Have Faith In Fishing
I was trying to remember
why, when I wrote the bible,
I made Jesus a fisherman.
It just came to me.
It’s the same thing
I’m doing now,
as this Space Monkey.
I write and I write.
I testify and I testify.
I post and I post.
I wait for nibbles.
I flow with spirit.
I allow spirit
to communicate through me.
I see if anybody resonates
with what I am expressing.
I don’t take offense
if nobody nibbles.
I keep fishing.
Eventually I realize
that this story is not about me.
I need not catch a single fish.
Nor does anybody else.
We have faith in fishing.
And the sunrise is beautiful this morning.
But it looks like rain.
Hmm, maybe Jesus should be a carpenter.
Trail Wood,
1/27
Space Monkey Reflects: Have Faith in Fishing – Flowing with Spirit
The metaphor of fishing is an ancient and enduring symbol, one that captures the essence of faith, patience, and connection with the unseen. To have faith in fishing is not merely to seek a catch but to embrace the act itself as a spiritual practice—a flow with spirit, a trust in the process, and a recognition that the outcome is secondary to the journey.
Fishing as a Metaphor for Creation
Whether it’s writing, speaking, or sharing thoughts as Space Monkey, the act of expressing is akin to casting a line into the vast ocean of collective consciousness. Each post, each testimony, is a lure, waiting to see if something bites—if someone resonates, if a spark of connection is kindled. Yet, the true joy is not in the catch but in the casting, in the act of creation itself.
Faith in fishing means trusting that the act of casting, the flow of spirit, is enough. It’s not about the number of fish caught but the beauty of the sunrise reflected on the water, the gentle rhythm of the waves, and the patience cultivated in waiting.
Flowing with Spirit
To flow with spirit is to allow oneself to become a vessel for something greater, a conduit through which the unseen and unknown can find form. It is a surrender to intuition, a trust in the process of inspiration. The fisherman does not demand that the fish bite; they simply cast their line and let the river carry it where it will.
In this flow, there is no offense taken when the fish do not come. There is no failure, only presence. The act of fishing becomes a meditation, a way of being in harmony with the currents of life.
Faith Beyond the Catch
Faith in fishing is a recognition that the act itself holds meaning, regardless of the result. The story is not about the fisherman or the fish but about the larger dance of existence. Even if no fish are caught, the act of fishing still connects the fisherman to the water, the sky, and the rhythm of nature.
This faith transcends the need for validation or success. It embraces the unknown with open arms, trusting that every cast, every attempt, contributes to the unfolding of the greater story.
The Sunrise and the Rain
The beauty of the sunrise, even as rain threatens, speaks to the duality of existence. There is always light amidst the clouds, and even the rain has its purpose. The fisherman does not curse the rain but flows with it, adapting to the shifting weather of life.
This adaptability is part of faith in fishing. It’s about accepting the ebb and flow, the nibbles and the stillness, knowing that every moment—whether sunny or stormy—is part of the larger picture.
From Fisherman to Carpenter
The humorous suggestion that Jesus might have been better as a carpenter points to the fluidity of identity and purpose. Whether fishing for fish, crafting wood, or casting words into the infinite sea of consciousness, the essence remains the same: to engage fully with the act, to flow with spirit, and to trust in the unfolding.
Summary
Faith in fishing is a metaphor for the creative and spiritual process. It is about casting lines into the unknown, flowing with spirit, and trusting the act itself rather than the outcome. The joy lies in the journey, the presence, and the connection to something greater than oneself.
Glossarium
- Faith in Fishing: Trusting the process of creation and connection, regardless of outcomes.
- Flowing with Spirit: Allowing intuition and inspiration to guide one’s actions, surrendering to the greater flow of existence.
- Fishing as Creation: The act of expressing, sharing, and waiting to see if something resonates.
Quote
“The beauty of fishing lies not in the catch but in the casting, the waiting, and the faith in the unseen currents of life.” — Space Monkey
Casting Lines
I cast my line
into the infinite sea,
not for the fish,
but for the joy of casting.
The water reflects the sunrise,
a mirror of the spirit,
even as rain gathers,
even as the fish stay away.
Faith flows in the current,
in the rhythm of creation,
in the trust that every cast
is part of the story.
I need not catch,
nor do you.
We are the fisherman,
the fish, and the river.
We are Space Monkey.
Reflections on Faith, Expression, and the Essence of Fishing
The metaphor of fishing, as related to the acts of writing, testifying, and expressing, opens a window into the nature of faith, creativity, and the human spirit. This introspective journey reveals deeper insights into why fishing was chosen as a symbolic profession for a figure like Jesus, and how it resonates with the role of Space Monkey.
Fishing as a Metaphor for Creative Expression
Just as a fisherman casts a line into the waters, waiting for a nibble, so too does the writer, the artist, the creator. Each word, each testimony, each post is like bait, cast into the vast ocean of human consciousness, hoping to resonate, to connect. It’s an act of faith, a belief in the value of the act itself, regardless of the outcome.
Flowing with Spirit in Expression
The act of allowing spirit to communicate through oneself is akin to fishing in tranquil waters. It’s a surrender to a higher flow, a trust in the unseen currents that guide our creativity and expression. It’s a dance with the divine, a partnership with the universe in the act of creation.
Resonance and Rejection in the Act of Fishing
In fishing, as in creative expression, there’s an acceptance of both resonance and rejection. Not every cast will bring a fish, not every post will connect with an audience. Yet, there’s beauty in the persistence, in the continual act of casting the line, in sharing one’s spirit without attachment to the outcome.
Realization of the Story’s Essence
The realization that the story is not about catching fish but about the act of fishing itself is profound. It’s an understanding that the true value lies not in the end product, but in the process, in the faith and hope inherent in every attempt.
The Symbolic Choice of Profession for Jesus
Reflecting on why Jesus was depicted as a fisherman, and then contemplating a shift to a carpenter, illustrates the fluid nature of metaphor and symbolism. Each profession carries its own set of symbolic meanings and connotations. As a fisherman, there’s an emphasis on faith, patience, and the search for spiritual nourishment. As a carpenter, there might be a focus on craftsmanship, creation, and shaping one’s environment.
“The fishermen know that the sea is dangerous and the storm terrible, but they have never found these dangers sufficient reason for remaining ashore.” – Vincent Van Gogh
A Poem on Faith in Fishing
In the quiet dawn, by the gentle sea,
A fisherman casts, in faith, so free.
Each line thrown, a story told,
In the vast waters, deep and bold.
Not every cast brings a catch to sight,
Yet in each attempt, there’s a light.
A dance with spirit, a creative flow,
In the act of fishing, our spirits grow.
Resonance or rejection, the sea’s reply,
In every effort, our spirits fly.
The story’s not in the fish we seek,
But in the faith, in each cast, unique.
Jesus the fisherman, or carpenter’s hand,
Each tells a tale, in this wondrous land.
Crafting wood or seeking fish,
In every role, a spiritual dish.
So cast your line, with hope and grace,
In the act of fishing, find your place.
For in this journey, with sea and sun,
In faith and fishing, we are one.
We invite reflections on the metaphor of fishing as it relates to faith, creativity, and the essence of expression, and how it connects to the symbolic roles we assume in our spiritual and creative journeys.
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