The false summit phenomenon happens when you’ve been hiking all day, and hungry, thirsty, and borderline headache from the altitude looming, you think you’re about to summit. It looks like the peak is right before you and you’re going to bag it and merrily make your way down the mountain. But just as you reach the so-called peak, you realize it is not actually the summit. Rather it is a false summit, and behind it looms the actual peak and it always seems a bit bigger and more daunting than the first. Not to mention you now have that headache from the altitude.
The options are to employ your (in the words of Liz Rosenberg) divine stubborness and climb that second peak. Or turn around and go home because you’re a bit disappointed and feel, well, a little deflated.
After spending several days steeped in the realities of the New York publishing industry at the Backspace Writer’s Conference, I realize that what I had my sights set on was a false summit. I’ve been working on a book for two years entitled “Learning to Walk in India.” Finishing the book is the easy part. The false summit. And I pause, with merely a hint of deflation left as I tighten the pack (that’s backpack for us Coloradans), take a long sip of water (that’s meditate for us sitters), and keep pressing on with a resolve as mighty as the task at hand. There is no turning back here. Only one foot slowly in front of the other as I look toward the second peak.
After all, the journey is the destination.
I was really moved to return and see all of your comments on that last post, What is happiness. You guys make me happy. Well, you rock, really.
Alice, I would have loved to have met you in NYC. Just logged on this morning. Perhaps next time when my book is being published… :)
Barry, thanks for the link to Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche’s song: What About Me. I listened to it this morning. It was just what I needed to hear. If anyone has a few moments, I recommend checking it out. We first encountered it on Alice’s blog and then Barry reminded me of it, saying that the video clip makes it clear that “happiness-the heart being free-comes when we turn away from “What about me?” and turn toward “How can I help you?”. Thanks, all of you.
What About Me:
June 2, 2009 at 8:37 am
I really look forward to reading it. I am so proud of you for coming this far. Well done, friend. xoxo
June 2, 2009 at 9:10 am
Awww, Sarah. Thanks, sweetie!
June 2, 2009 at 10:31 am
Molly, the ultimate journey is perpetual. As many treks as a person takes, there really are no ‘false’ summits. Every step is a milestone, a meaningful stage, based on what is learned in a moment. Sometimes, one experiences profound revelations. Other times, a person simply gains a new vanatge point of inhales a breath of fresh air. The point is, no person ever has any reason to feel deflated. Guilt, shame, disappointment are illusions that lift you to awareness. That only happens when ego is permitted to create expectations and the rest of you chooses to believe that illusion.
June 2, 2009 at 10:31 am
Molly, would you consider that every summit is a false summit. When your book is published (looking forward to that) won’t there be another summit after that, and then another and another, until death (unless you’ve accepted rebirth, then till nirvana eh’…) From the hikes I’ve done what I have come to learn to enjoy is the scenery along the way, nothing is ever really complete from where I sit. Blah I must be feeling chatty today.
June 2, 2009 at 10:34 am
interesting thoughts, false summits, something that life seems riddled with. I guess we just have to plod on regardless though at times it is tempting to just turn around and retire!
June 2, 2009 at 10:37 am
Liara–thanks. I totally agree with you.
Jordan–Yes, I think you’re right. Every summit is a false summit. And that is why we practice, huh?
Duma–I think you’re right. I’m not hanging upp my hat. That is for sure.
June 2, 2009 at 10:44 am
And yet so many would have seen that first summit and not even tried. You have so much to be proud of! Well done, and best to you on this next leg of the journey.
June 2, 2009 at 10:54 am
Laura–
Thanks. I really appreciate your words!
June 2, 2009 at 2:54 pm
In Korea, there’s an old saying:
“Beyond mountains are mountains.”
Thanks, Molly!
June 2, 2009 at 2:57 pm
Beyond mountains are mountains.
Sigh.
Yes, Barry. Thems true words. Thanks
With deep respect,
Molly
June 2, 2009 at 5:02 pm
I’m so glad you are moving toward your mountain tops. And I’m also glad to be a part of such a lovely group of bloggers.
June 2, 2009 at 5:53 pm
A summit is just a summit, in its own self-existing summitness, without reference to any other summits. So of course when we forget that, it becomes a false summit!
Yes, next time you visit NYC, I’d love to get together – get a chance to enjoy the view from a shared summit.
Best wishes on your book!
June 2, 2009 at 6:05 pm
Anne–Yes I am moving toward the mountain top, though it is apparent that there will be mountain top after mountain top. Never just one.
Alice–Yes, I got caught up in the whirl and swirl of NYC, and it did indeed become a false summit. But I entirely agree with you. And would love to catch up next time I’m in NYC, or if you ever come to Denver.
June 2, 2009 at 9:34 pm
Congrats on making it up one summit. Writing a book is a huge accomplishment and you should be very proud. You’ll gather strength, pause for some rest, and continue on the journey…and I have no doubt you’ll reach the next summit in no time.
June 2, 2009 at 10:00 pm
Nice analogy I am sure one day you look back and think That second summit wasn’t bad For now congratulations on finishing your book I do think that is an achievement in itself
June 3, 2009 at 4:01 am
Talon–Thanks for the warm words. Appreciated.
Marja–You’re right. Thanks.
June 3, 2009 at 4:53 am
Hi Molly! Things like that happen. False summits seem really frustrating, yet they also serve a purpose. For a little time, they have inspired us to carry on.
June 3, 2009 at 6:27 am
Molly, that is a great post!
Really enjoed it… such a profound thought.
I think all of us keep experiencing that but only few can really face it and realize it.
June 3, 2009 at 6:55 am
Axinia–Glad you liked the post. It is nice to know that it resonates with you!
June 3, 2009 at 7:25 am
Molly: The way that I end of thinking of so many of the adventures in my life (rather than challenges) is a never ending quest for the summit, false or otherwise, as it sounds here to me. I have seen those false summits many a time, for me it is the difference between what I want, and what I REALLY want. When I get to the real want, which is usually associated with a deeply held need, I am much more content. ANd then, I don’t mind if reaching the actual summit takes a long time, because the scenery along the way and the learning about oneself is just an amazing experience. Keep climbing!!!!
June 3, 2009 at 7:29 am
Vanessa,
Love your comment, and to know that you’re out there climbing, too. Thanks for your thoughtful words, and for your wonderful spirit. You rock!
June 3, 2009 at 1:04 pm
may be the problem is with the way we categorize it has true or false, may be there is nothing like false summits, every peak or even lack of it can be made a summit, on our quest to the biggest one, considering the ultimate destination is something which is illusional, what is it that makes us believe this is a false summit.
just a thought
June 3, 2009 at 1:12 pm
Rambler–good point. the destination is illusional because, in the end, there is no one place of arrival, merely one long continuous transformation, or change. Thanks for sharing your insights!
June 3, 2009 at 2:45 pm
Molly, kick ass post as usual, thank you!
June 4, 2009 at 7:15 am
Hi Molly-
Wonderful image of life’s movement and the false summit – reached a few of those myself.
Great writing, thanks.
Love Gail
peace…..
June 10, 2009 at 11:38 am
Molly, I saw your query post in Bksp and was intrigued by your story enough to google your name to find this blog. If your book contains the kind of writing in this particular post about writing’s false summit, it will be a sure sell. I know a writer who has published two and just sold his third travel memoir. Would be happy to introduce you to him if you like. I am looking forward to getting to know you through Bksp.