“Sometimes, the idea that you come up with may seem impossible to the rest of the world, but that doesn’t mean it’s impossible to you.” ~ NIRMAL PURJA
Dear Readers, Community, Friends,
How do we thrive, even amidst fear?
If you asked a mountaineer (which I recently did), they would tell you that when you are in a fear place, you have two choices: back down, or move through. And for mountaineers, this decision must be made at a lightening-fast speed in those critical moments when their life is on the line. When you are in a life-and-death situation, you are pushed into the flow state – there is no room not to be.
Before you get on the mountain, you must first ask yourself why you are setting off on the adventure. Is it to achieve something, or to gain recognition? Or, is it to honor the mountain, climb in an ethical way, and experience the spiritual nature of a reverent place? For sure, the excitement of the unknown in such an environment, and the adrenaline rush that accompanies it are also at play. But, no matter your volition, fully preparing, committing, and then immersing yourself will invite a journey that will change you forever.
If this idea intrigues you, you will enjoy watching 14 Peaks: Nothing Is Impossible, where Nirmal Purja (a.k.a. “Nims”) sets out with a team of fellow Nepali high-altitude mountaineers to summit the 14 highest peaks of the world in a mere 7 months (the previous record: SEVEN YEARS). It can not be understated how physically challenging, logistically complicated and expensive attempting just one of these peaks is. Nims continuously shows up for each challenge the mountains ask of him, and celebrates the unsung heroes of these treks – the Sherpas.
“In such a concentrated situation, climbing and meditation is the same. When the pain is really forcing you to go down, you keep going up. You are really on the edge of possibilities. The edge of life and death.” ~ Nims
While most of us are not called to undertake such an extreme adventure, adopting the mindset of a mountaineer into the most challenging aspects of our lives might offer a fresh perspective and expand what we previously believed as possible.