This past week I was in Mexico on a rock climbing trip with some friends. I started rock climbing in July 2016 and quickly grew to love the sport. I enjoy rock climbing for the same reason I enjoy flying: doing it well takes complete focus and dedication, and a mistake could cost you your life. It is interesting that although the latter seems true more so of flying (at least to me), I often feel more in danger rock climbing than I do flying. But I think it is true of both activities that adrenaline is actually a sign that something is going wrong. Both activities require a cool, clear head to be performed well.
On the flight back home, I tried to think of one word to describe the trip to my coworkers. I wanted only one word, because all too often I hear one word responses to those types of questions that don't really say anything meaningful or beg further questions. I wanted to find one word that might make my coworkers more curious about my experience. I decided on the word 'spiritual'. Because there was something spiritual about the experience, even if I could not really figure out what it was. I will give you an example.
Almost every day on my trip I found myself 5-10 feet above my last clip, standing on a piece of rock the size of a dime, and holding on to the edge of a rock with my fingertips, frantically feeling around with my hands for another solid hold, which may or may not contain spiders, scorpions, etc. And in moments like those I would think to myself, "why am I on this rock [face]?" Hours later, after several rappels and margaritas, I would find myself lounging by the pool reading and thinking about life. And in moments like those I would think to myself, "why am I on this rock [the Earth]?" That is one of my favorite parts about vacation, is it allows one time to think and reflect in a way that is not possible in the home environment.
Anyway, I found something spiritual in the duality of that question, although I am not quite sure what it is.
