You’re climbing a mountain, not a hill.

“The path of true learning is strewn with rocks, not roses. Anyone who insists on taking the easier way ends up in a fools paradise.” – Jed McKenna

Welcome back.

I just arrived home from running a intensive weekend retreat for a small group of practitioners in — of all places — Vegas.

It went the way these retreats always go:

A rocky, bumpy ride; not-smooth sailing over deep waters and unpredictable waves…

…Until finally, somewhere around day three, sunlight broke through the clouds, the sea became calm, and our journey resolved into clear, open space.

That’s the way it goes, and it’s the only way it goes:

To build up we must first break down.

To move forwards we must first overcome what is holding back.

To find the light we must first go through the darkness.

Those who wish for a smooth, easy ride find themselves white-knuckling the steering wheel when the road inevitably gets rough…

…Redoubling their tension and anxiety instead of their grit and resolve, in turn making the road rougher and the ride slower.

Meanwhile, the veterans — the warriors — enter the arena ready for battle, meeting the oncoming storm with relaxed, focused intensity.

Instead of flinching in fear, they roll smoothly with each punch before returning fire.

Instead of running from the dragon, they aim for it’s throat, blade drawn.

Instead of expecting a hill, they prepare for a mountain.

And that’s why they reach the peak.

T
​
P.S. This just dropped…