The Zen of fly fishing

Something happens when I stand beside or, better, in a stream. The farther away from civilization the better, although I've had the experience on streams rolling through towns and cities!

The river, the stream, the surroundings, the relative quiet, the imposed and delightful silence, the pesky fish, the wonderful fatigue of simply walking a stream for several hours--all combine to drive home the truth that all of us are a part of the magnificent, mysterious whole.

Why do we find it so hard to focus, to reflect, to retreat for the sake of renewal, but even more for understanding? It is almost as if we resist the places where understanding draws near because we know that life, as we normally live it, remains cut off from deeper reality that would help make sense of every ordinary, routine challenge or problem.

To put it simply: I've gone fishing for three days!

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