Mind Games
It has a lot of interesting ideas and I agree with pigsteak that it encompasses a lot more than just climbing. It's cool though that it uses aspects of climbing as examples though because we can all relate to those directly. I loved to climb before I ever knew about grades or redpoints and such but I think I learned a lot of bad habits in terms of ego motivation as I learned to climb. I am trying to start applying the ideas in the book to my climbing but it's a bit strange for me because I can really get motivated when my ego is at stake but it's harder to just climb for the learning and growth experience. Have you guys thought about the ego versus growth motivation much that's talked about in the book? I think my ego tends to take more of a backseat when I'm actually on a route because I have to focus so hard on what I'm doing. I think the bigger problem is before and after. I think there are many reasons that if my ego isn't pushing me I would not try as hard. For example, it used to be really important for me to onsight a route because I wanted to be able to claim that I onsight 99% of the routes I get on. I would never give up on an onsight attempt and do everything in my power to do it. Now that I've become more aware of my motivation for doing that it seems silly and I don't care as much. This has led me to not push as hard on a few routes and give up. For those of you that know more about the Warriors Way how do you get motivated enough to give it all without any ego involved?
Good point Danny.
I think the ego thing is something you have to work at holding back.
Kind of like the breathing technique when you start to freak. You know, bring your attention back to what is right in front of you, focus on your breathing, etc. and you should center yourself and calm down.
When you find yourself being ego oriented, you catch yourself (observe), and then redirect your focus to learning and being in the moment.
It is something I work on because it is a challenge to be getting on higher graded routes, doing well on them, and not having a swollen head about it!
But then again that's the great thing about climbing. There are always harder routes to humble me, and I know I can always improve (learn).
I think the key to the ego thing is to catch yourself heading in that direction (it's human nature after all), and realizing you are becoming ego-motivated/oriented, then conciously redirecting your focus to one of learning and growth.
Love based as Arno puts it.
As far as pigsteaks comment about it applying more to life than climbing, I still don't agree.
I think it is written so that you CAN apply it to any aspect of your life, be it work, or whatever, but it is definatly aimed towards climbing.
Does any of that make sense?
I think the ego thing is something you have to work at holding back.
Kind of like the breathing technique when you start to freak. You know, bring your attention back to what is right in front of you, focus on your breathing, etc. and you should center yourself and calm down.
When you find yourself being ego oriented, you catch yourself (observe), and then redirect your focus to learning and being in the moment.
It is something I work on because it is a challenge to be getting on higher graded routes, doing well on them, and not having a swollen head about it!
But then again that's the great thing about climbing. There are always harder routes to humble me, and I know I can always improve (learn).
I think the key to the ego thing is to catch yourself heading in that direction (it's human nature after all), and realizing you are becoming ego-motivated/oriented, then conciously redirecting your focus to one of learning and growth.
Love based as Arno puts it.
As far as pigsteaks comment about it applying more to life than climbing, I still don't agree.
I think it is written so that you CAN apply it to any aspect of your life, be it work, or whatever, but it is definatly aimed towards climbing.
Does any of that make sense?
Well Danny, I've been sitting here a half hour and have typed about three different paragraphs and deleted each one of them then completely contradicted myself in another paragraph and then deleted it so I'm going to give up on this one.
It's a tough question for sure. Maybe one Arno could answer.
It's a tough question for sure. Maybe one Arno could answer.
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andy_lemon
- Posts: 1566
- Joined: Mon Oct 07, 2002 2:22 am
Jeff: I liked what you said. The ego is always there but we aren't our ego. When I recognize the ego's presence I try to embrace it and its needs then gently put it aside and focus on the present moment/that is what is right in front of me: the next hand or foot or gear placement or the next pan I'm washing or the person talking to me...there is no future there is no past there is only this present moment.
This is what I am learning and relearning. I apologize to anyone if this sounds too esoteric or like I know something you don't. (My ego wants to be accepted/and it's a sneaky devil)
This is what I am learning and relearning. I apologize to anyone if this sounds too esoteric or like I know something you don't. (My ego wants to be accepted/and it's a sneaky devil)
I try to be a good man but all that comes
of trying is I feel more guilty.
Ikkyu
of trying is I feel more guilty.
Ikkyu
I definately have ego problems as well. Especially with sport climbing. And I feel that it is definately messing with enjoyment of the sport. My ego tells me I am not climbing hard enough or as much as I should. It both pushes me in bad ways and holds me back in good.
I have much less of ego problems when either bouldering or trad climbing. I guess i am comfortable with my bouldering and i don't feel like i need to push my trad climbing that much.
i should really pick up a copy of Arno's book. Maybe as a Christmas present to myself.
I have much less of ego problems when either bouldering or trad climbing. I guess i am comfortable with my bouldering and i don't feel like i need to push my trad climbing that much.
i should really pick up a copy of Arno's book. Maybe as a Christmas present to myself.
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