Fly Fishing―The Sacred Art: Casting a Fly as Spiritual Practice (The Art of Spiritual Living) - Softcover

Eisenkramer, Rabbi Eric; Attas MD, Rev. Micheal

Softcover

ISBN 10: 159473299X ISBN 13: 9781594732997

Publisher: SkyLight Paths, 2012

Synopsis

Discover the spiritual potential hidden in every cast of the fly rod.

"For us, fly-fishing is about more than catching fish. We have been skunked on the stream too many times to count, and stood shivering in our waders in 45-degree water long after sundown. Yet, every chance we get, we head back to the river in search of trout and something more."
―from Rabbi Eric's Introduction

"Early in my fly-fishing career I remember telling a friend that there is so much to learn! Some forty years later, that is still true. Every trip I learn something new about rivers, fish and the natural world. Most importantly, I learn something new about myself. Every encounter with the waters of our planet draws me deeper into who I am and who I want to become."
―from Reverend Mike's Introduction

In this unique exploration of fly-fishing as a spiritual practice, an Episcopal priest and a rabbi share 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. Tapping the wisdom in the Christian and Jewish traditions and their own geographically diverse experiences on the water, they show how time spent on the stream can help you navigate the currents and eddies of your own inner journey.

About this title

About the Author:

Rabbi Eric Eisenkramer is creator of The Fly Fishing Rabbi: A Blog about Trout,God and Religion, and a contributor to Trout magazine and Reform Judaism magazine. He is the spiritual leader of Temple B'nai Shalom in East Brunswick, New Jersey.

Rev. Michael Attas, MD, an avid fly fisher for over forty years, is assisting priest at St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Waco,Texas, a practicing cardiologist, professor of medical humanities at Baylor University and columnist for the Waco Tribune Herald. During the summer months, he works as a volunteer fly-fishing guide in Colorado.

Chris Wood is president and CEO of Trout Unlimited, the conservation organization whose mission is "conserving, protecting and restoring North America's cold-water fisheries and their watersheds." He is the author of Watershed Restoration: Principles and Practices and coauthor of From Conquest to Conservation: Our Public Land Legacy.

Lori Simon is the executive director of Casting for Recovery, a breast cancer support group that uses fly-fishing to heal sufferers, both mentally and physically. She enjoys the contemplative and spiritual surroundings of the natural world through hiking, fishing, horseback riding and sitting quietly in a canoe.

Review:

"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 History and Fly-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, the Fishing for History blog

“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, the Literary Fly Fisher blog

“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

About this edition

• Publisher: SkyLight Paths
• Publication date: 2012
• ISBN 10: 159473299X
• ISBN 13: 9781594732997
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 160