At a trout-stocked lake fishing was allowed with one stipulation: fishermen could use only barbless hooks. The owners explained that the trout, accustomed to being fed, were almost tame. So as not to deny anyone the sport of fishing but still give the fish a fighting chance, the owners required the use of barbless hooks.
In thinking about this, a woman visitor who was a student of Christian Science saw that the deciding factor in the fish's loss of freedom is the little barb, or reverse projection, on the hook. Without the barb, the trout has the opportunity to shake loose and regain its freedom; but when caught by a barbed hook, the fish is, more often than not, unable to free itself.
How similar this situation is to our relationship with others! The hook could be likened to the belief that mortality is the actual state of man. If we accept this, then the barbs of hate or malice can ensnare us and rob us of our joy. Unlovely thinking in ourselves or the discrimination and domination of those around us could claim to take away our dominion and deprive us of our peace.
