To have faith is to trust yourself to the water. When you swim you don’t grab hold of the water, because if you do you will sink and drown. Instead you relax, and float.
What's the meaning of this quote?
Quote Meaning: This insightful quote by Alan Watts employs the metaphor of swimming and water to convey a profound message about the nature of faith and trust in life. It invites us to rethink our approach to faith and highlights the importance of surrender and receptivity. Let's explore its deeper meaning:
Faith as Trust: The quote suggests that faith is not about clinging tightly to external supports or trying to control every aspect of life. Instead, it's about trusting oneself and the natural flow of existence. In the context of swimming, faith is akin to trusting the buoyancy of water.
Letting Go: The metaphor of swimming without grabbing hold of the water illustrates the idea of letting go of the need for excessive control or resistance. Just as grabbing water would lead to sinking, attempting to control every aspect of life can lead to stress and unhappiness. Faith involves a willingness to relax and allow life to unfold.
Flowing with Life: It encourages us to embrace life's currents rather than constantly fighting against them. Just as a swimmer can use the natural buoyancy of water to stay afloat, having faith in life means working with the natural rhythms and circumstances that present themselves.
Surrender and Relaxation: The quote underscores the importance of surrender and relaxation as key components of faith. By letting go of fear and the need to control, individuals can experience a sense of ease and flow in their lives.
Receptivity: Faith, in this context, is also about receptivity to the support and opportunities that life offers. When we trust in the process, we become more open to the possibilities and guidance that come our way.
In essence, this quote offers a profound perspective on faith as a form of trust and surrender to the inherent flow of life. It encourages us to let go of unnecessary control and resistance, reminding us that by relaxing and allowing life to support us, we can navigate its waters with greater ease and serenity. It invites us to have faith in our own capacity to float and find harmony in the currents of existence.
Who said the quote?
The quote "To have faith is to trust yourself to the water. When you swim you don't grab hold of the water, because if you do you will sink and drown. Instead you relax, and float." is often attributed to Alan Watts (Bio / Quotes). Alan Watts was a British philosopher, writer, and speaker who popularized Eastern philosophy and spirituality in the Western world.
Chief Editor
Tal Gur is an author, founder, and impact-driven entrepreneur at heart. After trading his daily grind for a life of his own daring design, he spent a decade pursuing 100 major life goals around the globe. His journey and most recent book, The Art of Fully Living, has led him to found Elevate Society.
