Canticle: The Unravelling

A Video Intro

Canticle

                                                             https://youtu.be/3JS6YT2_jDo

 And Then he drifted about- two nights, two days

---driven

By the surging waves , and heart looked

destruction

   straight in the face.

But when the Dawn with her lovely braids brought

   the third day into the world

The wind died down and a calm , clear and still,

descended.

 - The Odyssey , Homer ( Translated by Daniel Mendelsohn)

The Inspiration :

( In Remembrance of  all the children - who have tragically suffered injury and death 

 because of gun violence, especially those who were supposed to be safe in our schools...

.... and their families)

The Writing:

( There are no real words of understanding or true consolation. )

Canticle: The Unravelling

He said "You have your religion

And I have mine.

I'm praying really hard

And we're running out of time.

You say you're looking ahead

And me deep within,

Neither knowing how to let go

Or where we should begin."

The canons and dogma imprecise

The lines have been drawn 

No peace or rest in paradise 

Thoughts and prayers and no resolve for 6 more gone.... 

CODA:

[Did not the teacher chastise those who 

place the innocents in harms way?

What is the greatest love one can give another?

Where will the children play? ]

- JF Sobecki

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

The Poems and Such:

( Poetry etc Reflections on the inspiration)

The Peace of Wild Things - Wendell Berry ( G. Keillor)

https://youtu.be/hPKRdZ2RBPw

The Music:

(Musical reflections on the inspiration)

On the Turning Away - Virginia Gentlemen  Choir

           https://youtu.be/oAkHkgAZq0o

Who Will Speak - M. Haugen

https://youtu.be/7cfBWjltR0A

Where Will The Children Play - Yusuf (Cat Stevens)

https://youtu.be/FXRS968i_H8

One - U2 ( Songs of Surrender)

https://youtu.be/-9P-S7gBess

For your meditation if you desire:

Singing Bowl

https://youtu.be/HQ4LE2B96Is

amdg

Copyright 2023 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

A California Reunion

"Remembrance is a form of Meeting"

- Kahil Gibran

"We are not Human Beings with a spiritual experience, but 

spiritual beings with a human experience"

- Pierre Teilhard Chardin

The Inspiration :

(Over 100 family members and friends gathered in Northern California's 

wine country to honor, remember and celebrate the life of the pilgrim's

sister's husband who had recently passed to the other side.)

A venerated teacher iterated , it is said that a Buddhist story

explains the probability of our incarnation as a human being on

this earth at this time and place is something like one life

preserver being tossed randomly into the ocean. There is one

turtle in the great expanse of the global ocean swimming somewhere 

underneath the water. The probability that we come into this world 

is the same as this one particular turtle sticking its head out

of the water...and in that specific moment its head peaks through 

the hole in that one random life preserver in just one try. Some social

scientist calculated that the odds of any one being becoming a 

real thing ( real life) is 1 in 400 million.

The patient pilgrim pondered,"If all creation is not a miracle

I don't know what is. This vessel may end its earthly journey but

the essence of the spirit in everything is not finished as a new 

journey begins."

The Writing:

(A personal reflection inspired by this post's theme)

A California Reunion

What is that flame,. that light

That Mystical source that draws searching souls,

Abandoning their daily passage to gather,

Reuniting in compassion and empathy?

How is it that in one fleeting urgent moment

The baggage of their journey

Is left behind with no regrets or hard feelings?

How strong is that desire for healing

The broken hearts of fellow travelers?

The pilgrim and two offspring converged

In the land of Jacks Dharma Bums' ghosts,

California stars, joining

The great pilgrimage to be where

Mindfulness is the practice of

Redemption and gratitude becoming

The "Holy Communion."

Rivers of tears flow like sacramental wine.

The unwavering torrential rains 

Came to a hard stop without notice,

Giving rebirth to a divine virgin blue sky

Making way for the great gleam.

Witness the true Beautiful Day.

The Tower of Song of the mask free sojourners'

Overflowing hearts sang out

As one unified voice of a singular solemn

Angelic choir filling the sanctuary

Serenely settled on the secret banks 

Of the Russian River, one or two puffs

South of the Emerald Triangle

Guarded by the glorious green mountainous grandeur.

Rhythms of the Chicago Blues reverberate

From within this chapel of untethered celebration

With the same DNA heard in the most holy arias.

Higher and Higher, cowboy lamentations,

Palomas and fries nourish 

The thirsty and hungry hearted congregation.

It is on the sacred ground , leaving behind the world,

Where the one sublime transformational moment

Of the authentic consecrating unconditional love

Washes down every aspect of the universe,

Leaving all to kneel in the deepest chamber

Of their hearts with humility to the light.

- JF Sobecki

The Poems:

( Poetry Reflections on the inspiration)

Where Many Rivers Meet

All the water below came from above

All the clouds living in the mountains

gave it to the rivers

who gave it to the sea, which is their dying.

And so I float on the cloud become water

central sea surrounded by white mountains,

the water salt, once fresh

cloud fall and steam , tree root and tide bank

leading to the river' mouths

and the mouth of the rivers sing to the sea,

the stories buried in the mountains

give out to the sea

and the sea remembers

and sings back 

from the depths

where nothing is forgotten.

- David Whyte

The Holy Longing - Goethe ( From the Favorite Poem Project)

https://youtu.be/8YWoOj5mJMo

Song of Myself - W. Whitman ( From the Favorite Poem Project)

https://youtu.be/hPLHVQpm1JA

For The Children - Gary Snyder

https://youtu.be/UXY5NTaL_48

The Music:

(Musical reflections on the inspiration)

Transcendental Reunion - Mary Chapin Carpenter

https://youtu.be/1GUFJquA6bc

Heavenly Father - Bon Iver

https://youtu.be/vAoADCSpD-8

Live Forever - Drew Holcombe

https://youtu.be/ntbNQk2Tk7Q

Wash Me Down - Jim Cuddy

https://youtu.be/V6KxemuVYMU

Windfall - Son Volt

https://youtu.be/f1XrTzVzbJY

California Stars - Wilco

https://youtu.be/gQwlAjiSzQc

Tower of Song - Leonard Cohen (w U2)

https://youtu.be/OpLBtWG3JR4

No Hard Feelings - The Avett Brothers

https://youtu.be/aaU2HvRhCPw

Seasons of Love - Rent

https://youtu.be/UvyHuse6buY

Coda:

A Time to Say Goodbye - Andrea Bocelli & Sarah Brightman

https://youtu.be/4L_yCwFD6Jo

Remembering:

R.I.P. and Music,Skip !

                                                             

Marybeth Lifting or Spirits Higher

https://youtu.be/k9aDOGoPvW8

Tbird and a Redhead - Jimmy Smith Band ( Skip on Harp)

https://youtu.be/LY2BP6IoRwg

admit

Copyright 2023 All Rights Reserved JF Sobecki LLC

A California Reunion

"We are not human beings having a spiritual experience

but spiritual beings having a human experience."

- Pierre Teilhard Chardin

The Inspiration _______________

(Over 100 family members and friends gathered  in Northern California's 

wine country to honor and celebrate the life of the pilgrim's sister 's 

free spirited husband who had recently passed on to the other side.)

A venerated teacher proclaimed ,

 "It is is said that a Buddhist story that sites

 the probability of our incarnation as a human being on 

this earth at this time is something like one life preserver

 being thrown randomly into the ocean. There is this one 

turtle in all the oceans on earth swimming underneath the

 water somewhere .The probability that we come about in 

this world is the same as this one particular turtle sticking 

its head out of the water —-and at that specific moment its

 head peaks through the hole in that one random life preserver

 in just one try. Some social scientist promulgated that 

the odds of one becoming a real thing ( a life) is about 

1 in 400 million." 

The pilgrim responded "If all of creation is not a miracle

 I don’t know what is.

The vessel may end the earthly journey but the essence 

of the spirit is not finished as a new journey begins."

The Writing _____________________

( A personal reflection inspired by the post's theme)

A California Reunion

What is that flame , that light -

That mystically draws searching souls,

Abandoning their daily passage to gather,

Reuniting in compassion and empathy ?

How is it that in one fleeting urgent moment

The baggage of their journey

Is left behind with no regrets or hard feelings?

How strong is that desire for healing

The broken heart of a fellow traveler?

The pilgrim and two offspring converged

In the land of the ghosts of Jack's Dharma Bums ,

The California Stars , with

The great pilgrimage.

To be to where

Mindfulness is the living practice of

The redemption and gratitude ,, 

Is "the holy communion ."

This is where rivers of tears can

Flow like sacramental wine.

The days of the unwavering torrential rain

Came to a hard stop without notice,

Giving rebirth to divine virgin blue heavens 

Making room for the great gleam.

The Tower of Song of the mask-less sojourners

And companion hearts sang out

As one unified voice of a singular solemn 

Choral family filling the sanctuary 

On the secret sacred banks of the Russian River 

One puss south of the Golden Triangle

Guarded by the glorious green mountainous grandeur.

Sounds of the Chicago blues echoed 

From the celebratory chapel of love,

The same source heard in the most holy of arias.

Higher and higher, cowboy laments , 

Palomas and fries added to the nourishing

Of the hungry hearted congregation. 

It is in this sacred retreat of , leaving the world behind,

The one sublime transformational moment of the authentic

Consecration of unconditional love washing down every 

Aspect of the universe , 

All kneeling in the deepest chamber of their hearts

In humility to the light.

         - JF Sobecki 

The Poems ______________________

( Poetry reflections on the inspiration)

Where Many Rivers Meet -

All the water below me came from above

All the clouds living in the mountains

gave it to the rivers

who gave it to the sea, which is their dying.

And so I float on cloud become water,

central sea surrounded by white mountains,

the water salt, once fresh,

cloud fall and steam , tree root and tide bank

leading to the river' mouths

and the mouths of the rivers sing into the sea,

the stories buried in the mountains

give out to the sea

and the sea remembers

and sings back

from the depths

where nothing is forgotten.

 - David Whyte

The Holy Longing - Goethe ( From the Favorite Poem Project)

https://youtu.be/8YWoOj5mJMo

Song of Myself - Walt Whitman ( From The Favorite Poem Project)

https://youtu.be/hPLHVQpm1JA

For The Children - Gary Snyder

https://youtu.be/UXY5NTaL_48

The Music _____________________

(Reflections on the inspiration)            

Transcendental Reunion - Mary Chapin Carpenter

       https://youtu.be/RxgscjinS-k
 

Heavenly Father - Bon Iver

https://youtu.be/vAoADCSpD-8

Live Forever - Drew Holcombe

https://youtu.be/ntbNQk2Tk7Q

Windfall - Son Volt

https://youtu.be/f1XrTzVzbJY

California Stars - Wilco

https://youtu.be/gQwlAjiSzQcLeonard Cohen, 

Tower of Song - U2 with Leonard Cohen

https://youtu.be/OpLBtWG3JR4

No Hard Feelings - The Avett Brothers

https://youtu.be/aaU2HvRhCPw

Jim Cuddy,

Wash Me Down - Jim Buddy

https://youtu.be/V6KxemuVYMU

Setons of Love - Rent

https://youtu.be/UvyHuse6buYAndre Bocelli, Hopland, California

Coda_____________________________

A Time to Say Goodbye - Andrea Bocelli/Sarah Brightman

https://youtu.be/4L_yCwFD6Jo

Remembering__________________

R.I. P. Skip

Higher and Higher - Marybeth at Skip's Memorial Celebratio

https://youtu.be/yF_Ap_vOSuM

Tbird and The RedHead - Jimmy Smith Band ( Featuring Skip on harp)

https://youtu.be/LY2BP6IoRwg

amdg

Copyright 2023 All Rights Reserved JF Sobecki LLC

The Art of Being and No Intention

 

"One life but we're not the same

we got to carry each other, carry each other.."

- U2

"I should be content

to look at a mountain

for what it is

and not as a comment on my life."

- David Ignatow

"We plan, God laughs" - Yiddish Proverb

A New Year's Plea

Lord, let me stand in the thick of the fight

Let me bear what I must without Whining

Grant me the wisdom to do what is right

Though a thousand false beacons are shining.

Let me be true as the steel of a blade

Make me bigger than skilled or clever:

Teach me to cling to my best, unafraid.

And, harken the false gospels, never.

Let me be brave when the burden is great,

Faithful when wounded by sorrow,

Teach me, when troubled. with patience to wait

The better and bright tomorrow.

Spare me from hatred and envy and shame,

Open my eyes to life's beauty:

Let not the glitter of fortune or fame

Blind me to what is my duty.

Let me be true to myself to the end,

Let me stand to my task without whining,

Let me be right as a man , as a friend,

Though a thousand false beacons are shining.

   - Edgar A. Guest ( found in a collection of his poetry printed 1925)

___________________

The Art of Being and No Intention

An original member of the band recalled how the pilgrim

Was thought of as the student  with "Aptitude with Attitude."

The "undeclared" pilgrim sojourner believed he was

That cork "floating over the raging sea,"

No course charted or a grand vision of Ulysses.

Often distracted, the pilgrim wandered this way and that,

Not considering how the wind and mystical currents -

Were taking him to be precisely where he needed to be.

On the inhale present to mystery , and

On the exhale the holy longing could fade as

Disorientation and discouraging doubt disrupt the passage.

Almost 28,000 rotations of the earth completed

Since that eternal spark launched his soul's innocent vessel,

From the womb fists ready for the fight, 

You know, just in case,

From the first light injustice and ignorance 

Appeared flourishing in all aspects of the world .

"Where was that unconditional love? 

What happened to the magnificent

Promise of perpetual sanctifying peace?'

No control while relying on faith 

Seemed at times to stop everything within and around him.

Then that secret sacred voice, without speaking ,

Simply and unabashedly penetrated his spirit.

"Let go and just be. You are the author of your own story

Remember 'The treasure is where your heart is' .

No matter where you are

Or what you do or say

It is how you love and serve others that matters."

 - JF Sobecki

____________________-

"Wherever you go there you are."

- Jon Kabat-Zinn

-------

A few musical pieces....       

The Boxer - Kraus, Colvin and Douglas (P. Simon)

(Thanks to Lou P. for the inspiration )

     https://youtu.be/N31AvYe6WUU

There is a Mountain - Donavan

https://youtu.be/zil3-EDye1g

                          

Nights in White Satin/Late Lament - Moody Blues

https://youtu.be/bwr7TUNmwqQ

One of These Days - N.Young

https://youtu.be/XtRTA4u5QkU

One - U2

https://youtu.be/ftjEcrrf7r0

One Fine Day - D. Byrne*

https://youtu.be/JvlT5fBIi4U

Simple Gifts - Yo-Yo Ma/Allison Kraus

https://youtu.be/baNueuDCue0

'Til I Die - Beach Boys ( B. Wilson)

https://youtu.be/87D8-rXTT0M

Night Riders Lament - JJ Walker

( Just because - for all those who follow their own spirit)

https://youtu.be/3wOrfKtAK2Y

Ulysses(ending) - Read by Dame Helen Mirren (Alfred Lord Tennyson)

https://youtu.be/aJb_zJbJ7FI

amdg

Copyright 2023 All Rights Reserved
JF Sobecki LLC *











* Quaker

The Advent Gift

Charlie Brown asked Lucy why she was so happy. Lucy explained how it was "Christmas" and explained further that this was the time of the year to " spread joy, caring, compassion. giving , peace and love."

Charlie Brown wondered to Lucy "What do we do these things at "Christmastime" and why can't we do these things and be that way all year round?" Lucy yelled at Charlie Brown. " What are you some type of religious fanatic?"

 

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

The Advent Gift

So he sat in the stillness with silence,

Letting go the contemplation, 

Surrendering to the sanctifying serenity..

Gazing through the ancient windows

Blurring all that magnificent gift of nature

Wondering if there would be one leaf

That would refuse to fall.

The noise of the world slowly 

Fading into nothingness.

His earthly vessel lost 

As the consciousness welcomed the light.

The soul slowly slipping 

Into the mystical cosmic void.

No conjuring analysis of the now,

Floating and free .

The eternal spark rekindled

Growing the flame warming the soul.

A secret voice of an unknown source

Seemed to speak softly to his spirit

"Who will love if you don't? 

Are you the selfless creation

Unafraid to to serve those pilgrims

Struggling to live in blessedness?

Are others aware of the abundant

Unconditional  perpetual grace?

What is your contribution to the solace?

How does your authenticity shine 

The light that has been gifted so

Every aspect of creation

Waking all to the great illumination,

The Divine DNA residing in every thing?

My gift to you :

Is that you are to give freely

All times - all ways.

All life is sacrament. All time is sacred.

All days are holy-days."

Eyes and  mind clear, heart and spirit filled.

He thought "Maybe this is heaven"

Advent complete.

- JF Sobecki

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

Some different music for the Holidays

You Got The Love - The Retrosettes Sister Band

https://youtu.be/fMEgZiCTW0M

When Love Comes to Town( w BB King)- U2

https://youtu.be/_TGU35i8czo

Long,Long, Long - Beatles( G. Harrison)

https://youtu.be/e9vUCdfwlgw

Peace Train - C. Stevens - Playing for Change

https://youtu.be/0QpjR6-Uuks

Do They Know its Christmastime- Band Aid

https://youtu.be/j3fSknbR7Y4

Field Of Dreams - "Maybe This is Heaven" (watch til the end)

* Warning: Men grab that box of tissues

https://youtu.be/lXjz-M_6eN8

Scrooge ( A Christmas Carol - Full Movie)

https://youtu.be/zvEMd7WLoew

amdg

Copyright JF Sobecki LLC All Rights Reserved 2022

This Little Light

 

"At sea I learned how little a person

needs, not how much."

      - Robin Graham

------

This Little Light

Some say she is a seeker sailing sanctified seas for serenity.

Some say she savors the searching.

The waves are all separate, new , coming and going

And yet they are of that one great unknown sea.

The wind of that unknown mystical source

Sometimes fills the sails and sometimes the canvas 

Stands in stillness and the vessel drifts almost aimless.

No sextant , charts or navigator needed.

A new habit may help, but a new mask will not.

The heart knows where the treasure is and 

That eternal spark will light the way.

The greek chorus of bishops of the voyage proclaim ,

"The ocean is our cathedral and sailing our sacrament.

It is how you sail that really matters in the end . 

Trust that consecrating wind that lifts the migrating paracletes . "

Sacred sojourners don't sail for accolades or rewards,

It isn't about attachments , owning any thing

Or crossing some arbitrary finish line.

Holes need to be filled, lost spirits 

And bodies to be found, fed and sheltered.

Echoes of a humble mother recalls

That everyone , every thing needs love.

Seekers bow to the rising sun and kneel 

As the gleam fades over the horizon.

Constant compassion, selflessness,  gratitude

And maybe a little light, a poem and a song-

The only real provisions needed for the passage  .

               - JF Sobecki

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

Some Eternal Spark - Glossary

https://youtu.be/HNC48nWREXg

Nothing But a Burning Light - B. Cockburn

https://youtu.be/xUqFP3kGMZg

Tomorrow Never Knows- Beatles

https://youtu.be/O58ouPdjgo0

Gotta Be - Desiree'

https://youtu.be/pO40TcKa_5U

Still Haven't Found - U2

https://youtu.be/e3-5YC_oHjE

Any Road - G. Harrison

https://youtu.be/BldrJGDhIME

This Little Light - Odetta

What the World need Now - J. DeShannon

https://youtu.be/YUaxVQPohlU

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

  The Journey

Above there mountains

The geese turn into 

the light again

Painting their

black silhouettes

on an open sky

Sometimes everything

has to be 

inscribed across 

the heavens

so you can find the one line

already written

inside you.

Sometimes it takes

a great sky

to find that

first, bright

and indescribable

wedge of freedom

in your own heart.

Sometimes with 

the bones of the black

sticks left when the fire

has gone out

someone has written

something new

in the ashes of your life.

You are not leaving.

Even as the light fades quickly now

you are arriving.

- David Whyte

Remembering Skip - R.I.P. 

His "Girls"

                                                                                       

amdg

Copyright All Rights Reserved 2022 JF Sobecki LLC