The Fly-Fishing - The Sacred Art: Casting a Fly as Spiritual Practice (The Art of Spiritual Living)
Thursday Review:Fly-Fishing: The Sacred Art--Casting a Fly as a Spiritual PracticeA very special book on fishing has just been published--but I'll warn you. It's about more than fishing. It's about the Bigger Things.Now I know you probably have seen a hundred purported texts about the Bigger Things, but I don't think you've come across one like this before. It's called Fly-Fishing: The Sacred Art--Casting a Fly as a Spiritual Practice and it is written by Rabbi Erik Eisenkramer and Rev. Michael Attas (Skylight Press, 2012) and it is wonderful.Many of you will know Rabbi Eisenkramer from his brilliant blog The Fly Fishing Rabbi. Dr. Attas is a cardiologist, an Episcopal priest, and dedicated fly angler. Both men are hugely qualified to write not only about fly fishing, but about life.Many of us treat fly fishing like a religion. Rabbi Eisenkramer and Rev. Attas reveal to us in this wonderfully written and inspirational epistle that fly fishing is not a religion, but it can -- if approached the right way -- bring us closer to each other, nature, and God. On every page, we are reminded that fishing is not just about catching fish; instead, it is the journey that matters and the fish, and the waters they inhabit, are simultaneously our inspiration and our guides. Thoughtful and articulate throughout, a careful read of this exceptional book will make you a better fly angler, but more importantly, it will make you a better person.I don't want to spoil the impact of the story but I will end this brief review by saying that every fly angler--whether agnostic or dedicated from a religious standpoint--will benefit in some way from this lovely little book.The book is available from Amazon.com and directly from the publisher Skylight Paths. This softcover book lists at $16.99 and is 140 pages in length.(Dr. ToddFishing for History Blog2012-05-10)"In my family, there was no clear division between religion and fly fishing." - Norman Maclean, A River Runs Through ItThe quote is also the beginning of Rabbi Eric's Introduction to his background; he is a rabbi serving a congregation in Connecticut. Born and raised in St. Louis he has been on the east coast for nearly twenty years. Co-author Dr. Michael Attas is a cardiologist from Texas who, quoting the book here, "in his spare time, was ordained as an Episcopal priest and serves as guest preacher at his local congregation. He is also a professor at Baylor University where he teaches a class in medical humanities."You might ask why would such an unlikely pair would join forces to write what they clearly see and feel are a common connection to the teachings of Christianity on Mike's part, and the connection to Judaism by Eric. The author Norman Maclean "saw no division between fly-fishing and religion." Our authors heartily agree and believe fly-fishing is "a spiritual endeavor that can enrich our lives."The first half of the book describes each fishing their local rivers in what they call "a circular journey that cleanses our spirits and renews our souls." The second half shares stories of fishing with friends and family and separate adventures of fishing in Argentina. Really shared experiences.At the end of each chapter are questions and exercises intended to improve the readers fishing skills and help in spiritual growth and awareness as well. For the authors, (as well as many of us) fly fishing is about much more than catching fish.Quoting from Eric's introduction, "Fly-fishing helps Mike and I navigate the currents of our lives, draw closer to nature, and reflect upon our own inner journeys. Sometimes out on the water we even feel a presence larger than ourselves. We pause to look at the river, the trees, and the sky, and we simply say "thank you" for the amazing gifts of our world."If you are a fly-tyer, you will appreciate Mike's baptism into tying: "I had undergone major ankle surgery and was not able to ski one winter when I was at my Colorado home. I availed myself of this downtime to take fly-tying lessons, and found it to be one of the most profoundly spiritual disciplines I had ever experienced. It is almost a form of meditation, and once the nuances of finger and hand movements are learned, it is a journey to somewhere deep inside."The reasons people fish are as varied as the people themselves. Have these gentlemen found the secrets of fly fishing? Is fly fishing strictly an inner journey, or an independent personal adventure? Read Fly-Fishing - the sacred art, and you will discover things you didn't know, and just perhaps, more importantly, some you did. ~ Lady Fisher(Deanna TravisFly Anglers Online2012-06-18)Fly Fishing--the Sacred Art of Casting a Fly as a Spiritual Practice Rabbi Eric Eisenkramer and Rev. Michael Attas (Skylight Paths) $16.99 This publisher is an interfaith outfit, a bit playful, who does easy-to-read books about spiritual practices, attending to God's presence in the ordinary. In this new book, to serious fly fisherman---one a Rabbi, the other an Episcopal priest (and medical doctor.) If you want to learn a bit more about this artful fishing style, tying flies, or being better stewards of rivers and streams, if you love the idea of fishing combined with faith, this is a great, great resource. Fun, full of (tall?) fish tales and some meditative ideas about finding God in the outdoors. I hope you know that we carry other books like that, from evangelical and from interfaith perspectives, on all sorts of outdoor adventure stuff.(Hearts and Minds Bookstore2012-06-11)Fly-Fishing—the Sacred Art: Casting a Fly as a Spiritual Practice by Michael Attas and Eric Eisenkramer (SkyLight Paths, 2012, $21.99) shares what fly-fishing has to teach us about reflection, awe and the wonder of the natural world, the benefits of solitude, the blessing of community and the search for the Divine.(The Mennonite2012-07-01)"Offers beautiful and original perspectives on a pastime that for many is a kind of religion. They find common ground in the rivers they fish and the spiritual truths they encounter. Lovely, learned, personal, heart-warming and instructional."—James Prosek, author,Trout: An Illustrated HistoryandFly-Fishing the 41st:From Connecticut to Mongolia and Home Again—A Fisherman's Odyssey"Tastefully integrates valuable fly-fishing principles, accounts of adventures and deep spiritual truths that we can all apply to our lives and reflect on when we are on the water."—Italo Labignan, television host,Canadian Sportfishing“Clearly [shows] we are all united in our spirit…. A great read for anyone who cares about people, the conservation of our planet or learning to fly-fish.”—Sherry Steele, communications chair, Federation of Fly Fishers National Board of Directors“Wonderfully written, inspirational … thoughtful and articulate, a careful read of this exceptional book will make you a better fly-angler, but more importantly, it will make you a better person.”—Todd Larson, PhD, history professor, Xavier University; publisher, Whitefish Press; creator, theFishing for Historyblog“Help[s] explain why so many people have ascribed spiritual meaning to this sport, and it does so in a way that will help others find such meaning in this pastime as well.”—Kenneth H. Lokensgard, PhD, creator, theLiterary Fly Fisherblog“I loved this book. Both men write beautifully, lyrically, poetically about ... the connection, the preparation for and act of fly-fishing. You will enjoy it. The words will 'take' you there.”—John Lionberger, author,Renewal in the Wilderness:A Spiritual Guide to Connecting with God in the Natural World