As with the morning sun, slowly I rise out of bed and slip into a new day without a sound.
The scents of algae, spices, and humidity rise above the fading dreams of last night, and I savor the moment. Looking out at the pre-dawn sky, I prepare my coffee, anxious for the day to begin.
Wandering down a path, I climb into a thin, carved-out teak boat and push off from the dock—the silence of the morning respected by all. The whisper of the breeze is music as I work my way over to the west side of the lake, and under the morning light, the fishermen come to life.
Rare are the mornings when it seems as if I’ve stepped back in time, so when such moments arrive, I relish the feeling.
To be a part of a culture, even if only for a short moment along the periphery, I drink in the lore of the ancient art of fishing here in Myanmar.
Gone is the clamor of modern society, replaced with the soft millennial sounds of water lapping against the hull and the rhythmic stroke of oars. Breathing in the morning air, my lungs fill with the earthy aromas floating around the life of a fisherman.
Mesmerized by the beauty and rhythm fishermen around the globe seem to share, thoughts drift to my hometown and the benefit of growing up in a rural area with the abundance of nature.
Mountain lakes, streams, and rivers feed the imagination at all times, none perhaps more potent than when having a line cast into the magical world below the surface of the water.
Mysterious forces lay beneath the water, capturing the imagination, matched by the tranquil calmness above.
Dipping a hand in the water as the teak boat glides into the morning fog, my mind wavers between questions of the depths of oceans and the cosmos, to the more enrapturing thought of her smile and what possible future could be in store for us.
There is something about being on the water, trying to understand the aquatic world beneath while untangling the knots of life above.
The great leviathan lurking beneath, the one we chase every time we go out on the water. Does it even exist?
Perhaps it is a kindred spirit, there to help and straighten out the kinks in our lives so as to set our minds at ease as we enjoy and celebrate this thing called life.
The Fishermen’s Lore ~ there are many sayings and stories, most of which involve the idea of chasing one’s own “white whale” to the dismay of others. The unique decision to pursue, when hope is lost, and those around shake their head, perplexed, as the angler once again heads off to be on the water.
The lore of the fishermen, off to chase the elusive, is a common thread we all share in the everyday pursuit of our own unique dreams.
In a place such as Inle Lake, located in the Shan State of Myanmar, it is easy to connect with the philosophies of the East and their own interpretation of what lies beneath.
How the ancient sages used the art of angling to explain the art of life: “fishing without catching any fish” is how one should live. Learn, contemplate, and develop patience.
Immediately, this has me thinking of Santiago, the protagonist in Hemingway’s Old Man and the Sea, who went months without a catch until the day he met his leviathan: the marlin he battles, respects, and in the end calls a brother.
The fishermen’s life can be a salty, tough, and poor existence…but still a life I cannot help but romanticize.
The life of fishermen is anything but simple; wishes for a greater life for their children, along with the increased burden society places on their craft, can make for difficult days.
Yet the artistic solitude of the craft must be admired, especially for those who fish in an “effortless way,” reflecting a life we all chase. An artist is always alert, thus able to refine their art of angling: through practice, contemplation, and patience.
A recipe to perfect any craft and pursue any dream.
As the morning passes, I see hardness in the work but a companionship as well. It is the echo of words from ancient sages who discuss the purity of understanding both yourself and what you do. A mix of understanding, when combined, makes a life complete.
The beauty of such philosophy lies in becoming a master of yourself and thus your craft.
When the art is slowly mastered, hope evolves into confidence and creativity ~ allowing the mind to flow.
Modern philosophers and educators believe the same, spawning the idea that 10,000 hours of practice is necessary for anyone to become a master in one’s craft. An idea worth building a life around.
The late afternoon sun burns away many of the hopes and dreams of catching the elusive white whale we were chasing today, but all is not wasted.
We find enough to make the day a success, and while there is no other choice for these fishermen but to head out tomorrow, there is another night to dream and to imagine what may become.
To fishermen around the world, who live according to their own code and accept the cycle of life: to struggle, to endure, and then redeem their existence through the art of angling.
Watching them extract value from life, passing on their knowledge from a lifetime of work. The angler is the everyman, the archetypal representation of who we are and who we wish to be.
Taking the narrow, rickety plank leading back to my room, I drag my gear and listen to the crackling call of the eastern great egret echoing through the trees and over the water. This small room sits on stilts over the lake; another place of solitude, allowing me to wash away a bit of the day ~ just enough to welcome in the evening.
Looking into a cracked mirror, exhausted, I turn on the tap and splash cold water over my head and breathe a sigh of relief as dinner and a cold beer lie ahead. Hearing the laughter from the dining hall, I let out a small chuckle as well. I am at peace.
I smile, knowing that soon a perfect shade of darkness will engulf the lake, ensuring that the night once again will loosen more knots as I drift off to dream.
Global Sojourns: Photography & Philosophy 
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