“Leap, and the net will appear.”
–John Burroughs
John Burroughs’ line perfectly distills the meaning of the oft-used phrase, leap of faith. But the origin of the phrase is Kierkegaard, who actually said ‘leap to faith’. Completely different. A leap of faith is a leap from this side of the chasm accompanied by faith of what is on the other side. Some risk involved, yes, but you have an idea of what you are expecting to find on that side and you already have the faith. It is more about the leap than what is on the other side. A leap to faith, however, is more about courage, the idea that you are taking the leap without the knowledge or faith that anything is on the other side. Hoping to find faith there without already having faith that there is anything at all. Much riskier.
Kierkegaard was talking about religious faith. Taking a spiritual path, or having the courage to believe in God when there is no proof. When we hear of bad things happening to good people, many wonder where God was. How could God, all-knowing and all-powerful, allow such things to happen? God, in all His Holy Names—Jehovah, Ram, Yahweh, Allah, Mother, Universe–gave us free will a long, long, time ago. That’s how we got into this messy, unpure state of being, remember? God does not step in to prevent bad things from happening, God is there to help you pick up the pieces and find grace again to go on.
Everyone has these leaps to take. Whether it is deciding to start a new business or letting your teenager drive alone the first time. It takes courage to initiate these actions, not faith. Courage to vote for or against something when you represent other people and their views are not yours. Courage to marry, divorce, have a child, rescue someone. Courage to speak up and ask the next question when others might be satisfied.
I think that most of the time the phrase ‘leap of faith’ is used, it should be ‘leap to faith’. Next time you think a leap is necessary, figure out which side of the chasm the faith sits on. Are you taking it with you or going to find it? Is it faith or courage?
‘Leap of…’ or ‘leap to…’ Either way you’re desperate. Desperation creates its own justification for either faith or courage.
Whoa, Enoch, that’s pretty dark. Here I am talking about hope either way, and the nuances between faith and courage, and your post equates either with desperation. If you had me pegged, I’d be the first to say ouch and admit it, but that’s not the case. We all have to take leaps of some kind if we are involved in living a life. There are just too many variables (other people) that we don’t control, that require leaps of faith, or leaps to faith. Otherwise, we end up sitting alone with way too many cats.
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