paintings in Kirk's office. 

"You can take the boy of the church",he mused,

" but you can't take the church out of the boy.  

Smiling , Kirk advised, "Write that down."

The seasons began to roll by faster . 

The lives of the two friends drifted apart, 

leaving space for occasional messages and calls.

One night after returning from a weekend with

his family the pilgrim checked his home phone.

It was the voice of Kirk's son. 

The friend who helped him with solving 

life's  puzzle ---his guide --- had passed.

The Jedi in training now on his own.

At the wake in Kirk's home  a heartbroken

daughter welcomed the somber seeker.

"My  father spoke of you," She said, 

"and I know some of your secrets."

Looking into the pilgrim's eyes, she shared something else:

On his deathbed , 

Kirk had looked up and said ,

          "Help me pray." 

Tears slipped down his face. 

He was momentarily puzzled ---

then came his "ah-ha" moment. 

   - His life was his prayer.

      And his prayer, his life.

- JF Sobecki

--------

Poetry: some words and ideas to contemplate

A few selections from a couple of Kirk's favorite Poets.

(Please click on links underneath the video)

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 float 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 the 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 is no longer here"

that the night put its arms around me

and all the white stars turned bitter with grief.

- David Whyte

The Layers 

https://youtu.be/wk6xW41EFoA?feature=shared

Everything is Waiting for you - D. Whyte

https://youtu.be/MgQf5tx1hi4?feature=shared

Music: and such for your listening inspiration

and reflection 

(Please click on links underneath the video)

One Of These Days - N. Young

( Consider this an apology and a start)

https://youtu.be/XtRTA4u5QkU?si=6OgQc-WZV9LUC8-B

Rivers and Roads - Head and Heart

https://youtu.be/2gQLzoy5Jts?feature=shared

Any Road - G. Harrison

https://youtu.be/KCOFOWwCZdc?si=UXZc3vgIyR_A67z_

Simple Gifts- Yo Yo Ma/Allison Kraus

https://youtu.be/baNueuDCue0?feature=shared

Coda: Some additional considerations for your reflection..

Remember who touched you while on your busy passage.

Hope - Bill Moyers ( R.I.P.) w Wendell Berry 

(For Kirk [R.I.P.] Thank you for introducing me to B.Moyers- w The 

Power of the Myth and The Dodge Poetry Festival and

your guidance and friendship)

https://youtu.be/2j_r4jb9AYw?feature=shared

The Holy Longing -J.W. VonGoethe (Favorite Poem Project)

https://youtu.be/8YWoOj5mJMo?feature=shared

And we always need and benefit from a healthy laugh ....

(Kirk would have laughed)

Dalai Llama Walks into a Pizza Shop

https://youtu.be/WZy02_OFErk?feature=shared

AMDG

Copyright 2025 All Rights Reserved JF Sobecki LLC

    

The Ballad of the Piano Man and the Pirate: The Eternal Principle

The Sphere at Las Vegas

"Where your treasure is there is your heart also " - Matt: 6:21 

"Go into the the arts. I'm not kidding. The arts are not 

a way to make a living.They are a human way of 

making life more bearable. Practicing an art, no matter how

 well or badly , is a way to make your soul grow, for

 heaven's sake. Sing in the shower. Dance to the radio.

Tell stories. Write a poem to a friend, even a lousy poem. 

Do it as well as you possibly can. 

You will get an enormous reward. You will have created something."

- K. Vonnegut

"Are you willing to keep writing and telling stories knowing you 

will get nothing in return?"

- Whit Burnett to JD Salinger 

Do know where you are going and why?

The Inspiration :

The Eternal Principle - Bill Moyers with Joseph Campbell

 (In preparing this post the author "coincidentally" saw this video     

  confirming the original inspiration.

https://youtu.be/qX8j9TE7P38?si=uKDY83dzHjpC_l9D

"He who is not being born is busy dying" - B. Dylan                                     

"The River flows ,it flows to the sea. 

Wherever the river flows ,that's where I want to be " 

- R. McGuinn ( The Ballad of Easy Rider)

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

The Writing:

The Ballad of the Piano Man and The Pirate : The Eternal Principle

The Piano man and the pirate joined 50,000 souls in the 

Cathedral of the Field of Dreams as they were

Christened novices of the Sgt Pepper's Broken Hearts Club Band.

They never dreamed that within a half century they would

Become fully consecrated Jedi,

Thanks to the the holy order of the Supreme Surgeons 

Of the Sacred Heart.

They were one but not the same. 

Sometimes in those magical moments

The self proclaimed dynamic duo got to carry 

Each other from a distance.

The piano man tickled the ivories in between

Seconds of solemn solitary silence 

echoing sentiments in songs

Of Chaucer tales while the pirate strayed along

The rivers and roads in the rain somehow searching

For that promised hidden treasure.

The Pirate weaving in and out

Those un-forecasted storms in the arriving autumn.

Estragon's commentary "perhaps one could dance first and think 

Afterwards"  echoed constantly as they waited .

Selecting two separate roads less travelled, 

both leading to Emmaus,

The distracted two were not aware that maybe that secret

Treasure they had been seeking , just may be 

Everp-present in all aspects of creation.

The pirate perturbed by the possibility 

that the two reborn easy riders

Might come to the conclusion 

Of their predecessors , Wyatt and Billy.

In the end Wyatt solemnly reflected - "We blew it."

The piano man piously postulated how 

The circle would be unbroken,

Proposing that their Vegas venture would be a

Just another excursion on the way to Mandalay .

        - JF Sobecki

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

The Poems and Such:

"Poetry is a gateway into intuitive consciousness. It knocks on the doors

 of the heart and the heart opens" 

 - Mirabai Starr

"Poetry is an Act of Peace . Peace goes into the making of a poet

as flour goes into the making of bread."

- Pablo Neruda

" To see the world in a grain of sand and heaven in a wild flower.'

- Wm. Blake

When you are Old - WB Yeats as read by Cillian Murphy

https://youtu.be/dEHjBPS21A8?si=I4VV_dT3lbbVZb6Y

The Holy Longing - J W Goethe (Trans.R. Bly)

Tell a wise person, or else keep silent

because the mass man will mock it right away.

I praise what is truly alive,

what longs to be burned to death.

In the calm water of there love-nights

where you were begotten, where you have begotten

a strange feeling comes over you,

when you see the silent candle burning.

Now you are no longer caught in the obsession with the darkness

and desire for higher love-making sweeps you upward.

Distance does not make you falter.

Now, arriving in magic, flying,

and flying insane for the light,

you are a butterfly and you are gone.

And, so long as you haven't experienced this: to die and so to grow,

you are only a troubled guest on the dark earth.

______________

The Music:

(Musical reflections on the inspiration)

Roads and Rivers - Head and Heart

https://youtu.be/pop8pQlWwQo?si=TjqZohcWBivWRqki

Oh Las Vegas -  Emmy Lou Harris (G Parsons)

https://youtu.be/ANcF-PUNL4o?si=4ZsOvx-Lrt-oA5Vw

There's No Mountain - G Hansard

https://youtu.be/NMz-AxuMvsA?si=DRtJ-Pjf7h9FOrvq

Our Town - Trampled By Turtles

https://youtu.be/ch0J8FtMSA0?si=1MgNiHgTy6_doUMz

Some Musical Pieces/Videos for Meditation For Readers:

Queries: Remember those you met along the way -

those who touched you, those you may have 

touched, the accidental encounters and the life

long relationships... how all in this experience and universe

 is interconnected.

" Time it was , and what a time it was , it was...a time of innocence,

 a time of confidences. Long ago it must be , I have a 

 photograph. Preserve your memories they're all that's left you."  

 - P. Simon

Old Friends- Simon and Garfunkel

https://youtu.be/Ul2hSba5pOs?si=SWp_ZbrtQTURbCCB

" And the seasons go round and round,

the painted ponies go up and down.

We're captive on the carousel of time.

We can't return , we can only look behind from where we came.

And, go round and round in the circle game"

Circle Game - Tom Rush ( J Mitchell)

https://youtu.be/dURdp9tXa6k?si=Y9oY-ayMa2wS7cOa

And a post script:

Beatles at Shea Stadium 1965

https://youtu.be/M6DfG7sml-Q?si=Bd75aPXlZhHk4hWv

Still Haven't Found What I am looking For - U2 (video made in Las Vegas)

https://youtu.be/e3-5YC_oHjE?si=HCWgWuXvDvbJ_XZl

         

"One day I will find the right words , and they will be simple."

- Jack Kerouac

"The most important thing is not why we write but how we write.

Write dangerously , Beckett.." 

- James Joyce ( From the new biopic on S. Beckett " Dance First.")

Remembering : Doc Sullivan , Jim B , Irving  and all

 those who's souls have moved on their journey..

AMDG

Copyright 2023 All Rights Reserved JF Sobecki LLC